UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 2: Questions on urban poverty and India-Indonesia relations (Week 89)

Discuss the multifaceted impact of rural-urban migration on urban poverty in India. Analyse the contributing factors and suggest policy measures to mitigate the adverse effects.

QUESTION 2

Analyse the historical trajectory of India-Indonesia relations. Discuss the key milestones that have shaped the bilateral ties between the two nations.

General points on the structure of the answers

Introduction

— The introduction of the answer is essential and should be restricted to 3-5 lines. Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction.

— It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from the trusted source and authentic facts.

Body

— It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content.

— The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points.

— Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question, but do not over analyse.

QUESTION 1: Discuss the multifaceted impact of rural-urban migration on urban poverty in India. Analyse the contributing factors and suggest policy measures to mitigate the adverse effects.

Introduction:

— Urban poverty is frequently typified by issues such as high living costs, restricted access to affordable housing, and poor sanitation and healthcare services, which are especially visible in industrialised cities.

— According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Institute for Human Development’s India Employment Report 2024, India’s urban poverty rate has fallen from 13.7% in 2012 to 12.55% in 2022. However, many experts warn of rising urban poverty, which is being driven by increased urbanisation, despite the fact that the share is declining.

Body:

— In India, the concept of poverty has a rural slant, and urban poverty is frequently viewed as a result of rural hardship. Following economic deregulation in the 1990s, fast economic growth raised the demand for skilled labour in cities. However, unequal growth and the concentration of economic rewards in specific states and areas exacerbated inequality throughout the country. This resulted in migration from less developed to more rich regions, which contributed to the increase of urban poverty.

— As of 2020-21, migrants account for almost one-third of India’s overall population, with 34.6 percent of the entire population living in cities. As people relocate from rural areas to cities, the urban population grows in tandem with the physical expansion of the metropolis. The process is called urbanisation.

— Rapid urbanisation puts strain on housing, leading to overcrowding and the spread of informal settlements, all of which contribute to the “urbanisation of poverty”. Thus, urban poverty encompasses not just poverty or money deprivation, but also a lack of access to basic amenities such as housing, water, sanitation, health, education, livelihoods, and social security.

— A slum is defined by the 2011 Census as a concentration of 60-70 families, regardless of legal tenure. This is in contrast to the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) and Planning Commission’s definition of a slum, which is a compact settlement of at least 20 households.

— According to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation’s National Report, around 23.5% of Indian urban households lived in slums in 2001. This rate fell to 17% in 2011. However, throughout the same time period, the overall number of slum households increased from 10.5 million to 13.75 million.

— Urban poverty is very directly tied to the kind of jobs that the urban poor have. According to a 1972 ILO report that popularised the term “informal sector,” migrant and urban people are frequently involved in small-scale operations when the modern sector cannot provide enough job prospects. The informal sector is distinguished by low entry barriers, small-scale businesses, labour-intensive jobs, the use of local and adapted technology, skills obtained outside of the official education system, and unregulated, competitive markets.

Way forward/ conclusion

— The Indian government recently proposed a door-to-door study to detect the many risks of urban poverty, particularly among low-income households. The study is designed to target six specific groups, including domestic workers and gig workers. This project is a positive step, as the NITI Aayog’s discussion report on multidimensional poverty in India highlighted that rural poverty has decreased quicker than urban poverty.

— Informal sector occupations include home-based workers, domestic workers, minor traders, street vendors, coolies, porters, small artisans, barbers, and gig economy workers. The informal sector is frequently substantial and active.

— An estimated 80% of all workers in urban areas labour in the informal sector. These jobs are typically low-paying, precarious, and lack benefits such as health insurance, pensions, or work security. These economic activities are unregulated by the government. In addition, many jobs have caste, religious, and gender components.

(Source: In what ways rural-urban migration contribute to urban poverty)

Points to Ponder

Read more about the informal sector.

Read more about urban poverty and rapid urbanisation

Related Previous Year Questions

Poverty and malnutrition create a vicious cycle, adversely affecting human capital formation. What steps can be taken to break the cycle? (2024)

Besides the welfare schemes, India needs deft management of inflation and unemployment to serve the poor and the underprivileged sections of the society. Discuss. (2022)

QUESTION 2: Analyse the historical trajectory of India-Indonesia relations. Discuss the key milestones that have shaped the bilateral ties between the two nations.

Introduction:

— The friendship between Sukarno and Prabowo has had its ups and downs throughout the 75 years since they were chief guests at the Republic Day celebrations.

— After beginning on a high note in the late 1940s, owing to a shared dedication to anti-imperialism and democratic principles, relations deteriorated in the 1960s as Indonesia allied with China and Pakistan. During Suharto’s reign, things improved but were still not ideal. Relations actually took off only in the 1990s, when the P V Narasimha Rao administration implemented the ‘Look East’ policy.

— In the late 1940s and 1950s, India’s amicable bilateral relationship with Indonesia was motivated by a shared colonial experience and common post-colonial ambitions of political sovereignty and economic self-sufficiency.

Body:

— In March 1951, India and Indonesia signed a Treaty of Friendship which aimed at “perpetual peace and unalterable friendship” between the two countries.

— India and Indonesia became leading advocates for Asian and African independence in the United Nations, inspiring the momentous Bandung Conference in 1955 and the formation of the Non-Aligned Movement in 1961.

— Relations actually took off only in the 1990s, when the P V Narasimha Rao administration implemented the ‘Look East’ policy. The ‘Look East’ policy arose in response to these circumstances, with the goal of strengthening India’s ties with Southeast Asian countries, which were developing as some of the world’s fastest-growing economies.

— In 2014, the Narendra Modi government took things a step further by implementing the ‘Act East’ policy, which is more project- and outcome-focused.

— Since 2000, every Indonesian President and Indian Prime Minister have visited the other country. As a result, bilateral relations in politics, security, defence, trade, and culture have gradually increased.

— Today, Indonesia is India’s second largest trading partner in the ASEAN region (behind Singapore). Bilateral trade grew from $4.3 billion in 2005-06 to $38.84 billion in 2022-23, and $29.40 billion in 2023-24.

— India is the world’s second-largest buyer of coal and crude palm oil from Indonesia, and it imports minerals, rubber, pulp and paper, and hydrocarbon reserves. India exports refined petroleum products, commercial automobiles, telecommunications equipment, agricultural commodities, beef, steel goods, and plastics to Indonesia.

Conclusion:

— India and Indonesia signed agreements on marine security, health, traditional medicine, culture, and digital collaboration on Saturday in New Delhi, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.

— Indonesia and India are ideally positioned to expand trade and economic connections, improve connectivity, strengthen maritime security cooperation, increase military exchanges, and initiate defence industrial cooperation.

(Source: From Sukarno to Prabowo Subianto: The evolution of India-Indonesia ties by Arjun Sengupta)

Points to Ponder

— Key developments between India and Indonesia

— Places in news in and around Indonesia

— Trade between India and Indonesia

Related Previous Year Questions

Critically analyse India’s evolving diplomatic, economic, and strategic relations with the Central Asian Republics (CARs), highlighting their increasing significance in regional and global geopolitics. (2024)

‘India is an age-old friend of Sri Lanka.’ Discuss India’s role in the recent crisis in Sri Lanka in the light of the preceding statement. (2022)

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 89)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 88)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 88)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 88)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 87)

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