Social Justice (Mains PYQs)
Explore topic-wise Previous Year Questions (PYQs) on Social Justice for UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 from 2013–2024. Click the links in the table below to jump to the relevant questions, answers, and detailed analysis to enhance your preparation.
| Sr. No. | Topic Name | Previous Year Questions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Poverty and Human Development | Poverty-Malnutrition (2024), HRD (2023), Poverty-Hunger (2019), Poverty Reduction (2015) |
| 2 | Healthcare and Welfare | Public Healthcare (2024), Geriatric/Maternal Care (2020), Health for All (2018), Primary Healthcare (2016), Universal Coverage (2015) |
| 3 | Education and Skill Development | Skill Development (2023), RTE (2022), NEP 2020 (2020), Higher Education (2016, 2015), IIT/IIM Autonomy (2014) |
| 4 | Women’s Empowerment and Gender Issues | Women in Legislature (2023), Women in Judiciary (2021), Gender Inequality (2021), SHGs (2020, 2017, 2014) |
| 5 | Governance and Institutional Reforms | Disability Act (2022), DBT (2022), Commissions (2018), Citizen’s Charter (2018, 2013), Civil Services (2017), Bureaucracy (2016), Pressure Groups (2017, 2013) |
| 6 | Development Schemes and Connectivity | Gati-Shakti (2022), PURA (2013) |
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2024 Mains PYQs
1. Poverty and malnutrition create a vicious cycle, adversely affecting human capital formation. What steps can be taken to break the cycle? [150 Words, 10 Marks]
Answer:
Introduction: Poverty and malnutrition trap individuals in a cycle, hindering human capital formation, necessitating targeted interventions to break this nexus.
Body: Strengthening nutritional programs like ICDS and Mid-Day Meals, reaching 80 million children, can address malnutrition. Enhancing income security through MGNREGA, providing 100 days of employment, reduces poverty. Education access, via Samagra Shiksha, improves employability, breaking generational poverty. Healthcare outreach, like Ayushman Bharat, covering 500 million, prevents medical impoverishment. Skill training under PMKVY (10 million trained, 2015–2023) boosts job prospects. However, implementation gaps and corruption limit impact, requiring robust monitoring.
Conclusion: Integrated interventions in nutrition, income, education, and health can disrupt the poverty-malnutrition cycle, fostering human capital for inclusive growth.
Analysis for Aspirants:
Key Themes (30% of marks): Poverty-malnutrition cycle and solutions for human capital formation.
Answer Structure (20% of marks): Introduction (20 words) defines cycle. Body (90 words) covers solutions (ICDS, MGNREGA) and challenges (corruption). Conclusion (40 words) summarizes impact.
Marks Allocation: 4 marks for solutions, 3 for challenges, 3 for conclusion.
Preparation Tips: Study schemes (ICDS, Ayushman Bharat). Memorize data (80 million children). Practice solution-based answers. Avoid vague interventions.
Common Mistakes: Missing challenges or scheme-specific data. Ensure concise solutions within 150 words.
2019 Mains PYQs
2. There is a growing divergence in the relationship between poverty and hunger in India. The shrinking of social expenditure by the government is forcing the poor to spend more on non-food essential items squeezing their food-budget – Elucidate. [150 Words, 10 Marks]
Answer:
Introduction: In India, poverty and hunger increasingly diverge as reduced social expenditure shifts poor households’ spending toward non-food essentials, compressing food budgets.
Body: Declining social spending (health budget: 1.2% of GDP, 2019) forces the poor to spend on healthcare and education, reducing food allocation. NFHS-5 (2019–21) shows 16% of children are malnourished despite poverty reduction (21% below poverty line, 2021). High out-of-pocket health costs (60% of expenditure) exacerbate this. Schemes like PDS reach 800 million but face leakages (30% diversion). Inflation in essentials, like fuel, further squeezes budgets. However, initiatives like PMGKAY provide free grains, mitigating hunger temporarily.
Conclusion: Shrinking social expenditure widens the poverty-hunger gap, necessitating enhanced welfare and efficient scheme delivery for food security.
Analysis for Aspirants:
Key Themes (30% of marks): Divergence of poverty and hunger due to reduced social expenditure.
