Q 1. भारत के विशेष सन्दर्भ में मानव विकास सूचकांक (एच डी आई) तथा असमानता-समायोजित मानव विकास सूचकांक (आई एच डी आई) में भेद कीजिए। आई एच डी आई को समावेशी संवृद्धि का एक बेहतर सूचक क्यों समझा जाता है?
(UPSC 2025,10 Marks,150 Words)
Theme:
Comparing HDI and IHDI: India's Inclusive Growth
Where in Syllabus:
(Development Economics)
Distinguish between the Human Development Index (HDI) and the Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI) with special reference to India. Why is the IHDI considered a better indicator of inclusive growth?
Q 1. भारत के विशेष सन्दर्भ में मानव विकास सूचकांक (एच डी आई) तथा असमानता-समायोजित मानव विकास सूचकांक (आई एच डी आई) में भेद कीजिए। आई एच डी आई को समावेशी संवृद्धि का एक बेहतर सूचक क्यों समझा जाता है?
(UPSC 2025,10 Marks,150 Words)
Theme:
Comparing HDI and IHDI: India's Inclusive Growth
Where in Syllabus:
(Development Economics)
Distinguish between the Human Development Index (HDI) and the Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI) with special reference to India. Why is the IHDI considered a better indicator of inclusive growth?
प्रस्तावना
The Human Development Index (HDI) measures a country's average achievements in health, education, and income. In contrast, the Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI) accounts for inequality in these dimensions, offering a more nuanced view. Nobel laureate Amartya Sen emphasized the importance of considering inequality for true development. In India, the IHDI reveals disparities masked by the HDI, making it a better indicator of inclusive growth by highlighting areas needing policy intervention.
Comparing HDI and IHDI: India's Inclusive Growth
Distinction between HDI and IHDI:
● Human Development Index (HDI):
● Definition: HDI is a composite index measuring average achievement in three basic dimensions of human development: health (life expectancy at birth), education (mean years of schooling and expected years of schooling), and standard of living (Gross National Income per capita).
● Calculation: It is calculated as a geometric mean of normalized indices for each of the three dimensions.
● Example: As of 2021, India's HDI value was approximately 0.645, placing it in the medium human development category.
● Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI):
● Definition: IHDI adjusts the HDI for inequality in the distribution of each dimension across the population, reflecting the actual level of human development accounting for inequality.
● Calculation: It reduces the HDI value based on the level of inequality in each dimension, providing a more accurate representation of human development.
● Example: India's IHDI value is lower than its HDI, indicating significant inequality. For instance, in 2021, India's IHDI was approximately 0.537, highlighting the impact of inequality on human development.
Why IHDI is considered a better indicator of inclusive growth:
● Reflects Inequality:
● Explanation: IHDI accounts for disparities in health, education, and income, providing a more comprehensive picture of human development. It highlights the loss in potential human development due to inequality.
● Example: In India, significant disparities exist between different states and social groups, such as urban vs. rural areas and among different castes and genders. IHDI captures these disparities better than HDI.
● Focus on Inclusive Growth:
● Explanation: IHDI emphasizes the importance of equitable distribution of resources and opportunities, which is crucial for inclusive growth. It encourages policies that aim to reduce inequality and improve the well-being of marginalized groups.
● Example: In India, government initiatives like Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao aim to address inequality in financial inclusion and gender disparity, respectively, aligning with the goals highlighted by IHDI.
● Policy Implications:
● Explanation: By highlighting the areas where inequality is most pronounced, IHDI provides valuable insights for policymakers to design targeted interventions. It helps in prioritizing areas that require urgent attention to achieve sustainable and inclusive development.
● Example: In India, addressing regional disparities in education and healthcare can significantly improve the IHDI, leading to more balanced development across the country.
● Encourages Holistic Development:
● Explanation: IHDI encourages a focus on not just economic growth but also on improving social and human capital, ensuring that growth benefits all sections of society.
● Example: Initiatives like Skill India and Ayushman Bharat aim to enhance skills and healthcare access, contributing to holistic development as emphasized by IHDI.
● Human Development Index (HDI):
● Definition: HDI is a composite index measuring average achievement in three basic dimensions of human development: health (life expectancy at birth), education (mean years of schooling and expected years of schooling), and standard of living (Gross National Income per capita).
● Calculation: It is calculated as a geometric mean of normalized indices for each of the three dimensions.
● Example: As of 2021, India's HDI value was approximately 0.645, placing it in the medium human development category.
● Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI):
● Definition: IHDI adjusts the HDI for inequality in the distribution of each dimension across the population, reflecting the actual level of human development accounting for inequality.
● Calculation: It reduces the HDI value based on the level of inequality in each dimension, providing a more accurate representation of human development.
● Example: India's IHDI value is lower than its HDI, indicating significant inequality. For instance, in 2021, India's IHDI was approximately 0.537, highlighting the impact of inequality on human development.
Why IHDI is considered a better indicator of inclusive growth:
● Reflects Inequality:
● Explanation: IHDI accounts for disparities in health, education, and income, providing a more comprehensive picture of human development. It highlights the loss in potential human development due to inequality.
● Example: In India, significant disparities exist between different states and social groups, such as urban vs. rural areas and among different castes and genders. IHDI captures these disparities better than HDI.
● Focus on Inclusive Growth:
● Explanation: IHDI emphasizes the importance of equitable distribution of resources and opportunities, which is crucial for inclusive growth. It encourages policies that aim to reduce inequality and improve the well-being of marginalized groups.
● Example: In India, government initiatives like Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao aim to address inequality in financial inclusion and gender disparity, respectively, aligning with the goals highlighted by IHDI.
● Policy Implications:
● Explanation: By highlighting the areas where inequality is most pronounced, IHDI provides valuable insights for policymakers to design targeted interventions. It helps in prioritizing areas that require urgent attention to achieve sustainable and inclusive development.
● Example: In India, addressing regional disparities in education and healthcare can significantly improve the IHDI, leading to more balanced development across the country.
● Encourages Holistic Development:
● Explanation: IHDI encourages a focus on not just economic growth but also on improving social and human capital, ensuring that growth benefits all sections of society.
● Example: Initiatives like Skill India and Ayushman Bharat aim to enhance skills and healthcare access, contributing to holistic development as emphasized by IHDI.
निष्कर्ष
The Human Development Index (HDI) measures a country's average achievements in health, education, and income, while the Inequality-adjusted HDI (IHDI) accounts for inequality in these dimensions. In India, the IHDI is lower than the HDI, highlighting disparities. The IHDI is a better indicator of inclusive growth as it reflects the distribution of human development. As Amartya Sen emphasized, "Development is freedom," and addressing inequality is crucial for true progress. A focus on equitable policies can enhance India's IHDI.