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Sex Ratio & Female Foeticide

Social Justice & Development

  • PYQs6
  • Articles1
I

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.

II

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.
Static syllabus anchors
Type Reference
Conceptual area Social Justice & Development
Institutions & roles
Body Role
State Governments Implementation & enforcement
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Policy formulation & oversight
III

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.
High-confidence PYQ links
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

  1. Social Justice & Development

    Conceptual area

  2. Prelims 2017

    Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

  3. Prelims 2018

    Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

  4. Prelims 2020

    Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

  5. Prelims 2021

    Factual recall

  6. Prelims 2024

    Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

  7. Prelims 2024

    Factual recall, Terminology-based question

  8. 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

In the news

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