Human development in India: challenges and opportunities in the 21st Century
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51660/ridhs22331Keywords:
human development, education, health, economic growthAbstract
In the 21st century, India's human development experience is influenced by complex economic, social, environmental, and technological determinants. India has registered considerable progress in some areas, such as education, health, and poverty alleviation. It continues to grapple with deeply rooted problems such as regional disparities, gender disparities, digital exclusion, and environmental degradation. The research is based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It highlights that an integrated strategy with life expectancy, literacy, economic equality, and technological access is required for inclusive and sustainable development. Despite increasing improvements, the HDI remains short of capturing the actual diversity of human experiences, particularly in a multi-diverse nation like India. The research utilizes a convergent mixed-methods strategy to measure these dynamics, such as national surveys, semi-structured interviews with policymakers and experts, and focus group discussions with vulnerable populations. The findings point towards deep-seated income inequality, urban-rural divides, and structural impediments to health and education. The arrival of technologies like AI and IoT opens up future development possibilities with the need for ethical usage and digital literacy. The study concludes by proposing a reformed HDI integrating sustainability and digital accessibility with the need for inclusive governance, equitable economic policy, and multi-sector coordination to bridge development gaps and facilitate overall human development in India.
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