News & Analysis thehindu.com

Surviving a city on ₹13,690

24 May 2026 Source

Exam Summary

The article details the struggles of factory workers in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, highlighting their low wages, long working hours, and the high cost of living. It reports on worker protests that led the State Government to revise minimum wages for unskilled, semi-skilled, and skilled workers. The piece also explores broader issues such as the employment crisis, lack of skill development, fraudulent job offers, and the challenges faced by migrant workers, alongside government assurances regarding labour welfare, including double overtime pay, weekly holidays, and timely salary payments.

GS Paper 2: Social Justice (Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections, mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections); GS Paper 3: Indian Economy (Issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment; Inclusive growth and issues arising from it).

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Exam Themes

Prelims Takeaways

  • Understanding of the process of minimum wage fixation and revision by state governments.
  • Role of state governments and labour departments in ensuring worker rights and welfare.
  • Key features and challenges associated with Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and National Capital Region (NCR).
  • Socio-economic challenges faced by migrant workers in urban industrial areas.
  • Impact of inflation on the real wages and living standards of the working class.
  • Importance of labour welfare provisions like overtime pay, weekly holidays, and grievance redressal mechanisms.

Elimination Traps

  • Confusing the Minimum Wages Act with the broader Code on Wages without specific knowledge.
  • Overlooking the specific roles of state vs. central government in labour legislation and enforcement.
  • Misinterpreting the economic implications of minimum wage hikes without considering inflation and cost of living.

Static Concepts

  • Minimum Wage Act
  • Labour Laws
  • Inflation
  • Cost of Living
  • Urban Migration
  • Special Economic Zones (SEZ)
  • National Capital Region (NCR)
  • Overtime pay regulations
  • Dignity of Labour

Probable Question Areas

Question areas
  • Provisions of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, or the Code on Wages, 2019.
Question areas
  • Constitutional provisions related to labour welfare and social security (e.g., DPSP - Article 43).
Question areas
  • Challenges of urbanization, internal migration, and their impact on social and economic development.
Question areas
  • Role of government in addressing issues of informal labour and ensuring decent work conditions.
Question areas
  • Features and objectives of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and their impact on labour.
Conceptual Recurrence

Related Prelims PYQs

Ranked by topic match, theme match, recency, and recurring UPSC patterns.

UPSC Prelims 2021 Social Issues & Schemes

With reference to the casual workers employed in India, consider the following statements:
1. All casual workers are entitled for Employees Provident Fund coverage.
2. All casual workers are entitled for regular working hours and overtime payment.
3. The government can by a notification specify that an establishment or industry shall pay wages only through its bank account.

Which of the above statements are correct?

  1. A. 1 and 2 only
  2. B. 1 and 3 only
  3. C. 2 and 3 only
  4. D. 1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Correct answer
C. 2 and 3 only

Statement 1 is not correct: The Government had launched a scheme viz Casual Labourers (Grant of Temporary Status and Regularization) Scheme of Government of India, 1993. As per the scheme, Temporary status would be conferred on all casual labourers who were in employment and who have rendered a continuous service of at least one year, which means that they must have been engaged for at least 240 days (206 days in case of offices observing 5 days week). Statement 2 is correct: The Supreme Court has decreed that casual workers are also entitled to social security benefits as stipulated in the Employees Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act. The Court's ruling stemmed from its interpretation of Section 2(f) of the EPF Act, wherein the definition of an "employee" encompasses a broad scope, including any individual engaged directly or indirectly in connection with an establishment's work and receiving wages. A bench of the Supreme Court affirmed this viewpoint. Statement 3 is correct: The government has the authority to specify through a notification that an establishment or industry is obligated to disburse wages exclusively via its bank account.

Indian Economy Social Justice & Development Indian Polity & Governance Welfare Schemes & Social Policies Labor & Demographic Economics Judiciary & Judicial Review
UPSC Prelims 2019 Social Issues & Schemes

In a given year in India, official poverty lines are higher in some States than in others because

  1. A. poverty rates vary from State to State
  2. B. price levels vary from State to State
  3. C. Gross State Product varies from State to State
  4. D. quality of public distribution varies from State to State
Explanation
Correct answer
B. price levels vary from State to State

* The poverty line is determined by the cost of a basket of essential goods and services needed for a person to meet their basic needs. * If the price of these essentials varies significantly between states, the poverty line needs to be adjusted to reflect the different costs of living. * So, even if poverty rates might be similar, states with higher prices for essential goods will have a higher official poverty line. Therefore, the correct answer is B) Price levels vary from State to State.

