EconomySocial Issues
News 8 of 28

India's Female WPR Below 30%: 10-Point Rise Could Add 2% to GDP Growth for Viksit Bharat

EconomySocial IssuesPolityCORE
Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
24 Jul 2026
~2 min
Source: The Hindu
Key Data:Female WPR below 30%10pp rise adds nearly 2% to GDPTamil Nadu: 40% of women factory workersTamil Nadu: 5-6% of populationBihar: 15% female WPRYoung women NEET: over 100 million (2018)
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.India's female WPR is below 30%, comparable to Saudi Arabia and Yemen, and has declined steadily between 1983 and 2018.

2.A 10-percentage-point increase in female WPR could add nearly 2% to GDP growth, making women's employment a key driver for Viksit Bharat 2047.

3.Post-2020 increase in female WPR is distress-driven, with women pushed into unpaid family labour in agriculture due to COVID-19 and non-farm job collapse.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

India's female work participation rate (WPR) remains below 30%, among the lowest globally, despite the goal of becoming a developed nation (Viksit Bharat) by 2047. A new study estimates a 10-percentage-point increase in female WPR could add nearly 2% to GDP growth. The article critically examines the structural decline in women's employment, distress-driven feminisation of agriculture post-COVID, and the stark north-south divide in female workforce engagement.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

India's Female WPRBelow 30%
GDP Growth Boost from 10pp Rise in Female WPRNearly 2%
Tamil Nadu's Share of India's Women Factory WorkersOver 40%
Tamil Nadu's Share of India's Population5-6%
Bihar's Female WPROnly 15%
Young Women (15-29) Neither Working Nor in Education (2018)Over 100 million
Year Female WPR Declined Steadily Between1983 to 2018
Authors of 'India Out of Work'Santosh Mehrotra and Jajati Keshari Parida

1-Minute Revision

  • ›India's Female WPR: Below 30%
  • ›GDP Growth Boost from 10pp Rise in Female WPR: Nearly 2%
  • ›Target this Data: India's female WPR is below 30%; a 10pp rise could add nearly 2% to GDP growth.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Ministry of Labour and Employment (for WPR/LFPR data through PLFS).
  • ›Target this Legal Point: No specific legal provision, but note the concept of 'distress-driven feminisation of agriculture'.

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageMedium

Which ministry is primarily responsible for publishing the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) that tracks Work Participation Rate (WPR) in India?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding female work participation in India:

1. India's female Work Participation Rate (WPR) is below 30%, comparable to countries like Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

2. A 10-percentage-point increase in female WPR could add nearly 5% to GDP growth, according to a new study.

3. Tamil Nadu accounts for over 40% of India's women factory workers despite having only 5-6% of the national population.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the article, what was the number of young women (aged 15-29 years) who were neither looking for work nor in education by 2018?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary reason cited in the article for the increase in women's work participation in India post-2020?

All 20 MCQs ▸
Read original article from The Hindu
You finished this topic
Practice 3 MCQs from this newsNext Article
Explore Related Topics
EconomyView Topic MCQs →Social IssuesView Topic MCQs →PolityView Topic MCQs →
PreviousUS Section 301 Tariffs: India at 10% in Four-Tier Structure; Vietnam, China Face Higher RatesNext Rs 81,000 Cr Great Nicobar Project: Rajnath Singh Defends Strategic Need for Indo-Pacific Security
Related Current Affairs
Economy Current Affairs

16th FC Report: UCT Schemes Exceed 50% of Education Budget in 3 States, Fiscal Space Shrinks

The 16th Finance Commission and Economic Survey have raised concerns over the rising fiscal burden of Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) schemes for women. In states like Jharkhand, UCT spending exceeds 10% of total state expenditure and over 50% of education spending, threatening other public services. With 44% of state expenditure locked in interest, pensions, and salaries, fiscal space is shrinking.

Economy Current Affairs

Centre Mandates 60:40 Centre-State Funding Split for VB-G RAM-G Rural Employment Scheme

The Centre has shifted the funding pattern of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (now VB-G RAM-G) from 100% central funding to a 60:40 Centre-State split (90:10 for Himalayan/Northeast states). This marks a major fiscal federalism change, with states allocating full 40% despite political opposition. Essential for Prelims (ratio, scheme name) and Mains (fiscal federalism, rural wage floor).

Social Issues Current Affairs

Tamil Nadu Budget 2026-27: ₹300 Cr Iyothee Thass Scheme for Adi Dravidar Habitations

Tamil Nadu's revised Budget 2026-27 introduces the 'Iyothee Thass Pandithar Habitation Development Scheme' (₹300 crore) for comprehensive development of Adi Dravidar habitations and the 'Mannin Magal Thittam' (₹20 crore) to make Adi Dravidar and tribal women agricultural labourers landowners. This is a key state welfare initiative with high social justice and governance exam relevance.

Polity Current Affairs

Tamil Nadu Budget 2026-27: Fishing Aid Raised to ₹7,000, Vetri Magalir Goat Scheme & Livestock Insurance Announced

Tamil Nadu's revised budget for 2026-27 increases lean-period fishing assistance from ₹6,000 to ₹7,000 per family, benefiting 1.93 lakh traditional fishermen. It also launches the 'Vetri Magalir Goat Rearing Scheme' for destitute women and transgender persons, and a new livestock insurance scheme 'Kaalnadaigal Kaappom'.

Polity Current Affairs

Tamil Nadu Budget 2026: TVK Govt Maiden Budget - ₹10.98 Lakh Cr Debt, 27.01% Debt-to-GSDP

Tamil Nadu's new TVK government presented its maiden budget, revealing key fiscal indicators: outstanding debt of ₹10.98 lakh crore and a 27.01% debt-to-GSDP ratio. The budget includes poll promises like 'Annan Seer' (8-gram gold coin + silk saree) for brides and a new law college, but omitted major promises like ₹2,500 monthly assistance for women and free bus travel. This is critical for understanding state fiscal health and the balance between populism and prudence.

Social Issues Current Affairs

TN CM Vijay Announces Annapoorani Super Six Scheme: 3 Free LPG Cylinders & Vetri Payanam Bus Travel Expansion

Tamil Nadu CM Joseph Vijay announced two major welfare schemes for women: 'Annapoorani Super Six' providing 3 free LPG cylinders/year to 1.30 crore families (₹4,000 Cr cost), and 'Vetri Payanam' expanding free bus travel to all government buses with no income/journey cap (₹6,000 Cr cost). This is significant for state welfare economics and women's empowerment.

Infrastructure Current Affairs

Karnataka's ₹1.5 Lakh Cr Bengaluru Infra Push: Tolled Tunnel Roads Spark 'Poor Subsidising Rich' Debate

Karnataka is pushing nearly ₹1.5 lakh crore in Bengaluru road projects (twin-tunnels, elevated corridors, PRR). Activists and economists argue these are car-centric 'white elephants' funded by public money (40% Viability Gap Funding) and heavy tolls, creating a case of the poor subsidising the rich. This raises critical questions about infrastructure priorities, public finance, and urban planning for exams.

Economy Current Affairs

India's Q1 GDP Growth at 7.8% but Raises Concerns on Jobs, Wages & Investment

MoSPI reported India's Q1 2026-27 GDP growth at 7.8% constant and 10.3% nominal. However, the article by P Chidambaram highlights deep structural concerns: high youth unemployment (16.2%), 8.7 crore NEET youth, negative real wage growth for casual workers, stagnant manufacturing at 13% of GVA, and low private capex. The data raises questions on whether growth is percolating to citizens.

Start Today's Quiz(20 Qs)