Social Justice Mains PYQs UPSC | Social Justice Mains PYQs IAS Exam | Social Justice Mains PYQs Topic Wise Collection | Social Justice UPSC Mains | Social Justice Questions UPSC Mains | Topic wise questions Social Justice UPSC Mains

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Social Justice Syllabus : UPSC Mains

Topic 1 – Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.

Topic 2 – Issues relating to poverty and hunger.

Topic 3 – Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

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Social Justice Mains PYQs UPSC – Year wise Marks Weightage (2013 – 2025)

Year	Marks
Social Justice Mains PYQs UPSC 2025	40 Marks
Social Justice Mains PYQs UPSC 2024	50 Marks
Social Justice Mains PYQs UPSC 2023	60 Marks
Social Justice Mains PYQs UPSC 2022	40 Marks
Social Justice Mains PYQs UPSC 2021	45 Marks
Social Justice Mains PYQs UPSC 2020	35 Marks
Social Justice Mains PYQs UPSC 2019	35 Marks
Social Justice Mains PYQs UPSC 2018	35 Marks
Social Justice Mains PYQs UPSC 2017	45 Marks
Social Justice Mains PYQs UPSC 2016	37.5 Marks
Social Justice Mains PYQs UPSC 2015	25 Marks
Social Justice Mains PYQs UPSC 2014	62 .5 Marks
Social Justice Mains PYQs UPSC 2013	50 Marks

Social Justice Mains PYQs UPSC – Year wise & Topic wise Collection (2013 – 2025)

Social Justice Mains PYQs UPSC (Topic 1)

Topic 1 – Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.

UPSC 2025

1. Women’s social capital complements in advancing empowerment and gender equity. Explain. (150 words – 10 marks)
2. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has to address the challenges faced by children in the digital era. Examine the existing policies and suggest measures the Commission can initiate to tackle the issue. (250 words – 15 marks)

UPSC 2024

1. Public charitable trusts have the potential to make India’s development more inclusive as they relate to certain vital public issues. Comment. (Answer in 150 words) (10 Marks)

UPSC 2023

1. “Development and welfare schemes for the vulnerable, by its nature, are discriminatory in approach.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer. (Answer in 250 words) (15 Marks)
2. Explain the constitutional perspectives of Gender Justice with the help of relevant Constitutional Provisions and case laws. (Answer in 250 words) (15 Marks)
3. Discuss the contribution of civil society groups for women’s effective and meaningful participation and representation in state legislatures in India. (Answer in 250 words) (15 Marks)

UPSC 2022

1. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 remains only a legal document without intense sensitisation of government functionaries and citizens regarding disability. Comment. (Answer in 150 words) (10 Marks)
2. Besides the welfare schemes, India needs deft management of inflation and unemployment to serve the poor and the underprivileged sections of the society. Discuss. (Answer in 250 words) (15 Marks)

UPSC 2021

1. Discuss the desirability of greater representation to women in the higher judiciary to ensure diversity, equity and inclusiveness. (Answer in 150 words) (10 Marks)
2. “Though women in post-Independent India have excelled in various fields, the social attitude towards women and the feminist movement has been patriarchal.” Apart from women education and women empowerment schemes, what interventions can help change this milieu? (Answer in 250 words) (15 Marks)

UPSC 2019

1. Performance of welfare schemes that are implemented for vulnerable sections is not so effective due to absence of their awareness and active involvement at all stages of the policy process – Discuss. (Answer in 250 words) (15 Marks)

UPSC 2018

1. Whether the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSCJ) can enforce the implementation of constitutional reservation for the Scheduled Castes in the religious minority institutions? Examine. (Answer in 150 words) (10 Marks) 
2. Multiplicity of various commissions for the vulnerable sections or the society leads to problems or overlapping jurisdiction and duplication of functions. Is it better to merge all commissions into an umbrella Human Rights Commission? Argue your case. (Answer in 250 words) (15 Marks)

UPSC 2017

1. Does the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 ensure effective mechanism for empowerment and inclusion of the intended beneficiaries in the society? Discuss. (Answer in 150 words) (10 Marks)              

UPSC 2014

1. Two parallel run schemes of the Government viz. the Adhaar Card and NPR, one as voluntary and the other as compulsory, have led to debates at national levels and also litigations. On merits, discuss whether or not both schemes need run concurrently. Analyse the potential of the schemes to achieve developmental benefits and equitable growth. (Answer in 200 words) (12.5 Marks)
2. Do government’s schemes for up-lifting vulnerable and backward communities by protecting required social resources for them, lead to their exclusion in establishing businesses in urban economics? (Answer in 200 words) (12.5 Marks)

UPSC 2013

1. The basis of providing urban amenities in rural areas (PURA) is rooted in establishing connectivity. Comment. (Answer in 200 words) (10 Marks)
2. Electronic cash transfer system for the welfare schemes is an ambitious project to minimize corruption, eliminate wastage and facilitate reforms. Comment. (Answer in 200 words) (10 Marks)
3. The Central Government frequently complains on the poor performance of the State Governments in eradicating suffering of the vulnerable sections of the society. Restructuring of Centrally sponsored schemes across the sectors for ameliorating the cause of vulnerable sections of population aims at providing flexibility to the States in better implementation. Critically evaluate. (Answer in 200 words) (10 Marks)

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Social Justice Mains PYQs UPSC (Topic 2)

Topic 2 – Issues relating to poverty and hunger.

