UPSC Indian Society – Chapter 9: Gender Issues and Women's Empowerment (20 MCQs)

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UPSC Indian Society – Chapter 9: Gender Issues and Women's Empowerment (20 MCQs) – 20 questions, subject: Indian Society. Every question has the correct answer with a one-line explanation; tap "Show Answer". Free practice for TNPSC, UPSC, SSC, Bank and RRB exams – Shanmugam IAS Academy, Coimbatore.

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1.  

The Global Gender Gap Index is published by the:

Correct Answer: D [World Economic Forum]

Explanation:

The World Economic Forum has published the Global Gender Gap Index annually since 2006; India ranked 131 of 145 in 2026.

2.  

According to Census 2011, the child sex ratio (0–6 years) of India was:

Correct Answer: B [919]

Explanation:

Census 2011 recorded 919 girls per 1,000 boys aged 0–6, down from 927 in 2001 and the lowest since independence.

3.  

The idea of "missing women" was put forward by:

Correct Answer: C [Amartya Sen]

Explanation:

1990.

4.  

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao was launched in 2015 at:

Correct Answer: B [Panipat]

Explanation:

The Prime Minister launched Beti Bachao Beti Padhao at Panipat, Haryana, on 22 January 2015, in a State with a very low child sex ratio.

5.  

The PCPNDT Act, which bans sex determination, was passed in:

Correct Answer: A [1994]

Explanation:

The Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act was passed in 1994 to ban sex determination of the foetus.

6.  

Which State had the lowest child sex ratio at Census 2011?

Correct Answer: A [Haryana]

Explanation:

834.

7.  

Gender budgeting was introduced in India's Union Budget in:

Correct Answer: C [2005-06]

Explanation:

The Gender Budget Statement has been presented with the Union Budget since 2005-06.

8.  

In NALSA v. Union of India (2014), the Supreme Court:

Correct Answer: A [recognised the third gender]

Explanation:

The Court recognised transgender persons as a 'third gender' and upheld their right to self-identify their gender.

9.  

According to the Time Use Survey 2019, women spent about how many minutes a day on unpaid domestic services?

Correct Answer: A [299]

Explanation:

The NSO's Time Use Survey 2019 found women spent about 299 minutes a day on unpaid domestic services, against about 97 for men.

10.  

Consider the following statements:

1. NFHS-5 recorded an overall sex ratio of 1,020.
2. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita came into force on 1 July 2024.
3. Census 2011 recorded more women than men.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: B [1 and 2 only]

Explanation:

NFHS-5 recorded 1,020 and the BNS took effect on 1 July 2024, but Census 2011 showed only 943 women per 1,000 men.

11.  

Assertion (A): The child sex ratio in India fell between 2001 and 2011.

Reason (R): Son preference combined with sex-selective technology led to fewer girls being born.

Correct Answer: A [Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A]

Explanation:

The child sex ratio fell from 927 to 919, and son preference combined with sex-selection technology directly caused that fall.

12.  

Naila Kabeer's framework describes empowerment through:

Correct Answer: D [resources, agency and achievements]

Explanation:

Naila Kabeer defines empowerment through resources (preconditions), agency (process of choice) and achievements (well-being outcomes).

13.  

Which of the following is a "strategic" rather than a "practical" gender need?

Correct Answer: D [Equal land rights]

Explanation:

Equal land rights change the balance of power between women and men, which defines a strategic rather than practical need.

14.  

The term "Brahmanical patriarchy" is associated with the historian:

Correct Answer: C [Uma Chakravarti]

Explanation:

Uma Chakravarti used 'Brahmanical patriarchy' to link caste purity and endogamy with control over women's sexuality.

15.  

The Companies Act, 2013 requires certain companies to have:

Correct Answer: D [at least one woman director]

Explanation:

Section 149 of the Companies Act, 2013 requires prescribed classes of companies to have at least one woman director on the board.

16.  

Arrange the following in chronological order:

1. PCPNDT Act
2. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
3. Domestic Violence Act
4. 106th Constitutional Amendment

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: C [1-3-2-4]

Explanation:

1994, 2005, 2015, 2023.

17.  

The Gender Inequality Index is published by the:

Correct Answer: B [UNDP]

Explanation:

The UNDP's Human Development Report publishes the Gender Inequality Index, covering reproductive health, empowerment and the labour market.

18.  

Gender, as distinct from sex, refers to:

Correct Answer: D [socially learnt roles and expectations]

Explanation:

Gender refers to roles and expectations a society attaches to men and women; it is learnt and can change.

19.  

The women's helpline number in India is:

Correct Answer: B [181]

Explanation:

181 is the women's helpline number, linked with One Stop Centres, for women facing violence or needing help.

20.  

The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act was passed in:

Correct Answer: C [2013]

Explanation:

it built on the Vishaka guidelines of 1997.

➤ Full notes, maps, tables, a reason for every option and Mains PYQs – U07 · Indian Society (UPSC book, ₹249): www.shanmugamiasacademy.in/study-materials/upsc-indian-society

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