Top 10 Social Issues Topics for Students

The social issues topics for the UPSC exam are unemployment, poverty, gender inequality, illiteracy, religious intolerance, child-labour, women-safety, and overpopulation among others.

The social issues topics for the UPSC exam include gender bias and inequality, unemployment, child labour, corruption, illiteracy, religious disharmony, caste and creed differences, and superstitions. These social issues are recurrent in India since the time India was a British colony.

After 76 years of independence, these social issues are recurrent in India. These topics on social issues are important from the perspective of the UPSC exam. Candidates must take a note of all the topics discussed below.

The term ‘social issues’ implies the problems that are inherent within the society. It could be anything ranging from gender inequality to unemployment. The social issues can be said to be a condition that is detrimental in nature, to society and the individual. These are undesirable happenings within the society that need rectification.

The social issues that are prevalent in India include such issues as gender distinction, untouchability, caste differences, religious intolerance, sexual abuse, illiteracy, corruption and a lot more. The socio-economic problems that were common when India was a British colony, are prevalent till today.

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While India became independent 76 years ago, the socio-economic issues have remained persistent throughout. The most common social issues faced by the Indians have been listed below:

1. Corruption

This is one of the most prevalent social issues. Corruption is a problem that looms large in Indian society. This vice is present in almost all spheres, starting from the political issues to the workplace issues. Money laundering and scams are the most heard-of news in the present times.

2. Gender Inequality

This is one of the social issues topics that are important from the UPSC exam point of view. Gender bias and gender inequality is a major problem that is being addressed, but at a very slow pace. While equality is present in the papers, the reality is very different. A number of campaigns vouching for gender equality are emerging in the present times. However, the inherent difference in thought doesn't seem to go away. The gender-bias and gap can only be reduced once society changes its outlook.

There is yet another gender inequality that plays when it comes to the third gender. There is still a very small number of organisations and workplaces giving an option for the third gender. Their social acceptance is also very low. These social issues need to be addressed to clean the society of the evil of gender inequality.

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3. Population

One of the major social issues topics is the population of India. The country is teeming with overpopulation. This is also one of the root causes of unemployment. Population is exploding. Awareness campaigns are being arranged to make people understand the evils of overpopulation. However, despite all such campaigns and measures, there has been very little improvement. Overpopulation is the biggest hurdle in the country’s progress.

4. Unemployment

Unemployment has a direct impact on the progress of the society and the nation as a whole. The most eminent reason, which is also one of the major social issues topics, is the lack of opportunities. The work opportunity is not evenly distributed. There are privileged classes that enjoy all the benefits at the cost of other classes.

The public sector and government sector jobs must be increased to meet the population. The unemployment rate in India, as of June 2023, was 8.16% as per the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy. Steps must be taken to eradicate the major problem of unemployment.

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5. Women’s Safety

This is another of the major social issues topics. The safety of women has always been a question in the country. With so much development in the other fields of life, the safety issue remains dormant. Till the present time, most of the places are not considered safe for women.

The number of women-abuse and physical abuse cases are on the rise. Almost every day, a new rape case comes up. A number of women-centric schemes have been introduced. There is a constant effort to safeguard women, but the effort is not very effective. While the living standards of women have somewhat improved in the urban areas, the condition in the remote areas or villages is appalling. This issue needs immediate addressing.

6. Poverty

Poverty refers to the availability of financial resources to sustain a basic living, which include the most basic needs of life. This is one of the major social issues topics. Poverty is, in fact, the biggest problem that country has to reckon with. The division of wealth among the citizens has a major impact on the status of the country. The financial resources are not equally divided.

7. Illiteracy

Literacy rates are good in the city, but in the remote areas and villages, the rate of illiteracy is higher. Child-labour in the villages and remote areas as well as the city suburbs is one of the biggest reasons contributing to the problem. The number of schools and colleges in the suburbs and villages is not adequate. This has an impact on the literacy rate directly.

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8. Healthcare

The healthcare care system also needs to be improved in all parts of the country. Though the healthcare system is very good and is equipped with all the modern technologies in the cities and metropolitan areas, the healthcare system is not adequate in the other parts of the country. This is yet another among the major social issues topics to be addressed.

9. Violence

This is one major social vice that must be corrected. Violence in all forms is gaining prominence. Violence during the elections, during a protest-rally, or in a political rally, can be seen every now and then. In fact, violence has become a part of the protests shown by the student-unions in the colleges and universities.

10. Child-Abuse

The rate of child-abuse has grown in the present times. Child- abuse refers to every form of abuse including psychological, sexual, or physical abuse. The maltreatment of a child in any form is considered an abuse on the child. There are rights protecting the child, for example, POCSO against sexual abuse. Despite all the rights and acts to protect the children, the cases of child abuse are only rising.

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The students must prepare themselves with social issues topics for essays. Both at the secondary and higher secondary school levels as well as for the UPSC exams, the social issues topics are important. Listed down are 100 top social issues topics for the students to prepare for the exams: