Gender, Religion, and Caste – UPSC Prelims Notes
1. Gender and Politics
Gender Division
Definition: A social construct based on stereotypes, not biological differences.
Patriarchy: System where men dominate and hold power over women.
Sexual Division of Labor:
o Women – Primarily handle household duties (unpaid labor).
o Men – Engage in income-generating work (paid labor).
o Women’s work outside remains undervalued and underpaid.
Women’s Political Representation
Recent Data (2023-2024)
Lok Sabha: 15% women MPs.
Rajya Sabha: 13% women MPs.
State Assemblies: 9% women MLAs (average across states).
Panchayati Raj: 33% reservation for women.
Women’s Reservation Act (2023): 33% seats reserved for Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, and
Delhi Assembly.
Global Comparison: India ranks below the global average of 25% in women’s parliamentary
representation.
Gender Inequality in India
Sex Ratio (2025 estimates): 933 females per 1,000 males.
Child Sex Ratio: 108 boys per 100 girls.
Literacy Rate (2011 Census):
o Male: 82%
o Female: 65%
Workforce Participation: Women constitute 21.8% of India's labor force.
Wage Gap: Women earn 19% less than men for the same work.
Violence Against Women:
o 400,000+ cases reported in 2021 (NCRB data).
o Legal protections: Domestic Violence Act 2005, IPC Sections 354 & 376.
2. Religion, Communalism, and Politics
1. Gender and Politics
Gender Division
Definition: A social construct based on stereotypes, not biological differences.
Patriarchy: System where men dominate and hold power over women.
Sexual Division of Labor:
o Women – Primarily handle household duties (unpaid labor).
o Men – Engage in income-generating work (paid labor).
o Women’s work outside remains undervalued and underpaid.
Women’s Political Representation
Recent Data (2023-2024)
Lok Sabha: 15% women MPs.
Rajya Sabha: 13% women MPs.
State Assemblies: 9% women MLAs (average across states).
Panchayati Raj: 33% reservation for women.
Women’s Reservation Act (2023): 33% seats reserved for Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, and
Delhi Assembly.
Global Comparison: India ranks below the global average of 25% in women’s parliamentary
representation.
Gender Inequality in India
Sex Ratio (2025 estimates): 933 females per 1,000 males.
Child Sex Ratio: 108 boys per 100 girls.
Literacy Rate (2011 Census):
o Male: 82%
o Female: 65%
Workforce Participation: Women constitute 21.8% of India's labor force.
Wage Gap: Women earn 19% less than men for the same work.
Violence Against Women:
o 400,000+ cases reported in 2021 (NCRB data).
o Legal protections: Domestic Violence Act 2005, IPC Sections 354 & 376.
2. Religion, Communalism, and Politics
