Forest ServicesIndian 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
223 articles in this topic
Articles on Social Issues
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.
India’s Fertility and Birth Rates Continue to Decline
Context The latest Sample Registration Survey (SRS) Statistical Report 2023, released by the Office of the Registrar General of India, points to falling fertility and birth rates, improved survival outcomes, and a rising elderly population. Significance of Sample Registration Survey (SRS) Report 2023 Reliable Vital Statistics: Indicators like Birth rate, Death rate, IMR, MMR, and TFR are essential for tracking population growth, health outcomes, and development goals. For example, decline in TFR
Empowered Women are Foundation of Viksit Bharat
Context PM Modi launched the Bihar Rajya Jeevika Nidhi Saakh Sahkari Sangh Limited, highlighting that “empowered women are the foundation of Viksit Bharat.” About Jeevika Nidhi Saakh Sahkari Sangh Limited Jeevika Nidhi is a state-level cooperative financial institution established to support women entrepreneurs in Bihar. Objective: To provide timely credit at lower interest rates, reducing dependence on microfinance institutions (MFIs) that charge 18%–24%. Membership: All registered cluster-leve
WHO Released New Reports on Mental Health
Context The World Health Organisation has published two new reports ‘World Mental Health Today’ and ‘Mental Health Atlas 2024.’ Challenges in Psychiatric Healthcare in India Poor Conditions in Psychiatric Hospitals: Often associated with cruelty, neglect, abuse, and substandard living conditions. Reflects systemic neglect and inadequate accountability mechanisms. Scant Funding: Mental health receives extremely low budget allocation, about 1% of the total health budget, with most going to institu
Giving Wings to India’s Youth: A Vision for Viksit Bharat
India possesses a demographic dividend, with over 65% of its population under the age of 35. This latent potential needs to be harnessed and transformed into tangible prosperity.
Harnessing India’s Demographic Dividend
India’s youth is often hailed as the nation’s greatest asset, but this so-called ‘demographic dividend’ could become a liability without relevant skills and may spiral into crisis if systemic issues remain unaddressed.
Results of Comprehensive Modular Survey: Education, 2025
Context The Comprehensive Modular Survey (CMS: Education) conducted under the 80th Round of the National Sample Survey (NSS), April–June 2025, has revealed that households spend nearly nine times more per child in private schools compared to government schools. Reasons for Such a Trend Rural–Urban Divide: Rural households are more dependent on government schools due to affordability, but urban families often choose private schools. Perceived Quality Gap: Parents usually prefer private schools du
Census To Count Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups Separately: MoTA
Context The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) has written to the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, urging that particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs) be separately enumerated in the upcoming census. Why the Census Matters? Better Resource Allocation: Helps the government to channel resources effectively for infrastructure, healthcare, and education.
Understanding India’s Internal Diasporas
Context The concept of being a ‘foreigner or videshi’ typically reserved for international migrants, is increasingly used by internal migrants in India to describe their experience of cultural displacement. Defining Diaspora The term ‘diaspora’ has become central in policy and academic discussions after the High-Level Committee on the Indian Diaspora published its report in 2001–02. It has been defined through national borders, and evokes images of overseas communities — Punjabis in Canada, Tami
STEM Education & Students with Disabilities
India has nearly 63 million people with disabilities (NFHS-5), yet their representation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education remains marginal.