To obtain full benefits of demographic dividend, what should India do?

1. The demographic dividend refers to the potential for economic growth that can result from shifts in a population's age structure, mainly when the share of the working-age population (typically 15-64 years) is larger than the non-working-age share (children and elderly). 2. India is currently experiencing this demographic transition, with a large young population entering the workforce. 3. To obtain the full benefits of this demographic dividend, the large working-age population needs to be productive and employable. 4. Promoting skill development (A) is crucial because it equips the workforce with the necessary skills and competencies required by the modern economy, thereby increasing their productivity, employability, and earning potential. This directly helps capitalize on the large workforce. 5. Introducing more social security schemes (B) is important for welfare but doesn't directly enhance the productivity of the working-age population to realize the dividend. 6. Reducing infant mortality rate (C) is a vital health objective and contributes to a healthier population base in the long run, but it doesn't directly address the employability and productivity of the *current* working-age bulge. 7. Privatization of higher education (D) is a policy choice regarding the education sector; its impact on realizing the dividend is debatable and depends on factors like quality, accessibility, and affordability. Skill development is a more direct and widely accepted measure.