UPSC Mains Social Justice PYQs, 2016-2026

Social Justice questions in GS Paper 2 2026

1. 6

   Does India's tribal development policy reflect the aspirations for a socially grounded and equity-based governance? Justify your answer.

   150 words · 10 marks

2. 7

   Malnutrition in India is not merely a public health concern; it is also a challenge of social equity, human development and effective welfare governance. Discuss.

   150 words · 10 marks

3. 17

   Can the constitutional mandate of rights-based welfare be effectively realised in the context of non-integrated governance and minimal public investment? Examine.

   250 words · 15 marks

4. 18

   Should education be treated primarily as a welfare obligation of the state or as a strategic investment for building a globally competitive, knowledge-driven nation? Critically evaluate.

   250 words · 15 marks

Social Justice questions in GS Paper 2 2025

1. 6

   Women's social capital complements in advancing empowerment and gender equity. Explain. (150 words/10 marks)

2. 16

   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)

3. 18

   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)

Social Justice questions in GS Paper 2 2024

1. 7

   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 · Model answer & what aspirants miss

2. 17

   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.

   250 words · 15 marks

Social Justice questions in GS Paper 2 2023

1. 6

   The crucial aspect of development process has been the inadequate attention paid to Human Resource Development in India. Suggest measures that can address this inadequacy.

   150 words · 10 marks

2. 17

   "Development and welfare schemes for the vulnerable, by its nature, are discrimi- natory in approach." Do you agree ? Give reasons for your answer.

   250 words · 15 marks

3. 18

   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.

   250 words · 15 marks

Social Justice questions in GS Paper 2 2022

1. 7

   The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 206 remains only a legal ' document without intense sensitisation of government functionaries and citizens regarding disability. Comment.

   150 words · 10 marks

2. 16

   Besides the welfare schemes, India needs deft management of inflation and unemployment to serve the poor and the underprivileged sections of the society. Discuss.

   250 words · 15 marks

3. 18

   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.

   250 words · 15 marks

Social Justice questions in GS Paper 2 2021

1. 6

   "Besides being a moral imperative of a Welfare State, primary health structure is a necessary precondition for sustainable development." Analyze.

   150 words · 10 marks

2. 7

   "'Earn while you learn' scheme needs to be strengthened to make vocational education and skill training meaningful." Comment.

   150 words · 10 marks

3. 8

   Can the vicious cycle of gender inequality, poverty and malnutrition be broken. through microfinancing of women SHGs? Explain with examples.

   150 words · 10 marks · Model answer & what aspirants miss

4. 17

   "Though women in post-Independent India have excelled in various fields, the social attitude towards women and feminist movement has been patriarchal." Apart from women education and women empowerment schemes, what interventions can help change this milieu?

   250 words · 15 marks

Social Justice questions in GS Paper 2 2020

1. 6

   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.

   150 words · 10 marks

2. 16

   "The incidence and intensity of poverty are more important in determining poverty than based on income alone." In this context analyse the latest United Nations Multidimensional Poverty Index Report.

   250 words · 15 marks

3. 17

   "Micro-Finance as an anti-poverty vaccine, is aimed at asset creation and income security of the rural poor in India". Evaluate the role of the Self Help Groups in achieving the twin objectives along with empowering women in rural India.

   250 words · 15 marks

4. 18

   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.

   250 words · 15 marks

Social Justice questions in GS Paper 2 2019

1. 6

   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.

   150 words · 10 marks

2. 7

   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

3. 18

   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 policy process. — Discuss.

   250 words · 15 marks

Social Justice questions in GS Paper 2 2018

1. 2

   Whether National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) can enforce the implementation of constitutional reservation for the Scheduled Castes in the religious minority institutions? Examine.

   150 words · 10 marks

2. 7

   Appropriate local community-level healthcare intervention is a prerequisite to achieve 'Health for All' in India, Explain.

   150 words · 10 marks

3. 16

   Multiplicity of various commissions for the vulnérable sections of the society leads to problems of overlapping jurisdiction and duplication of functions; Is it better to merge all commissions into an umbrella Human Rights Commission? Argue yOUr case.

   250 words · 15 marks

4. 17

   How far do you agree with the view that the focus on lack of availability of food as the main cause of hunger takes the attention away from ineffective human development policies in India?

   250 words · 15 marks

Social Justice questions in GS Paper 2 2017

1. 7

   Does the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 ensure effective mechanism for empowerment and inclusion of the intended beneficiaries in the society? Discuss.

   150 words · 10 marks

2. 8

   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.

   150 words · 10 marks

3. 15

   Is the National Commission for Women able to strategize and tackle the problems that women face at both public and private spheres? Give reasons in support of your answer.

   250 words · 15 marks

4. 17

   "Poverty alleviation programmes in India remain mere showpieces until and unless they are backed up by political will." Discuss with reference to the performance of the major poverty alleviation programmes in India.

   250 words · 15 marks

Social Justice questions in GS Paper 2 2016

1. 9

   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?

   200 words · 12½ marks

2. 15

   Examine the main provisions of the National Child Policy and throw light on the status of its implementation.

   200 words · 12½ marks

3. 16

   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?

   200 words · 12½ marks

Other GS Paper 2 topics

Polity & Constitution · Governance · International Relations