70^th BPSC Mains

Introduction

• You may begin with the following anecdotes/examples:
  • Jacinda Ardern (New Zealand)
    • As Prime Minister, Ardern was widely praised for her empathetic and decisive leadership, particularly in handling the Christchurch attacks and COVID-19 pandemic.
    • Despite her leadership, she faced significant sexist criticism in media and politics, highlighting the unequal treatment of women in power.
  • Nirbhaya Case & Women's Safety in India
    • The 2012 Delhi gang rape case led to major legal reforms (Criminal Law Amendment Act, 2013).
    • Despite this, crimes against women remain alarmingly high, discouraging many from public participation and leadership roles.
    • Women’s safety cannot be ensured merely through legislation; it requires a cultural and behavioral shift at the grassroots level.
  • Malala Yousafzai’s Struggle for Education
    • Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani activist, was shot by the Taliban in 2012 for advocating girls’ education.
    • Even today, millions of girls face restrictions in pursuing education due to societal norms.
• With the help of these anecdotes/examples set the stage for discussing how despite advancements, gender equality remains elusive due to unequal participation, structural barriers, and societal norms.

Body 

• Define gender equality and its importance in social, economic, and political spheres.
• Highlight the historical progress made in achieving gender equality.
• Discuss the Understanding Unequal Participation
  • Explain how gender equality efforts often see disproportionate participation from different sections of society.
  • Discuss intersectionality – how factors like class, caste, race, and economic status create varied levels of participation.
  • Highlight the role of women, men, government, private sector, and civil society in gender equality movements.
• Highlight Factors Contributing to Unequal Participation
  • Cultural and Social Norms – Patriarchal mindset, stereotypes, and gender roles.
  • Economic Barriers – Wage gaps, unpaid care work, and lack of financial independence.
  • Political Representation – Low participation of women in governance and decision-making.
  • Education and Awareness – Limited access to education and gender sensitization programs.
  • Legal and Policy Gaps – Implementation challenges in gender-based laws and rights.
• Mention Challenges in Achieving Equal Participation
  • Resistance to Change – Deep-rooted traditional beliefs and resistance from some sections of society.
  • Lack of Male Participation – Gender equality is often seen as a women’s issue, with limited involvement from men.
  • Workplace Discrimination – Glass ceiling, lack of leadership roles, and workplace harassment.
  • Violence and Safety Concerns – Gender-based violence discouraging active participation in public life.
• Provide Solutions for a More Inclusive Gender Equality Movement
  • Education and Awareness – Gender-sensitive education from an early age.
  • Economic Empowerment – Equal pay, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship opportunities.
  • Legal and Policy Interventions – Strengthening gender-sensitive laws and their implementation.
  • Inclusive Movements – Engaging men, LGBTQ+ individuals, and marginalized communities.
  • Media and Representation – Promoting positive gender roles in films, books, and digital platforms.
• Use Statistical Data to Strengthen the Argument
  • Gender Pay Gap: Women in India earn 28% less than men for the same work (Oxfam, 2023).
  • Political Representation: Women hold only 15% of seats in the Indian Parliament (Lok Sabha, 2024).
  • Workforce Participation: In India, the labor force participation rate among females is 31.2% and among males is 76.8% for 2023
  • Violence Against Women: India reported 4 lakh+ cases of crimes against women in 2022 (NCRB, 2023).
  • STEM Representation: While India has a high proportion of women STEM graduates (43%), only 14% of scientists, engineers, and technologists in India are women, according to a 2020 United Nations report, highlighting a significant gender gap in STEM workforce participation

Conclusion

• Summarize key arguments on unequal participation in gender equality movements.
• Emphasize the need for collaborative efforts involving all genders, institutions, and policymakers.
• End with a call to action: Achieving true gender equality requires equal participation from everyone in society.

Related Quotes :

• “Gender equality is not a women’s issue, it is a human issue. It affects us all.” – Emma Watson
• "The measure of any society is how it treats its women and girls." – Michelle Obama
• “Feminism isn’t about making women strong. Women are already strong. It’s about changing the way the world perceives that strength." – G.D. Anderson
• "Achieving gender equality requires the engagement of women and men, girls and boys. It is everyone’s responsibility." – Ban Ki-moon
  
  

2. Federalism strengthens unity by dividing power. (750 words)

Introduction

• You may begin with the following anecdotes/examples:
  • India’s Linguistic Reorganization (1956)
    • Context: Post-independence, there was linguistic diversity with demands for states based on language.
    • Action: The States Reorganization Act, 1956 created states broadly based on linguistic identity.
    • Impact: Prevented secessionist movements and strengthened unity while accommodating regional aspirations.
  • United States: Power-Sharing in Action
    • Context: The U.S. Constitution divides power between the federal government and states, allowing flexibility in governance.
    • Example: California’s environmental laws are stricter than federal laws, showing state autonomy within a unified system.
  • Switzerland: Federalism in a Multilingual Society
    • Context: Four official languages (German, French, Italian, Romansh).
    • Federal Structure: Power-sharing among linguistic groups ensures harmony despite cultural diversity.
  • Germany: Decentralized Power During COVID-19
    • Example: During the pandemic, German federal states (Länder) had autonomy in lockdown measures, ensuring tailored local responses while maintaining national coordination.
• With the help of these anecdotes/examples set the stage for discussing how dividing power actually strengthens national unity.

Body

• Define federalism as a system of governance that divides power between the central and state governments.
• Discuss the Understanding of Federalism and Unity
  • Explain how power-sharing prevents authoritarianism and allows for greater regional autonomy.
  • Cite examples from India (Quasi-Federalism), the USA, and Canada, showing how federal structures have accommodated diverse populations.
• Explain Federalism as a Mechanism for Unity
  • Accommodating Diversity: Federalism ensures linguistic, cultural, and regional identities are respected (e.g., Indian states based on language).
  • Decentralized Governance: Decision-making at local levels allows for more responsive governance (e.g., Panchayati Raj in India).
  • Conflict Resolution: Power division reduces secessionist tendencies (e.g., Article 370’s impact on Jammu & Kashmir).
  • Economic Development: Federalism allows states to craft region-specific policies for growth (e.g., GST Council, NITI Aayog's cooperative federalism).
• Highlight Challenges to Federalism & Unity
  • Centralization of Power: Excessive interference by the central government weakens federal principles (e.g., misuse of Article 356 - President’s Rule).
  • Inter-State Disputes: Water-sharing conflicts (e.g., Cauvery dispute) can challenge national unity.
  • Economic Disparities: Uneven resource distribution may create developmental gaps between states.
• Mention Committees and Commission Recommendations on Federalism in India
  • Sarkaria & Punchhi Commissions focused on harmonized Centre-State political relations.
  • Finance Commissions have worked on fiscal federalism.
  • NITI Aayog promotes cooperative federalism in policy-making.
  • Rajamannar & NCRWC Commissions advocated for less centralization.
• Suggest Way Forward for Strengthening Federalism for Unity
  • Strengthen Cooperative Federalism (e.g., GST Council, Inter-State Councils).
  • Encourage Fiscal Federalism (greater devolution of resources to states).
  • Judicial and Institutional Safeguards (ensuring balance in center-state relations).
  • Empowering Local Governments (73rd & 74th Constitutional Amendments).

Conclusion

• Reaffirm that federalism, when implemented effectively, strengthens national unity by accommodating regional aspirations while ensuring a strong central framework.
• Quote Dr. B.R. Ambedkar: “The basic principle of federalism is that the legislative and executive authority is partitioned between the center and the states not by any law to be altered by the center, but by the Constitution”.