Indian Economy Social Justice & Development Welfare Schemes & Social Policies Macroeconomic Trends & Inflation
UPSC Prelims 2024 Social Issues & Schemes

With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) Yojana, consider the following statements:

1. The entry age group for enrolment in the scheme is 21 to 40 years.
2. Age specific contribution shall be made by the beneficiary.
3. Each subscriber under the scheme shall receive a minimum pension of ₹ 3,000 per month after attaining the age of 60 years.
4. Family pension is applicable to the spouse and unmarried daughters.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A. 1,3 and 4
  2. B. 2 and 3 only
  3. C. 2 only
  4. D. 1, 2 and 4
Explanation
Correct answer
B. 2 and 3 only

With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) Yojana, here's the breakdown of the statements: * Statement 1:  Incorrect. The eligible age group for enrolment in the scheme is 18 to 40 years, not 21 to 40 years. This allows younger workers to join early and contribute for a longer period. * Statement 2: Correct. Beneficiaries are required to make age-specific monthly contributions, which increase with age. For instance, contributions start at ₹55 for an 18-year-old and go up to ₹200 for a 40-year-old. * Statement 3: Correct. Subscribers will receive a minimum pension of ₹3,000 per month after attaining 60 years of age. This provides social security for workers in the unorganized sector. * Statement 4: Incorrect. Family pension is available only to the spouse, who will receive 50% of the pension amount after the subscriber's death. Unmarried daughters are not eligible for this benefit.

Indian Economy Social Justice & Development Welfare Schemes & Social Policies
UPSC Prelims 2024 Social Issues & Schemes

Operations undertaken by the Army towards upliftment of the local population in remote areas to include addressing of their basic needs is called:

  1. A. Operation Sankalp
  2. B. Operation Maitri
  3. C. Operation Sadbhavana
  4. D. Operation Madad
Explanation
Correct answer
C. Operation Sadbhavana

Operation Sadbhavana is a unique initiative undertaken by the Indian Army in Jammu & Kashmir and the North East regions. It focuses on winning the hearts and minds of the local population through various developmental activities and assistance. This includes providing education, healthcare, infrastructure development, and promoting skill development initiatives. _Let's look at the other options:_ * Operation Sankalp was launched by the Indian Navy to ensure maritime security in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. *  Operation Maitri refers to the Indian Armed Forces' humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations to assist friendly countries. A notable example was the aid provided to Nepal during the 2015 earthquake. *  Operation Madad is the Indian Navy's effort to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief during natural calamities, both within India and to neighboring countries.

Social Justice & Development Indian Polity & Governance Welfare Schemes & Social Policies
UPSC Prelims 2019 Economy

With reference to land reforms in independent India, which one of the following statements is correct?

  1. A. The ceiling laws were aimed at family holdings and not individual holdings.
  2. B. The major aim of land reforms was providing agricultural land to all the landless.
  3. C. It resulted in cultivation of cash crops as a predominant form of cultivation.
  4. D. Land reforms permitted no exemptions to the ceiling limits.
Explanation
Correct answer
B. The major aim of land reforms was providing agricultural land to all the landless.

Land reform is a broad term: - It refers to an institutional measure directed towards altering the existing pattern of ownership, tenancy, and management of land. - It entails redistribution of the rights of ownership and/or use of land away from large landowners and in favour of cultivators with very limited or no landholdings. - At the time of independence, ownership of land was concentrated in the hands of a few. This led to the exploitation of the farmers and was a major hindrance towards the socio-economic development of the rural population. - Equal distribution of land was therefore an area of focus of Independent India's government. Laws for land ceilings were enacted in various states during the 50s & 60s, which were modified on the directives of the central government in 1972.

Agriculture Indian Economy History Of India Agricultural Policies & Supply Chains Welfare Schemes & Social Policies
UPSC Prelims 2019 Indian Polity

Under which Schedule of the Constitution of India can the transfer of tribal land to private parties for mining be declared null and void?

  1. A. Third Schedule
  2. B. Fifth Schedule
  3. C. Ninth Schedule
  4. D. Twelfth Schedule
Explanation
Correct answer
B. Fifth Schedule

The Fifth Schedule of the Indian Constitution deals with the administration and governance of Scheduled Areas, which are regions with a significant tribal population. It aims to safeguard the rights, culture, and land of tribal communities while preventing their exploitation. Under this Schedule, the Governor of a state with Scheduled Areas has special powers, including the authority to: - Declare any law related to the transfer of tribal land as null and void if it is found to violate the interests of the tribal population. - Prohibit or regulate the transfer of tribal land to non-tribals, ensuring that tribal communities retain control over their ancestral land and resources. These provisions act as a protective mechanism, preventing tribal communities from being forced or manipulated into selling their land for activities like mining, industries, or large-scale projects without adequate safeguards.

