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
231 articles in this topic
Articles on Social Issues
Civil Registration System (CRS) 2023 Report
Context The Registrar General of India (RGI) released the “Vital Statistics of India Based on the Civil Registration System (CRS)”, highlighting key demographic trends, a decline in births, a marginal rise in deaths, and regional variations in sex ratio at birth and registration levels. Key Findings of the CRS 2023 Report Births Registered: 2.52 crore births were registered in 2023, around 2.32 lakh fewer than in 2022. Overall birth registration stood at 98.4%, indicating near-complete coverage.
India’s Demographic Mission
In the Independence Day Address, 2025, the Prime Minister stated that a high-powered Demographic Mission would be launched to address illegal influx migration to meet Indias developing demographic challenges.
World Mental Health Day
Context On October 10, every year, World Mental Health Day highlights the extent of mental illness in the world. About Global Mental Health Issue (as per WHO): More than a billion people are living with mental health disorders. An estimated 727,000 people across all ages lost their lives to suicide in 2021, with one suicide death happening in over 20 suicide attempts.
India’s Mental Health Crisis
Every year, October 10 marks World Mental Health Day — a reminder of the global burden of mental illness affecting over a billion people.
Reforming Passive Euthanasia in India
Context Despite the legal validity of passive euthanasia, its implementation remains mired in procedural complexity, institutional gaps, and ethical ambiguity. About Euthanasia in India Euthanasia — often termed ‘mercy killing’ — refers to the intentional ending of a person’s life to relieve suffering, usually from terminal illness or irreversible conditions. Passive Euthanasia: Involves withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment (e.g., ventilators, feeding tubes) when recovery is medi
WHO Global Report on Trends in Prevalence of Tobacco Use
In News The WHO Global Report on Trends in Prevalence of Tobacco Use 2000–2024 and projections 2025–2030 presents estimates of tobacco use prevalence among the population aged 15 years and older from 2000–2024, with trends projected to 2030. India’s Measures To Curb Tobacco Consumption Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003: Prohibits smoking in public places, bans tobacco advertising, restricts sales to minors, regulates packaging and labeling. Prohibition of Electronic Cigaret
Visvesvaraya, Muthulakshmi and Mahalanobis
In Context Recent national commemorations and public discussions have revisited the enduring legacies and highlighted the continued influence of Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, Muthulakshmi Reddy, and Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis in 2025. Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya He was born on September 15, 1861 and is regarded as one of India’s greatest engineers whose pioneering work revolutionised infrastructure development. He also served as the Diwan of Mysore and president of the All-India Manufacturers’ Orga
Sports as a Unifying Force, Not a Privilege: Supreme Court
Context The Supreme Court, in the All India Football Federation (AIFF) case, recently emphasised that sports are not merely recreational activities but vital institutions of “national life.” Key Observations by Supreme Court of India Fraternity Through Sport: Team sports compel individuals to set aside caste, class, gender, or linguistic distinctions and work collectively towards shared goals. Sports as Community Resources: Sporting facilities and opportunities should be recognised as ‘material
India Expands Medical Education
Context The Union Cabinet has approved the addition of 10,023 medical seats with an investment of Rs. 15,034 crore, as part of the goal to create 75,000 medical seats within the next five years. About The Cabinet approved 5,000 post-graduate and 5,023 undergraduate (MBBS) seats in government colleges and hospitals by 2028-29.
Rising Cancer Burden: Lancet Study
Context An analysis of the ‘Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2023’, published in The Lancet, presents updated estimates of the cancer burden in 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2023, along with projections up to 2050. Global Cancer Burden (2023) New Cancer Diagnoses projected to increase by 60.7%, 30.5 million cases annually by 2050; Cancer deaths are projected to increase by 74.5%, amounting to 18.6 million per year by 2050, with low and middle income countr
India’s Urban Definition is Failing Its Growing Towns
Context India’s next Census in 2027 is set to retain the 2011 definition of “urban,” as announced by the Registrar General of India. How India Defines Urban Areas? In the 2011 Census, an urban unit was defined as either a statutory town or a census town.
Trans People Deserve Better
Transgender individuals in India remain disconnected from policy promises and continue to face systemic neglect, as the lack of inclusive, enforceable, and humane policies results in a persistent denial of dignity.
Seven Years of Ayushman Bharat
Context Recently, the Ayushman Bharat, the world’s largest government-funded health assurance scheme, completed its seven years. About the Ayushman Bharat It is a flagship health initiative, emerged from the National Health Policy 2017, and was launched in September 2018 from Ranchi, Jharkhand.
Domestic Violence Act: 20 Years of Power and Protection
Context The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (PWDVA) stands as a symbol of empowerment after two decades of enactment. About Domestic Violence It is defined as any act, omission, or conduct by a person that harms or endangers the health, safety, life, limb, or well-being of a woman — whether physical or mental (Section 3 of the PWDVA). It includes: Physical abuse, verbal emotional Abuse economic Abuse.
Closing Gender Gaps Holds the Key to Ending Poverty
Context The UN Gender Snapshot 2025, released by UN Women and UN DESA, highlights that without urgent action more than 351 million women and girls could remain in extreme poverty by 2030. Key Findings Persistent Poverty: Female poverty has remained stuck at 10% since 2020. Climate change and conflict are worsening vulnerabilities.
PM Inaugurates Development Projects in Manipur
Context The Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects in Imphal, Manipur. What are the Key Unresolved Issues in Manipur? Rehabilitation of Displaced Families: There are more than 280 relief camps in Manipur, sheltering about 57,000 people, many displaced for over two years.
India Shows Rise in Deaths From Non-communicable Diseases: Lancet Study
In News India experienced an increase in mortality risk from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) from 2010–2019. Key Findings In India, overall NCD mortality between 2010 and 2019 increased by 2.1% for females and 0.1% for males compared to 2000–2010. The percentage of newborns dying from a chronic disease before they turn 80 years old was 46.7 per cent in females in 2001, 46.6 per cent in 2010 and in 2019 it was 48.7 per cent.
Looking Beyond Suicide Helplines to Tackle Mental Health Issues
India’s mental health crisis cannot be solved by suicide helplines alone, as they only serve as emergency interventions while neglecting prevention, access, and systemic causes.
National Annual Report & Index on Women’s Safety (NARI) 2025
Context The National Annual Report Index on Women’s Safety (NARI) 2025, released by the National Commission for Women (NCW), provides a city-wise ranking of women’s safety in India. Key highlights from NARI 2025 Safest cities: Kohima, Visakhapatnam, Bhubaneswar, Aizawl, Gangtok, Itanagar, Mumbai. Least safe cities: Patna, Jaipur, Faridabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Srinagar, Ranchi.
Special Bulletin on Maternal Mortality in India 2021-23
Context The Government of India released the Special Bulletin on Maternal Mortality in India 2021–23, prepared by the Office of the Registrar General of India (ORGI), Ministry of Home Affairs under the Sample Registration System (SRS). About The report shows a Stable Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of 88 per 1,00,000 live births for the period 2021–23. Categorization of States: States are categorized as Empowered Action Group (EAG), Southern, and Other for analyzing regional trends.