UPSC CSE 2026 Essay Paper Discussion
Watch now

General Studies Paper 2 · By subject

Social justice — UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 PYQ

58 previous year questions on Social justice, 2013–2026, each with a model answer

← All GS Paper 2

2026

  1. Q7
    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.
    10 marks 150 words Medium Model answer →

2025

  1. Q6
    Women’s social capital complements in advancing empowerment and gender equity. Explain.
    10 marks 150 words Medium Model answer →
  2. Q16
    Inequality in the ownership pattern of resources is one of the major causes of poverty. Discuss in the context of ‘paradox of poverty’.
    15 marks 250 words Medium Model answer →
  3. Q18
    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.
    15 marks 250 words Medium Model answer →

2024

  1. Q7
    Poverty and malnutrition create a vicious cycle, adversely affecting human capital formation. What steps can be taken to break the cycle?
    10 marks 150 words Medium Model answer →
  2. Q17
    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.
    15 marks 250 words Medium Model answer →

2023

  1. Q6
    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.
    10 marks 150 words Medium Model answer →
  2. Q17
    “Development and welfare schemes for the vulnerable, by its nature, are discriminatory in approach.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer.
    15 marks 250 words Hard Model answer →
  3. Q18
    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.
    15 marks 250 words Medium Model answer →

2022

  1. Q7
    The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 remains only a legal document without intense sensitisation of government functionaries and citizens regarding disability. Comment.
    10 marks 150 words Medium Model answer →
  2. Q18
    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.
    15 marks 250 words Medium Model answer →

2021

  1. Q6
    “Besides being a moral imperative of a Welfare State, primary health structure is a necessary precondition for sustainable development.” Analyze.
    10 marks 150 words Medium Model answer →
  2. Q7
    “‘Earn while you learn’ scheme needs to be strengthened to make vocational education and skill training meaningful.” Comment.
    10 marks 150 words Easy Model answer →
  3. Q8
    Can the vicious cycle of gender inequality, poverty and malnutrition be broken through microfinancing of women SHGs? Explain with examples.
    10 marks 150 words Medium Model answer →
  4. Q16
    Has digital illiteracy, particularly in rural areas, coupled with lack of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) accessibility hindered socio-economic development? Examine with justification.
    15 marks 250 words Medium Model answer →
  5. Q17
    “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?
    15 marks 250 words Hard Model answer →

2020

  1. Q6
    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.
    10 marks 150 words Easy Model answer →
  2. Q16
    “The incedence 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.
    15 marks 250 words Medium Model answer →
  3. Q18
    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.
    15 marks 250 words Hard Model answer →

2019

  1. Q6
    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.
    10 marks 150 words Medium Model answer →
  2. Q7
    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.
    10 marks 150 words Hard Model answer →
  3. Q18
    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.
    15 marks 250 words Medium Model answer →

2018

  1. Q7
    Appropriate local community-level healthcare intervention is a prerequisite to achieve ‘Health for All’ in India. Explain.
    10 marks 150 words Easy Model answer →
  2. Q17
    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?
    15 marks 250 words Medium Model answer →

2017

  1. Q7
    Does the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 ensure effective mechanism for empowerment and inclusion of the intended beneficiaries in the society? Discuss.
    10 marks 150 words Medium Model answer →
  2. Q15
    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.
    15 marks 250 words Medium Model answer →
  3. Q17
    “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.
    15 marks 250 words Medium Model answer →

2016

  1. Q9
    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?
    12.5 marks 200 words Easy Model answer →
  2. Q15
    Examine the main provisions of the National Child Policy and throw light on the status of its implementation.
    12.5 marks 200 words Medium Model answer →
  3. Q16
    “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?
    12.5 marks 200 words Easy Model answer →

2015

  1. Q4
    Khap Panchayats have been in the news for functioning as extra-constitutional authorities, often delivering pronouncements amounting to human rights violations. Discuss critically the actions taken by the legislative, executive and the judiciary to set the things right in this regard.
    12.5 marks 200 words Hard Model answer →
  2. Q11
    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.
    12.5 marks 200 words Medium Model answer →
  3. Q12
    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?
    12.5 marks 200 words Medium Model answer →
  4. Q13
    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.
    12.5 marks 200 words Hard Model answer →

2014

  1. Q11
    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 economies?
    12.5 marks 200 words Medium Model answer →
  2. Q13
    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.
    12.5 marks 200 words Medium Model answer →

2013

  1. Q9
    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.
    10 marks 200 words Hard Model answer →
  2. Q15
    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.
    10 marks 200 words Easy Model answer →

