GS2 · Topic
Welfare Schemes
Schemes for vulnerable sections and how they actually perform.
151 UPSC Mains GS2 questions on Welfare Schemes that toppers answered in test series, CSE 2017–2025, most answered first. Open one to see how toppers opened, built and closed it.
"Universal basic services and targeted welfare are fiscally sound, but competitive populism may hinder productive investment." In this context, highlight the constitutional and legal perspectives on welfare provisioning and discuss the impacts of the rising freebie culture.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Directive Principles and DutiesPolicy Design and Implementation
Legislation like Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989 remains mere legal documents without intense sensitization of public functionaries and the civil society. Discuss.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2022–2024
Vulnerable SectionsWelfare Schemes
"Women-centric welfare schemes need to move beyond welfare to empowerment." Examine in the context of key women-centric welfare schemes.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Welfare SchemesWomen and Gender
Do you agree with the view that time has come to formulate an Urban Employment Guarantee scheme at the national level?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Policy Design and ImplementationPoverty and Hunger
The ‘third gender’ has not yet been engendered in the Indian society despite legislative nudge. Analyse.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Vulnerable SectionsWelfare Schemes
The recent acknowledgment of sex work as a 'profession' by the Supreme Court is merely the first step in ensuring basic rights and equality for sex workers in India. Examine.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Vulnerable SectionsFundamental Rights
Outcome-based finance models such as social impact bonds have the potential to truly catalyse change and deliver socio-economic impact at scale. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Policy Design and ImplementationNGOs, SHGs and Civil Society
Mission Antyodaya has proved to be an important step towards alleviation of multi-dimensional poverty in India. Critically Analyze.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2022
Policy Design and ImplementationPoverty and Hunger
Gender budgeting can be a useful tool to mainstream gender-responsiveness in developmental policy formulation and resource allocation. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2022
Welfare SchemesWomen and Gender
The demand for a caste census and the sub-categorization of castes reflects the failure of neoliberalism to address India's caste problem. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
SC, ST and OBCWelfare Schemes
Delay in Population census has the potential to affect the efficacy and efficiency of developmental initiatives. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2023–2024
Policy Design and ImplementationWelfare Schemes
"Universal Basic Income (UBI) is a viable solution to eradicate extreme poverty in India." Critically discuss the statement.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2025
Poverty and HungerWelfare Schemes
Examine how Community-based financial institutions promote responsive governance and address structural inequalities, especially for marginalized women.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2025
NGOs, SHGs and Civil SocietyWomen and Gender
Discuss the role of targeted welfare schemes for nomadic communities in achieving inclusive development. What are the implementation bottlenecks and how can they be resolved?
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2025
Welfare SchemesVulnerable Sections
Discuss the hurdles in deepening the health insurance coverage for the 'missing middle' in a time bound & efficient manner. Also, highlight the government's role in this regard.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2022
HealthPolicy Design and Implementation
Throw light on the legal frameworks that are in place to ensure women's safety in India. What further steps are needed to enhance their safety and well-being?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2025
Women and GenderVulnerable Sections
Hunger is both a cause and a consequence of poverty, and addressing it requires a multidimensional approach. Analyze the effectiveness of a multidimensional approach with examples from key government initiatives.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
Poverty and HungerWelfare Schemes
"The fight against poverty is at the core of the Sustainable Development Goals". In this context, highlight the interlinkages between poverty alleviation and various SDGs. Also, assess the effectiveness of the measures taken by the government for achieving the same.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2024
Poverty and HungerWelfare Schemes
Despite the implementation of numerous policies and schemes aimed at combating hunger and malnutrition in the country, their effectiveness remains limited. Analyse.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2024
Poverty and HungerPolicy Design and Implementation
What are the key determinants of malnutrition among under-five children in the country? Also, elaborate on the role of nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions in addressing this issue.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2025
HealthPoverty and Hunger
Enumerate the composition and functions of the National Commission for Women (NCW). Also, highlight the initiatives taken by the Commission to give an impetus to women empowerment.
12.5 marks · 200 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2025
Statutory and Regulatory BodiesWelfare Schemes
What are the factors which have been responsible for slow pace of growth of coverage under the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP). Enumerate the recent steps taken by the government in order to increase this pace to achieve universal coverage swiftly.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2019–2020
HealthWelfare Schemes
Without addressing the issues that hinder the full and effective participation of persons with disabilities in political and public life, the goal of achieving inclusiveness and their empowerment will remain unattainable. Analyze.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2024
Vulnerable SectionsWelfare Schemes
Examine the need for prison reforms in India. Discuss the significance of Model Prison Act 2023 in this regard.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2024
Vulnerable SectionsJudiciary
Welfare policies in India have undergone a paradigm shift in recent decades, yet they retain certain elements of continuity. Discuss with examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2019–2020
Policy Design and ImplementationWelfare Schemes
Policy of reservation, started to provide equality of opportunities, has fallen victim to political opportunism. Critically examine the success of affirmative actions in the country.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2023
SC, ST and OBCWelfare Schemes
How far do you think has the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) been successful in protecting and promoting child rights in India?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2025
Vulnerable SectionsWelfare Schemes
Self Help Groups (SHGs) are the panacea for the socio-economic development of the country. Discuss the steps taken by the government to promote these groups.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2023–2024
NGOs, SHGs and Civil SocietyWelfare Schemes
Explain the significance of the recently launched National Nutritional Strategy in the light of sliding ranking of India along the Global Hunger Index. Also, discuss with examples, the role that local self governments can play in promoting, monitoring and sustaining nutrition initiatives.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2019–2020
Poverty and HungerPolicy Design and Implementation
What are the major welfare schemes for elderly in India? Do you think the benefits of such schemes are reaching a wide section of the target segment? Give reasons.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2019–2020
Welfare SchemesVulnerable Sections