Human Development in India

As per UNDP, human development improves and expands the range of people’s choices, increasing opportunities for education, health care, and income. Human Development empowers people to choose from various options, from a sound physical environment to economic, social, and political freedom. 

The concept of human development is directly related to the social and economic development of the economy. Particular emphasis is given to the quality of life every individual can enjoy in a community. The human development of India is unique and one of a kind. India has decentralised and integrated the human development concept into its development plan at the national, state, district, and municipality levels.

Human Development in India

With a population of over 1.30 billion, India is ranked 130 among 189 countries in the world in terms of the Human Development Index (HDI). A low score on the Human Development Index is a matter of concern for India, but we cannot ignore certain factors not considered before, such as ranking. India had to face issues like colonisation because of which development lacked. Factors like human rights violations, discrimination based on race, religion, gender, and caste also play an important role in developing any nation. India also has to face issues like crime and terrorism in some part of the country, which influence the development of that region. 

Using the selected indicators of the UNDP, the Planning Commission of India has also prepared the Human Development Report for India. The Report focuses on states and the Union Territories as the units of analysis. 

Indicators of Human Development Index

Some of the important indicators of the Human Development Index are discussed below for a better understanding:

1. Economic attainment: Economic attainment of individuals depends on economic growth, employment opportunities, and access to assets. It has been noticed that over the past few years, the per capita income and consumption expenditure in India has increased, and the proportion of the population living below the poverty line has decreased. 
2. Healthy life: From independence till now, India has done remarkably well in some health indicators, such as a decline in death rate and infant mortality rate. It is also noticed that the life expectancy rate has also increased by double since independence.  
3. Social empowerment: It is one of India’s important indicators of human development. We will be able to achieve social empowerment only when the people of our country are free from issues like hunger, poverty, bondage, ignorance, and illiteracy. In India, only some strata of society can enjoy this indicator while others cannot.   

United Nations Human Development Index (HDI)

• The Human Development Index (HDI) focused on expanding human choices as the most important criteria for assessing development results.
• The human development approach developed by the economist Mahbub Ul Haq had a clear purpose – to shift the focus of development economics from national income accounting to people-centred policies.

Human Development Reports

• The first Global Human Development Report was launched in 1990 by the UNDP. 
• From then on, the Human Development Report is published annually. 
• Each year the report focuses on a theme related to the current development concerns.
• The resort not only addresses the concern but also provides path-breaking analysis and policy recommendations. 
• The Report is translated into more than 12 languages and launched in more than 100 countries.

Human Development Reports in India

• Inspired by Global HDRs, the Indian government, in its 8th Five Year Plan, has introduced the Human Development Reports in India. 
• As per the Indian Constitution, the state government is responsible for developing areas such as education, health, agriculture, etc. 
• Even before implementing HDR in India, some state governments were preparing Human Development Reports. 
• These reports largely follow the UNDP methodology, and the world’s first Human Development Report issued and published by any state was Madhya Pradesh. In 1995 they issued their first State HDR Report, and the Report included the computation of Madhya Pradesh’s HDI and HDI for all the districts within the State. 
• States are performing a more active role in implementing HDR in India.  

Limitations of the Human Development Index

Although measuring a country’s economic development through the HDI is now adopted by most nations, there are still some limitations of this index, which are summarised as: 

1. Divergence within countries
2. The index reflects long-term changes and does not respond to recent short-term changes.
3. Higher national wealth does not always indicate welfare and growth.
4. Social welfare can also depend on other factors, such as threats of war, levels of pollution, and access to clean drinking water.
5. Probability of high level of data error

India has adopted some important schemes and policies for achieving a higher rank in human development:

• New National Educational Policy to reform the education system across all levels of schools.
• India’s Newborn Action Plan aims to achieve a single-digit NMR and a single-digit stillbirth rate by 2030.
• Mid-day Meals Scheme to improve attendance and nutrition level of school children.
• Samagara Siksha to improve school infrastructure and quality of education.
• The 2030 Agenda and the SDGs with a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. 

Conclusion

The current situation in India clearly shows that although quite a lot of development has been made in improving the Human Development Index in India, the government of India aims for poverty reduction, no discrimination and better education for their people. However, still we need to focus on certain more important and pressing issues such as reducing hunger, improving maternal mortality rates, attaining gender equality and enabling access to fresh water and sanitation facilities for all.