Question

Difficulty: Very hardDemographic Trends, Employment Types, and Skill Development Programs

Regarding demographic trends, employment classifications, and national skill development initiatives in India, which of the following statements are correct?

  1. The demographic dividend phase is characterized by a secular decline in the total dependency ratio resulting from an expanding proportion of the working-age population (15–64 years).Answer
  2. B
    Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) is implemented directly by the Ministry of Rural Development with an exclusive focus on farm-sector employment.
  3. Structural unemployment reflects a persistent mismatch between the skill demands of expanding economic sectors and the existing skill profiles of the labor force.Answer
  4. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) specifically targets rural poor youth in the 15–35 age group and includes mandatory wage placement benchmarks.Answer

Answer

The statements regarding the mechanism of the demographic dividend, the definition of structural unemployment, and the design features of DDU-GKY are correct, whereas the statement misattributing PMKVY to the Ministry of Rural Development is incorrect.
The demographic dividend is driven by an expanding working-age population relative to dependents, decreasing the dependency ratio. Structural unemployment occurs due to technological and economic shifts creating a gap between job requirements and worker skills. DDU-GKY specifically targets rural poor youth aged 15–35 with placement mandate under the Ministry of Rural Development.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the demographic dividend mechanism.
Demographic dividend represents economic growth potential arising from shifts in population age structure, marked by a growing working-age cohort (15–64 years) relative to dependents, which reduces the total dependency ratio.
Validates the correctness of the demographic trend statement.
2
Examine the implementing ministry and objective of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY).
PMKVY is executed under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) through National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) for industry-aligned non-farm job roles.
Identifies the error in attributing PMKVY to the Ministry of Rural Development and agricultural employment.
3
Evaluate the cause and nature of structural unemployment.
Structural unemployment stems from long-term changes in economic structure, technological advancements, or systemic skill gaps between labor supply and market demand.
Confirms the accuracy of the structural unemployment definition.
4
Review the target group and placement mandate of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY).
DDU-GKY operates under the Ministry of Rural Development for rural poor youth (standard age 15–35 years) with a mandatory minimum 70% wage placement rule.
Confirms the validity of the DDU-GKY policy framework statement.

Key Concept

Demographic dividend mechanics, structural unemployment classification, and national skill development program frameworks
Rate this question