UPSC Mains GS-3 Economy

Q – “Care work is the invisible scaffolding of the economy.” How can recognising and integrating care work reshape labour markets and raise the female Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR)?

Answer-

Introduction
Care work – both paid and unpaid – forms the “invisible scaffolding of the economy” as it sustains the labour force, households, and social reproduction. Yet, much of it, especially unpaid domestic and caregiving work performed predominantly by women, remains unrecognised in economic metrics like GDP and undervalued in labour markets. Recognising and integrating care work has transformative potential to reshape labour markets and enhance female Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR), which in India remains low at around 37% (PLFS 2022-23) compared to the global average of about 50%.

Why Care Work is Invisible Yet Foundational

1. Unpaid & undervalued – Women spend 4.5 hours/day on unpaid care work in India (OECD data), while men spend less than 1 hour.
2. Not counted in GDP – Despite contributing to human capital formation (childcare, elderly care, nutrition, emotional support), unpaid care is absent from national accounts.
3. Occupational segregation – Paid care workers (ASHA, Anganwadi, domestic workers, nurses) are often poorly paid, informal, and lack social security.

How Recognising & Integrating Care Work Can Reshape Labour Markets

1. Redefining Economic Productivity

   • Including care in GDP accounting (through time-use surveys) can change perceptions of what constitutes productive labour.
   • Encourages policy to value “reproductive labour” alongside “productive labour.”

2. Expanding Employment Opportunities

   • Investing in the care economy (childcare centres, eldercare services, health and education) creates millions of jobs, especially for women.
   • ILO (2018) estimates that investing 2% of GDP in care economy can generate 11 million jobs in India by 2030.

3. Reducing Gender Inequality in Labour Markets

   • Redistribution of unpaid care work through institutional mechanisms (creches, maternity & paternity leave, flexible work arrangements) enables women to participate more actively in paid work.
   • Encourages men’s involvement in care, breaking stereotypes.

4. Enhancing Productivity of Workforce

   • Workers with access to reliable care support (childcare, eldercare) are more productive and less stressed.
   • Reduces attrition among women employees, especially in formal sectors.

5. Social Security & Dignity for Care Workers

   • Regularising and formalising care jobs (ASHA, Anganwadi workers) with fair wages and protections makes care work a respected profession.
   • Raises bargaining power of women in labour markets.

Impact on Female LFPR

• Breaking the “care penalty”: Women exit the workforce due to disproportionate household responsibilities. Recognition of care services reduces this barrier.
• Increasing employability: Expanding paid care jobs provides dignified avenues for women’s employment in health, education, and social care.
• Inclusive growth: Greater female LFPR boosts household incomes, reduces poverty, and adds significantly to India’s GDP (McKinsey estimates India could add $770 billion by 2025 by bridging gender gaps in work).

Challenges

• Deep-rooted patriarchal norms treating care as a “woman’s duty.”
• Fiscal constraints in scaling up public spending on care infrastructure.
• Lack of recognition in national accounting frameworks like GDP.
• Precarity of paid care jobs (informal, low-wage).

Way Forward

1. Policy Recognition: Incorporate care economy in planning frameworks (NITI Aayog’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision).
2. Public Investment: Expand ICDS, National Creche Scheme, elderly care, and healthcare services.
3. Labour Reforms: Ensure fair wages, social security, and skill development for care workers.
4. Time-Use Surveys: Regular surveys to quantify unpaid work and feed into policymaking.
5. Cultural Change: Campaigns to normalise men’s participation in care roles.
6. Corporate Role: Encourage employer-supported childcare and flexible work arrangements.

Conclusion
Recognising care work is not merely about correcting an economic blind spot but about ensuring gender justice, social equity, and inclusive growth. By reorienting labour markets to value care, India can unlock the potential of its women, raise LFPR, and achieve a more humane and sustainable economy. As the saying goes, “When care is visible, economies become more equitable.”

UPSC Mains Answer Writing Tips for GS Paper-3

Since this question belongs to GS Paper-3 (Economy & Development), aspirants must keep a few things in mind while writing answers in UPSC Mains:

1. Stick to the Demand of the Question
   • Here, the question asks about “recognising and integrating care work” and its impact on “labour markets and LFPR.” Avoid writing generic essays on gender inequality.
2. Structure is Key
   • Begin with a short Introduction (definition or data).
   • Move to Body (problems, significance, challenges, way forward).
   • End with a crisp Conclusion with forward-looking perspective.
3. Use Data and Reports
   • PLFS 2022-23: Female LFPR ~37%.
   • ILO Report (2018): 11 million jobs by 2030 with 2% GDP investment in care economy.
   • McKinsey Report (2015): $770 bn potential GDP gain if women’s participation improves.
4. Link with Syllabus
   • This topic directly connects with GS-3 syllabus: “Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.”
5. Use Keywords & Diagrams
   • Mention terms like “care economy,” “invisible labour,” “time-use survey.”
   • A simple flowchart showing Recognition → Integration → Employment → Higher LFPR can fetch extra marks.
6. Balance Between Analysis and Solutions
   • Always provide both issues and policy suggestions. UPSC rewards balanced answers.

Preparation Strategy for UPSC GS-3 Economy Section

1. Understand Core Themes: Growth, development, employment, labour reforms, women’s empowerment in economy.
2. Current Affairs Integration: Link answers with recent government schemes like PM Poshan, Saksham Anganwadi, and NITI Aayog’s initiatives.
3. Practice Answer Writing: Write at least one economy-related answer daily within 150–250 words.
4. Use Case Studies: Quote Kerala’s Kudumbashree model (women’s SHGs in care economy) or Scandinavian models of public childcare.
5. Revise Reports: ILO, World Bank, McKinsey, Economic Survey – these strengthen your answers.

Final Words for Aspirants

For UPSC Mains GS-3 preparation, aspirants must learn to interlink economy with society, governance, and gender issues. Questions like these are not just about economics but also about inclusive growth and social justice. Practicing such integrative answers will not only fetch higher marks but also improve overall understanding of developmental challenges facing India.