Approach: 

Introduction: Briefly introduce the issue of unemployment in India and why it is a pressing concern.

Body:

Heading 1: Analyze the effectiveness of the government policy measures taken so far, citing relevant data and examples, and identify the strengths and weaknesses of these policy measures.

Heading 2: Outline strategies that can help address the problem of rising unemployment in India.

Conclusion: Emphasize the need for a multi-faceted approach to tackle the issue of unemployment in India.

Answer:

Unemployment remains a significant challenge in India, particularly given the country’s large workforce and growing population. The government has implemented several policy measures to address this issue, ranging from skill development initiatives to job creation programs.

Effectiveness of Government Policy Measures

• Reduction in Unemployment Rate: India has witnessed a reduction in the unemployment rate from 9.3% in 2014 to 7.4% in 2022, indicating progress. 
• This decline signifies progress in reducing unemployment and providing job opportunities to a larger section of the population.
• Increased Wage Employment: MGNREGA has created wage employment opportunities for millions of people in rural areas. 
• For instance, in states like Bihar and Rajasthan, MGNREGA provided jobs for constructing water harvesting structures and improving livelihoods.
• Boost to Start-ups: The government is implementing various schemes like the Startup India initiative, Startup India Seed Fund scheme, etc., for boosting the start-up ecosystem in India. 
• For example, these schemes have helped over 25,000 start-ups in India, creating over 3.5 lakh jobs.
• Facilitating Self-Employment: The government is implementing Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) for facilitating self-employment. Under PMMY, collateral-free loans up to Rs. 10 lakhs are extended to micro/small business enterprises and to individuals to enable them to set up or expand their business activities.

Strategies to Address Rising Unemployment

• Promoting Labour-Intensive Industries: The government should incentivize labor-intensive industries such as food processing, leather and footwear, wood and furniture, textiles, etc. 
• For example, the PLI scheme for various sectors incentivizes eligible industries to promote domestic manufacturing and create employment.
• Promote Entrepreneurship: Entrepreneurs generate employment for many; therefore, the government needs to encourage entrepreneurship among the youth. 
• This can be done by providing tax incentives to start-ups, setting up incubation centers, and providing access to funding.
• Decentralization of Industries: Decentralization of industrial activities is necessary so that people of diverse regions get employment. 
• Developing industries in rural areas can reduce migration to urban areas, which will also ease pressure on jobs in urban areas.
• Need for National Employment Policy (NEP): There is a need for a National Employment Policy (NEP) with multidimensional interventions covering various social and economic issues beyond just labor and employment.
• Overhaul of the Education System: The government should closely monitor the education system and introduce novel approaches to produce a competent workforce. 
• For example, NEP 2020 emphasizes vocational development for better employment opportunities.

India needs a multi-faceted approach to tackle the challenge of unemployment. Promoting entrepreneurship, upskilling the workforce, and investing in infrastructure and technology are crucial steps that can create job opportunities and lead to a more prosperous future for the citizens.