This chapter asks two questions: what role do women play in Indian society and economy, and how have women organised to change their position? It links Indian Society (GS I) to social justice (GS II) and to the economy (GS III, female labour force participation).

What UPSC asks. Mains GS I regularly asks about women’s organisations, the feminisation of agriculture or poverty, and the effects of globalisation on women. Prelims asks laws, constitutional provisions (Articles 15(3), 39(d), 42, 243D) and schemes, usually through a current event.

Key sub-topics

Sub-topic	What to know
Status of women	Sex ratio, literacy, work participation, health — with dated sources
Women’s movement	Reform era, nationalist era, autonomous movement after 1970s
Women’s organisations	WIA (1917), AIWC (1927), SEWA (1972), self-help groups
Legal framework	Dowry, domestic violence, workplace harassment, maternity benefit
Political representation	73rd/74th Amendments; 106th Amendment (2023)
Schemes	Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, PMMVY, Mission Shakti, DAY-NRLM

Read the topic page first, then the revision sheet and the practice set.