Examine the structural vulnerabilities of migrant workers in Indian cities. Analyse how recent crises have exposed these weaknesses. Suggest institutional reforms to address them.

Topic: urbanization, their problems and their remedies.

Q1. Examine the structural vulnerabilities of migrant workers in Indian cities. Analyse how recent crises have exposed these weaknesses. Suggest institutional reforms to address them. (15 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: DTE

Why the question
Recurring crises such as COVID-19 and recent energy disruptions have exposed deep structural fragilities in India’s urban labour ecosystem, especially affecting migrant workers.

Key Demand of the question
The question requires identifying structural vulnerabilities of migrant workers and analysing how crises have revealed these weaknesses. It further demands suggesting institutional reforms to address these systemic gaps in urban governance.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction
Brief context linking migrant labour to urban growth and crisis-induced distress.

Body

• Structural vulnerabilities: Highlight one core dimension such as informality and exclusion from welfare systems.
• Crisis exposure: Show how recent shocks like pandemic or energy shortage translated these vulnerabilities into livelihood and food insecurity.
• Institutional reforms: Indicate one broad reform direction such as portability-based welfare architecture or stronger labour governance.

Conclusion
Conclude with need for resilient and inclusive urban policy framework.