Sceptical India

Monday, March 31, 2025

Universal Basic Income in India: A Radical Solution for a Transforming Nation

India stands at a crossroads. With a population of over 1.4 billion, a booming tech sector, and a youthful demographic dividend, the country is poised for unprecedented growth. Yet, beneath the surface of this promise lie challenges: rising unemployment, the disruptive rise of artificial intelligence (AI), and stark inequality. Could Universal Basic Income (UBI) — a system where every citizen receives a regular, unconditional sum of money — be the key to navigating this complex future? Let’s explore how UBI might fit into India’s present and what it could mean for the decades ahead.

The Indian Context: A Land of Opportunity and Struggle

India’s economy is a paradox. On one hand, it’s one of the fastest-growing in the world, with GDP growth rates often hovering between 6–8% in recent years. The IT sector, startups, and manufacturing are thriving, fueled by a young workforce — over 65% of Indians are under 35. This “demographic dividend” is a golden ticket: a massive pool of labor to drive productivity and innovation.

But the numbers don’t tell the whole story. Unemployment remains a stubborn problem, with the rate fluctuating around 7–8% in 2024, according to various estimates. For rural India, where agriculture employs nearly 42% of the workforce, mechanization and climate change are shrinking opportunities. Urban youth, even those with degrees, often face underemployment or gig work with little security. Add to this the looming shadow of AI, and the picture gets murkier.

AI and the Jobs Conundrum

Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic buzzword — it’s here, reshaping industries at lightning speed. In India, AI is already automating tasks in IT, manufacturing, and even agriculture. A 2023 Nasscom report projected that AI could add $500 billion to India’s economy by 2030, but it also warned of job displacement. Routine jobs — think data entry, assembly-line work, or basic customer service — are increasingly handled by machines. While AI creates new roles (data scientists, AI ethicists), these demand skills that much of India’s workforce doesn’t yet possess.

For a country banking on its young population, this is a double-edged sword. The demographic dividend could turn into a demographic disaster if millions of workers are left jobless or stuck in precarious gig roles. This is where UBI enters the conversation — not as a silver bullet, but as a potential safety net.

What UBI Could Look Like in India

UBI proposes a simple idea: give every citizen a regular payment, no strings attached. In India, this could mean a monthly sum — say, ₹5,000 (about $60) — enough to cover basic needs like food and shelter, but not so much as to discourage work. Pilot projects, like the 2011–2012 experiment in Madhya Pradesh, offer clues. In that study, funded by UNICEF, villagers received modest payments for 18 months. The results? Improved nutrition, school attendance, and even small-scale entrepreneurship, with no significant drop in work effort.

Scaled nationally, UBI could address India’s present inequalities. Over 20% of Indians live below the poverty line, and welfare schemes like food subsidies or rural employment programs often suffer from leaks and inefficiency. A direct cash transfer could cut through red tape, putting money straight into people’s hands. For rural farmers facing crop failures or urban gig workers between jobs, it could mean stability in an unstable world.

The Future: AI, UBI, and India’s Youth

Looking ahead to 2035 or 2040, India’s AI-driven transformation will likely deepen. Self-driving trucks could replace drivers, AI diagnostics could outpace doctors in rural clinics, and e-commerce bots could shrink retail jobs. Yet, this disruption could also free up human potential — if paired with UBI. Imagine a young coder in Bengaluru using UBI to take a risk on a startup, or a farmer’s daughter in Bihar funding her coding bootcamp without debt. UBI could act as a launchpad, turning India’s youth into innovators rather than casualties of automation.

Critics, however, argue it’s a pipe dream. India’s fiscal deficit is already strained, and funding UBI could cost upwards of 5–10% of GDP annually — hundreds of billions of dollars. Where would the money come from? Proposals range from taxing the super-rich (India’s top 1% hold over 40% of wealth) to redirecting existing subsidies. Yet, political will and administrative capacity remain hurdles. Corruption could siphon funds, and skeptics warn that cash handouts might fuel inflation or laziness — though evidence from pilots suggests otherwise.

