UPSC Mains 2024 GS4 Q6a: model answer
“In Indian culture and value system, an equal opportunity has been provided irrespective of gender identity. The number of women in public service has been steadily increasing over the years.” Examine the gender-specific challenges faced by female public servants and suggest suitable measures to increase their efficiency in discharging their duties and maintaining high standards of probity.
What the question wants
Challenges women officers face and measures to help them.
How to structure it
Intro: women's growing share in services. Body: (1) workplace challenges (bias, harassment, postings); (2) family and social challenges; (3) infrastructure gaps; (4) measures. Conclusion.
- 1(1) workplace challenges (bias, harassment, postings)
- 2(2) family and social challenges
- 3(3) infrastructure gaps
- 4(4) measures
Model answer
Women made up a record share of toppers in recent Civil Services results, yet they remain about 13% of IAS officers and around 12% of police personnel.
Challenges
- Stereotypes: being kept from 'tough' field postings; authority questioned by subordinates and public.
- Sexual harassment and weak complaints committees.
- Work-family burden; transfers that ignore family needs.
- Lack of toilets, crèches and safe housing in field postings.
- Pressure from political and social networks dominated by men.
Measures
- Effective Internal Committees under the POSH Act, 2013.
- Child care leave (730 days), crèches, flexible postings for couples.
- Gender-sensitisation of colleagues; mentoring networks.
- Equal access to key posts; data on postings by gender.
- Integrity training and support systems so women are not isolated when refusing pressure.
Supportive workplaces let women officers serve with both efficiency and probity.
Keywords, cases and data to drop in
POSH Act child care leave glass ceiling mentoring gender sensitisation
Where most answers lose marks
- Implying women are less efficient.
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Question text as printed in the official UPSC question paper: https://www.upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/QP_CSM_2024_GenStud_IV_03102024.pdf The model answer is original Battle IAS work; use it to learn structure, not to memorise.