💥Join UPSC 2027,2028 Mentorship (August Batch) + XFactor Notes & Microthemes PDF
Talk to Mentor

Civilsdaily

Login

Subject: Indian Society

  • Does urbanization lead to more segregation and/or marginalization of the poor in Indian metropolises?

    40% of India’s population is expected to reside in urban areas by 2030 (NITI Aayog). However, this growth has often been uneven and exclusionary rather than inclusive.

    Urbanization Leading to Segregation and Marginalization

    Arguments In Favor

    Gated Communities – Eg- separate elevators and entryways for domestic staff.

    Infrastructure-Induced Displacement (Gentrification)- Eg- Dharavi redevelopment project

    “Ghettoization”– systematic exclusion of low-income groups from the social, economic, and physical benefits of the city. Eg- 17% urban population lives in slums

    Limited access to basic amenities like health and education.

    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)

    Persistence of Caste-Based Segregation- Eg- denial of rental housing to Dalits and Muslims

    The “Poverty Tax”- Eg- Slum dwellers in Pune pay up to 20% more for water per liter than those with piped municipal connections in nearby societies.

    Exclusionary Urban Planning – Master plans prioritise commercial and elite residential zones.

    Social Stigma – Slums viewed as illegal or undesirable spaces.

    Gendered Marginalization – Poor women face compounded exclusion in cities. Eg- Insecure work, unsafe transport, and lack of childcare.

    Arguments Against

    Urban Anonymity – Reduced rigidity of caste and kinship controls.

    Social Mobility- meritocratic nature of cities allow youth from lower strata to bypass traditional social barriers and achieve rapid upward mobility.

    Gig Economy- Platforms like Zepto, Swiggy, and Urban Company provide immediate employment for low-skilled migrants.

    Entrepreneurial Opportunities – Eg- Street vending

    Political Visibility – Urban concentration enables mobilisation. Eg- Slum dwellers’ associations

    Targeted Urban Welfare Schemes to mitigate exclusion. Eg- PM Awas Yojana (Urban), PM SVANidhi

    Way Forward

    Scaling ‘SAHAYOG’ initiative of Odisha government at Pan India level

    Inclusive urban planning with affordable housing near workplaces

    In-situ slum upgrading instead of peripheral relocation

    Universal access to basic services

    Affordable mass transport systems

    With rights-based, inclusive, and people-centric urban policies, cities can instead become spaces of opportunity, dignity, and upward mobility for the urban poor.

  • Explain why suicide among young women is increasing in Indian Society.

    India accounts for approximately 37% of global female suicide deaths. It is now the leading cause of death for Indian women aged 15-39.

    Causes Behind Increasing Suicide Among Young Women

    Housewives – over 50% of suicides

    Marriage-related pressures and domestic violence

    social isolation, lack of economic agency, and the “unseen” nature of domestic labor

    Students

    Academic and career stress – Rising aspirations without sufficient support. Eg- Student suicides in Kota.

    Inadequate counselling facilities in schools, colleges, and hostels.

    Working women

    Cyberbullying and Online harassment culture affect self-worth. Eg- Trolling, non-consensual sharing of images.

    Workplace discrimination and sexual harassment

    Social causes

    Intersectional vulnerabilities – Caste, class, and rural disadvantage intensify distress. Eg- Dalit and rural women

    Patriarchal control – Restrictions on mobility, education, and choice generate helplessness. Eg- Family opposition to inter-caste or inter-faith relationships.

    Child Marriages – 23% women are married before 18 (NFHS-5) – exposes them to abusive relationship

    Weak institutional support systems –

    Mental health neglect and stigma – Depression and anxiety often go undiagnosed and untreated.

    India has 0.75 psychiatrist per 1 lakh people (global avg – 13)

    Way Forward

    Implementation of National Suicide Prevention Strategy to reduce suicide mortality by 10% by 2030.