Indian Polity & Governance Social Justice & Development Constitutional Amendments & Structure Welfare Schemes & Social Policies
UPSC Prelims 2017 Modern History

Consider the following statements:

1. The Factories Act, 1881 was passed with a view to fix the wages of industrial workers and to allow the workers to form trade unions.
2. N.M. Lokhande was a pioneer in organizing the labour movement in British India.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

  1. A. 1 only
  2. B. 2 only
  3. C. Both 1 and 2
  4. D. Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Correct answer
B. 2 only

Statement 1 is incorrect. The Factories Act of 1881 did not address worker wages or the formation of trade unions. Its primary focus was on improving working conditions, especially for children. It limited working hours for children, prohibited child labour under a certain age, and mandated breaks during the workday. Statement 2 is correct. N.M. Lokhande is indeed considered a pioneer of the labour movement in British India. He actively campaigned for better working conditions and worker rights.

History Of India Social Justice & Development Colonial Rule & Administration Welfare Schemes & Social Policies
UPSC Prelims 2017 Social Issues & Schemes

Who among the following can join the National Pension System (NPS)?

  1. A. Resident Indian citizens only
  2. B. Persons of age from 21 to 55 only
  3. C. All State Government employees joining the services after the date of notification by the respective State Governments
  4. D. All Central Government employees including those of Armed Forces joining the services on or after 1st April 2004
Explanation
Correct answer
C. All State Government employees joining the services after the date of notification by the respective State Governments

The Central Government introduced the National Pension System (NPS) with effect from January 1, 2004 (except for armed forces). Subsequently, various State Governments adopted this architecture and implemented NPS with effect from different dates. Eligibility to join
- Any citizen of India, whether resident or non-resident, subject to the following conditions.
- Individuals who are aged between 18 60 years, including NRIs.
- After attaining 60 years of age, you will not be permitted to make further contributions to the NPS accounts

Indian Economy Social Justice & Development Indian Polity & Governance Welfare Schemes & Social Policies
UPSC Prelims 2017 Social Issues & Schemes

Consider the following in respect of ‘National Career Service’:

1. National Career Service is an initiative of the Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India.
2. National Career Service has been launched in a Mission Mode to improve the employment opportunities to uneducated youth of the country.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

  1. A. 1 only
  2. B. 2 only
  3. C. Both 1 and 2
  4. D. Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Correct answer
D. Neither 1 nor 2

Statement 1 is incorrect. The National Career Service is not an initiative of the Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India. It is actually implemented by the Directorate General of Employment, Ministry of Labour & Employment. Statement 2 is incorrect. The National Career Service has indeed been launched in a Mission Mode, but it is not specifically targeted at improving the employment opportunities for uneducated youth of the country. It is a comprehensive platform providing a wide array of employment and career related services to all citizens of India, aiming to bridge the gap between jobseekers and employers, candidates seeking training and career guidance, and agencies providing training and career counselling.

Indian Economy Social Justice & Development Welfare Schemes & Social Policies Labor & Demographic Economics
UPSC Prelims 2016 Social Issues & Schemes

Regarding ‘Atal Pension Yojana’, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It is a minimum guaranteed pension scheme mainly targeted at unorganized sector workers
2. Only one member of a family can join the scheme
3. Some amount of pension is guaranteed for the spouse for life after the subscriber’s death.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. A. 1 only
  2. B. 2 and 3 only
  3. C. 1 and 3 only
  4. D. 1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Correct answer
C. 1 and 3 only

Statement 1 is Correct: Atal Pension Yojana is a minimum guaranteed pension scheme primarily targeted at unorganized sector workers in India. It encourages saving for retirement through regular contributions during their working years. Statement 2 is Incorrect: There is no restriction on the number of family members who can join the Atal Pension Yojana scheme. As long as they meet the eligibility criteria (age 18-40 and savings bank account), multiple members within a family can enroll. Statement 3 is Correct: Atal Pension Yojana provides a pension benefit for the spouse after the subscriber's death. The spouse becomes the nominee and receives a pension, though the specific amount might differ depending on the chosen pension plan by the subscriber. Hence, option C is the correct answer.

Indian Economy Social Justice & Development Welfare Schemes & Social Policies