Explain the changing status of women in Indian society. Assess the challenges that still hinder gender equality.

Question Understanding – Finding Information

Precise Syllabus Mapping: Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies. (GS Paper – I)

Marks and Words Limit:

• The marks-oriented approach to answering (10-mark, 150-word) questions is to use Bullet Points (one idea per bullet point), Brainstorming, or a combination of both.
• The way to score good marks in questions worth (15 marks. 250 words) is to use the Heading and Subheading method while writing your answers.

 Directive words

• Explain → Describe changes with causes and examples
• Assess → Evaluate persisting challenges with judgement

Focal points of the questions:

• Changing status of women (historical → contemporary)
• Current challenges to gender equality

Dos & Don’ts

 Do for Maximum Marks

• Can use Brainstorming Idea: Legal reforms → Social change → Persisting gaps
• Maintain balanced tone (neither celebratory nor pessimistic)
• Use multi-dimensional analysis
• Link social change with institutions and attitudes
• Keep examples general, not anecdotal
• Use gender-neutral academic language

Don’t do these Common Mistakes

• Don’t write only about inventions Don’t write scheme-heavy answers (GS-II/III)
• Avoid emotional or activist language
• Don’t ignore intersectionality (rural, caste, class)
• Avoid listing laws without analysis
• Don’t conclude without forward linkage