NABARD Grade A 2026 • ESI Paper
Education, Health,
Gender & Demography
Comprehensive, exam-focused notes with latest data, schemes, and interactive tools for Phase 1 & Phase 2 preparation.
Latest PLFS / SRS Data
NEP 2020 Aligned
NABARD SHG Focus
81.1%
Literacy Rate (PLFS 2025)
1.9
TFR (Below Replacement)
918
SRB (Females/1000 Males)
48.5 Cr
Ayushman Cards Issued
Syllabus Relevance for NABARD Grade A
This topic is part of Economic & Social Issues (ESI) under Social Structure and Social Infrastructure. It carries high weightage in both Phase 1 (objective) and Phase 2 (objective + descriptive).
Key Syllabus Points
- Population Trends & Policy
- Demographic trends, Urbanisation & Migration
- Gender Issues
- Social Infrastructure – Education, Health & Environment
- Status & System of Education
- Socio-economic problems of Illiteracy
- Educational Policy for India
Exam Tips
- Focus on latest schemes & data (PLFS, SRS, UDISE+)
- Link static concepts with current affairs
- NABARD-specific: SHG-BLP & women’s empowerment
- Descriptive: Challenges + Government interventions + Way forward
Demography & Population Trends
Key Indicators (2025-26)
- Population: ~1.47 billion (World’s largest)
- TFR: 1.9 (below replacement level of 2.1) – first time
- Life Expectancy: ~72.7 years
- Demographic Dividend: Large working-age population (15-64 ~68%)
- Sex Ratio at Birth: 918 females per 1000 males (SRS 2022-24)
- Rural-Urban: Higher fertility in rural areas
Implications
Declining TFR signals demographic transition. Opportunity for demographic dividend but risk of ageing population in future. Population policy focuses on health, education, and gender equity rather than control.
Education: Status, Challenges & Policies
81.1%
Overall Literacy (7+)
Rural: 77.4% | Urban: 89%
12.6 pts
Gender Literacy Gap
Male ~87% | Female ~74.6%
~30%
Higher Education GER
Gender parity achieved in schools
Major Challenges
- • Rural-Urban divide in quality & access
- • Learning outcomes still low (foundational literacy gaps)
- • Educational wastage & dropout at secondary level
- • Gender gap more pronounced in rural areas
- • Adult illiteracy (addressed by ULLAS)
- • Skill mismatch with job market
Key Policies & Schemes
NEP 2020
Samagra Shiksha
NIPUN Bharat
ULLAS / NILP
PM SHRI
RTE Act
KGBV
Health & Nutrition
Progress Indicators
- MMR~87 (2022-24)
- IMR~25 (higher in rural)
- Institutional DeliveriesHigh (~75%+)
- Ayushman Cards48.5+ crore
- Hospital Admissions13.25 crore
Flagship Schemes
- Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY: ₹5 lakh cover per family/year. Expanded to seniors 70+ and frontline workers.
- National Health Mission (NHM)
- POSHAN Abhiyaan & ICDS (nutrition)
- Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (Health & Wellness Centres)
- SUMAN (maternal care)
Challenges: Rural-urban disparity, high out-of-pocket expenditure (reducing with PM-JAY), malnutrition (stunting higher in rural ~37%), rising NCDs, quality of primary care.
Gender Issues & Women Empowerment
45.9%
Rural Female LFPR (15+)
90%+
Women SHGs under SHG-BLP
918
Improved Sex Ratio at Birth
NABARD’s Role in Women’s Empowerment
The Self-Help Group – Bank Linkage Programme (SHG-BLP) is NABARD’s flagship initiative. As of March 2026: ~145.6 lakh savings-linked SHGs covering ~17 crore households, with over 90% being exclusive women groups. Significant credit disbursement and livelihood support through LEDP, MEDP, etc.
Key Schemes
- Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP)
- Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)
- Mission Shakti (Sambal & Samarthya)
- One Stop Centres, Women Helpline
- DAY-NRLM (women SHGs)
Challenges
- Son preference & skewed SRB in some states
- Low urban female LFPR
- Unpaid care work burden
- Safety & violence against women
- Digital & skill divide
Important Schemes at a Glance
| Scheme | Focus Area | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY | Health | ₹5 lakh cashless cover |
| ULLAS (NILP) | Adult Education | Functional literacy for 15+ years |
| NIPUN Bharat | Foundational Learning | FLN by Grade 3 |
| Samagra Shiksha | School Education | Umbrella scheme under NEP |
| POSHAN Abhiyaan | Nutrition | Mission for malnutrition reduction |
| BBBP | Gender | Save & educate girl child |
| SHG-BLP (NABARD) | Women Empowerment | Largest microfinance programme |
| PMMVY | Maternity | Cash incentive for PW&LM |
Interactive Practice Quiz
Quick Revision One-Liners
TFR of India has fallen to 1.9 (below replacement).
Literacy rate ~81% with significant rural-urban and gender gaps.
Ayushman Bharat is the world’s largest health assurance scheme.
SHG-BLP is NABARD’s biggest contribution to women’s financial inclusion.
NIPUN Bharat aims for foundational literacy & numeracy by Grade 3.
ULLAS targets adult literacy for ages 15+.
Sex Ratio at Birth improved to 918 (SRS).
Female LFPR has risen sharply in rural areas.
NEP 2020 is the guiding policy for education reforms.