Q.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)
How to approach: Identify every sub-question in the prompt, allocate dedicated sub-headings to each part, substantiate points with examples/data, and conclude with a forward-looking Way Forward.
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Open in 3D PYQ RealmIntroduction
The National Commission for Women (NCW) is a statutory body established under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990, with the primary mandate to safeguard, protect, and promote the rights and interests of women across India. It reviews existing policies, evaluates legal safeguards, and recommends corrective legislative measures to the government.
Body Analysis
Effectiveness of NCW in Tackling Women's Issues
1. Strategic Interventions
Public Sphere: The NCW played a key role in drafting the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. Between 2017 and 2019, it registered over 500 workplace harassment complaints.
Private Sphere: It has consistently advocated for the effective implementation of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, addressing over 660,000 domestic violence cases reported between 2015 and 2022.
2. Awareness and Advocacy
Public Sphere: In 2023, the NCW organized over 100 national workshops on gender equality.
Private Sphere: Its legal literacy programs have reached over 1 million women, focusing heavily on rural areas to combat domestic abuse.
3. Handling Complaints and Grievances
Public Sphere: In 2020, the NCW handled over 31,000 complaints, many involving public harassment.
Private Sphere: It registered over 23,000 domestic violence complaints in 2020, particularly during the COVID-19 lockdowns, providing counseling and legal aid.
4. Policy Recommendations
Public Sphere: Made over 150 policy recommendations on gender-sensitive policing and workplace safety.
Private Sphere: Advocated for criminalizing marital rape and strengthening the Dowry Prohibition Act.
5. Research, Capacity Building, and Monitoring
Published over 50 research reports, trained over 10,000 police and judicial officers, and monitored the implementation of women-centric laws.
Challenges and Limitations
Limited Enforcement Power: Recommendations are non-binding, leading to delays in implementation.
Resource Constraints: Operates on a limited budget (approx. ₹25 crore in 2020-21), restricting outreach.
Rural-Urban Gap: Awareness remains low in remote rural areas.
Backlog of Cases: High volume of complaints (over 30,000 annually) leads to significant backlogs.
Conclusion
While the NCW has made significant strides in advocating for women's rights in both public and private spheres, its overall efficacy is constrained by its advisory nature, limited enforcement powers, and resource deficits. Empowering the NCW with binding powers, increased funding, and better coordination with state-level commissions is essential to realize its full potential in building a safe and equitable society for women in India.
Question Specifications, Marking Rubric & Syllabus Mapping
| Examination & Year | UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination 2017 (Question 9) |
|---|---|
| Paper & Syllabus Topic | General Studies Paper II — Polity, Governance, Social Justice & IR → Governance, Social Justice & Welfare Schemes |
| Marks, Word Limit & Ideal Time | 15 Marks • 250 Words • Ideal Writing Time: 11–12 Minutes |
| Directive Word & Core Demand | Analytical / Multi-Dimensional: Address all explicit sub-parts of the question with balanced arguments, factual illustrations, and a solution-oriented conclusion. |
| Recommended Structure Split | Intro: ~30–35 Words • Body: ~175 Words (4–5 sub-headings + diagram/data) • Way Forward: ~35–40 Words |
| AI Practice & Evaluation Tools | Upload Handwritten Answer for 3-Min Vision AI Evaluation | Generate Custom Answer & Mind Map |
Related & Repeated UPSC Mains PYQs (3)
Past UPSC Mains questions connected to this node in the 3D PYQ Realm knowledge graph.
Which steps are required for constitutionalization of a Commission? Do you think imparting constitutionality to the National Commission for Women would ensure greater gender justice and empowerment in India? Give reasons.
"Though women in post-Independent India have excelled in various fields, the social attitude towards women and the feminist movement has been patriarchal." Apart from women education and women empowerment schemes, what interventions can help change this milieu?
Though women in post-Independent India have excelled in various fields, the social attitude towards women and the feminist movement has been patriarchal.” Apart from women education and women empowerment schemes, what interventions can help change this milieu? (Answer in 250 words)
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Frequently Asked Questions — UPSC Mains 2017 GS2 (Governance & Social Justice)
How should I structure the answer for this UPSC Mains 2017 GS Paper II question on Governance & Social Justice?
This 2017 GS Paper II question carries 15 marks with a 250-word limit and uses the "Analytical / Multi-Dimensional" directive. Identify every sub-question in the prompt, allocate dedicated sub-headings to each part, substantiate points with examples/data, and conclude with a forward-looking Way Forward. Follow the ideal word split (Intro: ~30–35 Words • Body: ~175 Words (4–5 sub-headings + diagram/data) • Way Forward: ~35–40 Words) and aim to finish within 11–12 Minutes.
Which UPSC Mains syllabus topic does this 2017 question belong to?
This question is part of General Studies Paper II — Polity, Governance, Social Justice & IR under the syllabus module "Governance, Social Justice & Welfare Schemes". You can explore all repeated questions from Governance & Social Justice in Acme AI's 3D PYQ Realm or filter all Governance & Social Justice PYQs on the Mains PYQ Directory.
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