GS2 · Topic
Women and Gender
Representation, safety, work and the law as it bears on women.
59 UPSC Mains GS2 questions on Women and Gender that toppers answered in test series, CSE 2017–2025, most answered first. Open one to see how toppers opened, built and closed it.
To what extent has the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme, launched in 2015, succeeded in addressing the declining child sex ratio and empowering the girl child? Suggest measures to enhance its impact at the grassroots level.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 11 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Welfare SchemesWomen and Gender
Self-Help Groups (SHGs) are emerging as vehicles of socio-economic transformation in rural India. Examine the role of government in scaling their reach and effectiveness.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 11 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
NGOs, SHGs and Civil SocietyWelfare Schemes
The SHG-Bank Linkage Programme has been hailed as an indigenous tool for poverty alleviation in India. Examine its impact on improving rural livelihoods and reducing multi-dimensional poverty.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
NGOs, SHGs and Civil SocietyPoverty and Hunger
The contributions of the founding mothers in the Constituent Assembly and their feminist perspective have shaped India's constitutional discourse. Discuss
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Constitution and Basic StructureWomen and Gender
When it comes to sexual and reproductive health of women in India, rights-based discourse has largely been bypassed not just by the societal norms but also by the legal norms. Discuss.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2024
Vulnerable SectionsWomen and Gender
Critically analyse the role of National Commission for Women (NCW) in wake of its mandate to safeguard women's rights and uphold their socio-economic wellbeing.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2022–2024
Statutory and Regulatory BodiesVulnerable Sections
The electoral process, though inclusionary in theory, has been pointed out for exclusionary tendencies in practice. Analyse, with special emphasis on role of women in India's representative electoral system.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2022–2024
Elections and RepresentationWomen and Gender
To what extent, in your opinion, Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in India have enabled women led development at the grassroot level?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2020–2024
NGOs, SHGs and Civil SocietyWomen and Gender
Discuss the crucial role played by the National Commission of Women in shaping the discourse on gender-sensitive laws in India. To what extent the elevation of the National Commission for Women to a constitutional body would reinforce its authority?
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2024
Statutory and Regulatory BodiesWomen and Gender
"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
The wide gap between the number of females graduating every year and those entering the workspace is an issue of paramount importance that needs to be addressed. Discuss in the context of India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Social Sector ServicesWomen and Gender
Despite increased political representation, Elected Women Representatives (EWRs) in Panchayati Raj Institutions continue to face barriers to effective participation and leadership. In this context, discuss the challenges EWRs face and suggest reforms needed to enable gender-inclusive grassroots governance.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Local GovernmentWomen and Gender
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
Although India has more than six million Self-Help Groups (SHGs); the goal of women empowerment seems distant. In this context, discuss the major issues faced by the SHGs and the potential of digital technologies in overcoming them.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2022
NGOs, SHGs and Civil SocietyWomen and Gender
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
Despite significant advancements, women remain underrepresented in STEM fields. What are the barriers to women's participation in STEM, and what policy interventions can address these challenges to promote gender equity?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
Women and GenderEducation
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
Despite the absence of a constitutional mandate, the National Commission for Women(NCW) has had a significant impact in influencing legal reforms and securing gender justice in India. Do you agree?
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
Statutory and Regulatory BodiesWomen and Gender
Women bear a disproportionate burden of the gaps in our health-care system. Do you think a constitutional right to health will help in bridging this gap? Also, suggest suitable alternatives.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2022
HealthWomen and Gender
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
Identify and discuss the challenges hindering effective implementation of gender-sensitive policies and schemes in the country.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2017–2025
Welfare SchemesWomen and Gender
Poverty is driving women into the workforce, while education seems to drive them out of it. What explains this anomaly? How can Self Help Groups (SHGs) correct this aberration?
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2023
NGOs, SHGs and Civil SocietyWomen and Gender
How does the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023 aim to reshape the patriarchal dynamics of Indian politics? Do you think it might encounter similar limitations as those seen in local self-government institutions?
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
Women and GenderParliament
What do you understand by feminisation of old age? Highlight the issues associated with it in the Indian context. Also, mention the measures taken by the government in this regard.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Welfare SchemesVulnerable Sections
Gender budgeting can be a useful tool to mainstream gender-responsiveness in the developmental policy formulation and resource allocation. Discuss.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2022
Policy Design and ImplementationWomen and Gender
Discuss the notable developments made by India in achieving gender parity and examine the barriers that continue to hinder progress. What further measures can be adopted to make progress towards gender parity in India?
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Women and GenderWelfare Schemes
Self Help Groups (SHGs) has emerged as an innovative programme in dealing with the feminization of poverty in India. To what extent, SHGs have been successful in achieving its objectives?
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
NGOs, SHGs and Civil SocietyWomen and Gender
The offence of rape cannot be condoned by marital relationship between victim and culprit. In light of this statement, discuss the issues involved in criminalization of marital rape.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Vulnerable SectionsWomen and Gender
Discuss the role played by PRIs in political empowerment of women. Also, suggest measures to further increase their political participation.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018
Local GovernmentWomen and Gender
Self-help groups (SHGs) have contributed towards rural development and women empowerment, but their uneven geographical impact and rising loan defaults are serious challenges that need to be addressed. Discuss.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper
NGOs, SHGs and Civil SocietyWelfare Schemes