    WHO’s “LIVE LIFE” Approach- limiting access to means , responsible media reporting to prevent “copycat” suicides, and fostering life skills in adolescents.

    Training “frontline” community members like ASHA workers to identify early warning signs and providing counselling.

    Implementing Saha Guidelines for preventing student suicide

    Integrating “Cyber-Safety” and mental health resilience into the school curriculum.

    Workplace Wellness Mandates- Eg- POSH workshops and mental health support

    As highlighted by World Health Organization, suicide is preventable through timely intervention and supportive environments.

  • Do you think marriage as a sacrament in losing its value in Modern India?

    Traditionally, marriage in India has been viewed as a sacrament, symbolising a lifelong, sacred, and indissoluble bond. However, social change has led to a re-evaluation of this sacramental character.

    Marriage as a sacrament losing its value

    The increasing legal and social acceptance of divorce contradicts the sacramental view of marriage as an “eternal union.”

    Decline in the role of family in marital decisions highlights the changing nature of marriage from “duty” to personal choice.

    Rising median age of marriage for women (NFHS-5) highlights preference for education and careers over marriage

    Shift toward “Symmetrical Families” – Traditional hierarchy (Husband as God/Pati-Parmeshwar) is being replaced by egalitarian partnerships. Eg- rise in “dual income” households

    Emergence of Live-in Relationships – The growing preference for cohabitation without religious rituals directly bypasses the sacramental requirement.

    Economic Independence of Women – As per Leela Dube, as women gain property rights and careers, they prioritize “self-respect” over the “sacramental duty” to remain in dysfunctional marriages.

    “De-ritualization” (Yogendra Singh) – Marriage has shifted from a religious rite to a “Big Fat Indian Wedding” focused on conspicuous consumption.

    Commercialization of marriage. Eg- rise of matchmaking sites like shaadi.com

    However, sacramental value still persists

    Continued Importance of Rituals – Eg- Performance of saptapadi, mangalsutra, kanyadaan.

    Persistence of endogamy and arranged marriages

    Marriage remains a key marker of adulthood. Eg- Social pressure to marry across regions.

    Despite the increase, divorce remains low compared to global standards.

    Marriage is still valued as the foundation of family and society.

    The sacramental view is still strong in rural and semi-urban areas.

    Reinterpretation Rather than Rejection – Eg- Love marriages solemnised with traditional rituals.

    SC’s decision to not recognise “same sex marriages” (Supriyo v. Union of India) highlight sacramental value of marriage

    Marriage as a pure sacrament is undergoing transformation in modern India, but it is not losing its value entirely. As Yogendra Singh suggests, we are witnessing a “Modernization of Tradition.”

  • Critically analyse the proposition that there is a high correlation between India’s cultural diversities and socio-economic marginalities.

    India is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world, characterised by numerous ethnicities, religions, languages, castes, tribes, and regional identities.

    Correlation between India’s cultural diversities and socio-economic marginalities

    Historical Discrimination Legacy in land ownership, credit access, and human capital that correlate with cultural identities.

    Occupational Lock-ins – Traditional caste or community occupations persist, limiting upward mobility. Eg- 96% manual scavengers are Dalits

    Limited Political Voice – Smaller cultural groups historically underrepresented in power structures, affecting resources and development priorities. Eg- <10% SC, STs in secretariat position in GoI

    Tribal communities (Adivasis) living in remote belts face poor education, health, and infrastructure access.

    Geographical Isolation – Culturally distinct groups in hilly or forested areas often lack services and markets. Eg- lack of connectivity in North-East

    Regional disparity – Eg- BIMARU states lag behind southern states in human development indicators

    Minority Religious Communities show lower education and employment outcomes as highlighted in the Sachar Committee report. Eg- higher % of muslim undertrails in Jail

    Linguistic Marginalization – Proficiency in English (a cultural/class marker) creates a divide between the “globalized elite” and those restricted to regional languages.

