Discuss structural unemployment and its relevance for India in the context of jobless growth.

Structural unemployment: involves jobless due to change from one sector to another in an economy's life. Natural Transition (seen around world): Agriculture -> Manufacturing -> Services Sector -> Shadowy Sector

Relevance for India: 1) India faced premature industrialisation where there was direct jump of agri to service sector. 2) Industries/Manufacturing which are main job creators remained at back seat. Eg: Only 17% contribution to GDP. 3) Lack of skills: made labour stagnate and stay disguised in agricultural sector. 4) Service sector could not absorb the excess labour due to over-reliance on use of technology. 5) Focus on industry switched to capital intensive rather than labour due to: Poor labour laws, Policy Uncertainty, diversion of MSMEs.

Measures to promote Inclusive Job growth: Economic Survey (2024) said India needs to do 1.5 lac job pa in non-farm sector to absorb all labours by 2030. 1) Labour Intensive sector focus: Leather, Textile can create 80x than Automobiles. 2) Skilling of labour: National Apprenticeship Scheme is good step 3) Self Employment: through Startup India and MUDRA loans 4) Agriculture to food processing: by allowing contract farming, scientific support, higher value addition for youth. 5) Assemble in India for network products.

— Madhav Agarwal