The Impact of COVID-19 on India’s Internal Migration

The COVID-19 pandemic left India’s social and economic identity trembling with the majority of its brunt being borne by the downtrodden and migrant populations of India. Experts have reported that the sheer scale of the problem at hand could easily be one the largest migration crises India has ever faced with estimates of up to 400 million workers being unable to afford basic necessities (Nair & Verma, 2020). This research study aims to investigate and outline the contributing factors of this crisis by analyzing the overarching impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Indian society since the pandemic’s inception. This will be done by specializing data sources and analysis in three foundational aspects: (a) mental health, (b) gender gap, and (c) caste & socioeconomic barriers. The methodology will consist of primary and secondary data sources which when implemented effectively will paint a holistic picture of the adversities and obstacles faced by the migrant laborers. The study’s ultimate aim is to provide comprehensive analysis of the effects of government policies on migrants in India and to suggest detailed reforms in order to create an improved environment for the internal migrants in the country. Utilizing the results of the data analysis and its inferences, we suggest both short-term, and long-term solutions to this rapidly deteriorating migration crisis including: government distribution of COVID-19 vaccinations, providing wage support for migrant workers, and the building of a stronger framework to allow for safer migration throughout the country. Considering the implications and limitations of this research as universal inapplicability of potential solutions continue to persist in political scenarios due to corruption and politicize agendas, the paper discusses how current foundational elements within India can be strengthened in order to better favor the lives of the migrant workers therefore increasing the overall sustainability of the entire Indian workforce and economy.