The Demographic Dividend at Stake

India’s window to capitalize on its young population is finite. By 2040, the median age will rise, and the dependency ratio (non-workers to workers) will climb. If AI displaces jobs faster than new ones emerge, this could mean a generation of frustrated youth — fuel for social unrest rather than economic growth. UBI could buy time, giving people the breathing room to retrain, experiment, or simply survive while the economy adjusts.

Compare this to a no-UBI future: widening inequality, urban slums swelling with the unemployed, and rural distress pushing migration to breaking points. The cost of inaction might dwarf the price tag of UBI.

A Balancing Act

UBI isn’t a standalone fix. India needs parallel investments — massive upskilling programs to prepare workers for an AI world, better infrastructure, and policies to boost job creation. But as a complement, UBI could smooth the transition, ensuring that the benefits of growth and technology don’t just accrue to the elite.

In a nation as diverse as India, one size won’t fit all. A tiered UBI — higher for the poorest, tapering off for the middle class — might be more feasible. Or perhaps a “negative income tax,” where only those below a threshold get cash. The devil’s in the details, and India’s policymakers would need to experiment, iterate, and learn.

The Road Ahead

India’s future hinges on bold ideas. Universal Basic Income isn’t just about money — it’s about dignity, opportunity, and resilience in a world where AI is rewriting the rules. The present demands action: a workforce supported, not sidelined, by technology; a demographic dividend harnessed, not squandered. UBI could be the radical rethink India needs — a bridge between today’s struggles and tomorrow’s promise.

Will it work? No one knows for sure. But in a country that’s defied odds before — from independence to the tech boom — betting on its people might just be the smartest move yet.

Exploring Hindu Philosophical Schools: Core Beliefs and Global Parallels

Hinduism, one of the world’s oldest living traditions, is not just a religion but a vast intellectual ecosystem encompassing diverse schools of philosophy. Known as Darshanas (perspectives or visions), these schools offer profound insights into existence, ethics, and liberation. Traditionally, they are divided into six orthodox (Āstika) systems that accept the authority of the Vedas: Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Samkhya, Yoga, Purva Mimamsa, and Vedanta. Each school presents a unique lens on reality, yet they share a common goal — understanding the self and attaining liberation (moksha). In this article, we’ll explore these philosophies, draw parallels with global traditions, and ponder whether they might reflect Western influences.

1. Nyaya: The Logic of Truth

Nyaya emphasizes logical reasoning and epistemology, aiming to attain valid knowledge (prama) to liberate the soul from suffering. It categorizes knowledge into perception, inference, comparison, and testimony, offering a systematic approach to discerning truth.

Global Parallels: Nyaya’s focus on logic mirrors Aristotle’s syllogistic reasoning in Western philosophy. Both traditions prioritize structured argumentation to uncover reality, though Nyaya integrates a spiritual aim absent in Aristotle’s secular framework. Similarly, Nyaya’s epistemology shares traits with the empirical rigor of John Locke, who also valued sensory experience as a foundation for knowledge.

2. Vaisheshika: Atomism and Particularity

Vaisheshika posits that the universe comprises distinct categories — substance, quality, action, generality, particularity, and inherence. It’s renowned for its atomistic theory, suggesting that all matter arises from indivisible particles (anu).

Global Parallels: The atomism of Vaisheshika strikingly resembles the ideas of Democritus and Leucippus in ancient Greece, who proposed that reality consists of indivisible atoms moving in a void. While Vaisheshika’s atoms have metaphysical qualities tied to karma and consciousness, the Greek model is purely materialistic. This convergence raises intriguing questions about shared intellectual currents in antiquity.

3. Samkhya: Duality and Enumeration

Samkhya offers a dualistic metaphysics, dividing reality into Purusha (consciousness) and Prakriti (matter). Liberation arises from discerning the eternal self (Purusha) from the ever-changing material world (Prakriti). It enumerates 25 principles (tattvas) to explain cosmic evolution.

Global Parallels: Samkhya’s dualism echoes Descartes’ mind-body distinction in Western philosophy, where the immaterial mind contrasts with the physical body. However, Samkhya’s emphasis on liberation through knowledge diverges from Descartes’ focus on rational certainty. Parallels also emerge with Gnosticism, which contrasts the divine spirit with the corrupt material world, though Samkhya lacks Gnosticism’s moral judgment of matter.

