Human Development

11. UNDP’s ‘Gender Social Norms Index’ comprises four dimensions. Which of

UNDP’s ‘Gender Social Norms Index’ comprises four dimensions. Which of the following is not a dimension?

[amp_mcq option1=”Political” option2=”Educational” option3=”Cultural” option4=”Physical” correct=”option3″]

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UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2023
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The Gender Social Norms Index (GSNI) comprises four dimensions: Political, Educational, Economic, and Physical (Integrity). ‘Cultural’ is not listed as one of these four specific dimensions.
The UNDP’s Gender Social Norms Index measures biases against gender equality. It assesses people’s beliefs about the roles of women across specific domains of life. The four dimensions used for this measurement are Political, Educational, Economic, and Physical Integrity.
The GSNI is based on survey data covering specific questions within each dimension. For example, the Political dimension measures beliefs about whether men make better political leaders than women. The Educational dimension looks at beliefs about university being more important for men than women. The Economic dimension covers beliefs about men being better business executives or having more right to a job when jobs are scarce. The Physical Integrity dimension addresses beliefs about violence against women or women having the right to make decisions about their own body. While cultural norms are the underlying subject of the index, ‘Cultural’ itself is not one of the four dimensions used to categorize these norms.

12. In case of a complaint regarding sexual harassment at the workplace, a

In case of a complaint regarding sexual harassment at the workplace, an Internal Complaint Committee is required to be constituted. With regard to this, which one of the following statements is not correct ?

[amp_mcq option1=”A senior level woman officer, working at the workplace, shall act as the Presiding Officer of the Committee.” option2=”Not less than two members from amongst employees, preferably committed to the cause of women or who had experience in social work or have legal knowledge, shall be the members of the Committee.” option3=”One member from amongst NGOs/Associations committed to the cause of women or a person familiar with the issues relating to sexual harassment shall be a member of the Committee.” option4=”One member from the local police, preferably a woman from the woman police station, shall be a member of the Committee.” correct=”option4″]

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The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 mandates the constitution of an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC). The Act specifies the composition of the ICC: it must be headed by a senior level woman employee (Presiding Officer), include at least two employees preferably with social work experience or legal knowledge, and include one external member from an NGO or association committed to women’s issues or a person familiar with sexual harassment issues. The Act *does not* require or specify that a member from the local police be part of the ICC. The role of the police is separate and comes into play if a criminal complaint is filed, either directly by the complainant or based on the recommendations of the ICC report if the findings indicate a criminal offense.
The composition of the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) under the Sexual Harassment Act is legally defined and includes internal members from the workplace and one external member, but not a member from the police.
The ICC is an internal redressal mechanism intended to provide a safe and accessible avenue for complainants within the workplace. Its process is distinct from criminal proceedings, which are handled by the police and courts.

13. Which one of the following is not punishable under the Commission of S

Which one of the following is not punishable under the Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987?

[amp_mcq option1=”Abetment of Sati” option2=”Commission of Sati” option3=”Attempt to commit Sati” option4=”Glorification of Sati” correct=”option2″]

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UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2020
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The correct answer is B.
The Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987 primarily targets the prevention of Sati and punishes those who abet, attempt, or glorify it.
Section 5 of the Act punishes abetment of Sati.
Section 4 of the Act punishes attempt to commit Sati.
Section 6 of the Act punishes glorification of Sati.
While Section 3 mentions “Punishment for commission of sati”, the *act* of Sati involves the death of the person. The Act’s penal provisions are directed at preventing the act and punishing those who facilitate or glorify it, not the deceased victim. Therefore, the “Commission of Sati” by the victim is not something that is punishable *under the Act* in the sense of applying a penalty to the person who commits it.
The focus of the legislation is on punishing those who force, persuade, or otherwise cause a person to commit Sati, or who try to commit it and fail, or who glorify the practice. The person who dies is not subjected to legal punishment.

14. Under the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, any agreement for giving or tak

Under the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, any agreement for giving or taking dowry shall be

[amp_mcq option1=”voidable at the behest of the bride.” option2=”void.” option3=”valid only to the extent that it is beneficial to the bride.” option4=”valid only if executed within 3 months of the marriage.” correct=”option2″]

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The correct answer is B.
Section 5 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 explicitly states: “Any agreement for the giving or taking of dowry shall be void.”
This provision renders any contract or agreement related to giving or taking dowry legally null and void from the beginning, regardless of the parties involved or conditions attached. This makes options A, C, and D incorrect.

