đŸ’„Join UPSC 2027,2028 Mentorship (July Batch) + XFactor Notes & Microthemes PDF
Talk to Mentor

Civilsdaily

Login

Exam Year: 2021

  • ,

    The IT-BPM sector contributes around 10% of India’s GDP. It is highly urban-concentrated, with major hubs like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai, and Gurugram

    Positive Socio-Economic Implications

    Employment Generation- The tech sector directly employs over 5.8 million professionals as of early 2026.

    Financial Independence for Women, comprising nearly 34% of the IT workforce. This has led to delayed marriage ages and increased agency for women in urban households.

    Competitive salaries have fueled the growth of a “new middle class” with high disposable income, driving consumption in retail, automobiles, and high-end services.

    Social Mobility- meritocratic nature of the IT industry has allowed youth from lower strata to bypass traditional social barriers and achieve rapid upward mobility.

    Cosmopolitan Urban Culture- These cities have become multicultural melting pots that accommodate diverse linguistic and dietary preferences. Eg- Bangalore, Mumbai

    Infrastructure Modernization- Eg- multi-specialty hospitals, international schools, and Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCCs) under the Smart Cities Mission.

    Fiscal Gains for States and Cities – Eg- Increased GST, property taxes, and local revenues.

    Boost to Ancillary Sectors – Multiplier effects on construction, hospitality, logistics. Eg- growth of Pune’s real estate sector

    Startup Ecosystem & Innovation- Major IT cities host the bulk of India’s 1.8 lakh startups. Eg- Bangalore as India’s “silicon valley”

    The presence of Fortune 500 companies has positioned Indian cities as global “knowledge capitals,” attracting significant Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

    Urban Economic Diversification – Shift to knowledge economy. Eg- Bengaluru’s transition from PSU-led industry to global IT hub.

    Human Capital Development due to demand for technical and soft skills. Eg- Expansion of engineering colleges.

    Negative Socio-Economic Implications

    Rising Urban Inequality – Sharp income divide between IT workers and informal sector.

    Spatial Segregation (ghettoization) – Gated communities and exclusive zones.

    Job Insecurity due to rapid tech change and automation risks. Eg- recent “layoffs” in major IT firms

    Lifestyle Stress

    Long hours, night shifts, work-life imbalance – rise in suicide and depression among youths

    Rise in non-communicable disease burden – 67% of total deaths

    Gender issues

    Glass ceiling effect – discrimination and low representation at higher positions

    “Dual Burden” of household and job

    Safety issues. Eg- delhi

    Escalation of Housing Costs – Real estate prices in Gachibowli in Hyderabad or Whitefield in Bengaluru have seen a 35-40% surge in last 5 years

    Unplanned urbanization and unsustainable infrastructure development. Eg- Gurugram flooding

    Pressure on Urban Infrastructure – Eg- Traffic congestion in India’s top four cities cost $22 billion annually in lost productivity. (Economic Survey 2025-26)

    Regional Imbalances – Concentration of growth in a few metros.

    Low-productivity equilibrium – Cities continue to absorb labour, but governance systems fail to integrate workers into formal housing, transport and service networks. (Economic Survey 2025-26)

    Environmental Stress –

    High water and energy footprint. Eg- Bangalore’s water crisis

    India is 3rd largest generator of e-waste

    Encroachment on wetlands – Chennai has lost 85% of its wetlands. (WWF)

    For making IT-led urbanisation broad-based and socially sustainable, there is need for

    Inclusive urban planning

    Affordable housing

    Decentralisation of IT growth to tier-2 and tier-3 cities

    (a)

    (b)

    (c)

    (d)

    Correct Answer:

  • ,

    (a)

    (b)

    (c)

    (d)

    Correct Answer:

  • ,

    (a)

    (b)

    (c)

    (d)

    Correct Answer:

  • ,

    Population Education refers to a systematic educational process aimed at developing awareness, attitudes, values, and skills that enable individuals and society to understand population dynamics and their impact on development, environment, health, and quality of life.

    Main Objectives of Population Education

    Awareness generation – To help people understand size, growth, distribution, and composition of population. Eg- explain concepts like Birth Rate, Death Rate, and Migration

    Understanding Population-Development Linkage – Eg- Pressure of population on employment, housing, and environment.

    Linking Population to Quality of Life – To demonstrate that a smaller family size is directly correlated with better health, nutrition, and educational opportunities.

    Promoting Small Family Norm and encouraging responsible parenthood. Eg- two-child norm.

    Improving Reproductive Health Knowledge – Eg- Awareness about spacing methods and family planning.

    Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment – To promote equal status of women in decision-making.

    Changing Attitudes and Behaviour –

    Acceptance of contraception and delayed childbearing.

    To eradicate the “Son Meta-preference”

    To stress the importance of maternal and child health. Eg- Focus on nutrition, immunisation, and institutional deliveries.

    Developing Responsible Citizenship – Population stabilisation as a national goal.

