The correct option is 2 and 3 only.
Explanation
The structural transformation of the Indian economy is characterized by a service-led growth trajectory. However, the relationship between value-added growth and employment generation in this sector reveals distinct trends regarding formal and informal labor markets.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: The service sector has not seen a decline in its share of employment; rather, its share has been increasing over the decades. As the workforce gradually moves away from agriculture, the service sector (along with construction) has been a primary absorber of labor, although the pace of employment growth lags significantly behind the sector's contribution to GDP.
- Statement 2 is Correct: The nature of employment generation in India's service sector is dualistic. While high-end services (like IT, telecommunications, and finance) contribute significantly to GDP, they are not labor-intensive. The majority of new jobs are created in low-productivity, unorganized activities such as petty trade, repair services, transport, and personal services, which fall under the informal sector.
- Statement 3 is Correct: The expansion of the service sector has coincided with the informalization of the workforce. A significant portion of the labor force entering the service sector lacks social security and job stability. Furthermore, even within the organized sector, there is a rising trend of employing contract labor, reinforcing the shift towards informal employment structures.
Key Takeaway: While the service sector is the primary driver of India's GDP, its employment generation is heavily skewed towards the informal sector, characterized by low wages, low productivity, and a lack of social security benefits.