UPSC Prelims 2023 Q75: Indian Economy – Human Development, Poverty & Employment Schemes
- (a) Both Statement - I and Statement - II are correct and Statement - II is the correct explanation for Statement - I
- (b) Both Statement - I and Statement - II are correct and Statement - II is not the correct explanation for Statement - I
- (c) Statement - I is correct but Statement - II is incorrect
- (d) Statement - I is incorrect but Statement - II is correct
Answer: (b) Both Statement - I and Statement - II are correct and Statement - II is not the correct explanation for Statement - I
Explanation
India's public health system — curative focus and State responsibility
| Statement | Verdict | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| I. Public system is largely curative | Correct | Most public spending goes to hospitals and treatment; prevention, promotion and rehabilitation get far less |
| II. States are primarily responsible | Correct | 'Public health and sanitation; hospitals' is Entry 6, State List |
Why II does not explain I: the curative bias comes from under-funding of primary care and patient demand, not from the fact that States run health services. Some States, such as Kerala and Tamil Nadu, have strong preventive programmes.
Fixes under way:
| Initiative | Aim |
|---|---|
| National Health Policy, 2017 | Shift towards preventive and promotive care; public spending of 2.5% of GDP |
| Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (health and wellness centres) | Comprehensive primary care |
| National Health Mission | Central support to States |
Answer: (b) Both Statement - I and Statement - II are correct and Statement - II is not the correct explanation for Statement - I.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. The curative focus is not caused by States running health care, so II does not explain I.
- (b) CORRECT. Both are true, but the curative bias comes from funding patterns, not from State responsibility.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement II is true; health is a State List subject.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement I is true; public care in India is mostly curative.
Key point
Health = State List (Entry 6); India's public system is curative-heavy; NHP 2017 and Ayushman Arogya Mandirs push primary and preventive care.
Remember
Indian public health care is curative-heavy, and States are mainly responsible for it.
Common mistakes
- Choosing (a) just because both are true, without testing the cause.
- Thinking health is a Union subject; public health and hospitals are in the State List.
- Forgetting the National Health Policy 2017 target of 2.5% of GDP for public health spending.
Exam tip
If Statement II is about 'who' and Statement I about 'what', II rarely explains I. Check the logic, not just the truth.
Sources
- National Health Policy, 2017 — MoHFW
- Constitution of India — Seventh Schedule, List II, Entry 6
- Economic Survey 2022–23 — Health chapter