0

  1. •
    Higher education in India is moving toward a 50 percent gross enrolment ratio by 2035 under NEP 2020 but remains stratified by caste, gender, and region. Critically analyse, with reference to recent UGC and AISHE data.
    15 marks 250 words Hard Model answer →
  2. •
    India’s female labour force participation rose from 23.3 percent in 2017-18 to 41.7 percent in 2023-24 per PLFS data, but most additions are in unpaid family labour and agriculture. Examine why a rise in counting has not become a rise in opportunity.
    10 marks 150 words Medium Model answer →
  3. •
    The Code on Social Security 2020 came into force on 21 November 2025, recognising gig and platform workers for the first time in Indian statute. Discuss the design and the recognition-versus-delivery gap.
    15 marks 250 words Medium Model answer →
  4. •
    India’s demographic dividend is projected to close around 2046 even as the Sample Registration System 2024 reports a TFR of 2.0. Examine the implications for human-resource policy and skilling.
    10 marks 150 words Hard Model answer →
  5. •
    The Mental Healthcare Act 2017 recognised a right to access mental healthcare and decriminalised suicide attempts, yet NMHS data points to a treatment gap of 84.5 percent. Examine the institutional weaknesses behind the gap.
    15 marks 250 words Hard Model answer →
  6. •
    India’s National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme set a 2025 elimination target, five years ahead of the SDG 3.3 deadline, yet WHO estimates India accounted for 26 percent of global TB cases in 2023. Examine the public-health design and the gaps.
    10 marks 150 words Medium Model answer →
  7. •
    Public health spending in India hovers below 2 percent of GDP against the National Health Policy 2017 target of 2.5 percent. Examine the consequences for equity and out-of-pocket expenditure.
    10 marks 150 words Easy Model answer →
  8. •
    India’s eldercare architecture rests largely on the family, with the IGNOAPS pension at Rs 200 a month and no national long-term-care system. Discuss the demographic urgency and the policy steps required, with reference to NITI Aayog’s Senior Care Reforms framework.
    15 marks 250 words Medium Model answer →
  9. •
    The National Education Policy 2020 promises foundational literacy and numeracy by 2026-27 through the NIPUN Bharat Mission and a 6 percent of GDP spending target. Evaluate the implementation status and structural gaps.
    10 marks 150 words Easy Model answer →
  10. •
    The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009 gave India a constitutional entitlement to schooling but learning outcomes have stagnated. Examine the gap between access and quality.
    10 marks 150 words Easy Model answer →
  11. •
    MGNREGA 2005 created a justiciable right to 100 days of unskilled wage work but its real wage rates and budget have stagnated in recent years. Evaluate its continuing relevance for India’s rural poor.
    10 marks 150 words Easy Model answer →
  12. •
    PM-JANMAN and the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan represent a saturation approach to tribal welfare, while the Forest Rights Act 2006 represents a rights-based approach. Critically analyse the gap between welfare and rights in tribal policy.
    15 marks 250 words Hard Model answer →
  13. •
    The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 promises a 4 percent job reservation and accessible infrastructure, but the Supreme Court’s Rajive Raturi judgment held that the law’s accessibility chapter was being treated as a discretionary favour. Examine.
    10 marks 150 words Medium Model answer →
  14. •
    The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act 2013 has not eliminated hazardous cleaning deaths, with the government recording 294 sewer and septic-tank deaths between 2020 and 2024. Discuss the gaps between the law and the lived practice and the role of the NAMASTE scheme.
    15 marks 250 words Medium Model answer →
  15. •
    POSHAN 2.0 has shifted India’s child-nutrition architecture from food handouts to a first-1,000-days approach, yet anaemia in under-fives rose between NFHS-4 and NFHS-5. Examine the design strengths and implementation gaps of the scheme. Examine.
    15 marks 250 words Medium Model answer →
  16. •
    PM-JAY Ayushman Bharat covers a 50 crore population with Rs 5 lakh secondary and tertiary hospital cover, yet out-of-pocket health expenditure remains among the highest in the world. Discuss the achievements and design limits of the scheme.
    15 marks 250 words Medium Model answer →
  17. •
    Education in India is a concurrent subject in law but an unequal entitlement in practice. With reference to the gaps the Right to Education Act 2009 has left unaddressed, examine.
    10 marks 150 words Easy Model answer →
  18. •
    Direct Benefit Transfer and Aadhaar-linked welfare have reorganised India’s social-sector spending, but exclusion errors persist. Discuss.
    15 marks 250 words Medium Model answer →
  19. •
    Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups have remained outside the headline indicators of welfare. With reference to the constitutional and policy framework for PVTGs, examine.
    10 marks 150 words Medium Model answer →
  20. •
    India’s nutrition transition has overtaken its food-security policy. With reference to the role of food fortification and PDS reform in addressing hidden hunger, critically analyse.
    15 marks 250 words Medium Model answer →

Other GS Paper 2 subjects

JudiciaryInternational RelationsGovernanceConstitution & Polity