Content:
- MENTAL HEALTH OF YOUTH WILL DRIVE FUTURE ECONOMY: ECONOMIC SURVEY 2024-25
- 7.75 CRORE KISAN CREDIT CARDS OPERATIONAL AS OF MARCH 2024: ECONOMIC SURVEY 2024-25
MENTAL HEALTH OF YOUTH WILL DRIVE FUTURE ECONOMY: ECONOMIC SURVEY 2024-25
Mental well-being is not merely the absence of illness but a composite state encompassing emotional, social, cognitive, and physical health.
Given India’s economic aspirations, the Economic Survey emphasizes the urgent need to address deteriorating mental health trends.
Relevance:GS 1 (Society) ,GS 2(Social Issues)
The Link Between Lifestyle Choices and Mental Well-Being
- The overuse of the internet and social media, especially among children and adolescents, is a leading cause of rising mental health concerns.
- Citing Jonathan Haidt’s work, the Survey warns against the “phone-based childhood,” which is altering traditional developmental experiences.
- Dietary habits also play a crucial role—excessive consumption of ultra-processed or junk food is linked to poorer mental health outcomes.
- Physical activity: Individuals who rarely exercise are more prone to stress, anxiety, and depression.
- Social isolation due to excessive screen time and lack of real-world social interactions is worsening psychological health.
Economic Implications:
- Poor mental well-being reduces workforce efficiency, innovation, and overall productivity, creating a drag on economic growth.
- Addressing mental well-being is necessary to capitalize on India’s demographic dividend, ensuring that the youth remain skilled, educated, and mentally fit.
Workplace Culture: A Determinant of Mental Well-Being and Productivity
- Hostile work environments, long working hours, and excessive desk time contribute to stress, burnout, and reduced productivity.
- The Survey warns that toxic workplace culture can curb economic growth, as it diminishes the creativity and efficiency of the workforce.
- Healthy workplace interventions, such as flexible work hours, mental health support, and social engagement initiatives, can enhance well-being and efficiency.
Policy Implications:
- Governments and corporations must integrate mental health strategies into workplace policies.
- Encouraging work-life balance through regulated working hours and stress management programs can boost long-term economic output.
Family Situations and Their Role in Mental Health
- Strong family bonds act as a protective factor against mental health challenges.
- The Survey stresses the need for school and family-level interventions to promote real-life interactions, such as:
- Playing outdoors
- Meeting friends
- Engaging in family activities
- Lack of family interaction, exacerbated by digital distractions, contributes to loneliness and declining mental resilience.
Social Implications:
- Traditional family values and communal living foster emotional support and stability.
- Returning to our roots, as emphasized in the Survey, suggests that preserving cultural and social traditions can bolster mental well-being.
The Need for Preventive Strategies and Policy Interventions
- Mental well-being should be at the center of India’s economic agenda, considering its long-term impact on human welfare.
Preventive strategies include:
- Regulating screen time for children and adolescents.
- Promoting outdoor activities and community engagement.
- Encouraging healthier lifestyle choices, including balanced diets and regular exercise.
- Reforming workplace policies to prioritize mental health.
Key Takeaway:
A holistic approach—spanning lifestyle modifications, workplace reforms, and family strengthening—will be crucial in mitigating mental health concerns and sustaining India’s economic growth trajectory.
7.75 CRORE KISAN CREDIT CARDS OPERATIONAL AS OF MARCH 2024: ECONOMIC SURVEY 2024-25
The Economic Survey 2024-25 highlights the transformational shift in India’s agricultural sector by improving institutional credit accessibility, expanding insurance coverage, and modernizing agricultural infrastructure.
