Social issues in India are in plenty and they need to be addressed systematically
to achieve social justice and economic justice to all the citizens of India. The
founding fathers of India were keen on addressing the social issues of India by
framing the constitution accordingly. Information on the major social issues will
help the aspirants of the IAS Exam.
The topic, ‘Social Issues’ comes under ‘Social Justice’ of GS 2 in the UPSC 2024.
Complement your General Studies-II preparation with the help of following links:
Social Justice Questions from UPSC Mains GS 2
Governance Questions for UPSC Mains
UPSC Mains GS 2 Strategy, Syllabus and Structure
Government Schemes
Important Acts in India
Classification of Social Issues
The below table gives a broad classification of major social issues in India.
Classification of Major Social Issues Details
Gender Issues 1. Gender Gap
2. Triple Talaq
3. Sexual Harassment at Workplace
Poverty Related Issues 1. Poverty Report
Caste Related Issues 1. Lynchings
2. I&B advisory on the term Dalit
3. Implications of the Caste Census.
Migration 1. Changing Pattern of Migration
2. Plight of migrants
Health 1. Impact of air pollution
2. Campaign against Drugs
3. Substance Abuse in India
Other Issues 1.Increasing Youth Suicides
Gender Issues
The details of 3 major gender issues are given below.
Gender Gap
As per the report of the Economic Survey 2017-18, there are 63 million missing
women in India.
Missing women are women who are not alive due to foeticide or infanticide.
As per the World Economic Forum, India is ranked very low at 87th position in the
“Global Gender Parity Report.”
Indian Government launched the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ scheme to address the
problem of the gender gap.
The government has been carrying out information campaigns to address the problems
by bringing in behavioural change in society.
Read about Gender Inequality in India in the linked article.
Triple Talaq
Many Muslim-majority countries have banned triple talaq.
To bring equality and justice to women, the Government of India has passed the
Triple Talaq Bill, henceforth all declarations of talaq including written and
electronic forms will be null and void.
Use the information given in the Triple Talaq Essay to substantiate your answers in
the Mains exam.
Sexual Harassment at Workplace
The government passed the Sexual Harassment at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition,
and Redressal) Act in 2013.
It aims to protect the rights of women in any workplace in any capacity.
Learn in detail about Sexual Harassment at the Workplace in the linked article.
Poverty Report
As per the World Bank Brookings Institute report, as of May 2018, there are only 73
million people in the poorest of the poor index.
As per the report, 44 people in India are taken out of poverty every minute.
If the growth continues at the same pace, then 50 million people will move out of
poverty by 2022.
India is no longer the country with the highest poverty.
Read about Poverty-related topics from the links given below:
Causes of Poverty in India Poverty and Hunger Issues
Poverty Alleviation Programmes and Policies Poverty Estimation in India
Caste Related Issues
The details of caste-related issues are given below.
Lynchings
Lynchings because of caste-related issues occur in the country. There was no
specific section to handle mob lynchings under the IPC but under the new Bharatiya
Nyaya Sanhita, there is a provision for life imprisonment or death for such a
crime. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita “adds murder or grievous hurt by five or more
people on specified grounds, as an offence. These grounds include race, caste, sex,
language, or personal belief. The punishment for such murder is life imprisonment
or death”.
Information and Broadcasting Advisory
Information and Broadcasting Ministry has issued an advisory that the word ‘Dalit’
can no longer be used, this is as per the directive of the Bombay High Court and
Madhya Pradesh High Courts. This is because the word found no mention in the
Constitution of India or any statute.
There was another directive from the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry to use
only the term ‘Scheduled Castes’.
Implications of Caste Census
The next caste census will take place in 2021, the problems associated with it is
that it will encourage caste-based politics rather than concentrating on
developmental activities. Also, there will be strong sentiments for or against
reservations.
Migration
This is also one of the major social issues in India. The details are given below.
