Violent crimes by juveniles have increased in India

 

In 2022, nearly half the juveniles apprehended in India were accused of violent offences

Aadhaar mandatory for Tatkal bookings from July 1 , 2025

 

Distinguish between gender equality, gender equity and women's empowerment. Why is it important to take gender concerns into account in programme design and implementation? (Answer in 150 words) Answer

 

Question: Distinguish between gender equality, gender equity and women's empowerment. Why is it important to take gender concerns into account in programme design and implementation? (Answer in 150 words)

Answer

Approach: § Begin by giving a brief of the connection between these terms. § Explain the concepts in detail and move on to explaining how gender specific concerns can improve programme designs. § Conclude by summarizing the importance of these concepts and how they must be considered while creating and implementing a programme.

Introduction

Gender issues are critical to achieving social justice and sustainable development. With India ranking 108 (out of 198 countries) on the Gender Inequality Index (GII) 2022, there is a long path ahead for us.

Body

The Difference

Concept	Definition	Focus
Gender Equality	All individuals have equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities.	Equal access to resources and treatment.
Gender Equity	Acknowledges distinct needs and challenges of different genders.	Fair treatment and tailored opportunities for equal outcomes.
Women's Empowerment	Seeks to enhance women’s strength in various areas.	Control over their lives through confidence and resources.

Accounting for Gender in Programme Design and Implementation

• Equity: Gender specific programmes ensure equity in resource dispersal and development of society.
• Tailored Solutions: Designing programmes while considering gender differences ensures that solutions are not ‘one size fits all’, but rather catering to niche groups.
• Less Wastage/ Focused Delivery of Funds: Gender specific programmes can ensure funds are used for catering to specific purposes that they are needed in.
• Ensuring Long Term Growth: Investing on females specifically has shown to contribute more to the society at large as per World Bank data.

Conclusion

These three concepts of equality, equity, and women's empowerment are foundational to creating inclusive programs. Incorporating gender concerns into program design not just ensures fairness but also enhances effectiveness and sustainability of initiatives.

 

 

 

Intercaste marriages between castes which have socio-economic parity have increased, to some extent, but this is less true of interreligious marriages. Discuss. (Answer in 150 words)

 Question: Intercaste marriages between castes which have socio-economic parity have increased, to some extent, but this is less true of interreligious marriages. Discuss. (Answer in 150 words)

Approach: § Begin with an Introduction that sets a context to the question. § Delve into the reasons for Increase in Intercaste Marriages Between Castes with Socio-Economic Parity. § Give the reasons for low acceptance of inter-religious Marriages. § Conclude suitably.

Answer:

Intercaste marriages in India have seen some increase, especially among castes with socio-economic parity, while interreligious marriages remain relatively rare due to various socio-cultural factors.

Reasons for the rise in intercaste marriages among castes with socio-economic parity:

• Urbanisation and education: The rise of urban culture and improved education has increased societal acceptance of intercaste marriages, with young people prioritizing compatibility over caste.
• In 2023, Bengaluru represented 17.8% of all intercaste marriages in Karnataka.
• Legal Support and governmental Measures:
• SC in Hadia Case clarified that Right to Marry falls within the Core Zone of Privacy under Article 21.
• Schemes like the Central Government's Dr. Ambedkar Scheme for Social Integration and Rajasthan's Antarjatiy Vivah Protsahan Yojana promote intercaste marriages by providing financial incentives.

Constraints on inter-religious Marriages:

• Low Social Acceptance: As per a survey of SARI (Social Attitudes Research for India), there is greater opposition to inter-religious marriages as compared to inter caste marriages.
• Forced Religious Conversion: States like UP and Haryana have come with Anti- Conversion law which create legal hurdles for such marriages.
• Shortcomings of Special Marriage Act: The MP High Court ruled against protecting an interfaith couple under the SMA, 1954, citing that Muslim Personal Law deems a marriage between a Muslim man and a Hindu woman invalid.

Conclusion:

Intercaste marriages are on the rise in India, but interreligious marriages still encounter significant obstacles due to complexity of factors, indicating a need for greater acceptance and tolerance.

 

 

In dealing with socio-economic issues of development, what kind of collaboration between government, NGOs and private sector would be most productive? (Answer in 150 words)

 Question: In dealing with socio-economic issues of development, what kind of collaboration between government, NGOs and private sector would be most productive? (Answer in 150 words)

Approach: § Introduce by showing the need for inter-sectoral collaboration. § Give the prospective framework of collaboration with the help of examples. § Conclude Suitably.

Answer:

A collaborative model involving multi-stakeholder engagement between the Government, NGOs, and private sector, is essential for India’s socio-economic development, aiming to make India a developed nation by 2047.

Collaborative Model to Deal With Socio-Economic Issues:

• Government and Private Sector:
• Funding, Technical Expertise, and Innovation: Collaboration between the government and the private sector provides funding and technological expertise, enhancing efficiency in development efforts, examples like, The Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (PPP), the Digital India program, Smart City Mission.
• Regulatory Oversight: This collaboration ensures projects comply with legal standards and meet public needs by addressing various challenges.
• NGOs and Government:
• Grassroots Engagement: Government engagement with NGOs ensures better handling of grassroots-level challenges, For example, the Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) in India empowers women through vocational training and microfinance.
• Awareness and Advocacy: NGOs like The Delhi Network of Positive People (DNP+) to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS.
• Private Sector and NGOs:
• Contributing to Social Development through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Infosys collaborates with Akshaya Patra to provide mid-day meals to school children.