4. Yoga: Discipline of the Mind

Building on Samkhya’s dualism, Yoga, codified by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras, provides a practical path to liberation through meditation, ethical living, and physical discipline. Its eightfold path (Ashtanga) aims to still the mind and unite the self with the universal.

Global Parallels: Yoga’s meditative practices resemble Stoicism’s focus on inner tranquility through self-mastery, as seen in Marcus Aurelius’ writings. Both emphasize detachment from external chaos. Additionally, Yoga’s introspective techniques share a kinship with Buddhist mindfulness, though Yoga retains a theistic undertone in its devotion to Ishvara (a supreme being), unlike Buddhism’s non-theistic stance.

5. Purva Mimamsa: Ritual and Duty

Purva Mimamsa focuses on the early Vedic texts, emphasizing the performance of rituals (karma) as a means to uphold cosmic order (dharma). It argues that the Vedas are eternal and self-evident, requiring no divine authorship.

Global Parallels: This school’s ritualistic focus parallels the ancient Jewish tradition of adhering to the Torah’s commandments to maintain a covenant with God. Both systems prioritize orthopraxy (correct action) over orthodoxy (correct belief). Purva Mimamsa’s textual exegesis also mirrors medieval Scholasticism’s meticulous analysis of Christian scriptures, though it lacks Scholasticism’s theological synthesis with Greek philosophy.

6. Vedanta: The End of Knowledge

Vedanta, rooted in the Upanishads, explores the nature of Brahman (ultimate reality) and Atman (self). Its sub-schools — Advaita (non-dualism), Vishishtadvaita (qualified non-dualism), and Dvaita (dualism) — offer varied interpretations of the self’s relationship with the divine.

Global Parallels: Advaita Vedanta, championed by Adi Shankara, aligns with Neoplatonism’s concept of the One, Plotinus’ singular source from which all emanates. Both reject ultimate plurality for a unified reality. Vishishtadvaita’s personal God resonates with Christian mysticism, where the soul seeks union with a loving deity, while Dvaita’s dualism echoes theistic traditions like Islam, maintaining a distinction between creator and creation.

Possible Western Influences?

The parallels between Hindu Darshanas and Western philosophies spark curiosity: could these Indian systems have inherited Western influences? Historically, this seems unlikely for their foundational periods. The Darshanas emerged between 1200 BCE and 500 CE, largely predating or paralleling Greek philosophy’s development (c. 600 BCE onward). India’s geographic isolation and robust oral tradition suggest independent evolution, rooted in Vedic inquiry.

However, post-Alexander’s invasion (326 BCE), cultural exchanges via the Indo-Greek kingdoms could have facilitated subtle cross-pollination. For instance, Vaisheshika’s atomism and Greek atomism might reflect shared ideas traveling along trade routes. Later, during the colonial era (18th–20th centuries), Western philosophy influenced modern Hindu thinkers like Swami Vivekananda, who reframed Vedanta for global audiences using Western rationalist idioms. Yet, the core Darshanas predate these interactions, suggesting their originality rather than inheritance.

Conclusion: A Universal Quest

The six orthodox schools of Hindu philosophy reveal a rich tapestry of thought, blending metaphysics, ethics, and practice. Their parallels with global traditions — logic with Nyaya, atomism with Vaisheshika, dualism with Samkhya, and mysticism with Vedanta — highlight humanity’s shared quest for meaning. While Western influences may have shaped their modern expressions, the Darshanas stand as testaments to India’s independent philosophical genius, inviting us to explore the unity beneath our diverse intellectual heritage.

India's IT Boom: A Triumph or a Neocolonial Legacy?

India’s IT Boom: A Triumph or a Neocolonial Legacy?

India’s rise as a global powerhouse in Information Technology (IT) and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) is often hailed as a success story of modernization and economic prowess. From Bangalore’s gleaming tech parks to Hyderabad’s “Cyberabad,” the sector employs millions, drives GDP growth, and positions India as a digital leader. Yet, beneath this shiny veneer lies an uncomfortable question: Is this industry a genuine triumph of Indian ingenuity, or merely a modern extension of neocolonialism — a system where Western powers continue to extract value from India, albeit through subtler means than the colonial era? This article argues that the IT/BPO sector’s structure, origins, and dynamics reveal a neocolonial footprint.