Answer Structure (20% of marks): Introduction (20 words) frames divergence. Body (90 words) covers causes (health costs) and schemes (PDS). Conclusion (40 words) suggests solutions.
Marks Allocation: 4 marks for causes, 3 for schemes, 3 for conclusion.
Preparation Tips: Study NFHS-5 and budget data (1.2% GDP). Memorize PDS reach (800 million). Practice causal answers. Avoid vague expenditure references.
Common Mistakes: Missing data or ignoring schemes. Ensure specific causes within 150 words.
2024 Mains PYQs
3. In a crucial domain like the public healthcare system the Indian State should play a vital role to contain the adverse impact of marketisation of the system. Suggest some measures through which the State can enhance the reach of public healthcare at the grassroots level. [150 Words, 10 Marks]
Answer:
Introduction: Marketisation of healthcare limits access for the poor, necessitating state intervention to enhance public healthcare reach at the grassroots.
Body: Strengthening PHCs and CHCs, serving 1.4 billion, can improve rural access. Recruiting ASHA workers (1 million, 2023) enhances outreach. Ayushman Bharat’s 500 million coverage reduces out-of-pocket costs (60% of expenditure). Mobile medical units can serve remote areas, as in Odisha’s 100 units. Subsidizing generic drugs via Jan Aushadhi (10,000 stores) lowers costs. However, underfunding (1.2% GDP) and staff shortages (1:1,450 doctor ratio) hinder impact, requiring increased budgets and training.
Conclusion: State-led measures like PHC strengthening and cost reduction can counter marketisation, ensuring equitable healthcare access at the grassroots.
Analysis for Aspirants:
Key Themes (30% of marks): State’s role in countering healthcare marketisation and grassroots solutions.
Answer Structure (20% of marks): Introduction (20 words) frames marketisation. Body (90 words) covers solutions (PHCs, ASHA) and challenges (underfunding). Conclusion (40 words) summarizes impact.
Marks Allocation: 4 marks for solutions, 3 for challenges, 3 for conclusion.
Preparation Tips: Study Ayushman Bharat and PHC data (1.4 billion). Memorize budget (1.2% GDP). Practice solution-based answers. Avoid vague measures.
Common Mistakes: Missing challenges or scheme-specific data. Ensure concise solutions within 150 words.
2023 Mains PYQs
4. Skill development programmes have succeeded in increasing human resources supply to various sectors. In the context of the statement analyse the linkages between education, skill and employment. [150 Words, 10 Marks]
2021 Mains PYQs
5. Can the vicious cycle of gender inequality, poverty and malnutrition be broken through microfinancing of women SHGs? Explain with examples. [150 Words, 10 Marks]
Answer:
Introduction: Microfinancing women SHGs can disrupt the cycle of gender inequality, poverty, and malnutrition by empowering women economically and socially.
Body: SHGs, like NRLM’s 80 million women (2023), provide credit access, fostering income-generating activities, reducing poverty. Increased earnings improve nutrition, as seen in Kudumbashree (Kerala), lowering child malnutrition by 10% (2015–2020). SHGs enhance decision-making, reducing gender inequality, as in SEWA’s cooperative model. However, high interest rates (20–30%) and social barriers limit impact, requiring better regulation and awareness. Training programs, like DDU-GKY, complement microfinance by improving skills.
Conclusion: Microfinancing SHGs significantly breaks the gender-poverty-malnutrition cycle, but sustained impact needs regulatory and social support.
Analysis for Aspirants:
Key Themes (30% of marks): SHG microfinance’s role in breaking gender-poverty-malnutrition cycle.
Answer Structure (20% of marks): Introduction (20 words) frames cycle. Body (90 words) covers benefits (NRLM, Kudumbashree) and challenges (interest rates). Conclusion (40 words) suggests solutions.
Marks Allocation: 4 marks for benefits, 3 for challenges, 3 for conclusion.
Preparation Tips: Study NRLM and Kudumbashree data (80 million, 10% reduction). Memorize SHG models (SEWA). Practice example-based answers. Avoid vague benefits.
Common Mistakes: Missing challenges or examples. Ensure specific data within 150 words.
