Reflecting on India's Development

The book assesses the development experience by reflecting on a number of aspects, su­­ch as growth in relation to employment, regional imbalances and rural–urban distribution. Further, it examines educational attainment and human capital formation issues in the context of the skill shortages the country is facing, and analyses social inequality, including gender, and evaluates a number of empowerment strategies. Lastly, it critically assesses the effectiveness of health services by examining case studies of on-going sanitation, family planning and reproductive health programmes.

Presenting both quantitative and qualitative approaches, the papers utilise rare databases that are usually not available in the public domain to reflect on the country’s development experience. The book revisits many development concerns, particularly inclusiveness aspects, through an in-depth analysis. It covers three major areas related to (a) employment, (b) education and skill and (c) social concerns and issues related to health services. The book will be an important resource not only for researchers but also for policy makers and those involved in capacity development in these areas.

National Institute of Labour Economics Research and Development which was formerly known as Institute of Applied Manpower Research is an autonomous Institute under NITI Aayog, Government of India. More than half a century old the Institute has expanded the scope of its work  in all spheres of evidence based empirical research with a special focus on evaluation of various flagship programmes and schemes of the Union and State Governments. Building synthesis of secondary information emanating from data generating/disseminating agencies and establishing empirical linkages among skill development, growth, employment, productivity, investments and technology are some of the research priorities of the Institute. Besides, primary survey based research is pursued to address policy issues with profoundness. NILERD (formerly IAMR) also carved a niche by developing competencies and training programs in the area of public policy, capacity development, monitoring and evaluation and human resource development for the officers of State Governments and the middle level officers from developing countries across the globe under ITEC programmes.