Sex Ratio & Female Foeticide
Social Justice & Development
- PYQs6
- Articles1
Background
Critical social justice issue, demographic challenge, human rights violation, impact on sustainable development, effectiveness of government policies.
Sex ratio refers to the number of females per 1000 males in a population. A declining sex ratio, particularly the child sex ratio (0-6 years), is a critical demographic indicator reflecting gender inequality, discrimination against girls, and the prevalence of practices like female foeticide. Female foeticide is the illegal practice of aborting a female fetus after sex determination.
Facts & tables
- Definition
- Number of females per 1000 males.
- Causes of Decline
- Son preference, dowry system, small family norm, misuse of diagnostic technologies.
- Consequences
- Gender imbalance, social issues, impact on marriage patterns, violence against women.
- Trends
- India has historically faced a skewed sex ratio, with regional variations and ongoing challenges despite interventions.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Social Justice & Development |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| State Governments | Implementation & enforcement |
| Ministry of Health and Family Welfare | Policy formulation & oversight |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Factual recall
Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis
- Sex ratio: females per 1000 males.
- Declining trend indicates gender discrimination.
- Female foeticide is a key driver.
- Impacts demographics, social structure.
- Addressed by legal and social campaigns.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2024 | Factual recall, Terminology-based question |
| 2021 | Factual recall |
| 2020 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2018 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2017 | Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions |
Timeline
-
Social Justice & Development
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2017
Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2018
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2020
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2021
Factual recall
-
Prelims 2024
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2024
Factual recall, Terminology-based question
-
Gurugram sex ratio dips to 862, DC orders intensified campaign against illegal sex determination
Declining sex ratio, driven by female foeticide and son preference, is a major social and demographic challenge in India, necessitating legal and social interventions for gender equality.
See also
Past papers
2018–2024 · 5 questions
In the news
Gurugram sex ratio dips to 862, DC orders intensified campaign against illegal sex determination
Declining sex ratio, driven by female foeticide and son preference, is a major social and demographic challenge in India, necessitating legal and social interventions for gender equality.
Try these PYQs
In India, Legal Services Authorities provide free legal services to which of the following type of citizens?
1. Person with an annual income of less than Rs 1,00,000
2. Transgender with an annual income of less than Rs 2,00,000
3. Member of Other Backward Classes (OBC) with an annual income of less than Rs 3,00,000
4. All Senior Citizens
Statement 1 is correct. The persons eligible for getting free legal services include - Women and children - Members of SC/ST - Industrial workmen - Victims of mass disaster, violence, flood, drought, earthquake, industrial disaster - Disabled persons - Persons in custody - Persons whose annual income does not exceed 1 lakh - Victims of trafficking in human beings or begar . Statement 2 is correct. There is provision for free legal aid to transgenders up to 2 lakhs in Delhi. (But it is yet to be implemented at an all India level) Statement 3 is not correct. There is free aid to members of SC and ST community but not for OBCs. Statement 4 is not correct. Senior citizens eligibility for free legal aid depends on the Rules framed by the respective State Governments in this regard. In Delhi, for example, senior citizens are eligible for free legal aid subject to a prescribed ceiling of annual income. Therefore, all senior citizens are not eligible for free aid. Hence, A seems to be the most appropriate option among the given list.
With reference to the provisions made under the National Food Security Act, 2013 consider the following statements:
1. The families coming under the category of 'below poverty line (BPL)' only are eligible to receive subsidised grains.
2. The eldest woman in a household, of age 18 years or above, shall be the head of the household for the purpose of issuance of a ration card.
3. Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to a take-home ration' of 1600 calories per day during pregnancy and for six months thereafter.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect: In 2013, NFSA was enacted to provide food security to 67% of the population in the form of highly subsidized food grains at Rs. 2 and 3 per Kg for wheat and rice respectively. Beneficiaries are identified using Socio-economic Caste Census (SECC) methodology so even non-BPL will also benefit. Statement 2 is correct: Under the NFSA, to issue ration cards the eldest woman of a household aged 18 years or above would be considered as head. Hence, this statement is correct. Statement 3 is incorrect: Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to a nutritious take home ration of 600 Calories and a maternity benefit of at least Rs 6,000 for six months, says the official act.
