Social Issues in India

Introduction
Every society has some problems, and these are
commonly termed as social issues. It is a problem
that is affecting a considerable percentage of a
nation’s or global population or society.
Social issues (also social problem, social evil, and
social conflict) refers to any undesirable condition
that is opposed either by the whole society or by a
section of the society. It is an unwanted social
condition, often objectionable, the continuance of
which is harmful for the society.
Social issues are caused by some factors that are
beyond the control of a single individual and cause a
lot of conflict on the moral grounds.
There are some common characteristics of all
social problems. This include:
·0 Social problems are those situations that have
bad and injurious consequences for society.
·1 Social problems arise when there is a deviation
of the people or the nature of society from the
ideal situation.
·2 Almost all social problems have some common
origin.
·3 Many of the social issues are interconnected, and
if one is solved, then others also get solved.
 ·4 Social problems have a huge impact on society
and may affect any section of the society.
·5 Social issues need a collective approach to be
solved.
·6 Almost all societies in this world have social
issues.
India is facing a large number of social issues such as
caste system, child labour, illiteracy, gender
inequality, superstitions, religious conflicts, and many
more. It is high time that the society gets relief from
these undesirable social evils.
Major Social Issues: We have prepared a list of
major social issues in India. They are briefly
discussed below in the following order:
1. Caste system

2. Poverty

3. Child labour

4. Child marriage

5. Illiteracy

6. Low status of women

7. Gender inequality at work

8. Dowry system

9. Sati practice

10. Superstition
 11. Sanitation and cleanliness
12. Religious conflicts

13. Beggary

14. Juvenile delinquency

1. Caste system
Introduction: Caste system is a system of defining
class or assigning status to individuals from the time
of birth. In India, the caste system is mainly
profession based. India has been a victim of caste
system since ages.
The causes, effects and solutions of Caste system
in India are discussed below:
Causes: The main reason behind the growth of Caste
system in India is the assignment of caste based on
job specialization. There were different types of jobs
in the society which were done by the people based
on their capability. This division of job based on
specialization resulted into caste system.
Four classes of Caste system: The four classes
includes:
15. The Brahmins – the priestly class. They were
mainly engaged in religious and priestly
activities. They were also appointed as advisors
to the Kings.
16. The Kshatriyas – the warrior and ruler class.
They were mainly engaged in warfare activities.
 17. The Vaishyas – the trader class. They were
mainly engaged in business, agriculture, and
trading activities.
18. The Sudras – the lowest of the four traditional
class engaged as domestic servants and laborers,
etc.
Negative effects of Caste system: Caste system has
many disadvantages such as:
·7 Encourages untouchability,

·8 Promotes Inequality,

·9 Undemocratic in nature,

·10 Fake differentiation in superiority and inferiority.

·11 Increases gap between upper and lower caste

people.
People are victimized by caste. There is
discrimination which divides the society, and anti-
social elements take advantage of this. Caste system
is also a danger towards the National integration of
the country. Caste system is a major cause for many
inhuman and immoral social practices such as
untouchability, child marriage, sati system (sati
pratha), etc.
Solution:
·12 Education will help the people to become aware
of the disadvantages of Caste system.
 ·13 There is a need for widespread social change in
favor of equality of human-beings. Caste system
can be discouraged through social education in
rural areas.
·14 There should be special classes at schools that
imparts value and moral education to the
children.
·15 Superstitious people are extremely fearful and
discourage any change in social norms.
Education will help shed away superstition,
which in turn, will help shed casteism as well.
·16 With better education and economic progress,
people belonging to diverse caste get opportunity
to mix and work together. Many of them become
friends while working together on a project.
2. Poverty
Introduction: Poverty refers to a situation when
people’s basic needs are not fulfilled. When people
doesn’t have the necessary food to eat or clothes to
wear or shelter to stay then its called poverty. Life
becomes very difficult for people with income is
below the poverty line (BPL).
Poverty is a vicious circle and is the lack of money or
material possessions. Social, political, as well as
economic elements, contribute to poverty. It leads to
a lack of basic life necessities and comfort. Illiteracy
is a major cause and effect of poverty. These people
have a low standard of living and poverty is the cause
of many social evils.
The causes, effects and solutions for poverty in
India are discussed below:
Causes: The major reasons or causes of poverty are:
·17 People don’t get proper education which leads to
poverty. People are poor because they are
illiterate, and they are illiterate because they
cannot afford education. Illiteracy and poverty
stays side-by-side. They both are the cause and
effect of each other.
·18 In case where the resources and opportunities are
limited and the population is high, there arises a
situation of joblessness which ultimately leads to
poverty.
·19 When a large number of people live in poverty,
there is limited scope for the development of
country’s economy.
·20 Some natural and environmental problems such
as lack of rainfall, drought, etc. often lead to
poverty. There are many other reasons also like
caste system, unemployment, etc.
Effects: The negative effects of poverty are
mentioned below:
·21 Poor people will always have to depend on
 others to survive.
·22 Low quality foods may leads to bad nutrition.