15. Which of the following statements about LaQshya — a Labour Room Qualit

Which of the following statements about LaQshya — a Labour Room Quality Improvement Initiative, launched recently by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, is/are correct ?

  • 1. The initiative plans to conduct quality certification of labour rooms and also to incentivize facilities achieving the targets outlined.
  • 2. The goal of this initiative is to reduce preventable maternal morbidity and mortality, morbidity and stillbirths associated with the care around delivery in Labour Room and Maternity OT.

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 only” option3=”Both 1 and 2″ option4=”Neither 1 nor 2″ correct=”option3″]

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UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2018
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Both statements about LaQshya — a Labour Room Quality Improvement Initiative — are correct. The initiative includes quality certification and incentives, and its primary goal is to reduce preventable maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity around the time of delivery.
– LaQshya was launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to improve the quality of care in labour rooms and maternity operation theatres in public health facilities.
– Statement 1 is correct: The initiative aims for quality certification (using National Quality Assurance Standards – NQAS) and provides incentives to facilities that achieve defined quality targets.
– Statement 2 is correct: The core goal is to reduce preventable maternal mortality and morbidity, as well as stillbirths and newborn morbidity and mortality occurring around the time of delivery, by improving the quality of care provided during this critical period.
The initiative focuses on strengthening existing public health facilities, improving skills of healthcare providers, ensuring availability of essential equipment and drugs, and implementing supportive supervision and monitoring mechanisms to enhance the quality of care provided to pregnant women and newborns.

16. Which one among the following was initiated by Jyotiba Phule?

Which one among the following was initiated by Jyotiba Phule?

[amp_mcq option1=”Satyashodhak Samaj” option2=”Jat-Pat Todak Mandal” option3=”Justice Party” option4=”Harijan Sevak Sangh” correct=”option1″]

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The correct option is A) Satyashodhak Samaj. Jyotiba Phule (also known as Mahatma Phule) was a prominent social reformer from Maharashtra. He founded the Satyashodhak Samaj (Truth-Seekers’ Society) in 1873 with the aim of achieving equal social and economic status for women, Shudras, and Dalits, and opposing the dominance of the Brahminical caste system.
– Jyotiba Phule founded the Satyashodhak Samaj in 1873.
– The Samaj worked for the upliftment of marginalized sections, especially women and lower castes.
Jyotiba Phule and his wife Savitribai Phule were pioneers in promoting education for women and girls in India, opening one of the first schools for girls in Pune in 1848. He is considered a key figure in the social reform movement against caste and gender inequality in India.

17. Vaikom Movement was associated with which one of the following issues?

Vaikom Movement was associated with which one of the following issues?

[amp_mcq option1=”Land rights of the peasants of Kerala” option2=”Temple entry struggle in Kerala” option3=”Rights of fishing community in Karnataka” option4=”Genetically modified crop cultivation in Tamil Nadu” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in
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The correct option is B) Temple entry struggle in Kerala. The Vaikom Movement (Vaikom Satyagraha) took place in 1924-1925 in Travancore (present-day Kerala). It was a non-violent agitation for the right of ‘untouchables’ to use the roads around the Vaikom Mahadeva Temple, which were restricted to upper castes. It was a pioneering movement in the broader struggle for temple entry rights and against caste-based discrimination and untouchability in South India.
– Vaikom Movement occurred in Travancore (Kerala).
– It was a protest against restrictions on ‘untouchables’ using roads around a temple.
– It is considered a key event in the temple entry movement.
Prominent leaders involved included T.K. Madhavan, K.P. Kesava Menon, and George Joseph. Mahatma Gandhi also visited Vaikom and participated in discussions related to the movement. It paved the way for further temple entry movements in Kerala, like the Guruvayoor Satyagraha and the Temple Entry Proclamation of 1936 by the Maharaja of Travancore.

18. What is the name of the Indian community newspaper that is written, ed

What is the name of the Indian community newspaper that is written, edited, produced, marketed and distributed by Indian women since early 2000s?

