Universal Basic Income
Full Form of UBI
What is UBI?
Universal Basic Income (UBI) is an economic policy concept where every adult citizen of a country receives a fixed sum of money from the government on a regular basis, regardless of their income, employment status, or social background. The primary goal of UBI is to ensure a minimum standard of living and alleviate poverty by providing direct financial support to individuals. In India, UBI has been a topic of significant policy debate, with the Economic Survey 2016-17 proposing it as a potential alternative to the vast network of subsidies and welfare programmes. A landmark pilot project was conducted in Madhya Pradesh by SEWA, covering around 8,000 individuals across eight villages, which yielded largely positive results in health, nutrition, education, and sanitation outcomes. Several Indian states, including Sikkim and Kerala, have also explored the idea through state-level pilot initiatives and feasibility studies. The concept gained further attention during the COVID-19 pandemic, when direct cash transfers to vulnerable populations became essential for survival. UBI is frequently asked in UPSC Civil Services examinations, particularly in Economics, Public Administration, and General Studies papers, making it highly relevant for Indian aspirants.
UBI का फुल फॉर्म
सार्वभौमिक मूलभूत आय
Example
The Economic Survey 2016-17 highlighted Universal Basic Income (UBI) as a potential solution to simplify India's complex subsidy structure and reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies in welfare delivery.