    Marginalization of transgenders and LGBTQ due to social discrimination and lack of access to basic amenities like health, education

    Other factors for Socio-Economic marginalities

    Economic Inequality – richest 1% control more than 40% of total wealth, while the bottom 50% own merely 3% (Oxfam Report)

    Rural-Urban Divide – Consumption and wage gaps.

    Infrastructure Deficits – Poor connectivity, electricity, and sanitation in backward districts hinder productivity.

    Gender Pay Gap – Women continue to earn significantly less than men

    Policy Implementation Gaps – affirmative policies sometimes fail to reach intended beneficiaries due to bureaucratic and governance bottlenecks. Eg- inclusion-exclusion errors in PDS

    However, cultural diversity has also helped in addressing socio-economic marginalities

    Affirmative action policies

    Reservation for SC, ST, OBC

    Tribal specific schemes like Van Dhan Scheme

    Rise of “Dalit Capitalism”

    Certain minority groups are among the most economically prosperous in India. Eg- Parsi and Jain communities

    Caste-Based Political Mobilization for claiming state resources and welfare. Eg- rise of OBC politics

    With improved data (caste census), better governance, and targeted policies, diversity can be transformed from a potential vulnerability into a driver of inclusive growth.

    Caste

  • Despite comprehensive policies for equity and social justice, underprivileged sections are not yet getting the full benefits of affirmative action envisaged by the Constitution. Comment.

    The Constitution envisages substantive equality to correct historical injustices faced by vulnerable groups. However, despite being the 4th largest economy, India’s ranking in HDI, 2025 was 130th out of 193 countries.

    Policies for equity and social justice

    Constitutional provisions – Articles 14, 15(4), 15(5), 16(4), 17, 46

    Reservations in education, public employment, and political representation

    Protective legislation – SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act

    Targeted welfare schemes

    Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan

    MGNREGA

    Ayushman Bharat

    PM-JANMAN (for PVTGs)

    SHRESHTA (high-quality residential education for SCs).

    Institutional mechanisms – National Commissions for SCs, STs, OBCs

    UGC Equity Regulations 2026, which mandate anti-discrimination cells in all universities.

    Reasons behind underprivileged sections not getting benefits of affirmative action

    Political factors

    Politicization of affirmative action policies hinders adaptability to changing needs. Eg- high income limit for creamy layer

    Proxy representation – Eg- Sarpanch Pati phenomenon in panchayats

    Short termism and political populism rather than focusing on “empowerment.” Eg- loan waivers, ladli behna etc reduce public investment in health, education etc

    Social factors

    Social Stratification- Caste-based discrimination prevents upward mobility for the marginalized. Eg- 96% manual scavengers are Dalits

    Population Pressure (1.35 billion) strains public infrastructure, housing, and the job market.

    Elite Capture within Beneficiary Groups – Eg- Advanced sections among SCs dominating reserved seats (“class within caste”)

    Regional disparity – Eg- BIMARU states lag behind southern states in human development indicators

    Low Social Capital and Networks – Lack of mentoring and peer support for marginalised students leading to social isolation. Eg- Rohith Vemula

    Glass ceiling effect for women – discrimination and low representation at higher positions

    Economic factors

    Shrinking Public Sector – Eg- Over 90% workforce outside formal government employment where reservation is absent

    Intergenerational Poverty limits health, education outcomes and employment productivity. Eg- stunting and wasting rates among ST children is ~10-15% higher than the national average.

    Economic Inequality – richest 1% control more than 40% of total wealth, while the bottom 50% own merely 3% (Oxfam Report)

    Administrative factors

    Leakages and corruption –

    Inclusion-exclusion errors in PDS (Shanta Kumar committee)

    Ghost beneficiaries in Ayushman Bharat identified by CAG

    Lack of last mile reach due to security issues like naxalism, insurgency etc.

