Topic: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
3. A formal approach for welfare of the elderly is an important policy and planning issue for India. Examine the various welfare schemes available for the elderly. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: Insights on India
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 2 and mentioned as part of Mission-2023 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the issues of elderly population and examine welfare measures available for them.
Directive word:
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by giving the statistic related to elderly population in India currently and the projected growth over next 3 decades.
Body:
Frist, write about the problems faced by the elderly population – Isolation and loneliness, age-related chronic illness, Rise in the Health care costs and Elderly women issues etc.
Next, write about the various measures available for the welfare of elderly and examine their pros and cons.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