Conclusion:

Collaboration for collective impact uses diverse models to effectively address Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while promoting trust and transparency, making it essential for the socio-economic development of the country.

Q : What is regional disparity? How does it differ from diversity? How serious is the issue of regional disparity in India? (Answer in 250 words)

 Question : What is regional disparity? How does it differ from diversity? How serious is the issue of regional disparity in India? (Answer in 250 words)

Approach § Define regional disparity and diversity. § Highlight the differences between regional disparity and diversity. § Discuss the issue of regional disparity in India. § To conclude,suggest measures to address the issues of regional disparity.

Answer

Regional disparity refers to the uneven distribution of economic resources, development, infrastructure, and opportunities across different regions within a country. Diversity refers to the variety of cultural, linguistic, geographical, and social attributes that exist within a population or region.

Key differences between Regional Disparity and Diversity:

Aspect	Regional Disparity	Regional Diversity
Focus	Economic and developmental inequalities (income, education, infrastructure)	Cultural, ethnic, and social variations
Causes	Colonial legacy, Resource distribution, Policy biases.	Natural evolution of communities, migration, trade
Impact	Leads to socio-economic challenges (poverty, unemployment, lack of services).	Enhances creativity, social cohesion, and innovation.

Seriousness of Regional Disparity in India :

• Economic Imbalances: The per capita income of India's five richest states is nearly 338% higher than that of the poorest states
• Educational Disparity: According to the 2011 Census, Kerala has a literacy rate of 96.2%, while Bihar's literacy rate is only 61.8%.
• Healthcare Access: There are only 0.36 hospitals for one lakh people in rural areas whereas it is 3.6 hospitals per one lakh population in urban areas
• Transportation and Connectivity: Developed regions have better transportation networks and connectivity, facilitating trade and mobility.
• Digital Divide: According to the NSSO data, only 24% of rural Indian households have access to the Internet, compared to a 66% penetration in cities.
• Skewed Impact on Migration: As of 2011 census, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar were the largest source of inter-state migrants while Maharashtra and Delhi were the largest receiver states.

Conclusion:

The government has introduced several initiatives to address regional disparity in India, including the Backward Regions Grant Fund, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, and the National Rural Livelihoods Mission. Addressing these disparities is vital for promoting balanced development and ensuring that all regions can share in the benefits of economic progress and opportunities.

 

Despite comprehensive policies for equity and social justice, underprivileged sections are not yet getting the full benefits of affirmative actions envisaged by the constitution. Comment. (Answer in 250 words)

 

                                      UPSC Mains 2024 ( Indian society)

Question : Despite comprehensive policies for equity and social justice, underprivileged sections are not yet getting the full benefits of affirmative actions envisaged by the constitution. Comment. (Answer in 250 words)

Approach  § Define affirmative action and its significance. § Discuss the existing affirmative policies in India. § Highlight the key challenges for its effective implementation. § Suggest measures to improve the effectiveness of affirmative action. § Conclude Suitably.

Answer :

Affirmative action refers to a set of policies and practices aimed at increasing the representation and opportunities of historically marginalized and disadvantaged groups in various sectors, including education, employment, and politics.

Existing Affirmative Action Policies in India

• Political Representation:
• Articles 330, 332, and 243D reserve seats for SCs and STs in Parliament, State Assemblies, and Panchayats, respectively.
• Education and Employment Opportunities:
• Articles 15(4) and 16(4) allow reservations in government jobs for disadvantaged groups.
• The Right to Education Act, of 2009 ensures free, compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14, reducing barriers for underprivileged sections.
• Holistic Development:
• The National Food Security Act (NFSA) ensures access to subsidized food grains for vulnerable populations.
• Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana provides affordable housing for urban and rural poor
• Skill India Mission enhances the employability of youth from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Key Challenges

• Elite Capture: Dominance of wealthy individuals in reserved categories limits benefits for the truly marginalized.
• Caste-Based Politics: Politicization of reservations can cause conflicts and hinder implementation.
• Corruption: Mismanagement and corruption divert benefits away from intended recipients.
• Awareness: Lack of knowledge about reservation benefits leads to underutilization.
• Social Stigma: Persistent biases hinder the integration of marginalized communities.
• Resistance: Critics argue reservations compromise meritocracy, sparking backlash and social tensions.

Potential Reforms:

• Enforce penalties for non-compliance with reservation norms.
• Introduce income criteria to benefit the economically disadvantaged.
• States can sub-classify SCs within the 15% quota.
• Launch awareness campaigns on inclusion and discrimination.
• Consider socio-educational status for equitable distribution.
• Include religious minorities, transgender individuals, and the disabled in affirmative action policies.

Conclusion 

The affirmative action policy serves as a crucial tool for fostering a strong and inclusive society in India, but its effectiveness hinges on its ability to genuinely uplift the most marginalized sections of society.