Wed. Feb 11th, 2026
Course Content
Economic & Social Issues (ESI)
Study Material for NABARD Prelims - Economic & Social Issues (ESI) (Focus on Rural India) Nature of the Indian Economy Inflation Poverty Alleviation & Employment Generation Population Trends Rural Banking & Financial Institutions Globalization Social Structure in India Education & Social Justice Positive Discrimination for the Underprivileged
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Agriculture & Rural Development (focus on Rural India) (ARD)
Agriculture: Agronomy, Cropping Systems, Seed Production, Meteorology, Soil Conservation, Water Resources, Farm Engineering, Plantation & Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Forestry, Agriculture Extensions, Ecology & Climate Change Rural Development: Concepts, Rural Development Programs, Panchayati Raj Institutions, Rural Credit, SHGs, NGOs.
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NABARD – Prelims – Study Material

Nature of Indian Economy

  1. Mixed Economy Structure – India follows a mixed economy where both public and private sectors coexist. This allows balanced allocation of resources.
  2. Agriculture Dominance – Agriculture employs a large share of the population despite declining GDP contribution. This creates income disparity between rural and urban areas.
  3. Service Sector Growth – Services are the largest contributor to GDP. IT, banking, and telecom lead economic modernization.
  4. Demographic Dividend – India has a young workforce with high productive potential. Effective skill development is needed to utilize it.
  5. Dualistic Economy – Modern industries coexist with traditional sectors. This creates productivity gaps.
  6. Low Per-Capita Income – India’s per-capita income remains low compared to developed nations. This affects purchasing power and standard of living.
  7. High Population Pressure – Rising population puts pressure on resources. It challenges job creation and social services.
  8. Unequal Income Distribution – Wealth inequality remains high. Inclusive growth policies are needed.
  9. Underemployment – Many workers are engaged in low-productivity jobs. It leads to disguised unemployment in agriculture.
  10. Regional Imbalance – Economic development varies across states. Industrial and infrastructural policies aim to reduce disparities.
  11. Dependence on Monsoon – Agriculture heavily depends on rainfall. Poor monsoons directly affect GDP.
  12. Low Productivity in Agriculture – Outdated technology reduces yields. Mechanization and irrigation reforms are essential.
  13. High Fiscal Deficit – Government spending often exceeds revenue. This affects credit availability and inflation.
  14. Structural Transformation – Shift from agriculture to industry and services is ongoing. But transformation is slow.
  15. Importance of MSMEs – MSMEs contribute significantly to employment and exports. They require credit and technology support.
  16. High Savings but Low Capital Formation – Though savings rates are high, investment efficiency is lower. Financial inclusion is vital.
  17. Informal Sector Dominance – Over 80% of workforce is in the informal sector. Social security for them is limited.
  18. Foreign Exchange Reserve Growth – India has built strong forex reserves. This strengthens external sector stability.
  19. Infrastructure Deficit – Lack of roads, ports, power affects industrial growth. Public-private partnerships aim to fill gaps.
  20. Import-Dependent Economy – India depends on imports for crude oil and electronics. This affects trade balance.
  21. Rise of Startups – Innovation and digital entrepreneurship are booming. Government schemes support new ventures.
  22. Fiscal Federalism – Center and states share financial responsibilities. The Finance Commission allocates resources.
  23. High Poverty Levels – Despite improvements, poverty remains significant. Welfare schemes aim to provide basic needs.
  24. Environmental Challenges – Pollution and climate change threaten growth. Sustainable policies are necessary.
  25. Increasing Urbanization – Rapid urbanization creates economic opportunities. But it also stresses housing and infrastructure.