    Poor Social Infrastructure

    Healthcare – low public spending (2.1% of GDP) and high out of pocket expenditure (40%)

    Education – low public investment (2.9% of GDP) lead to “quality crisis” and high dropout rates at secondary and higher levels

    Skill Gap – only about 51.25% of youth are employable.

    Way Forward

    Outcome-Oriented Design – Eg- Aspirational district program

    Better targeting

    Subcategorization within SCs (Davinder Singh case)

    Multi-dimensional Deprivation Index (MDI) for EWS and OBC categories

    Capability Approach- increase expenditure on Health (2.5% of GDP) and Education (6% of GDP)

    Women Empowerment by adopting best practices like Kerala’s Kudumbshree Model

    Focus on Gender-Caste Intersectionality to address the “double burden” of women from underprivileged sections.

    There is need for whole of government and life-cycle approach to realise the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047

  • In dealing with socio-economic issues of development, what kind of collaboration between government, NGO’s and private sector would be most productive?

    Multi-dimensional nature of developmental issues, require a collaborative governance, where the government, NGO, and the private sector work in synergy.

    Socio-economic issues of development

    Nearly 11% of the population is still living in multidimensional poverty.

    Economic Inequality – richest 1% control more than 40% of total wealth, while the bottom 50% own merely 3% (Oxfam Report)

    Social Stratification- Caste-based discrimination prevents upward mobility for the marginalized. Eg- 96% manual scavengers are Dalits

    Population Pressure (1.35 billion) strains public infrastructure, housing, and the job market.

    Poor Social Infrastructure

    Healthcare – low public spending (2.1% of GDP) and high out of pocket expenditure (40%)

    Education – low public investment (2.9% of GDP) lead to “quality crisis” and high dropout rates at secondary and higher levels

    Skill Gap – only about 51.25% of youth are employable.

    Gender Disparities

    Low FLFPR – 41% in India vs 71% in China

    Glass ceiling effect – discrimination and low representation at higher positions

    Regional disparity – Eg- BIMARU states lag behind southern states in human development indicators

    “Climate Inequality” – women and poor are most vulnerable to climatic shocks like heatwaves or disasters. Eg- “climate induced migration” after floods in Assam

    Urbanization issues – Eg- 17% population living in slums

    Collaboration between government, NGO and private sector

    Public-Private-Community Partnerships (PPCP) – Eg- collaboration between GoI, Akshay patra foundation and infosys foundation in implementing Mid-day meal scheme

    Complementary role

    Policy Leadership by Government

    NGOs as Last-Mile Implementers

    Private Sector for Scale and Innovation

    CSR-Driven Development Partnerships – Eg- tata trust funding support for PRATHAM NGO for education

    Data and Technology Collaboration – Tech firms building dashboards, NGOs collecting field-level data, government monitoring outcomes. Eg- in aspirational districts program

    Capacity Building – NGOs and private sector training frontline workers in healthcare.

    Technology Transfer for Agriculture- Agri-tech firms develop precision tools, the government subsidizes them, while NGOs train farmers in “Climate-Smart Agriculture”.

    Saturation-Based urban Infrastructure- The government provides land, the private sector builds , while NGOs handle the “soft infrastructure” like health and education.

    NGO’s helping the government in ensuring last mile service delivery. Eg- acting as “Arogya Mitras” under Ayushman Bharat scheme

    Strengthening this triangular alliance can ensure inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth.

  • Why do large cities tend to attract more migrants than smaller towns? Discuss in the light of conditions in developing countries.

    According to the International Organization for Migration, migration is the movement of people away from their usual place of residence. As per PLFS data, the total migration rate in India was around 30 %.

    Factors Behind Greater Migration to Larger Cities

    Push Factors

    Agrarian Distress – Low productivity, land fragmentation, and climate stress push people out. Eg- Migration from drought-prone regions of Bundelkhand and Vidarbha.

    Lack of Non-Farm Employment – Rural areas offer limited livelihood diversification leading to distress migration.

