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UPSC Notes

Gender Sensitivity and Justice in the Indian Judiciary

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

This concept is vital for understanding judicial reforms, social justice, women's rights, and the practical implementation of constitutional principles. It reflects the judiciary's evolving role in addressing societal inequalities and ensuring a victim-centric approach to justice.

Gender sensitivity in the judiciary refers to the awareness and application of principles that ensure fair, equitable, and non-discriminatory treatment of all individuals, particularly women and vulnerable groups, within the legal system. It is crucial for upholding constitutional values of equality and justice, ensuring that judicial processes do not perpetuate stereotypes or re-traumatize victims.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Purpose of New Guidelines

To prevent secondary traumatization of sexual assault survivors and ensure compassionate courtroom practices, moving beyond mere language correction.

Shift in Focus

The 2026 report emphasizes practical courtroom management and addressing victim trauma, replacing the 2023 handbook's focus on identifying and avoiding patriarchal language.

Key Recommendations

Includes developing 'Emotional Quotient' for judges, controlling aggressive cross-examinations, using Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam provisions against indecent questions, pre-trial counselling, and in-camera trials for sexual offenses.

Trigger for Reforms

Prompted by problematic trial court judgments (e.g., Allahabad High Court) and the Supreme Court's recognition of the need for more practical and less 'theoretical' guidelines.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaIndian Polity & Governance
Conceptual areaWelfare Schemes & Social Policies

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Supreme Court of IndiaIssues guidelines, oversees judicial conduct
National Judicial AcademyDrafts guidelines, provides training
Trial CourtsImplements guidelines
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Statement-based questions

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Quick revision

  • SC's 2026 report focuses on practical gender sensitivity in trial courts.
  • Aims to prevent secondary traumatization of sexual assault survivors.
  • Emphasizes 'Emotional Quotient' for judges and compassionate court practices.
  • Replaces 2023 handbook, shifting focus from language to courtroom management.
  • Recommendations include controlling cross-examinations, pre-trial counselling, and in-camera trials.

High-confidence PYQs

2024Definition-based questions, Institutional roles and functions

A Writ of Prohibition is an order issued by the Supreme Court or High Courts to :

Indian PolityOpen question
2023Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements: 1. If the election of the President of India is declared void by the Supreme Court of India, all acts done by him/her in t...

Indian PolityOpen question

Consider the following statements: Statement-I: The Supreme Court of India has held in some judgements that the reservation policies made under Article 16(4...

Indian PolityOpen question
2023Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. If the election of the President of India is declared void by the Supreme Court of India, all acts done by him/her in t...

Indian PolityOpen question

Consider the following statements: Statement-I: The Supreme Court of India has held in some judgements that the reservation policies made under Article 16(4...

Indian PolityOpen question
2022Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements : 1. Pursuant to the report of H.N. Sanyal Committee, the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 was passed. 2. The Constitution of ...

Indian PolityOpen question
2021Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

With reference to Indian Judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act ...

Indian PolityOpen question
2019Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to the Constitution of India, consider the following statements: 1. No High Court shall have the jurisdiction to declare any central law to ...

Indian PolityOpen question

Consider the following statements : 1. The motion to impeach a Judge of the Supreme Court of India cannot be rejected by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha as per ...

Indian PolityOpen question
2019Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

With reference to the Constitution of India, consider the following statements: 1. No High Court shall have the jurisdiction to declare any central law to ...

Indian PolityOpen question

Consider the following statements : 1. The motion to impeach a Judge of the Supreme Court of India cannot be rejected by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha as per ...

Indian PolityOpen question
2018Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements : 1. The Parliament of India can place a particular law in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution of India. 2. The validi...

Indian PolityOpen question

Topic timeline

Indian Polity & GovernanceWelfare Schemes & Social Policies
Prelims 2018· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements : 1. The Parliament of India can place a particular law in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution of India. 2. The validi...

Open question
Prelims 2019· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to the Constitution of India, consider the following statements: 1. No High Court shall have the jurisdiction to declare any central law to ...

Open question

Consider the following statements : 1. The motion to impeach a Judge of the Supreme Court of India cannot be rejected by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha as per ...

Open question
Prelims 2019· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

With reference to the Constitution of India, consider the following statements: 1. No High Court shall have the jurisdiction to declare any central law to ...

Open question

Consider the following statements : 1. The motion to impeach a Judge of the Supreme Court of India cannot be rejected by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha as per ...

Open question
Prelims 2021· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

With reference to Indian Judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act ...

Open question
Prelims 2022· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements : 1. Pursuant to the report of H.N. Sanyal Committee, the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 was passed. 2. The Constitution of ...

Open question
Prelims 2023· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements: 1. If the election of the President of India is declared void by the Supreme Court of India, all acts done by him/her in t...

Open question

Consider the following statements: Statement-I: The Supreme Court of India has held in some judgements that the reservation policies made under Article 16(4...

Open question
Prelims 2023· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. If the election of the President of India is declared void by the Supreme Court of India, all acts done by him/her in t...

Open question

Consider the following statements: Statement-I: The Supreme Court of India has held in some judgements that the reservation policies made under Article 16(4...

Open question
Prelims 2024· Definition-based questions, Institutional roles and functions

A Writ of Prohibition is an order issued by the Supreme Court or High Courts to :

Open question

Why the Supreme Court has issued new gender-sensitivity guidelines for trial judges

05 Aug 2026 · The Supreme Court's new guidelines emphasize practical gender sensitivity in trial courts, focusing on preventing victim re-traumatization and promoting compassionate judicial conduct, marking a shift from earlier language-focused handbooks.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

Gender Sensitivity and Justice in the Indian Judiciary

Often confused with

Judicial Independence and Constitutional Morality

Open notesOften confused with

Modernization of India's Criminal Justice System

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on Gender Sensitivity and Justice in the Indian Judiciary in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Gender Sensitivity and Justice in the Indian Judiciary

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

Consider the following statements : 1. Pursuant to the report of H.N. Sanyal Committee, the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 was passed. 2. The Constitution of ...

2022·Indian Polity
Solve

With reference to Indian Judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act ...

2021·Indian Polity
Solve

A Writ of Prohibition is an order issued by the Supreme Court or High Courts to :

2024·Indian Polity
Solve

Consider the following statements: 1. If the election of the President of India is declared void by the Supreme Court of India, all acts done by him/her in t...

2023·Indian Polity
Solve

Consider the following statements : 1. The Parliament of India can place a particular law in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution of India. 2. The validi...

2018·Indian Polity
Solve

With reference to the Constitution of India, consider the following statements: 1. No High Court shall have the jurisdiction to declare any central law to ...

2019·Indian Polity
Solve

Consider the following statements: Statement-I: The Supreme Court of India has held in some judgements that the reservation policies made under Article 16(4...

2023·Indian Polity
Solve

Consider the following statements : 1. The motion to impeach a Judge of the Supreme Court of India cannot be rejected by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha as per ...

2019·Indian Polity
Solve

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