India's Growth Trajectory: The Imperative of Internal Reforms
सारांश
This brief editorial underscores the necessity of continuous internal reforms for India to achieve sustained economic growth and realize its full potential. It suggests that while external factors and global positioning are important, the true engine of growth lies in addressing domestic structural issues. The article implicitly calls for reforms in areas such as governance, ease of doing business, infrastructure, and human capital development to create a more conducive environment for investment and productivity. The core message is that India's economic future depends on its ability to implement difficult but essential internal changes.
पृष्ठभूमि संदर्भ
वर्तमान विकास
मुख्य तथ्य
- Need for continuous internal reforms for sustained economic growth
अभ्यास MCQs
प्रश्न 1
With reference to economic reforms in India, consider the following statements: 1. The initial economic reforms of 1991 primarily focused on liberalizing trade and industrial policy to integrate India with the global economy. 2. 'Second-generation reforms' typically refer to deeper structural changes aimed at improving governance, factor markets, and social sector delivery. 3. The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, 2003, is considered a key 'first-generation reform' aimed at fiscal consolidation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 1, 2 and 3
व्याख्या: Statement 1 is correct. The 1991 reforms (often termed 'first-generation') were indeed about liberalization, privatization, and globalization (LPG), opening up the economy, reducing tariffs, and dismantling licensing requirements. Statement 2 is correct. 'Second-generation reforms' typically refer to the more challenging, deeper structural changes that address institutional bottlenecks, improve governance, reform factor markets (land, labor, capital), and enhance social sector delivery (education, health). These are often harder to implement due to political economy considerations. Statement 3 is incorrect. The FRBM Act, 2003, came much later than the initial 1991 reforms and is generally considered part of the ongoing 'second-generation' or 'next-generation' reforms focused on fiscal discipline and governance, not a 'first-generation reform'. First-generation reforms are primarily associated with the initial liberalization phase of the early 1990s. Therefore, statements 1 and 2 are correct.
मुख्य परीक्षा अभ्यास प्रश्न
प्रश्न 1
Critically examine the imperative of continuous internal reforms for India to achieve sustained economic growth and fully leverage its demographic dividend. What are the key areas requiring such reforms and the challenges in their implementation?
पिछले वर्षों के प्रश्न
PYQ 1 - UPSC Prelims 2019 2019
Which of the following factors are considered by the World Bank in its 'Ease of Doing Business' report? 1. Starting a business 2. Dealing with construction permits 3. Getting electricity 4. Registering property 5. Paying taxes Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- (a) 1, 2 and 3 only
- (b) 1, 2, 3 and 4 only
- (c) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
- (d) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
व्याख्या: The World Bank's 'Ease of Doing Business' report assesses regulations affecting 10 areas of the life of a business: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, getting electricity, registering property, getting credit, protecting minority investors, paying taxes, trading across borders, enforcing contracts, and resolving insolvency. Therefore, all five factors listed are considered.
PYQ 2 - UPSC Mains 2020 (GS-III) 2020
Critically examine the challenges and opportunities for India to achieve a $5 trillion economy by 2025. (250 words)
PYQ 3 - SSC CGL 2023 2023
Which of the following is a primary objective of implementing continuous internal economic reforms in India?
- (a) To increase reliance on foreign aid
- (b) To reduce domestic consumption
- (c) To enhance productivity and attract investment
- (d) To prioritize external trade over domestic growth
व्याख्या: Continuous internal economic reforms in India primarily aim to address domestic structural issues, enhance productivity across sectors, and create a more conducive environment to attract both domestic and foreign investment, thereby driving sustained economic growth.
PYQ 4 - SSC CHSL 2022 2022
The 'Ease of Doing Business' index, often cited in discussions about India's economic reforms, is published by which international organization?
- (a) International Monetary Fund (IMF)
- (b) World Economic Forum (WEF)
- (c) World Bank
- (d) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
व्याख्या: The 'Ease of Doing Business' report, which measures regulations that enhance or constrain business activity, is published annually by the World Bank. This index is a key indicator of the success of internal reforms related to governance and business environment.