The Roots: A Legacy of Dependency

The IT/BPO boom didn’t emerge in a vacuum. It traces back to the 1990s, when India’s economic liberalization opened doors to foreign investment. Western multinationals, particularly from the United States and Europe, seized the opportunity to tap India’s vast pool of English-speaking, technically skilled, and — crucially — low-cost labor. Companies like IBM, Accenture, and Infosys thrived by offering software development, customer support, and back-office services to the Global North at a fraction of Western wages.

This mirrors colonial patterns: historically, Britain extracted raw materials like cotton and spices from India, processing them into finished goods for profit. Today, the “raw material” is India’s human capital — programmers, call-center agents, and data analysts — whose labor is exported to serve Western corporations. The profits largely flow back to foreign headquarters or shareholders, leaving India with wages rather than ownership. The parallels are stark: a resource-rich nation harnessed to fuel distant economies.

The Wage Trap: Exploitation in Disguise

Proponents argue that IT/BPO jobs uplift millions, offering middle-class lifestyles in cities like Pune and Chennai. Yet, the wage disparity tells a different story. An Indian software engineer might earn $15,000–$20,000 annually — a fortune locally — while their U.S. counterpart doing similar work commands $80,000–$100,000. This arbitrage is the industry’s backbone, exploiting India’s lower cost of living to maximize Western profits.

Call-center workers face an even bleaker reality. Often working night shifts to align with Western time zones, they endure cultural alienation — adopting American accents, handling irate customers, and suppressing their identities for meager pay. This echoes the colonial labor dynamic, where Indian workers toiled for British overseers, their value measured by obedience and output rather than equity or agency.

Cultural Subservience: A New Raj

Neocolonialism isn’t just economic — it’s cultural. The IT/BPO sector often demands that Indian workers conform to Western norms. Employees are trained to mimic American or British speech patterns, celebrate foreign holidays like Thanksgiving, and cater to clients’ sensibilities, all while sidelining their own cultural rhythms. This mirrors the colonial era’s imposition of English education and Victorian values to “civilize” Indians for administrative roles under the Raj.

The glorification of “global” (read: Western) work culture in India’s tech hubs — open-plan offices, corporate jargon, and Silicon Valley aesthetics — further entrenches this dynamic. Indian firms like TCS and Wipro don’t just serve Western clients; they emulate them, prioritizing their needs over local innovation. The result? A workforce conditioned to see value in external approval rather than self-reliance.

The Outsourcing Paradox: Growth Without Control

India’s IT exports topped $200 billion in 2023, yet the sector remains tethered to foreign demand. When the U.S. economy falters, Indian IT firms feel the ripple effects — layoffs, project freezes, and stock dips. This dependency recalls colonial India’s reliance on British markets for tea and indigo, where local prosperity hinged on imperial whims.

Moreover, the industry’s focus on outsourcing stifles domestic innovation. While India produces software for the world, it lags in creating globally competitive tech giants like Google or Apple. The talent that could build an Indian tech ecosystem is instead funneled into servicing Western needs — coding their platforms, answering their calls, managing their data. It’s a brain drain without passports, where intellectual capital is leased rather than owned.

The Counterargument: Agency and Opportunity

Defenders of the IT/BPO sector argue it’s not neocolonialism but a savvy use of globalization. India leveraged its strengths — education, English proficiency, and cost advantage — to carve a niche in the global economy. The sector has spawned a new middle class, funded infrastructure, and elevated India’s soft power. Firms like Infosys and HCL, they note, are Indian-owned, suggesting agency rather than exploitation.

Yet, this view overlooks the power imbalance. Indian companies may lead execution, but the agenda — what to build, for whom, and at what price — is often set by Western clients. The wealth created is real, but it’s disproportionately concentrated in foreign hands, with India playing a subcontractor role in a global hierarchy.

A Neocolonial Reckoning

India’s IT/BPO sector is undeniably a feat of scale and resilience, lifting millions from poverty and showcasing technical brilliance. But its foundations — low-cost labor, cultural assimilation, and economic dependency — bear the hallmarks of neocolonialism. It’s not the overt domination of the British East India Company, but a subtler extraction of value, where India remains a cog in a Western machine.