Changing Pattern of Migration
As per recent reports, the number of women migrating in India is increasing at a
faster pace than men. Marriage continues to play an important role in the migration
of women; however, now other economic factors like employment, business, and
education are also playing an important role in migration.
Know about Migration from India’s context in the linked article.
Plight of Migrants
There has been an increase in violence against migrants coming to a state from
different parts of the country.
Lack of job opportunities for the locals has led to growing resentment against the
migrants who are dubbed ‘outsiders’
Learn the challenges of migration that are mentioned in the linked article.
Health
A country’s sustainable progress is dependent on the availability of healthy human
resources. With a deteriorating environment and unhealthy lifestyle, health is
turning out to be one of the major social issues in India.
Impact of Air Pollution
As per the India State-Level Disease Burden Initiative report, India faces 26% of
the world’s premature deaths and disease burden due to air pollution.
1 in 8 deaths in India was attributed to air pollution, which makes it a leading
risk factor for death.
Poor air quality is responsible for heart ailments as well.
Campaign against Drugs
The drug menace is extremely severe in Punjab.
Punjab’s prisons are overcrowded with drug users and peddlers.
Punjab set up a Special Task Force to tackle the menace.
Substance Abuse in India
As per a recent report released by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment,
India has 6 crore alcohol addicts
More than 3 crore Indians are using cannabis products.
8.5 lakh people in India inject drugs.
Know the relevant facts about Drug Abuse in India from the linked article.
Other Issues
Increasing Youth Suicides
As per reports from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) between 2014 and 2016;
26,476 students committed suicide in India. Of these around 7,500 committed suicide
due to failure in various examinations.
The main blame lies with India’s education system.
The education system has not been able to generate enough jobs.
Social Issues in India- UPSC Notes:-
The above details would help candidates prepare for UPSC 2024.
IAS Salary Static GK
Best Optional Subjects for UPSC Initiatives under Skill India Mission
Healthy States, Progressive India Report Security Questions from UPSC Mains GS 3
Eligibility Criteria For UPSC
Previous Year Questions of Disaster Management for UPSC
UPSC Exam Pattern UPSC Mains GS-II Strategy, Structure & Syllabus
UPSC Books Green Skill Development Programme
Science & Technology Questions from UPSC Mains GS 3 UPSC Calendar 2024
How to Prepare for Disaster Management for UPSC Daily Video Analysis: The Hindu
Daily Updates – 02/08/2024
UPSC Prelims 2024 Results Released
UPSC 2024 Prelims Answer Key
Daily Free Current Affairs Notes
Comprehensive News Analysis - 02 August 2024
The Hindu Video Analysis - 11 July 2024
PIB - 01 August 2024
Topic of the Day – National Development Council (NDC)
This Day in History - Aug 02, 1858 - India Became A British Colony
UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice
Weekly Updates
Weekly GK and Current Affairs Quiz July 13 - July 19
View more...
Monthly Updates
Gist of Yojana - June 2024
Gist of Kurukshetra - June 2024
UPSC Monthly Magazine - June 2024
UPSC Monthly Question Bank - June 2024
May Archive – Daily Posts
May 2025
M T W T F S S
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31
« Dec
Comments
Leave a Comment
Your Mobile number and Email id will not be published. Required fields are marked *
*
Mobile Number
*
Type your message or doubt here...
Post My Commentndia faces numerous social problems, including poverty, illiteracy,
gender inequality,
and pollution, which significantly impact the lives of its citizens. These problems
are deeply intertwined and contribute to a complex web of societal challenges.
India grapples with a complex web of social issues, including poverty, illiteracy,
gender inequality, and corruption. The caste system continues to create
disparities and d
iscrimination, hindering social mobility. Additionally, issues like unemployment,
pollution, and
crimes against women and minorities present significant challenges, impacting the
socio-economic f
abric of the country. Addressing these issues requires concerted efforts from the
government, civil soci
ety, and individuals to foster social justice and equality.
