Q. N. 1) What is “skill” ?

(Marks 02)
Ans : A skill is the learned ability to act with determined results with good execution often
within a given amount of time, energy, or both. Skills can often be divided into domain-
general and domain-specific skills. Some examples of general skills are time management,
teamwork and leadership, and self-motivation. In contrast, domain-specific skills would be
used only for a certain job, e.g. operating a injection moulding machine etc.. Skill usually
requires certain environmental stimuli and situations to assess the level of skill being shown
and used.
Hard skills, also called technical skills, are any skills relating to a specific task or situation.
It involves both understanding and proficiency in such specific activity that involves
methods, processes, procedures, or techniques.
Soft skills are personal attributes. These skills can include: language skills, cognitive or
emotional empathy, time management, teamwork and leadership traits.

Q. N. 2) Write a note on : Skill India scheme (Marks 06)

skill India Mission is a government scheme launched in 2015. It is an umbrella scheme that
has many skilling schemes and programmes under it. The chief objective is to empower the
youth of the country with adequate skill sets that will enable their employment in relevant
sectors and also improve productivity.
Skill India Objectives
The chief objective of the Skill India Mission is to provide market-relevant skills
training to more than 40 crore young people in the country by the year 2023.
 The mission intends to create opportunities and space for the development of talents
in Indian youth.
 It aims to develop those sectors which have been put under skill development for the
last many years, and also to recognize new sectors for skill development.
Other objectives are:
1. Closing the gap between skill required by the industry and skills people possess for
employment generation.
2. Reducing poverty in the country.
3. Increasing the competitiveness of Indian businesses.
4. Ensuring that skill training imparted is relevant and of quality.
5. Preparing Indians to take on the world manpower/resources market.
6. Diversifying the existing skill development programmes to meet today’s challenges.
7. Building actual competencies rather than giving people mere qualifications.
 8. Offering opportunities for lifelong learning for developing skills.
9. Augmenting better and active engagement of social partners and building a strong
public-private partnership in skill development.
10. Mobilising adequate investments for financing skills development sustainable.
Features of Skill India
 The focus is on improving the employability of the youth so that they get employment
and also enhances entrepreneurship among them.
 The mission offers training, guidance, and support for all traditional types of
employment like weavers, cobblers, carpenters, welders, masons, blacksmiths, nurses,
etc.
 New domains will also be emphasised on such as real estate, transportation,
construction, gem industry, textiles, banking, jewellery designing, tourism, and other
sectors where the level of skill is inadequate.
 Training imparted would be of international standards so that India’s youth get jobs
not only in India but also abroad where there is demand.
 An important feature is the creation of a new hallmark ‘Rural India Skill’.
 Customised need-based programmes would be started for specific age groups in
communication, life, and positive thinking skills, language skills, behavioural skills,
management skills, etc.
 The course methodology would also not be unconventional and would be innovative.
It would involve games, brainstorming sessions, group discussions, case studies, and
so on.

Q. N. 3) What do you understand by the term “Professional courses” ? (Marks 05)

Ans : Professional courses are training programs that teach the skills and knowledge needed
to perform a specific job or career task. They are designed to be practical and specific, and
often include internships and industry experience. Professional development increases
earning potential and improves their employability.
Professional courses can be taken by working professionals to improve their performance and
advance their careers. They can also be taken directly after graduation. Professional courses
are typically awarded by relevant professional bodies.
Some examples of professional courses include:
 Medicine (M.D., MBBS)
 Optometry (O.D.)
 Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) or (BPharm)
 Dentistry (D.D.S.) or (D.M.D.)
  Law (LL.B.) or (B.C.L.)
 Nursing ([Link].N.) or (B.N.)
 Social Work (B.S.W.)
 Education ([Link].)
 Engineering ([Link]) / Diploma
Professional courses can take one to five years to complete, depending on the program and
the designation.

Q. N. 4) Write a short note on : Demographic dividend (Marks 05)

Ans : Demographic dividend is the potential for economic gains when the share of the
working-age population (15 years – 64 years) is higher than the non-working age group.
Demographic dividend occurs when the proportion of working people in the total population
is high because this indicates that more people have the potential to be productive and
contribute to growth of the economy.
Due to the dividend between young and old, many argue that there is great potential for
economic gains, which has been termed the “demographic gift”. For economic growth to
occur the younger population must have access to quality education, adequate nutrition and
health including access to sexual and reproductive health.
Demographic dividend takes place when a country undergoes a demographic transition from
a rural agrarian economy with high fertility rates to an urban industrialized economy with low
fertility and mortality rates.
Demographic Dividend – Causes
Change in population structure occur due to
1. Falling birth rate
2. Lower fertility rate
3. Increased longevity
Falling birth rate and lower fertility rate will contribute to a reduction in expenditure,
increased longevity will lead to an increase in the size of the working-age population.
Demographic Dividend – Opportunities for India
1. India will have the youngest workforce in the world with a median age much lower
than China and other Developed countries.
2. The other countries will have a higher proportion of the population which is not in the
working-age group which will result in a shortage of manpower to the tune of 56
million.
 3. Indian workforce can fill this gap in India and abroad and result in greater economic
growth.
4. During the period of demographic dividend, the personal savings will grow, which
means greater purchasing power, which can lead to the growth of the economy.

Q. N. 5) What is technical education ? (Marks 02)

Ans : Technical Education plays a vital role in human resource development of the country by
creating skilled manpower, enhancing industrial productivity and improving the quality of
life of its people. Technical Education covers programmes in engineering, technology,
management, architecture, town planning, pharmacy, applied arts & crafts, hotel management
and catering technology.