UPSC 2025

1. Inequality in the ownership pattern of resources is one of the major causes of poverty. Discuss in the context of ‘paradox of poverty’. (250 words – 15 marks)

UPSC 2024

1. Poverty and malnutrition create a vicious cycle, adversely affecting human capital formation. What steps can be taken to break the cycle? (Answer in 150 words) (10 Marks)

UPSC 2021

1. Can the vicious cycle of gender inequality, poverty and malnutrition be broken through microfinancing of women SHGs? Explain with examples. (Answer in 150 words) (10 Marks)

UPSC 2020

1. “The incidence and intensity of poverty are more important in determining poverty based on income alone”. In this context analyse the latest United Nations Multidimensional Poverty Index Report. (Answer in 150 words) (10 Marks)

UPSC 2019

1. 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. (Answer in 150 words) (10 Marks)

UPSC 2018

1. How far do you agree with the view that the focus on lack or availability of food as the main cause of hunger takes the attention away from ineffective human development policies in India? (Answer in 250 words) (15 Marks)

UPSC 2017

1. Hunger and Poverty are the biggest challenges for good governance in India still today. Evaluate how far successive governments have progressed in dealing with these humongous problems. Suggest measures for improvement. (Answer in 150 words) (10 Marks)
2. ‘Poverty Alleviation Programmes in India remain mere show pieces until and unless they are backed by political will’. Discuss with reference to the performance of the major poverty alleviation programmes in India. (Answer in 250 words) (15 Marks)

UPSC 2015

1. Though there have been several different estimates of poverty in India, all indicate reduction in poverty levels over time. Do you agree? Critically examine with reference to urban and rural poverty indicators. (Answer in 200 words) (12.5 Marks)

Social Justice Mains PYQs UPSC (Topic 3)

Topic 3 – Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

UPSC 2024

1. 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. (Answer in 250 words) (15 Marks)
2. What are the aims and objects of recently passed and enforced, The Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024? Whether University/State Education Board examinations, too, are covered under the Act? (Answer in 250 words) (15 Marks).

UPSC 2023

1. The crucial aspect of development process has been the inadequate attention paid to Human Resource Development in India. Suggest measures that can address this adequacy. (Answer in 150 words) (10 Marks)
2. Skill development programs have succeed in increasing human resources supply to various sectors. In the context of the statement analyze the linkages between education, skill and employment. (Answer in 250 words) (15 Marks)

UPSC 2022

1. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 remains inadequate in promoting incentive-based system for children’s education without generating awareness about the importance of schooling. Analyse. (Answer in 250 words) (15 Marks)

UPSC 2021

1. “Besides being a moral imperative of Welfare State, primary health structure is a necessary pre-condition for sustainable development.” Analyze. (Answer in 150 words) 10

UPSC 2020

1. In order to enhance the prospects of social development, sound and adequate health care policies are needed particularly in the fields of geriatric and maternal health care. Discuss. (Answer in 150 words) (10 Marks)
2. National Education Policy 2020 is in conformity with the Sustainable Development Goal-4 (2030). It intends to restructure and reorient education system in India. Critically examine the statement. (Answer in 250 words) (15 Marks)

UPSC 2019

1. Despite Consistent experience of High growth, India still goes with the lowest indicators of human development. Examine the issues that make balanced and inclusive development elusive. (Answer in 150 words) (10 Marks)

UPSC 2018

1. Appropriate local community-level healthcare intervention is a prerequisite to achieve ‘Health for All ‘in India. Explain. (Answer in 150 words) (10 Marks)

UPSC 2017

1. ‘To ensure effective implementation of policies addressing water, sanitation and hygiene needs, the identification of beneficiary segments is to be synchronized with the anticipated outcomes’ Examine the statement in the context of the WASH scheme. (Answer in 150 words) (10 Marks)

UPSC 2016

1. Examine the main provisions of the National Child Policy and throw light on the status of its implementation. (Answer in 200 words) (12.5 Marks)
2. “Demographic Dividend in India will remain only theoretical unless our manpower becomes more educated, aware, skilled and creative.” What measures have been taken by the government to enhance the capacity of our population to be more productive and employable? (Answer in 200 words) (12.5 Marks)
3. Professor Amartya Sen has advocated important reforms in the realms of primary education and primary health care. What are your suggestions to improve their status and performance? (Answer in 200 words) (12.5 Marks)

UPSC 2015

1. The quality of higher education in India requires major improvements to make it internationally competitive. Do you think that the entry of foreign educational institutions would help improve the quality of higher and technical education in the country? Discuss. (Answer in 200 words) (12.5 Marks)

UPSC 2014

1. Should the premier institutes like IITs/IIMs be allowed to retain premier status, allowed more academic independence in designing courses and also decide mode/criteria of selection of students. Discuss in light of the growing challenges. (Answer in 200 words) (12.5 Marks)
2. An athlete participates in Olympics for personal triumph and nation’s glory; victors are showered with cash incentives by various agencies, on their return. Discuss the merit of state sponsored talent hunt and its cultivation as against the rationale of a reward mechanism as encouragement. (Answer in 200 words) (12.5 Marks)
3. Public health system has limitations in providing universal health coverage. Do you think that the private sector could help in bridging the gap? What other viable alternatives would you suggest? (Answer in 200 words) (12.5 Marks)

UPSC 2013

1. Identify the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that are related to health. Discuss the success of the actions taken by the Government for achieving the same. (Answer in 200 words) (10 Marks)
2. The concept of Mid-Day Meal (MDM) scheme is almost a century old in India with early beginnings in Madras Presidency in pre-independent India. The scheme has again been given impetus in most states in the last two decades. Critically examine its twin objectives, latest mandates and success. (Answer in 200 words) (10 Marks)

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Social Justice Mains PYQs UPSC | Social Justice Mains PYQs IAS Exam | Social Justice Mains PYQs Topic Wise Collection | Social Justice UPSC Mains | Social Justice Questions UPSC Mains | Topic wise questions Social Justice UPSC Mains