With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) Yojana, consider the following statements:
1. The entry age group for enrolment in the scheme is 21 to 40 years.
2. Age specific contribution shall be made by the beneficiary.
3. Each subscriber under the scheme shall receive a minimum pension of ₹ 3,000 per month after attaining the age of 60 years.
4. Family pension is applicable to the spouse and unmarried daughters.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) Yojana, here's the breakdown of the statements: * Statement 1: Incorrect. The eligible age group for enrolment in the scheme is 18 to 40 years, not 21 to 40 years. This allows younger workers to join early and contribute for a longer period. * Statement 2: Correct. Beneficiaries are required to make age-specific monthly contributions, which increase with age. For instance, contributions start at ₹55 for an 18-year-old and go up to ₹200 for a 40-year-old. * Statement 3: Correct. Subscribers will receive a minimum pension of ₹3,000 per month after attaining 60 years of age. This provides social security for workers in the unorganized sector. * Statement 4: Incorrect. Family pension is available only to the spouse, who will receive 50% of the pension amount after the subscriber's death. Unmarried daughters are not eligible for this benefit.
Operations undertaken by the Army towards upliftment of the local population in remote areas to include addressing of their basic needs is called:
Operation Sadbhavana is a unique initiative undertaken by the Indian Army in Jammu & Kashmir and the North East regions. It focuses on winning the hearts and minds of the local population through various developmental activities and assistance. This includes providing education, healthcare, infrastructure development, and promoting skill development initiatives. _Let's look at the other options:_ * Operation Sankalp was launched by the Indian Navy to ensure maritime security in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. * Operation Maitri refers to the Indian Armed Forces' humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations to assist friendly countries. A notable example was the aid provided to Nepal during the 2015 earthquake. * Operation Madad is the Indian Navy's effort to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief during natural calamities, both within India and to neighboring countries.
Who among the following was associated as Secretary with Hindu Female School which later came to be known as Bethune Female School?
Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar - He was associated as Secretary with Hindu Female School which later came to be known as Bethune Female School. As the secretary of the Bethune School established in 1849, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar did important work in the field of higher education for women in India. - Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar's most significant contribution was his advocacy for widow remarriage and girls' education, leading to the enactment of the Hindu Widow Remarriage Act of 1856. Annie Besant: - In September 1916, Annie Besant along with Bal Gangadhar Tilak established the All-India Home Rule League. - In 1917, Annie Besant was elected the President of the Indian National Congress (INC) Calcutta session, becoming the first woman to hold this position. - In 1898, she founded the Central Hindu College in Benares. Theosophists from abroad assisted in this effort, and the institution eventually became the foundation for Banaras Hindu University. - She also established the Central Hindu School for Girls in Varanasi, advancing female education in India. Debendranath Tagore: - He founded the Tattvabodhini Sabha and Adi Brahmo Samaj. Sarojini Naidu: - In recognition of her service during the plague epidemic in India, the British government honored her with the ‘Kaisar-i-Hind’ Medal.
- In 1925, she became the first Indian woman to be elected president of the Indian National Congress (INC) during its Kanpur Session and held the position until 1928. - In 1930, Mahatma Gandhi chose her to lead the Salt Satyagraha, a nonviolent protest against the British monopoly on salt production. - She also accompanied Gandhi to London for the second session of the Round Table Conference in 1931, which ultimately remained inconclusive.
Show 1 more PYQs
Which of the following gives the ‘Global Gender Gap Index’ ranking to the countries of the world?
The Global Gender Gap Index is an annual report published by the World Economic Forum (WEF). It benchmarks progress towards gender parity by measuring the gap between women and men across four dimensions:
- Economic Participation and Opportunity
- Educational Attainment
- Health and Survival
- Political Empowerment