    Underemployment and Disguised Unemployment in agriculture

    Poor Social Infrastructure – Inadequate education and healthcare facilities in rural areas push youth to cities like Pune or Cape Town in South Africa

    Social Constraints – Caste, gender, and kinship-based restrictions. Eg- Dalits migrating to escape rural social control.

    Pull Factors

    Concentration of Employment Opportunities – Eg- Construction, services, IT, gig economy in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru.

    Higher Wage Potential – Urban wages significantly higher than rural wages.

    Large Informal Sector Absorptive Capacity – Eg- Street vending, domestic work, delivery services.

    Better Education and Skill Institutions – Presence of universities and coaching hubs.

    Migrant Networks lead to chain migration to urban slums and peri-urban areas. Eg- Dharavi or Govandi areas in Mumbai, Kerala migrant network in Dubai

    The perception of the city as a land of “dreams” and social freedom attracts the youth. Eg- Mumbai or New York

    Smaller Towns Attract Lower Migration due to

    Weak Industrial Base – Limited manufacturing and service-sector growth.

    Poor Quality of higher education and tertiary healthcare

    Inadequate Urban Infrastructure – Poor housing, transport, and sanitation.

    Limited social mobility compared to metros.

    Policy and Investment Neglect – Concentration of public and private investment in a few metropolitan regions.

    Regional industrialisation, improving urban governance, and “Rurbanization”, is essential to make migration balanced, inclusive, and opportunity-driven rather than distress-led.

  • Globalization has increased urban migration by skilled, young, unmarried women from various classes. How has this trend impacted upon their personal freedom and relationship with family?

    Globalization has expanded education, service-sector employment, and transnational labor markets, leading to rising urban migration of women across classes.

    Positive impact of urban migration

    On personal freedom

    Economic autonomy – Regular wages enhance bargaining power over life choices. Eg- A BPO employee independently financing postgraduate studies.

    Career choice – Exposure to diversified jobs weakens caste-gender occupational lock-ins.

    Education opportunities. Eg- 43% STEM graduates are women

    Lifestyle agency – Control over dress, leisure, and daily routines expands self-expression. Eg- late shifts, mixed-gender workplaces.

    Delay in marriage – Eg- avg marriage age for educated urban women is 23 compared to 17.5 for uneducated women (NFHS-5).

    Sexual and relational choice – Eg- Dating apps facilitating consent-based relationships.

    Identity formation – Interaction with diverse, global peers fosters a sense of self-identity and feminist consciousness. Eg- participation in #Metoo Movement

    On relationship with family

    Status uplift – Family prestige rises with urban employment. Eg- “IT daughter” enhancing matrimonial standing.

    Reduced patriarchal control – Eg- Fewer restrictions on mobility and friendships.

    Increased Decision-Making Power- Eg- A daughter deciding the purchase of a family asset or funding a sibling’s education.

    Migration allows daughters to become the primary caregivers for aging parents, challenging the “son-centric” dependency norm.

    Inspirational Role Model- encourage younger female relatives to pursue higher education.

    Intergenerational learning – New ideas on health, finance, and law flow back home. Eg- Teaching parents digital banking.

    Negative impact of urban migration

    On personal freedom

    Double burden – anxiety regarding urban safety and workplace harassment. Eg- Nirbhaya case

    Moral policing – Surveillance shifts from family to landlords/employers.

    Lack of a familial support system can lead to severe loneliness and mental health struggles. Eg- rising suicide rates among young women

    Cyber-Harassment- Eg- Professional women facing “doxing” or harassment on social media platforms.

    Commoditization of Identity- Pressure to conform to “global urban” beauty and fashion standards. Eg- Excessive spending on cosmetics and branded goods to “fit in” at the corporate level.

    On relationship with family

    Emotional distance – Eg- Festivals spent away from home.

    Value Clashes- Divergence in lifestyle creates frequent inter-generational conflict. Eg- Resistance to inter-caste partnerships.

