Women and Gender

15 UPSC Mains GS II questions on Women and Gender, 2015 to 2026, newest first, as UPSC set them. See also practice questions on Women and Gender toppers answered.

1. 2026 Q2“Women as a class neither belong to a minority group nor are they regarded as forming a backward class.” In the light of this statement, discuss the evolution of women’s reservation from local bodies to Parliament.10 marks · 150 words
2. 2025 Q6Women’s social capital complements in advancing empowerment and gender equity. Explain.10 marks · 150 words
3. 2024 Q12Right to privacy is intrinsic to life and personal liberty and is inherently protected under Article 21 of the constitution. Explain. In this reference discuss the law relating to D.N.A. testing of child in the womb to establish its paternity.15 marks · 250 words
4. 2023 Q12Explain the constitutional perspectives of Gender Justice with the help of relevant Constitutional Provisions and case laws.15 marks · 250 words
5. 2023 Q14Discuss the contribution of civil society groups for women’s effective and meaningful participation and representation in state legislatures in India.15 marks · 250 words
6. 2021 Q2Discuss the desirability of greater representation to women in the higher judiciary to ensure diversity, equity and inclusiveness.10 marks · 150 words
7. 2021 Q8Can the vicious cycle of gender inequality, poverty and malnutrition be broken through microfinancing of women SHGs? Explain with examples.10 marks · 150 words
8. 2021 Q17“Though women in post-Independent India have excelled in various fields, the social attitude towards women and feminist movement has been patriarchal.” Apart from women education and women empowerment schemes, what interventions can help change this milieu?15 marks · 250 words
9. 2020 Q6In order to enhance the prospects of social development, sound and adequate health care policies are needed particularly in the fields of geriatric and maternal health care. Discuss.10 marks · 150 words
10. 2020 Q15Which steps are required for constitutionalization of a Commission ? Do you think imparting constitutionality to the National Commission for Women would ensure greater gender justice and empowerment in India ? Give reasons.15 marks · 250 words
11. 2020 Q17“Micro-Finance as an anti-poverty vaccine, is aimed at asset creation and income security of the rural poor in India”. Evaluate the role of the Self Help Groups in achieving the twin objectives along with empowering women in rural India.15 marks · 250 words
12. 2019 Q13“The reservation of seats for women in the institutions of local self-government has had a limited impact on the patriarchal character of the Indian Political Process.” Comment.15 marks · 250 words
13. 2017 Q15Is the National Commission for Women able to strategize and tackle the problems that women face at both public and private spheres? Give reasons in support of your answer.15 marks · 250 words
14. 2015 Q4Khap Panchayats have been in the news for functioning as extra-constitutional authorities, often delivering pronouncements amounting to human rights violations. Discuss critically the actions taken by the legislative, executive and the judiciary to set the things right in this regard.12.5 marks · 200 words
15. 2015 Q9The Self-Help Group (SHG) Bank Linkage Programme (SBLP), which is India’s own innovation, has proved to be one of the most effective poverty alleviation and women empowerment programmes. Elucidate.12.5 marks · 200 words

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