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
Transgender Rights & Transforming Society
US President Donald Trump’s government now recognises only two genders, male and female excluding the Transgenders.
India Breaks into Top 100 in Global SDG Rankings
Context India has, for the first time, secured a position among the top 100 countries in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index. About The Sustainable Development Report (SDR) reviews progress made each year on the Sustainable Development Goals since their adoption by the 193 UN Member States in 2015. This edition also includes for the first time an assessment of which countries have made the most progress on the SDGs using a headline SDG Index (SDGi).
Need For Gender Equity in Urban Bureaucracy
The lack of gender equity in India’s municipal and urban administrative structures has a significant impact on India’s urban governance like urban planning, service delivery, and overall inclusivity.
Child Labour Rescues in 2024–25: C-LAB
Context Recently, the Centre for Legal Action and Behaviour Change (C-LAB), in partnership with the Just Rights for Children (JRC) network, released a report related to child labour rescues in 2024–25. Reasons Behind Child Labour in India Poverty and Economic Compulsion: According to the Ministry of Labour Employment, poverty remains the primary driver of child labour. Families struggling to meet basic needs often rely on children to supplement household income, especially in rural and informal
How Will Foreign Universities Impact Higher Education in India?
Context The entry of several foreign universities into India, enabled by the UGC (Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India) Regulations, 2023, marks a major development in Indian higher education. Background Prominent foreign institutions are setting up branch campuses, mainly in GIFT City and Navi Mumbai. NYU Abu Dhabi and Yale-NUS in Singapore are notable successes—due to strong local partnerships, generous state support, and academic autonomy.
Rethinking Alcohol Control in India
In News India has recorded one of the highest rates of heavy episodic alcohol drinking, with lakhs needing clinical and social support. Present status Alcohol and alcoholic beverages contain ethanol, which is a psychoactive and toxic substance with dependence-producing properties. Alcohol has been widely used in many cultures for centuries, but it is associated with significant health risks and harms.
Global Gender Gap Index 2025: WEF
Context Recently, the World Economic Forum (WEF) released its 19th edition of Global Gender Gap Report 2025. Global Overview Overall Gender Parity: The world has closed 68.5% of the gender gap, a marginal improvement from the previous year. Top Performers:Iceland remains the most gender-equal country for the 16th consecutive year, achieving over 90% parity.
Urbanisation and the Challenge of Ideal Transit Solutions
As India is undergoing a rapid expansion of metro and tier-1 cities, the demand for efficient and sustainable transit solutions has become a critical challenge.
Social Protection Cover in India Rises to Over 64% in 2025: ILO
In News According to the latest data from International Labour Organization’s (ILO) ILOSTAT, India’s social security coverage in 2025 stood at 64.3 per cent, up from 19 per cent a decade ago. Key Initiatives in India for Social Protection Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan Yojana (PM-SYM): To provide old age protection and social security to unorganized sector workers (e.g., street vendors, rickshaw pullers, construction workers, domestic workers). Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Yojana (PMJJBY): T
Ninth Anniversary of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)
In News India marked the ninth anniversary of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY). About PMUY Launched: In 2016 by the Ministry of Petroleum Natural Gas. Objective: To provide LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) connections to women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) households to reduce the health risks associated with traditional cooking methods.
Rise in Violent Crimes by Juveniles
Context Recent global and domestic incidents, have sparked concern over the sharp rise in violent crimes committed by juveniles in India. Rising Trend in Juvenile Violent Crimes in India Overall decline but growing violence: The total number of juveniles in conflict with the law declined from 37,402 in 2017 to 33,261 in 2022. However the share involved in violent crimes surged from 32.5% in 2016 to 49.5% in 2022 (NCRB, 2023).
UNFPA State of World Population 2025
Context India’s population has reached an estimated 146.39 crore by April 2025, according to the United Nations report titled “State of the World Population 2025: The Real Fertility Crisis.” India’s Status as per the 2025 Report Current Population Status: India is the world’s most populous country with 146.39 crore people, surpassing China (141.61 crore). The population is expected to peak at 170 crore before beginning to decline in approximately 40 years. Decline in Fertility Rate: TFR is now 1
Empowering Women in Agriculture For Food Security
The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, supporting the essential role of women in global agriculture while raising awareness of their challenges, primarily property rights and market access.
Mental Healthcare & Bridging Health Cover in India
Mental health is now covered at par with physical illnesses across health insurance plans in India, following the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 and IRDAI directive.
Government to Bring New National Policy on Senior Citizens
In News The Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is drafting a new national policy for senior citizens, considering India’s changing demographics. Various Schemes The Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC) provides grant-in-aid to NGOs for running senior citizen homes offering free shelter, food, healthcare, and entertainment. Elderline: The National Helpline on Toll free number 14567 namely Elderline was launched in 2021 for grievance redressal of Senior Citizens and to ge
Pharma Freebies Under Scrutiny
Context The Centre has asked pharma companies for details of expenditure on marketing in the last one year. About The Union government is keeping a close watch on the marketing practice of pharmaceutical companies amid reports of these companies continuing to offer a range of freebies to doctors. The Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) is being implemented to check unethical marketing practices.
Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya’s Philosophy of ‘Integral Humanism’
In Context 2025 marks the 60th anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya’s philosophy of ‘Integral Humanism’. About In the post-colonial search for an indigenous philosophy of governance, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya (1916–1968) introduced the doctrine of Integral Humanism (Ekatma Manav Darshan) in 1965. This ideology aimed to balance material progress with spiritual upliftment and redefine development from an Indian civilisational perspective.
Bonded Labourer in India
In Context The recent death of nine-year-old Venkatesh, taken as ‘collateral’ for his mother’s unpaid debt vividly illustrates the harsh realities and enduring challenges of bonded labor in India, despite its legal prohibition. Current Landscape and Statistics Prevalence: As of 2021, an estimated 11 million people in India were living in modern slavery, the highest number globally. Rescue and Rehabilitation Efforts: Between April 2024 and January 2025, approximately 250 bonded labourers were res
Swachh Survekshan Grameen (SSG) 2025
In News Union Minister of Jal Shakti Shri C R Patil launched Swachh Survekshan Grameen (SSG) 2025. Swachh Survekshan Grameen (SSG) 2025 It is a nationwide rural sanitation survey by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti. It is India’s largest sanitation survey and The first Swachh Survekshan was conducted in 2016, in which 73 cities were evaluated and Mysuru was ranked first in the country.
Addressing Gender Inequities in Care Work
Care work is often undervalued and disproportionately carried by women, reinforcing long-standing gender inequities, despite remaining a cornerstone of social and economic well-being.