Breaking this cycle requires a shift: investing in homegrown innovation, prioritizing domestic needs, and redefining success beyond Western validation. Until then, India’s tech triumph will remain a double-edged sword — a source of pride shadowed by the lingering ghost of colonial exploitation.

Why India Needs Less Arranged Marriages and More Love Marriages

Introduction

Marriage in India has long been a social institution deeply rooted in tradition, with arranged marriages being the dominant norm. While the practice has its merits — such as family involvement and cultural compatibility — it often overlooks individual choice and emotional fulfillment. In contrast, love marriages, where partners choose each other based on mutual affection and understanding, are gradually gaining acceptance.

India needs to shift toward more love marriages (or at least, more choice-based unions) for several reasons: declining marital satisfaction in arranged setups, rising divorce rates indicating mismatched partnerships, and the evolving aspirations of a modern, educated youth. Let’s explore why love marriages could lead to healthier, more sustainable relationships in India.

The Current State of Marriages in India

1. Arranged Marriages Still Dominate

A 2018 IPSOS survey found that 74% of young Indians (18–35 years) prefer arranged marriages, citing family approval and societal acceptance as key reasons.
However, a 2020 study by the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) revealed that only 52% of women in arranged marriages have any say in choosing their spouse, with decisions often made by parents.

2. Rising Divorce Rates Suggest Incompatibility

India’s divorce rate, though still low (around 1.1% as per 2021 data), has doubled in the last two decades, with urban areas seeing sharper increases.
A 2016 study by the Mumbai Family Court found that lack of compatibility was the leading cause of divorce, often stemming from rushed arranged marriages without proper courtship.

3. Marital Satisfaction is Higher in Love Marriages

A 2013 study published in Psychological Science found that couples in love marriages report higher levels of happiness and intimacy compared to arranged marriages.
Another 2021 survey by Shaadi.com showed that 68% of love marriage couples felt emotionally satisfied, compared to 54% in arranged marriages.

Why Love Marriages Are Better for Modern India

1. Individual Autonomy & Gender Equality

Arranged marriages often reinforce patriarchal norms, where women have less agency in partner selection. Love marriages empower individuals, especially women, to choose based on personal compatibility rather than familial pressure.
Countries with higher rates of self-chosen marriages (like Sweden, the U.S.) tend to have lower gender inequality (as per the Global Gender Gap Report).

2. Lower Risk of Domestic Abuse & Dowry Harassment

The NFHS-5 (2019–21) reported that 30% of married Indian women face domestic violence, with dowry disputes being a leading cause.
Love marriages, where financial transactions like dowry are less emphasized, could help reduce such cases.

3. Better Emotional & Mental Well-being

A 2020 study in The Journal of Social Psychology found that couples in love marriages experience lower stress levels because they enter the relationship with prior emotional bonding.
Arranged marriages, especially those with short courtship periods, often lead to post-marital adjustment struggles, contributing to mental health issues like anxiety and depression.

4. Changing Youth Aspirations

With increasing education and exposure, young Indians are prioritizing career, personal growth, and emotional connection over traditional marital expectations.
A 2022 survey by Tinder India found that 83% of millennials and Gen Z prefer dating before marriage, indicating a cultural shift toward self-chosen partnerships.

Counterarguments & Realistic Solutions

Some argue that arranged marriages ensure family support, cultural alignment, and long-term stability. However, the solution isn’t to abolish arranged marriages entirely but to modernize them:

Semi-arranged marriages (where families introduce matches but individuals have the final say).
Longer courtship periods before marriage to assess compatibility.
Reducing caste/community restrictions to allow wider partner choices.

Conclusion

India is at a crossroads where tradition and modernity must find a balance. While arranged marriages won’t disappear overnight, encouraging **more love marriages — or at least, more autonomy in partner selection — **can lead to happier, more equitable unions.

With rising education, urbanization, and individualism, the future of Indian marriages should prioritize love, choice, and mutual respect over rigid societal norms. The data is clear: when people choose their partners, marriages are more fulfilling, gender dynamics are fairer, and mental well-being improves.

It’s time India embraces this shift — for the sake of happier, healthier relationships.