·23 Poor people have less liberty for the choice of

profession.
·24 Poverty may affect the moral and self-esteem of
people living in extreme hardship.
·25 Poverty also results in building stress which
ultimately affects the relationship of people.
·26 The low standard of living prevails among poor
people.
Solutions: The solutions for poverty are discussed
below:
·27 Poverty can be checked by increasing job
opportunities. It will decrease the rate of
unemployment which ultimately results in
decrease of poverty in economy.
·28 Government should take more steps towards
charity, trusts and have some transparency while
spending money in those social institutions.
·29 There is a need for initiatives of paid leave to the
workers.
·30 The education system should be reformed and
initiatives should be taken to bring more children
to schools.
5. Illiteracy
Introduction: Illiteracy refers to the inability to read
and/or write. The problem of illiteracy is a major
social issue in India. The problem has spread
through-out the country in a wide way. It is one of the
most dangerous obstacles in the economy’s growth.
People with no education find it difficult to get jobs
and remain poor. They are at risk of poor diet, manual
jobs, worse physical and mental health. It impacts
their social situations too.
The major causes, negative effects and solutions of
the problem of Illiteracy in India are discussed
below:
Reason: The major reasons of illiteracy in India are
discussed below:
·31 Since many adults in India are illiterate, they
don’t understand the importance of getting
education for their children.
·32 Due to the problem of unemployment and
poverty, children get little opportunity for proper
education.
·33 Many people stay illiterate due to some physical
or mental disabilities.
·34 Other social evils like caste system, gender
inequality also cause illiteracy.
Negative effects/ Disadvantages:
 ·35 One of the major cause for crimes is illiteracy.
Due to illiteracy issue, rates of crime are
gradually increasing and health, productivity and
growth of the country is gradually decreasing.
·36 Most illiterate people are unaware of the benefits
of maintaining cleanliness and hygiene.
·37 Illiterate people find it very difficulty to secure a
good job and earn livelihood. If a person is
looking for a means to earn and work, but is not
getting it then it is known as unemployment.
This social problem leads to frustration.
·38 Overpopulation is a huge increase in the number
of people, and it is caused by some factors out of
which illiteracy is a major one.
Solution: The only and the best way to eradicate
illiteracy from the society are by education.
The scheme for mid-day meals at schools is a
welcome step.
Government should take steps to promote free
education for the backward class of the society in
government schools.
Government also look at the matter that people get
fair payment for their work. Appropriate steps should
be taken to create more employment opportunities for
adults, so that they can educate their children by
sending them to school.
6. Low status of women
Introduction: Low status of women refers to the
inferior position of women (in comparison to men) in
the society. This reflects the narrow mindset of the
society. It is seen all over the country, but widely
prevalent in the backward areas.
The causes, negative impact, and solutions of the
problem of low status of women are briefly
discussed below:
Causes: Narrow mindset of the society is the main
reasons behind this problem. Women in India are
considered inferior than men since ages. A large part
of the society believes that men are more capable to
earn more than their women. It is widely seen that the
male members of the family try to control the
activities of the female members, which leads to the
low status of women.
Negative impact: The negative impact of the lower
status of women are:
·39 Women do not get the adequate chance to do
something to contribute to the society.
·40 Since the status of women in society is low,
people want a boy child instead of a girl child.
This intensifies the problem of female foeticide.
Solution: The solution to the problem is:
·41 The empowerment of women is of utmost
 importance for solving the problem.
·42 Awareness must be created to change the narrow
mindset of the society. Campaigns must be
launched to acknowledge the role and
contribution of women in the society.
·43 Education can also help to solve the problem of
low status of women in the society.
·44 Mass-media campaigns should be promoted.

7. Gender inequality at work:

Introduction: Inequality at work refers to any type
of discrimination in working environment based on
caste, gender, race, color, etc. But gender inequality
at work means discrimination or unequal treatment
between male and female workers.
Causes: The main reason behind the issue of gender
inequality at work is the mindset and culture.
The ego of male members prevents the female
members to enjoy equal position at work places.
People also do this because of un-awareness.
Impact and effects: The main impact of gender
inequality at work is that society gets shrink and
deprived of the minds of the female worker. It also
gives rise to low status of women issue in the society.
Solution: The solution for social issue of gender
inequality at work is in the hands of people
themselves. People should start training and impart
proper education for gender equality.
People should also change their perception that
women will get less salary in comparison to men. For
that, people should introduce successful business
women as the role model at their workplaces.
. Superstition
Introduction: Superstition refers to the irrational
beliefs of supernatural forces. Superstition is one of
the major social issues affecting the entire country.
It’s a belief of human beings that there are some
supernatural causes behind the bad events. Science
doesn’t believe in this type of supernatural causality
because science always tries to give scientific
explanation for every event. But, deep down inside
human beings have their own belief.
There are many superstitions prevailing in the
country. Human beings have the tendency to believe
bad before the good.
Reason: The main reason behind superstitions is:
·45 Fear: Fear is the main obstacles for everything.
Superstition arises due to human fear.
·46 Lack of Knowledge: Basically superstition
arises due to lack of knowledge.
·47 Religion, tradition and social practices are
others causes of superstition.
Disadvantages: The major disadvantages of being
superstitious are:
·48 Fear: People start to think less broadly and
always develop constant fear in mind. This fear
affects not only the individual but also his family
and society.
·49 Waste time and energy: People waste of much
time and efforts.
·50 People stop for few seconds whenever they
sneeze. All these arise due to human fear and
imagination.
Solution: The main solution is to get knowledge and
education because knowing nothing causes fear in
mind which ultimately arise superstition.
By adjusting or gaining knowledge, mind can
develop the reason behind the occurrence of
superstition and one can understand very well that
these things doesn’t affect anybody’s life.
Also by being always positive, one can get rid of
those superstitions.