Relevance: GS 3(Agriculture, Economy)
The three critical themes emerging from the Survey include:
1. Enhancing Financial Inclusion – Growth in Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) and Ground-Level Credit (GLC)
2. Strengthening Social Security & Food Security – Expansion of PM-KISAN, PM Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), and the National Food Security Act (NFSA)
3. Modernization of Agriculture – Mechanization through SHGs & Drones, e-NAM digital marketing reforms, and Smart Warehousing solutions
1. Strengthening Financial Inclusion in Agriculture
- Kisan Credit Card (KCC): Expanding Institutional Credit
- 7.75 crore KCCs operational as of March 2024, with ₹9.81 lakh crore in outstanding loans.
- Special focus on fisheries & animal husbandry – 1.24 lakh & 44.40 lakh KCCs issued for these sectors.
- Impact: Reduces dependence on informal credit sources (down from 90% in 1950 to 25% in 2022).
- Ground-Level Credit (GLC): Rising Credit Flow to Small & Marginal Farmers
- CAGR of 12.98% (2014-2025) – GLC rose from ₹8.45 lakh crore (2014-15) to ₹25.48 lakh crore (2023-24).
- Small & marginal farmers’ share increased from 41% (₹3.46 lakh crore) to 57% (₹14.39 lakh crore).
- Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS)
- ₹1 lakh crore claims processed digitally via Kisan Rin Portal (KRP).
- Priority sector lending – 40% of Adjusted Net Bank Credit (ANBC) allocated for agriculture.
- Impact: Ensures affordable credit, higher investment in farm inputs, and sustained agricultural productivity.
2. Expanding Social Security & Food Security for Farmers
- PM Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY): Insurance Penetration & Risk Mitigation
- 26% rise in enrolled farmers (4 crore in FY24 vs. 3.17 crore in FY23).
- Insured area expanded by 19% (600 lakh ha in FY24 from 500 lakh ha in FY23).
- Participation of states & insurers increased – 24 states & 15 insurers in FY25.
- Impact: Lower insurance premiums (by 32%) and higher farmer resilience to climate risks.
PM-KISAN & Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PMKMY)
- 11 crore farmers benefited under PM-KISAN.
- 23.61 lakh farmers enrolled under PMKMY (pension scheme).
- Impact: Direct income support & pension security, leading to better financial stability for farmers.
National Food Security Act (NFSA) & PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)
- Coverage: Two-thirds of India’s population (81.35 crore people).
- Free food grains for 5 more years from January 2024 under PMGKAY.
- Smart Warehouses & Steel Silos (PPP model) – Prevent food grain wastage.
- Impact: Food security at scale, ensuring affordable nutrition for the vulnerable population.
3. Modernization & Infrastructure Reforms in Agriculture
- Agricultural Mechanization: Drone Technology for SHGs
- 15,000 Women SHGs to receive agricultural drones.
- 80% financial assistance (up to ₹8 lakh per SHG).
- Projected impact: Each SHG can earn ₹1 lakh annually, improving farm efficiency & women empowerment.
Agricultural Market Reforms: e-NAM Expansion
- 1.78 crore farmers & 2.62 lakh traders registered.
- 9,204 FPOs onboarded, with ₹237 crore in equity grants.
- ₹75 lakh financial assistance per APMC Mandi for digital infrastructure.
- Impact: Direct farmer-to-market linkages, transparent pricing, and higher bargaining power.
Smart Warehousing & Storage Infrastructure
- Smart Warehouse Initiative (in collaboration with WFP & IGMRI): Real-time monitoring of temperature, humidity & rodent activity.
- Flospan: Mobile Storage Units (MSU) – Piloted in six states (J&K, HP, Rajasthan, Mizoram, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh).
- Impact: Minimized post-harvest losses & enhanced food security.
Conclusion: Agricultural Reforms Driving Growth & Inclusivity
- Financial inclusion through KCCs & GLC ensures cheap & timely credit.
- Welfare schemes (PMFBY, PM-KISAN, NFSA, PMKMY) provide stability & social security.
- Market & infrastructure reforms (e-NAM, Smart Warehousing, Drone mechanization) boost efficiency & income.