PYQ 5 - SSC CGL 2023 2023
Which of the following government initiatives is primarily focused on improving India's physical infrastructure to boost economic growth?
- (a) Skill India Mission
- (b) Make in India
- (c) PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan
- (d) Digital India
व्याख्या: The PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan is a multi-modal connectivity platform aimed at integrated planning and coordinated implementation of infrastructure connectivity projects. While other options contribute to growth, Gati Shakti specifically targets physical infrastructure development.
PYQ 6 - IBPS PO 2018 2018
The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), enacted in 2016, was primarily introduced to address which of the following issues in the Indian economy?
- (a) High fiscal deficit
- (b) Non-performing assets (NPAs) and inefficient debt recovery
- (c) Lack of foreign direct investment
- (d) Inflationary pressures
व्याख्या: The IBC was a landmark reform aimed at consolidating and amending the laws relating to reorganization and insolvency resolution of corporate persons, partnership firms, and individuals in a time-bound manner. Its primary objective was to improve debt recovery, reduce the burden of NPAs on banks, and enhance the ease of doing business by providing a clear framework for insolvency resolution.
PYQ 7 - SBI PO 2023 2023
Which of the following is a key aspect of 'human capital development' as an internal reform for India's economic growth?
- (a) Reducing corporate tax rates
- (b) Investing in education, skill training, and healthcare
- (c) Deregulating financial markets completely
- (d) Increasing import tariffs on goods
व्याख्या: Human capital development refers to improving the quality of the workforce through investments in education, vocational training, and healthcare. A skilled and healthy workforce is essential for enhancing productivity and innovation, which are critical drivers of sustained economic growth.
PYQ 8 - IBPS Clerk 2023 2023
To foster a more conducive environment for investment and productivity, internal reforms often focus on improving 'ease of doing business'. Which of the following measures would directly contribute to this?
- (a) Imposing stricter capital controls
- (b) Simplifying regulatory procedures and reducing bureaucratic hurdles
- (c) Nationalizing private industries
- (d) Increasing government subsidies for all sectors
व्याख्या: Simplifying regulatory procedures, reducing bureaucratic hurdles, and ensuring transparent governance are direct measures to improve the 'ease of doing business'. These reforms reduce compliance costs and time for businesses, making the environment more attractive for investment and boosting productivity.
PYQ 9 - CDS 2023 2023
Which of the following is NOT typically considered a key area for internal structural reforms aimed at boosting India's economic growth and productivity?
- (a) Labour market reforms
- (b) Judicial reforms for faster dispute resolution
- (c) Reforms in global trade agreements
- (d) Land acquisition and titling reforms
व्याख्या: Internal structural reforms focus on domestic issues like labour laws, judicial efficiency, and land policies to improve the domestic business environment and productivity. Reforms in global trade agreements, while important for external trade, are generally considered external or international policy rather than internal structural reforms.
PYQ 10 - CDS 2022 2022
Improving 'governance' as an internal reform for economic growth primarily involves:
- (a) Increasing the number of government employees
- (b) Enhancing transparency, accountability, and efficiency in public administration
- (c) Reducing the overall size of the government budget
- (d) Centralizing all economic decision-making powers
व्याख्या: Governance reforms for economic growth are centered on making public administration more transparent, accountable, and efficient. This includes reducing corruption, streamlining regulations, and ensuring effective delivery of public services, which collectively create a more predictable and fair environment for businesses and citizens.
PYQ 11 - CDS 2023 2023
The concept of 'demographic dividend' is often cited as a significant opportunity for India's growth. To fully capitalize on this, which internal reform area is most crucial?
- (a) Fiscal consolidation
- (b) Human capital development (education, health, skills)
- (c) Trade liberalization
- (d) Monetary policy adjustments
व्याख्या: A demographic dividend refers to the economic growth potential that can result from shifts in a population's age structure, primarily when the share of the working-age population is larger than the non-working-age share. To fully realize this potential, internal reforms in human capital development (education, health, and skill training) are paramount to ensure the large working-age population is productive and employable.