UP PCS Mains-2024

Approach Briefly describe the demographic dividend. Highlight how skilled population is a resource for a state. Mention the steps taken by the Uttar Pradesh government to reap the benefits of the demographic dividend. Conclude with the way forward.

Introduction

Demographic dividend is defined as the economic growth potential that can result from shifts in a population’s age structure, mainly when the share of the working-age population is larger than the non-working-age share of the population. The population in the age group of 15-59 years is considered as the working age group in India.

According to Census 2011, Uttar Pradesh has a population of 19.98 crore and 52 percent of the state’s population is in the working-age group.

Body

Skilled population is a resource for the state :

• Bridges the gap between rural and urban divides: Skilled work force can generate new employment in the rural areas. Hence, it will be able to increase the employment rate in rural areas, which is lower than in the urban areas.
• Idea of New Innovation: Skilled population creates a favorable innovation environment in the state, Uttar Pradesh was ranked 9^th in the Indian Innovation Index, 2022 released by the NITI Aayog.
• High productivity: Skilled work force boosts the efficiency of work, which ultimately leads to high productivity in the state’s economy.
• Entrepreneurship and Start Up: Uttar Pradesh ranked second across the country in Ease of Doing Business and stands third in the country in terms of MSME registrations on the Udyam Portal because of the skilled work force.
• Boost the Industrial Revolution- 4 (IR4): It is based on Artificial intelligence (AI) which requires a skilled population. For example, the state government has planned to set up the AI Centre of Excellence in Noida.

Steps taken by Uttar Pradesh government to reap the benefits of demographic dividend:

• Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission: State will train all eligible youth in the 14-35 age group in the trades of their preference and provide facilities for the acquisition and upgradation of skills of the unskilled and semi-skilled workforce. Under the mission, 30% of targets are earmarked for women and 20% for minorities provide training in NSQF (National Skills Qualifications Framework) compliant courses.
• Vocational Education Institutions: The Vocational Education and skill development Department of Uttar Pradesh works to increase the number of technical and employment-based education and training programs. It encourages students to learn practical skills in many areas of social and economic life.
• Chief Minister Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (CMAPS): Under this scheme, the Government of Uttar Pradesh provides training to youth and links them with definite employment for a specified duration.
• Yuva Udyamita Vikas Abhiyan (YUVA): It is launched to make the youth of the state self-dependent. The scheme will provide financial help and funding for self-employment to the youth for taking technical-vocational training for the age group 18-35 years.
• Yuva Hub Scheme: Government of Uttar Pradesh will set up Yuva Hubs in each district of the state to make youth self-dependent and the jobless youth would be able to get suitable jobs as per their qualification.

Conclusion

Uttar Pradesh is being termed as ‘a youth state’, its population can be of great strength. The state should not only train and develop its young workforce for the state economy but also for the country. This can be achieved by mapping skills and developing corresponding training programmes, adopting best practices like- embracing Indian and foreign universities, for achieving industry-ready skills.