Why India Needs More Intercaste Marriages: Lessons from Interracial Marriages in the US

Introduction

India’s caste system has shaped its social fabric for centuries, influencing everything from job opportunities to marriage choices. Despite legal and social reforms, only 5% of Indian marriages are inter-caste (National Family Health Survey, NFHS-5). In contrast, the United States, which once had strict anti-miscegenation laws, now sees about 20% of new marriages being interracial (Pew Research Center, 2022).

Intercaste marriages in India could be a powerful tool for social equality — just as interracial marriages helped reduce racial prejudices in the US. Let’s explore why India needs more intercaste unions and what we can learn from America’s experience with interracial marriages.

The Current State of Intercaste Marriages in India

1. Shockingly Low Numbers Despite Legal Protections

The NFHS-5 (2019–21) found that just 5% of Indian women marry outside their caste, with urban areas (11%) slightly more open than rural regions (3%).
Southern states like Kerala (9%) and Tamil Nadu (7%) have higher intercaste marriages, while North Indian states like Rajasthan (2%) and Bihar (1%) lag far behind (India Human Development Survey, 2015).

2. Violence & Social Boycott Against Intercaste Couples

Honor killings remain a brutal reality — over 200 cases were reported between 2014–2019 (National Crime Records Bureau).
Many couples face social ostracization, job discrimination, and even police harassment when they challenge caste norms.

3. Government Incentives Aren’t Enough

Some states offer cash incentives (₹2.5 lakh in Kerala, ₹1 lakh in Haryana) for intercaste marriages, yet uptake remains low due to deep-rooted casteism.

How Interracial Marriages Transformed the US

1. From Illegal to Mainstream

Before the 1967 Loving v. Virginia Supreme Court ruling, interracial marriage was banned in 16 US states.
Today, 1 in 5 new marriages in the US is interracial, with Asian (29%) and Hispanic (27%) Americans most likely to marry outside their race (Pew Research, 2022).

2. Reduced Racial Prejudice Over Time

Studies show that interracial marriages lead to greater social acceptance — families with mixed-race members are less likely to hold racial biases (Journal of Marriage and Family, 2018).
The rise of mixed-race celebrities (Barack Obama, Kamala Harris, Keanu Reeves) has normalized diversity in American culture.

3. Economic & Social Benefits

Interracial couples tend to have higher combined incomes due to broader social networks (U.S. Census Bureau, 2020).
Children of mixed-race parents often develop greater cultural adaptability and open-mindedness (Harvard Sociology Study, 2019).

Why India Needs More Intercaste Marriages

1. Breaking the Cycle of Caste Discrimination

Just as interracial marriages reduced racism in the US, intercaste marriages can weaken caste hierarchies by fostering personal relationships across caste lines.
Example: When a Brahmin and a Dalit marry, their families are forced to interact, breaking generational prejudices.

2. Reducing Caste-Based Violence & Honor Killings

If intercaste marriages become normalized, extremist caste groups will lose their grip on controlling whom people love.
Legal reforms (like stricter enforcement of the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act) must protect couples, just as the US strengthened anti-discrimination laws post-1967.

3. Economic & Educational Benefits

Intercaste couples often pool resources from different social networks, improving economic mobility.
Children of intercaste marriages grow up less likely to internalize caste biases, leading to a more progressive next generation.

Challenges & Solutions

1. Social Stigma is the Biggest Barrier

Solution: Media representation matters — Bollywood and OTT platforms should normalize intercaste love stories (like Sairat and Aarakshan did).

2. Lack of Legal Protection for Couples

Solution: A national anti-honor killing law (like the US’s Matthew Shepard Act against hate crimes) is needed.

3. Parental & Community Pressure

Solution: Awareness campaigns (like #LoveWithoutBorders) can shift mindsets, just as the US civil rights movement changed attitudes on race.

Conclusion: A More United India is Possible

Interracial marriages in the US didn’t just happen — they were the result of legal battles, cultural shifts, and courageous couples who defied norms. India needs a similar revolution.

More intercaste marriages mean:
✅ Less caste violence
✅ Stronger social unity
✅ A modern India free from ancient divisions

The US proved that love can dismantle prejudice. Now, it’s India’s turn.