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
Migration is Essential To Globalisation: Amartya Sen
Context Nobel laureate Amartya Sen recently stressed that migration has been a major source of global progress, enabling exchange of knowledge, culture, and values. Way Ahead Humane Inclusive Policies: Recognise migration as a right and opportunity, not a threat. Safeguard voting rights (Amartya Sen’s concern on SIR).
Gender Disparity in Organ Donation in India
Context The National Organ Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) has issued a 10-point advisory stating that women patients and relatives of deceased donors awaiting organ transplants will get priority as beneficiaries. Status of Organ Donation Organ Transplantation/ Donation is a surgical procedure in which an organ/s, tissue or a group of cells are removed from one person and surgically transplanted into another person. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 1,30,000 solid or
Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan
In News The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has launched the Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan, envisaged as the world’s largest tribal grassroots leadership programme. Core Philosophy Guided by Sewa (Service), Sankalp (Resolve), Samarpan (Dedication). Embodies the principle of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Prayas, Sabka Vishwas.” Read More
Shaping the Urban Challenge Fund: Steps to Strengthen Delivery
Nearly one-third of the population in India living in urban areas, with a projection of 40% by 2036 and over 800 million urban population by 2050 presents both a challenge and an opportunity.
How ‘Honour’ Killings in India are Reinforced and Legitimised?
Context In India, caste remains a deeply rooted social structure, and ‘honour’ killings are emerging as a violent yet socially legitimised tool to preserve caste hierarchies, especially against inter-caste unions. About Honour Killings Definition: Honour killings refer to the murder of individuals (mostly young couples) by family or community members for allegedly bringing “dishonour” through relationships that defy caste, community, or gender norms. Geographical Pattern: States like Tamil Nadu,
SC Had Issued a Notice to Centre on a plea for ‘creamy layer’ Within SC, ST Reservation
Context The Supreme Court has decided to examine a petition to introduce a “system”, similar to the creamy layer concept for the Other Backward Classes (OBC) in reservation benefits among the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes. Reservation in India As per existing instructions, reservation is provided to Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) at the rate of 15%, 7.5% and 27%, respectively, in case of direct recruitment on an all-India basis by op
Addressing Gender Disparity in Organ Transplantation in India
Recently, the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) has issued an advisory that prioritizes women patients and relatives of deceased donors in organ transplant allocations.
CBSE’s Plan For Open-book Exams
In News The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is going to introduce open-book assessments (OBE) in Class 9 from 2026-27, after a pilot study showed strong “teacher support” for the idea. What are open-book exams? It allows students to use approved resources like textbooks, class notes, or other specified material during an assessment, rather than mainly testing memory.
SC Ruling On Stray Dogs
Context Recently, the Supreme Court of India directed the Delhi government and authorities of Noida, Gurgaon, and Ghaziabad to capture and relocate stray dogs to shelters, calling the situation ‘grim’. Stray Dog Problem in India India is home to over 60 million stray dogs, accounting for 37% of the global stray dog population. Dog bites occur every 10 seconds in India, totaling over 3 million annually.
First Step to Universal Healthcare: Making Diagnostics Accessible and Cheap
Universal healthcare — the ideal system where every citizen, regardless of income, receives quality medical care — needs to begin by making diagnostics accessible, affordable, and ubiquitous.
Non-communicable Diseases in India
Context Three decades ago, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) were rare in the villages; however, today, low- and middle-income countries confront an NCD burden that has spread from cities to villages. Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) NCDs also known as chronic diseases, tend to be of long duration and are the result of a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioural factors. The main types of NCDs are cardiovascular diseases (such as heart attacks and stroke), cancers, chro
Tamil Nadu’s Transgender Policy & Hindu Succession Act, 1956
Context Recently, the State of Tamil Nadu has unveiled the State Policy for Transgender Persons, 2025, which includes a bold proposal of amending the Hindu Succession Act to ensure transgender and intersex persons have equal rights to inheritance. Why the Hindu Succession Act Needs Reform? Binary in Nature: The Hindu Succession Act, 1956, governs inheritance among Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs.
Girl Child Trafficking in India
Context Girl child trafficking remains one of the gravest human rights violations in India, and Bihar’s persistent struggle with poverty, migration, and porous borders has tragically made it a hotspot. Bihar’s Trafficking Crisis Bihar has become a trafficking hub due to poverty and social vulnerability, porous borders with Nepal, railway links to trafficking-prone States, and cultural exploitation (orchestra belt), especially in regions like Saran and Muzaffarpur. Bihar Police rescued 271 girls,
India Has the Highest Number of Slum Clusters
In News According to a 2024 study, over 158 million people live in slums located in floodplains in South Asia, with India having the maximum share. Growth of Slums Slums are densely populated urban areas characterised by poor-quality housing, the lack of adequate living space, public services, and accommodating large numbers of informal residents with insecure tenure. According to UN-Habitat (2021), slum dwellers across the globe have increased from 980 million in 2010 to 1,059 million in 2020,
India’s Healthcare Paradox: Balancing Domestic Needs and Global Engagement
India has long held the reputation of being a global supplier of skilled medical professionals, however, struggles to meet its own healthcare demands.
Towards Resilient and Prosperous Cities in India Report of World Bank
In News The report titled Towards Resilient and Prosperous Cities in India recently released by the World Bank. About the report It is prepared by the World Bank in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. It studied 24 Indian cities, with a special focus on Chennai, Indore, New Delhi, Lucknow, Surat and Thiruvananthapuram.
Manual Scavenging and Sewer Deaths in India
Context A recent Social Audit (2022–23) by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment revealed that over 90% of sewer deaths occurred without safety gear or or personalised protective equipment (PPE) kits. Why Manual scavenging continues to exist in India? Lack of Alternatives: Limited access to education and job opportunities keeps people in manual scavenging.
Suicides Cases Among Student
Context Recently, the Union Minister of State for Education presented in response to a written question in Parliament, highlighting student suicides in India. Factors Responsible For Student Suicide Individual vulnerabilities: Low self-esteem, impulsivity, trauma histories, history of physical or sexual abuse, and learning and intellectual disability. Family Pressures: Over-anxious and over-ambitious parents, dysfunctional family, criticisms, comparisons with peers and lack of support in the fam
CARA Issues Directions to States for Strengthening Counselling Support
In News The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) has issued directions to all State Adoption Resource Agencies (SARAs) under powers conferred by Section 70(1)(a) of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2021), and as per the Adoption Regulations, 2022. Key Provisions of the Directives Designation of Qualified Counsellors: SARAs are mandated to designate or empanel qualified counsellors at district and state levels, ideally with backgrounds in child
10 Years of Skill India Mission
Context Skill India Mission completed ten years. About Skill India Mission (SIM) Launched on 15 July 2015, World Youth Skills Day, the Skill India Mission provides skill, re-skill, and up-skill training through an extensive network of skill development centres and institutes under various schemes. In February 2025, the restructured ‘Skill India Programme’ was approved for 2022-23 to 2025-26, merging Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 (PMKVY 4.0), the Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship P