Submission ID 118340
| Issue/Objective | In 2024, 8.5% of the global population lived in extreme poverty, while 11.28% of India's population was multidimensionally poor in 2022-23. Social protection schemes aim to reduce poverty and vulnerability by shielding citizens from risks like unemployment, illness, and old age. These schemes are crucial for achieving Universal Health Coverage by mitigating healthcare costs. However, issues like delays and benefit theft lead to gaps in delivery. "Non-take-up" occurs when benefits fail to reach intended recipients, due to factors such as lack of awareness, complex applications, stigma, legal exclusion, and ineffective policies. This scoping review aims to synthesize the literature on non-take-up of social protection schemes delivered through DBT in India. |
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| Methodology/Approach | A protocol was developed following the Johanna Briggs Institute and PRISMA-ScR guidelines and registered in the Open Science Framework. A research librarian developed search strategies for databases including MEDLINE, CINAHL, EBMR, EMBASE, and EconLit. To be included in the review, the studies needed to focus on social protection schemes run by the Government of India via DBT. The search was conducted on 25th of October 2023 and included articles published after January 2015, as DBT was rolled out across India in late 2014. |
| Results | A total of 4,738 published articles were identified and added to Covidence for screening, with 45 studies meeting eligibility criteria after title, abstract, and full-text screening. The most studied schemes were Ayushman Bharat (n=11), Janani Suraksha Yojana (n=11), NIKSHAY programs(n=9), and ICDS(n=6). Among these, 29 studies reported beneficiary-level factors, 28 administrative factors, and 11 policy design factors. Most factors were related to the pre-entry stage (n=32), followed by entry (n=15), onboarding (n=12), and benefit delivery (n=19). Key barriers included lack of information (n=24), inactive bank accounts (n=9), delays in benefits (n=9), and poor communication (n=9). Nine studies identified impacts of non-take-up, mainly increased vulnerability (n=8) and poverty (n=7). |
| Discussion/Conclusion | The findings reveal major barriers to welfare scheme uptake, particularly at the beneficiary and administrative levels. Key issues include lack of information, inactive bank accounts, delays in benefits, and weak awareness campaigns. Addressing these challenges through better communication, accessible banking, and streamlined distribution can improve uptake and reduce inequalities. |
| Presenters and affiliations | Dinesh Chandra Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences Marion Perrot Université de Montréal Audrey Beaulieu Université de Montréal Bilal Amani Université de Montréal Bangaman Christian Akani Université de Montréal Daniela Ziegler Université de Montréal Kesari Singh Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences Mira Johri Université de Montréal |