2018 Mains PYQs
6. The Citizen’s Charter is an ideal instrument of organisational transparency and accountability, but it has its own limitations. Identify the limitations and suggest measures for greater effectiveness of the Citizen’s Charters. [150 Words, 10 Marks]
Answer:
Introduction: Citizen’s Charters aim to enhance transparency and accountability in public services but face limitations, requiring reforms for effectiveness.
Body: Limitations include lack of awareness, with only 20% citizens aware of charters (CAG, 2015), and weak enforcement, as grievances remain unresolved (30% pendency). Non-binding nature reduces accountability, and generic designs ignore local needs. Measures include awareness campaigns, as in Sevottam model, and digital platforms like CPGRAMS (1 million complaints resolved, 2023). Binding commitments and regular audits can strengthen enforcement. Customizing charters for rural areas enhances relevance.
Conclusion: Addressing awareness, enforcement, and customization can make Citizen’s Charters effective tools for transparent and accountable governance.
Analysis for Aspirants:
Key Themes (30% of marks): Limitations of Citizen’s Charters and solutions for effectiveness.
Answer Structure (20% of marks): Introduction (20 words) frames charters. Body (90 words) covers limitations (awareness) and solutions (Sevottam). Conclusion (40 words) summarizes reforms.
Marks Allocation: 4 marks for limitations, 3 for solutions, 3 for conclusion.
Preparation Tips: Study Sevottam and CPGRAMS data (1 million resolved). Memorize CAG findings (20% awareness). Practice solution-based answers. Avoid vague limitations.
Common Mistakes: Missing data or generic solutions. Ensure specific reforms within 150 words.
2022 Mains PYQs
7. The Gati-Shakti Yojana needs meticulous coordination between the government and the private sector to achieve the goal of connectivity. Discuss. [150 Words, 10 Marks]
Answer:
Introduction: Gati-Shakti Yojana (2021) aims to enhance connectivity through integrated infrastructure, requiring robust government-private sector coordination.
Body: Government’s role includes policy frameworks and funding (₹100 lakh crore, 2021–2025), while private sector contributes expertise and investment, as in logistics parks. PPP models, like Bharatmala, ensure efficiency, targeting 83,000 km of roads by 2025. Digital platforms like PM Gati-Shakti Portal integrate 1,600 projects, streamlining coordination. However, land acquisition delays and regulatory bottlenecks hinder progress, with 20% projects delayed (2023). Clear contracts and dispute resolution, as in NHAI’s HAM model, can enhance collaboration.
Conclusion: Effective government-private coordination is vital for Gati-Shakti’s connectivity goals, achievable through streamlined policies and robust partnerships.
Analysis for Aspirants:
Key Themes (30% of marks): Coordination in Gati-Shakti for connectivity and challenges.
Answer Structure (20% of marks): Introduction (20 words) frames scheme. Body (90 words) covers coordination (PPP, portal) and challenges (delays). Conclusion (40 words) summarizes solutions.
Marks Allocation: 4 marks for coordination, 3 for challenges, 3 for conclusion.
Preparation Tips: Study Gati-Shakti and Bharatmala data (₹100 lakh crore, 83,000 km). Memorize portal projects (1,600). Practice coordination-focused answers. Avoid vague PPP references.
Common Mistakes: Missing challenges or data. Ensure specific examples within 150 words.
The following analysis examines trends in Social Justice PYQs for UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 from 2013 to 2024, covering 35 questions to identify patterns in themes, question types, and preparation strategies for aspirants. (600 words)
Key Trends:
Social Justice PYQs from 2013–2024 focus on poverty alleviation, healthcare, education, gender empowerment, governance reforms, and development schemes, testing candidates’ ability to propose solutions and critically evaluate policies. The questions are spread across six micro-topics, with Poverty and Human Development (7 questions), Healthcare and Welfare (7 questions), and Education and Skill Development (7 questions) being the most frequent, reflecting UPSC’s emphasis on human capital and welfare. Women’s Empowerment (7 questions), Governance Reforms (9 questions), and Development Schemes (2 questions) highlight structural and policy dimensions.
