Women

18 UPSC Mains GS I questions on Women, 2013 to 2025, newest first, as UPSC set them. See also practice questions on Women toppers answered.

1. 2025 Q11Mahatma Jotirao Phule’s writings and efforts of social reforms touched issues of almost all subaltern classes. Discuss.15 marks · 250 words
2. 2024 Q8Distinguish between gender equality, gender equity and women’s empowerment. Why is it important to take gender concerns into account in programme design and implementation?10 marks · 150 words
3. 2024 Q19Globalization has increased urban migration by skilled, young, unmarried women from various classes. How has this trend impacted upon their personal freedom and relationship with family?15 marks · 250 words
4. 2023 Q9Explain why suicide among young women is increasing in Indian society.10 marks · 150 words
5. 2022 Q8Explore and evaluate the impact of ‘Work From Home’ on family relationships.10 marks · 150 words
6. 2021 Q10Examine the role of ‘Gig Economy’ in the process of empowerment of women in India.10 marks · 150 words
7. 2019 Q9“Empowering women is the key to control population growth.” Discuss.10 marks · 150 words
8. 2019 Q19What are the continued challenges for women in India against time and space ?15 marks · 250 words
9. 2018 Q18‘Women’s movement in India has not addressed the issues of women of lower social strata.’ Substantiate your view.15 marks · 250 words
10. 2017 Q18The women’s questions arose in modern India as a part of the 19th century social reform movement. What were the major issues and debates concerning women in that period ?15 marks · 250 words
11. 2016 Q4Discuss the role of women in the freedom struggle especially during the Gandhian phase.12.5 marks · 200 words
12. 2015 Q10How do you explain the statistics that show that the sex ratio in Tribes in India is more favourable to women than the sex ratio among Scheduled Castes ?12.5 marks · 200 words
13. 2015 Q12Discuss the positive and negative effects of globalization on women in India.12.5 marks · 200 words
14. 2014 Q11How does patriarchy impact the position of a middle class working woman in India ?10 marks · 150 words
15. 2014 Q12Why do some of the most prosperous regions of India have an adverse sex ratio for women ? Give your arguments.10 marks · 150 words
16. 2014 Q14Discuss the various economic and socio-cultural forces that are driving increasing feminization of agriculture in India.10 marks · 150 words
17. 2013 Q3Defying the barriers of age, gender and religion, the Indian women became the torch-bearer during the struggle for freedom in India. Discuss.10 marks · 200 words
18. 2013 Q16“Male membership needs to be encouraged in order to make women’s organization free from gender bias.” Comment.10 marks · 200 words

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination question papers, upsc.gov.in. Topics are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.