Indian Society
Social Issues
Welcome to the comprehensive study hub for Social Issues, a critical component of the Indian Society syllabus for the UPSC Civil Services Examination. This section delves into
219 articles in this topic
Articles on Social Issues
Prejudice and Healthcare Access for Trans Men in India
Context Despite legal recognition and welfare initiatives, transgender men and gender-diverse persons assigned female at birth (AFAB) continue to face systemic discrimination, and inadequate access to inclusive healthcare in India. Key Issues Faced in Healthcare Access Structural and Institutional Barriers: Persistent misgendering, judgemental attitudes, and denial of care in public healthcare institutions. Healthcare access is linked to gender recognition certificates under the Transgender Pers
Farmer Suicides in India: 28 Years of Data
Context According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, the period between 1995 and 2023 saw over 3.9 lakh farmer and agricultural laborer suicides in India. Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana together accounted for over 70% of all suicides. About After a decade of gradual decline, 2023 saw a 75% increase in farmer suicides compared to 2022, totaling 10,786 deaths.
Dowry a Cross-cultural Evil: Supreme Court judgment
Context The Supreme Court termed dowry a cross-cultural social evil cutting across religions and communities. About SC Judgement SC Observations: Despite Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, the practice continues in disguised forms like “gifts”. Dowry violates constitutional values of justice, liberty and fraternity and directly undermines Article 14 (equality before law).
Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR)
Context The Union Health Ministry recently said that the rate of institutional deliveries in the country has increased to 89%, which led to a significant reduction in the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR). What is Maternal Mortality? Maternal death is the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, irrespective of the duration and site of the pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management but not from accidental or incidental
Where Does India Stand on Child Marriage?
In News Despite a strong legal framework and multiple schemes tackling Child marriage in India, India is still off-track to fully eliminate child marriage by the 2030 SDG deadline. Concept, Trend and Legal Framework Definition: Child marriage refers to any marriage in which at least one party is below 18 years of age; globally, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child defines a child as any human below 18 years. NFHS data: The proportion of women aged 20–24 years married before 18 declined f
Child Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation
Context Calling child trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation a “deeply disturbing reality” in India, the Supreme Court laid down guidelines on how courts must sensitively appreciate the evidence of minor victims of trafficking and prostitution. Guidelines on Appreciation of Evidence Courts must not disbelieve a trafficked child’s testimony due to minor inconsistencies, especially given the trauma involved. The sole testimony of the victim is sufficient if it is credible and convincing.
Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine
Context India hosted the 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in New Delhi. What are Traditional Medicines? Traditional medicine refers to codified or non-codified systems for health care and well-being, comprising practices, skills, knowledge and philosophies originating in different historical and cultural contexts, which are distinct from and pre-date biomedicine, evolving with science for current use from an experience-based origin.
India Tops Global Doping Violations: WADA Report 2024
In News The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Report 2024 has ranked India as the worst doping offender globally for the third consecutive year, recording 260 Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs) with a positivity rate of 3.6%. About In contrast, countries such as China (0.2%), France (0.8%), Russia (0.7%) and the US (1.1%) recorded far lower positivity rates despite wider testing programs. This comes at a crucial time when India is preparing to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and bidding for the 2
Dowry Eradication Urgent Constitutional, Social Necessity: SC
In News The Supreme Court issued systemic directions to strengthen enforcement of anti-dowry laws. SC observed that dowry is a deep-rooted social evil cutting across communities and requires institutional accountability, not merely penal provisions. SC Directions Judicial Monitoring: High Courts must monitor pending cases under IPC Sections 304-B (dowry death) and 498-A (cruelty) for expeditious disposal, with the judgment circulated for compliance review.
The Stark Reality of Educational Costs in India
Published on: 12th December, 2025 The NSS 80th Round (2025) findings highlight a troubling trend in India’s basic schooling landscape: despite constitutional guarantees the Right to Free and Compulsory Education for all children aged 6 to 14 years under Article 21A and policy ambitions (National Education Policy 2020), household expenditure on education is rising, and access is becoming increasingly unequal due to growing reliance on private schools and coaching .
World Inequality Report 2026 Released
Context The 3rd edition of the World Inequality Report highlights widening gaps in wealth, income, climate responsibility, and global financial flows, with India showing high levels of concentration at the top. Key Findings of Report Global Inequality Trends: The top 10% globally own three-quarters of all wealth; The bottom 50% hold just 2%; The top 1% control 37% of global wealth, 18 times more than the bottom half of the world combined. Gender Inequality: Women earn only 61% of men’s income pe
70th Mahaparinirvan Diwas
In News President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid floral tributes to Dr. Ambedkar on Mahaparinirvan Diwas at the Parliament complex in New Delhi. Mahaparinirvan Diwas It is observed annually on December 6 to commemorate the death anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr.
India's Commitment to Disability Rights
Context The International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is observed annually on December 3 to promote the rights and well-being of people with disabilities. About History: IDPD was first celebrated in 1992, following its proclamation through United Nations General Assembly Resolution 47/3. In 2006, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) was adopted to ensure equality of opportunity for PwDs and to support the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goa
Deprivation Problem of India’s Children: Urgent & Systematic Reforms
According to the ‘State of the World’s Children (SWOC) 2025’ report by UNICEF, developing nations such as India face extreme child poverty and multidimensional child deprivation.
World AIDS Day
Context World AIDS Day is observed on December 1 every year. About It is observed every year to raise awareness about the HIV/AIDS epidemic. It was first marked in 1988 by the World Health Organization (WHO).
International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women
In News International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women was recently observed with the theme “UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls”. Background In 1993, the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, laying the foundation for global action. In 2000, the UN officially designated November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, encouraging governments, international bodies, and NG
Bridging India’s Numeracy Gap
The persistent learning gap in Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) that threatens the broader educational reform agenda under National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Ultra-Processed Food Sales Surge In India Causing Health Concerns: Lancet Report
In News India is seeing the fastest ultra-processed food (UPF) sales growth, which is surging obesity and diabetes cases, according to The Lancet. What is Ultra-processed Food (UPF)? Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are industrially manufactured food products that go through multiple processing steps and contain ingredients not typically used in home cooking, such as preservatives, emulsifiers, colorants, flavorings, and synthetic additives.
Rights of Transgender Persons in India
Context India has made significant strides in addressing the historical marginalisation of the transgender community through comprehensive legal protections, welfare schemes, and digital accessibility. LGBTQIA+ LGBTQIA+ is an umbrella term for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual persons, with ‘+’ representing other identities that are not specifically included in these letters. Notably, LGBTQIA+ persons do not conform with traditional gender roles and expectations,
Gender Neutrality Under the POCSO Act
Syllabus: GS2/Governance; Social Issues Context Understanding the POCSO Act, 2012 Child & Constitution of India Article 23: Prohibition of Human Trafficking and Forced Labour Article 24: Prohibition of Child Labour in Hazardous Jobs.1. No child below the age of 14 years shall be employed to work in any factory or mine or engaged in any […]