Rural development mainly focuses on improving the quality of life for:

The correct answer is rural population.

Key Points

• Rural development primarily aims to improve the quality of life and economic well-being of people living in rural areas.
• The focus areas include agriculture, education, healthcare, infrastructure, and employment opportunities for rural communities.
• It targets marginalized groups such as small farmers, landless laborers, tribal populations, and women.
• Government schemes like MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) and PMAY-G (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Gramin) are examples of rural development initiatives.
• Rural development is crucial for reducing poverty, rural-urban migration, and regional disparities in India.

Additional Information

• MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act):
  • MGNREGA provides a legal guarantee of 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to rural households.
  • It focuses on creating durable assets like roads, canals, and water conservation structures in rural areas.
  • This scheme aims to reduce rural poverty and promote livelihood security.
• PMAY-G (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Gramin):
  • It aims to provide affordable housing to rural poor families with basic amenities.
  • Financial assistance is given to beneficiaries to construct pucca houses.
  • The scheme promotes women's ownership of houses and social inclusiveness.
• National Rural Health Mission (NRHM):
  • NRHM focuses on improving healthcare facilities and reducing maternal and infant mortality in rural areas.
  • It addresses health disparities by strengthening primary healthcare systems.
  • Programs like ASHA workers (Accredited Social Health Activists) are key components of NRHM.
• Key Challenges in Rural Development:
  • Lack of infrastructure like roads, electricity, and water supply.
  • Low literacy rates and inadequate healthcare services.
  • Dependence on agriculture and vulnerability to climate change.
  • Social issues such as caste discrimination and gender inequality.