SECULARISM
Contents
1. Meaning of Secularism 52
2. Difference Between Western Concept of Secularism and Indian Secularism 52
3. Distinctive Features of Indian Secularism 53
4. Contemporary Issues 54
4.1. Uniform Civil Code (UCC) 54
4.2. Issue of Instant Triple Talaq 55
4.3. Entry Movements to Places of Religious Worship Led by Women’s Organizations 55
5. GS Mains Test Series Questions 56
6. Previous Year UPSC GS Mains Questions 58
1. Meaning of Secularism2. Difference Between Western Concept of Secularism and Indian SecularismConstitutional Provisions Regarding Secularism in India3. Distinctive Features of Indian SecularismSome Judicial Pronouncements Regarding Secularism in India4. Contemporary Issues4.1. Uniform Civil Code (UCC)Positive aspects of Uniform Civil Code includeChallenges in Implementing Uniform Civil Code Include4.2. Issue of Instant Triple TalaqPositive Outcomes of the JudgementNegative outcomes of the judgement4.3. Entry Movements to Places of Religious Worship Led by Women’s Organizations5. GS Mains Test Series Questions1. "Secularism cannot exist as a positive value in society without equality, social justice and democracy". Examine in the context of India.Answer:2. How are minorities defined in India? Does the commitment to ensure special rights for minorities contradicts the idea of secularism? Discuss in the context of India.Answer:6. Previous Year UPSC GS Mains Questions– Hillary Clinton2. The Profile of Women in IndiaDeclining Child Sex RatioThe consequences of declining child sex ratio:Political Status of WomenWhat are the reasons behind such a low status being accorded to women in India?i) The Caste Structureii) The Institution of Familyiii) Socialization within the Familyiv) Class Structure and Women’s Work3. Nature, Range and Patterns of Women’s Work3.1. What is Women’s Work?3.2. Unpaid Work in Home-Based Production and Family FarmsMissing Women Lack of participation of women in workforce:Reasons for low labour force participation:How to bring women into workforce:3.3. Female Child LabourRight to Education3.4. Paid Worki) Education, Paid Employment and Household Responsibilitiesii) Agricultural and Industrial Sectorsiii) Women in Services and Professionsiv) Earning Differentials3.5. Women Workers and the Growth of Unorganized Sector4. Women’s Issues: A Manifestation5. Women’s Issues: Responses5.1. Women’s Movements5.1.1. Women’s Movement as a Social Movement5.1.2. Dimensions of Indian Women’s Movement5.1.3. Pre-Independence Women’s Movements5.1.3.2. National Freedom Movement5.1.4.1. Constitutional Provisions and Social Legislation5.1.4.2. Planned Development and Women’s Issues5.1.4.3. Role of Voluntary Organizations6. An Analysis of Women’s Current SituationGlobal Gender Gap Index♤ EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENTS♤ ECONOMIC PARTICIPATION AND OPPORTUNITY♤ EMPLOYMENT SCENARIO♤ ACCESS TO RESOURCES♤ CONTROL OVER OWN EARNINGS♤ PARTICIPATION IN HOUSEHOLD DECISIONS♤ SPOUSAL VIOLENCEDomestic violence actCriticism of the act:Way forward:♤ AUTONOMY OF WOMENMarital Rape DebateUniform Civil Code and WomenArguments in favour of UCC:Benefits of UCC:Challenges in implementing:Way forward:7. National Policy for Women7.1. National Policy for Empowerment of Women, 20017.2. Priority Areas for a New National Policy for Empowerment of Women8. Conclusion9. Appendix9.1. Legislative Acts9.2. Constitutional Provisions for Women in Our ConstitutionWomen’s Empowerment Day).9.4. Women Empowerment Programs/Schemes by GoI10. GS Mains Test Series Questions1. Any discourse on environmental movements in India is incomplete without analysing the role of women in it. Comment.2. Feminization of agriculture has led to women empowerment in rural India. Critically analyse.Answer:3. Why is it that the societal trends that maintain a violent order against women have remained intact, when there has been a legal expansion of women’s rights in India?Answer:4. What are the factors responsible for high infant mortality rate in India? Discuss its implications for Indian women. Suggest steps that have been taken by the government to address this problem.Answer:5. Investment in the future of girl child is not only a question of economic priority but also one of social attitude. Comment. How can the government schemes help change entrenched social attitudes vis a vis the girl child?Answer:Role of governmentExamples6. Even though the provision of reservation for women has enhanced their presence and visibility, this has not necessarily translated into their empowerment. Do you agree? On what grounds is the reservation for women in Parliament opposed?Answer:In favour:7. Over the past few years, there have been innumerable cases of domestic workers, nearly all of them female, being abused and exploited by their employers. What are the factors that make domestic workers vulnerable to abuse and exploitation? Enumerate the provisions in Domestic Workers Welfare and Social Security Act 2010 to prevent their exploitation.Answer:8. Gender justice is often hindered by religious sensitivity over women related issues. In this context, discuss how gender justice can be ensured while also keeping in mind religious sensitivity of different communities.Answer:Ensuring Gender Justice while respecting religion9. It has been observed by some that emergence of a distinct “female vote bank” has made political parties and leaders take women related issues seriously. Critically examine in the context of electoral mobilisation in India in the recent times.Answer:However, this idea has certain limitations:10. Portrayal of stereotypical sensational images of women not only reduces their identity to a mere object of desire but also reinforces the patriarchal structure of the society. Discuss with examples.Answer:11. Previous Year UPSC GS Mains Questions