UPSC Mains — Previous Year Question
Question
What is regional disparity? How does it differ from diversity? How serious is the issue of regional disparity in India?
Model Answer
Regional disparity refers to the unequal spatial distribution of economic development, industrial infrastructure, per capita income, and social opportunities across different geographic regions of a nation. While cultural diversity reflects social pluralism, regional disparity highlights structural inequalities that can test federal cohesion.
Distinction: Regional Disparity vs. Regional Diversity
| Analytical Dimension | Regional Disparity | Regional Diversity |
|---|---|---|
| Core Nature | An economic, infrastructural, and structural inequality between regions. | Socio-cultural pluralism across language, religion, traditions, and geography. |
| Societal Value | Represents an imbalance that policy seeks to resolve. | Constitutes cultural heritage to be preserved and respected. |
| Quantifiability | Measured using statistical indicators (Per Capita GSDP, Multidimensional Poverty, Infant Mortality, Literacy). | Descriptive and qualitative, reflecting diverse ethnic, linguistic, and artistic traditions. |
| Policy Objective | Addressed through economic packages, industrial incentives, and tax devolutions. | Supported by constitutional protections, cultural institutions, and language provisions (e.g., Eighth Schedule). |
Seriousness of Regional Disparity in India
- 1. Diverging Income Levels: Economic growth rates vary significantly between coastal and southern states compared to northern and eastern states. For instance, in recent financial years, Telangana’s per capita income was nearly double the national average, whereas Bihar’s per capita income stood at roughly one-third of the national average.
- 2. Disparities in Industrial Investment: Private and foreign direct investment (FDI) concentrates predominantly in six or seven industrialized states (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka), while central and eastern regions lag in industrial capacity.
- 3. The “Resource Curse” in Eastern States: Mineral-rich states (such as Jharkhand, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh) face persistent socioeconomic challenges and high Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) scores despite their mineral resources.
- 4. Intra-State Disparities: Significant developmental gaps exist within single states between metropolitan centers and rural regions (e.g., prosperous western Maharashtra versus drought-affected Vidarbha and Marathwada).
- 5. Strain on Urban Infrastructure via Distress Migration: Lack of rural livelihood opportunities in less-developed states drives migration to industrial hubs, straining urban infrastructure in major cities.
- 6. Social and Political Implications: Persistent regional neglect can contribute to local political grievances, demands for smaller states, and ethnic tensions in border regions.
Strategic Way Forward
- Expand targeted development models like the Aspirational Districts and Aspirational Blocks Programmes to upgrade health, education, and basic infrastructure.
- Improve connectivity through national highway and freight corridors under the PM Gati Shakti Master Plan.
- Encourage private industrial investments in central and eastern India through dedicated manufacturing clusters and capital subsidies.
Balanced regional development is essential for national cohesion. Bridging disparities requires combining infrastructure investment with decentralized governance to support equitable development across all states.