Thematic Patterns: Poverty-related questions (2024, 2019) emphasize cycles like poverty-malnutrition, requiring data (e.g., 21% poverty, 2021) and scheme analysis (ICDS, MGNREGA). Healthcare questions (2024, 2018) focus on state roles and universal coverage, citing low budgets (1.2% GDP) and solutions like Ayushman Bharat. Education and skill questions (2023, 2020) link human resource development to employment, referencing policies like NEP 2020. Gender issues (2021, 2023) explore SHGs and representation, with examples like Kudumbashree (10% malnutrition reduction). Governance questions (2018, 2017) critique institutional mechanisms (Citizen’s Charters, civil services), demanding reform suggestions (e.g., Sevottam). Development schemes (2022, 2013) like Gati-Shakti stress coordination and connectivity (₹100 lakh crore).
Question Types: Solution-oriented questions dominate (e.g., “suggest measures,” 2024), requiring specific interventions and data. Analytical questions (e.g., “comment,” 2022) demand balanced critique, as in DBT limitations. Evaluative questions (e.g., “examine,” 2019) test policy impact, like poverty-hunger divergence. Short-answer questions (150 words, 10 marks) are common post-2018, emphasizing precision, while earlier questions (250 words, 15 marks) allowed broader analysis. Multi-dimensional answers integrating economic, social, and governance aspects score higher.
Marks Allocation: Marks range from 10 (150 words) to 15 (250 words), with 12.5 marks (2016–2017) as a transition. Higher marks (15) correlate with broader scope (e.g., SHGs, 2017), while 10-mark questions focus on specifics (e.g., Gati-Shakti, 2022). High-scoring answers use data (e.g., 80 million NRLM women) and balanced critique (e.g., scheme leakages).
Preparation Strategies: Prioritize schemes (Ayushman Bharat, NRLM) and data (1.2% GDP, 21% poverty). Study policies (NEP 2020, RTE) and institutions (CAG, Transparency International). Memorize examples (Kudumbashree, Sevottam) for gender and governance. Practice solution-based writing with word limits (Introduction: 20 words, Body: 90 words, Conclusion: 40 words). Use Economic Survey, NFHS-5, and Yojana for updates. Standard texts like M.Laxmikanth’s *Governance* and NCERT’s *Indian Society* are essential. Solve past papers to refine structure and time management.
Challenges and Tips: Common mistakes include vague solutions (e.g., “increase funding”) and missing data (e.g., 800 million PDS reach). Avoid one-sided answers; balance benefits (e.g., DBT efficiency) with limitations (e.g., exclusion errors). Regional examples (e.g., Odisha’s mobile units) add depth. Linking to SDGs (e.g., SDG-4 for NEP 2020) enhances relevance. Mock tests and peer reviews improve answer clarity and conciseness.
Future Trends: UPSC may emphasize emerging issues like digital inclusion or climate’s impact on social justice. Questions could integrate governance with technology (e.g., DBT’s Aadhaar linkage). Focus on grassroots solutions and data-driven answers will remain key. Stay updated via PIB and *Kurukshetra* for scheme developments.
In conclusion, Social Justice PYQs test policy analysis and solution-oriented thinking. By mastering schemes, data, and structured answers, aspirants can excel in this critical GS Paper 2 section.
| Year | Marks | Trend Keywords |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 10 (x2) | Poverty-malnutrition, public healthcare, grassroots |
| 2023 | 10 (x4) | HRD, women representation, welfare schemes, skill-employment |
| 2022 | 10 (x6) | Gati-Shakti, disability, DBT, inflation, donor agencies, RTE |
| 2021 | 10 (x3) | Women judiciary, SHG microfinance, patriarchal attitudes |
| 2020 | 10 (x3) | Geriatric care, SHGs, NEP 2020 |
| 2019 | 10 (x2) | Human development, poverty-hunger divergence |
| 2018 | 10 (x3) | Healthcare intervention, commissions, Citizen’s Charter |
| 2017 | 10, 15 (x2) | Pressure groups, SHGs, civil services |
| 2016 | 12.5 (x4) | Education-health reforms, integrity, bureaucracy, demographic dividend |
| 2015 | 12.5 (x4) | NGOs, higher education, private healthcare, poverty reduction |
| 2014 | 12.5 (x3) | SHGs, talent rewards, IIT/IIM autonomy |
| 2013 | 10 (x5) | Pressure groups, SHG accountability, PURA, MDGs, Citizen’s Charter |
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