    Marriage anxieties – Fear of “urban influence” triggers pressure. Eg- Early matchmaking attempts.

    Burnout from Expectations- pressure to be a “perfect professional” in the city and a “traditional daughter” at home leads to high stress.

    As argued by Saskia Sassen, global cities generate opportunities alongside precarity. Policy supports like safe housing, urban transport security, labor protections, and family-friendly work norms are essential for realising “Nari Shakti”

  • Intercaste marriages between castes which have socio-economic parity have increased, to some extent, but this is less true of interreligious marriages. Discuss.

    Marriage in India is a key social institution reflecting patterns of social change and continuity. The changing pattern indicates transition from ritual-based status to socio-economic status as the primary determinant of social acceptance.

    Increase in intercaste marriages

    Decline of Ritual Hierarchy – Purity-pollution norms have weakened among educated and urban groups.

    Class-Caste Convergence – Urban middle class families prioritize “Status Consistency” over traditional ritual ranks. (André Béteille)

    “Individualization of Marriage,” where the couple’s mutual compatibility outweighs the community’s ritual norms. Eg- rise in “love marriages”

    Cultural assimilation and “sanskritization” lead to similar custom, traditions and diets among different casts

    Urbanisation and Migration promote anonymity and social mixing.

    Education and Exposure – Higher education fosters rational attitudes and inter-group interaction.

    Weakening of Caste Panchayats – Eg- declining power of Khap Panchayats in peri-urban areas

    Legal Support and Protection – Eg- Lata Singh v. State of UP (2006) protecting inter-caste couples.

    However, interreligious marriages still face challenges due to

    Sociologist T.K. Oommen argued that religious boundaries are “Thick Identities” compared to the “Thin Identity” of modern urban caste. Eg- differences in dietary habits and household rituals

    Fear of Social Ostracization – social penalty for an inter-religious marriage is more severe than in inter-caste cases. Eg- “Excommunication” (Hukka-Paani Bandh)

    Political and Communal Polarisation – Eg- “love jihad” controversy.

    Concerns over Conversion – Anxiety around forced or strategic religious conversion.

    Legal and Procedural Barriers – Special Marriage Act involves public notice of 30 days.

    Limited Institutional Support compared to inter-caste marriages.

    Indian society demonstrates “Segmented Modernization.” While economic parity acts as a “Social Solvent” for caste boundaries, it fails to dissolve religious walls.

  • Distinguish between gender equality, gender equity and women’s empowerment. Why is it important to take gender concerns into account in programme design and implementation?

    “I measure the progress of a community by the degree of progress which women have achieved.” – Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

    Need to take Gender Concerns into account

    Better targeting in welfare schemes – Eg- women constitute 63% of agriculture workforce but own only 13% land – incorporating gender concerns can address this gap

    Correcting historical disadvantage – Eg- houses registered in the name of women under PM Awas Yojana

    Maximizing Economic Returns- The IMF notes that closing the gender gap could boost India’s GDP by 27%.

    Improving Efficiency- Eg- involving women in water committees under Jal Jeevan Mission ensures better maintenance as they are the primary water managers.

    Upholding Constitutional Mandates- Article 15(3) allows for special provisions for women. Gender-sensitive design fulfills this obligation.

    Long term Social Change happens when women are “agents” rather than “beneficiaries.” Eg- Kudumbashree in Kerala

    Achieving SDG’s like 1(ending poverty), 3 (health and wellbeing) and 5 (gender equality)

    Enhancing development outcomes – Gender inclusion multiplies benefits. Eg- Educating girls improves health, nutrition, and intergenerational outcomes.

    Global best practices and commitments – Eg- Gender budgeting advocated by UN Women.

    To awaken the people, it is the women who must be awakened. Once she is on the move, the family moves, the village moves, the nation moves.

    Communalism, Regionalism & Secularism.