[amp_mcq option1=”Kalantar” option2=”Usha Kirana” option3=”Uttara Mahila Patrika” option4=”Khabar Lahariya” correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CBI DSP LDCE – 2023
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The correct option is D) Khabar Lahariya. Khabar Lahariya is a unique rural news initiative in India, founded in 2002, that is written, edited, produced, marketed, and distributed entirely by rural women, primarily from marginalized communities. It started as a weekly newspaper and has since evolved into a digital news platform, reporting from various states in local languages and dialects, often covering issues overlooked by mainstream media.
– Khabar Lahariya is a rural newspaper initiative.
– It is run entirely by women from early 2000s.
– It reports on local issues, often from a feminist perspective.
Khabar Lahariya is known for empowering women journalists from rural backgrounds and providing news coverage from grassroots levels, often focusing on social justice, gender equality, and political accountability. It has gained international recognition for its work.

19. Consider the following statements : 1. ‘Right to the City’ is an agr

Consider the following statements :

  • 1. ‘Right to the City’ is an agreed human right and the UN-Habitat monitors the commitments made by each country in this regard.
  • 2. ‘Right to the City’ gives every occupant of the city the right to reclaim public spaces and public participation in the city.
  • 3. ‘Right to the City’ means that the State cannot deny any public service or facility to the unauthorized colonies in the city.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”3 only” option3=”1 and 2″ option4=”2 and 3″ correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2021
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Let’s analyze the statements about the ‘Right to the City’.
Statement 1: While ‘Right to the City’ is not yet a universally codified international human right in the same vein as, say, the right to life or liberty, the concept is gaining traction and is incorporated in international documents like the New Urban Agenda adopted at Habitat III (2016). The New Urban Agenda mentions the ‘Right to the City’ and UN-Habitat is the custodian agency for monitoring progress towards the Agenda’s goals, which align with the principles of inclusive and equitable cities. Given this context, Statement 1 can be considered correct in the sense that it is a recognized concept promoted in UN forums, and UN-Habitat plays a role related to it.
Statement 2: A core aspect of the ‘Right to the City’, as conceptualized by thinkers like Henri Lefebvre and David Harvey, is the right of all urban inhabitants to use, occupy, and produce the city, emphasizing democratic control over urban space and resources, including the right to reclaim public spaces and participate in urban decision-making. Thus, Statement 2 is correct.
Statement 3: The ‘Right to the City’ concept promotes inclusion and equitable access to services for all inhabitants. However, stating that the State “cannot deny any public service or facility to the unauthorized colonies” is an oversimplification and not a universally accepted legal implication of the concept. Provision of services to unauthorized settlements is a complex legal and policy issue and the State’s capacity and obligation often depend on specific national laws and policies, which may distinguish between legal and unauthorized settlements. Thus, Statement 3 is not correct.
Based on the analysis, Statements 1 (interpreted generously in the context of international recognition and UN-Habitat’s role) and 2 are correct, while Statement 3 is incorrect. Therefore, the correct option is C.
– The ‘Right to the City’ is a conceptual framework emphasizing inclusion, participation, and equitable use of urban spaces.
– It advocates for the right of all inhabitants to shape the city and participate in its governance.
– While promoted in international forums like UN-Habitat, its status as a legally binding, universally agreed human right is debated.
– The concept does not automatically grant residents of unauthorized settlements an absolute right to demand all public services regardless of legal status.
The New Urban Agenda (2016) includes language that reflects the principles of the ‘Right to the City’, promoting cities for all and equitable access to urban services. Many civil society organizations and academics advocate for the formal recognition of the ‘Right to the City’ as a human right.

20. With reference to India, the terms ‘Halbi, Ho and Kui’ pertain to

With reference to India, the terms ‘Halbi, Ho and Kui’ pertain to

[amp_mcq option1=”dance forms of Northwest India” option2=”musical instruments” option3=”pre-historic cave paintings” option4=”tribal languages” correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2021
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Option D is the correct answer. Halbi, Ho, and Kui are names of tribal languages spoken in different parts of India, particularly in the central and eastern regions.
India is home to numerous languages, including many tribal languages belonging to different language families. Halbi is an Indo-Aryan language, while Ho belongs to the Munda branch of the Austroasiatic languages, and Kui is a Dravidian language.
These names are specifically associated with linguistic groups and their languages, not dance forms, musical instruments, or pre-historic cave paintings. For example, the Ho people speak the Ho language, and the Kandha people speak the Kui language.
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