    Measures Taken in India to Achieve These Objectives

    National Population Education Project (1980)- Launched with support from UNFPA, it integrates population education into the school and teacher-training curricula across India.

    National Population Policy, 2000 – Comprehensive policy framework linking population stabilisation with education, health, and women’s empowerment.

    National family planning program to reduce TFR to 2.1

    Curricular Integration by NCERT- population-related themes are included in Social Studies, Science, and Languages.

    National Health Mission (NHM) – Universal access to family planning and maternal health services. Eg- Free contraceptives, institutional deliveries

    ASHA and Anganwadi Network for grassroots dissemination of population education. Eg- Counselling on contraception, birth spacing, nutrition, and immunisation.

    Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Campaigns – Eg- Hum Do, Hamare Do

    Mission Parivar Vikas – Targeted intervention in high fertility districts using community-based educators to provide information on family planning

    Women-Centric Schemes for empowerment and autonomy. Eg- Beti Bachao Beti Padhao

    Legal Measures – Enforcement of Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, PCPNDT Act

    Use of AI and Technology – Eg- SnehAI chatbot provides a safe space for adolescents to learn about sexual health.

    Way Forward

    Teacher Training and Capacity Building through DIETs (District Institute of Education and Training), and digital modules via DIKSHA portal

    Reaching the out-of-school youth and illiterate adults under “New India Literacy Programme” (NILP)

    Universal access to contraception and maternal healthcare

    Involvement of Community and Religious Leaders for attitudinal change

    Promoting women entrepreneurship under Stand-up India

    Effective Population Education can transform the “demographic burden” into a “demographic dividend”

    (a)

    (b)

    (c)

    (d)

    Correct Answer:

  • ,

    According to J.H. Fichter, “a society can be defined as a network of interconnected major groups viewed as a unit and sharing a common culture.” Indian society is one of the world’s oldest living civilisations, distinguished by its ability to sustain cultural continuity amid change.

    Continuity in traditional social values

    Family and Kinship System – Primary agency for value transmission across generations. Eg- Respect for elders, care for parents, ritual observances.

    Customs and traditions reinforce social norms. Eg- Saptapadi in marriage

    Religious practices embeds values into everyday life. Eg- Fasts, festivals, pilgrimage traditions.

    Institution of Marriage – Marriage is viewed as a “sacrament” rather than a contract, ensuring the continuity of kinship and community ties.

    Festivals- Eg- mass celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi or Diwali pass down traditional music, food, and religious narratives to the youth.

    Oral Traditions – Eg- Vedic Chanting tradition has been recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

    “Unity in Diversity” – Instead of a “melting pot”, India follows a “Salad Bowl” model, where distinct identities coexist. Eg- India is home to 121 major languages and thousands of dialects

    Functional Persistence of Caste (M.N. Srinivas). Eg- endogamy or Khap Panchayats.

    Adaptation to Modernity – reforms in orthodox traditions. Eg- abolition of Sati and untouchability

    Constitutional Protection of Culture – Eg- Articles 29-30 protecting cultural and linguistic rights.

    Synthesis of Tradition and Technology – Eg- use of social media and OTT platforms for the revival of classical dances or broadcast of epics has created a “Neo-Traditionalism”

    Changes Taking Place in Traditional Social Values

    Shift from Collectivism to Individualism – Eg- rise in “Live-in relationships” and the increasing social acceptance of divorce.

    Changes in institution of marriage – Eg- rise in inter-caste and inter-faith marriage

    Changes in the family system. Eg- rise in nuclear families and single parent families

    Democratization of Caste – While caste identity persists, its “ritual” hierarchy is weakening in favor of political and economic identity. Eg- decline of commensality restrictions (eating together) in urban public spaces.

    Sanskritization (M.N. Srinivas) – Lower castes adopt the customs and rituals of upper castes to claim higher social status, leading to “cultural mobility.”

    From Hierarchy to Stratification (AndrĂ© BĂ©teille) – The traditional link between caste, land, and power is breaking down into a more complex system of class

    Economic independence of women challenging traditional patriarchal values. Eg- rise in “dual income” households

    Secularization of Rituals – Eg- transformation of Durga Puja or Dandiya into major commercial and tourist festivals where participation is not limited by faith.

    Impact of Globalization – Eg- emergence of “Hinglish” and the celebration of events like Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day.

    Reforms under constitutional provisions and laws changing value system and behaviour. Eg- abolition of untouchability

    As Yogendra Singh noted, Indian society is undergoing a “structural” change while maintaining “cultural” continuity. The synthesis of traditional values with modern democratic ideals has created a unique “Indian Modernity.”

    (a)

    (b)

    (c)

    (d)

    Correct Answer:

  • ,

    Gig Economy refers to a labor market characterized by the prevalence of short-term contracts or freelance work as opposed to permanent jobs.

    Role of Gig Economy in Women Empowerment

    Work-Life Integration- Gig work offers flexible hours, allowing women to balance the “Double Burden” (41% of Indian women are primary caregivers).

    Economic Autonomy- It provides a direct source of income for women in Tier-II and Tier-III cities where formal job opportunities are scarce.

    Formalizing Informal Skills- Platforms like Urban Company have professionalized domestic skills. Eg- beauticians, cleaning.

    Bypassing Social Gatekeepers- Digital platforms allow women to access work directly, reducing dependence on male family members.

    Financial Inclusion- Gig platforms mandate digital payments into personal bank accounts, enabling women to build a “credit history” for small business loans.

    Safety through Technology- Features like real-time GPS tracking, SOS buttons provide a sense of security for women working in transit-heavy roles. Eg- zomato delivery

    Upskilling Opportunities- Many platforms provide vocational training.

    Re-entry into Workforce- Gig work provides a low-barrier entry point for women returning from “maternity breaks”.

    Global Market Access- High-skill gig workers serve international clients via platforms like Upwork or Fiverr.

    Collective Bargaining- rise of unions like the Gig and Platform Services Workers Union (GIPSWU). Eg- Diwali ‘digital strike’ by female gig workers in 2024

    Challenges for Women in the Gig Economy

    Digital Divide- 51.6% of women aged 15 years and above in rural areas do not own a mobile phone (NSO)

    Lack of Social Security- Eg- excluded from the Maternity Benefit Act and paid sick leaves.

    Wage Disparity- 40% of gig workers earn below â‚č15,000/month, and women often earn less due to an inability to work “high-incentive” late-night hours.

    Occupational Segregation- women confined to beauty and care while men dominate higher-paying delivery and ride-hailing sectors.

    Safety Risks- Women in home-service gigs face risks of harassment and customer misconduct

    Gig platforms classify women as ‘independent contractors’ – excluded from protections under POSH Act

    Way Forward

    Adopting global best practices – Eg- Platform Work Directive (EU)

    Skill Diversification- Government-led missions to train women in sectors like EV-cab driving and tech-maintenance to break occupational silos.

    Algorithmic Accountability– Transparency and fairness in digital management systems that control job assignments, worker ratings, and payouts.

    A multi-stakeholder approach is necessary to turn the gig economy from a place of exploitation to one of opportunity for women.

    (a)

    (b)

    (c)

    (d)

    Correct Answer:

  • ,

    (a)

    (b)

    (c)

    (d)

    Correct Answer:

  • ,

    (a)

    (b)

    (c)

    (d)

    Correct Answer:

  • ,

    According to Census 2011, Tribals constitute 8.6% of India’s population. Their knowledge systems are rooted in local ecology, collective life, and cultural continuity.

    Features of Mainstream Knowledge and Cultural Systems

    Text-based and codified knowledge

    Anthropocentric- Nature is viewed as a “resource”

    Institutional and formal transmission (schools, universities, laboratories)

    Specialisation and compartmentalisation of disciplines

    Market-oriented and productivity-driven approach

    Intellectual property regimes

    Universalist- Aims for “one-size-fits-all” solutions

    Uniqueness of Tribal Knowledge Systems

    Ecology-Centred Knowledge – Eg- Baiga tribe (Madhya Pradesh) practising bewar (shifting cultivation) with long fallow cycles that allow forest regeneration.

    Sustainability and Conservation Ethic – Resource use governed by restraint and regeneration. Eg- Sacred groves.

    Oral Transmission of Knowledge through folklore, rituals, and practice. Eg- Santhal songs encoding agricultural seasons and crop cycles.

    Community Ownership of Knowledge rather than individual control. Eg- Seed sharing by Maliya Kondh tribe in Odisha during Burlang Yatra

    Holistic Worldview – No rigid separation between nature, religion, economy, and culture. Eg- Dongria Kondh (Odisha) worship Niyamgiri hills as a living deity.

    Indigenous Medical Systems – Plant-based, preventive, and locally adapted healthcare. Eg- Irula tribe (Tamil Nadu) using forest herbs for snakebite treatment.

    Climate and Weather Prediction Skills – Eg- Bhils predicting monsoon patterns through bird migration and flowering cycles.

    Low-Cost, Locally Available Technologies – Eg- Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya

    Cultural sanctions regulate exploitation of resources. Eg- Hunting restrictions during breeding seasons among Gonds.

    Cultural Continuity – Eg- Tribal festivals like Sarhul among Mundas reinforcing ecological and social values.

    Measures taken to preserve tribal knowledge systems in India

    Tribal Health Care Research Programme (THCRP) for collecting information on folk medicines / traditional practices

    Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) – to create digital knowledge repository

    PM Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PM-JVM) to promote “forest-based livelihoods.”

    UNDPs North-East India Biocultural Initiative (NEBI) for revitalizing traditional knowledge and promoting ecosystem-based solutions

    Adi Sanskriti – “world’s first digital university to preserve and promote the culture and knowledge of tribal communities.”

    In an era of climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainability crises, integrating tribal knowledge is essential for achieving inclusive and sustainable development.

    (a)

    (b)

    (c)

    (d)

    Correct Answer:

  • ,

    (a)

    (b)

    (c)

    (d)

    Correct Answer: