UPSC Mains 2024 GS4 Q12 — Gender and Probity
"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. (Answer in 150 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- Examinesuggest
- Scope keywords
- Indian culture and value systemgender identitygender-specific challengesfemale public servantsincrease their efficiencymaintaining high standards of probity
- Implicit sub-parts
- Reconciliation of traditional cultural claims of equality with the ground reality of gendered barriers.
- Analysis of structural and psychological hurdles unique to women in the bureaucratic hierarchy.
- Specific interventions required to balance efficiency with ethical conduct/integrity (probity) under pressure.
- The role of organizational culture in facilitating or hindering female leadership in public service.
- Common pitfalls
- Writing a generic essay on women empowerment rather than focusing on 'public servants'.
- Ignoring the 'probity' aspect of the question, which specifically links gender challenges to ethical standards.
- Failure to critique the introductory premise about 'Indian culture providing equal opportunity' against current societal patriarchy.
- Listing basic infrastructure needs (like toilets) while ignoring systemic issues like the 'double burden' or 'old boys' networks' in decision-making.
- Dimensions required
- Sociological (Patriarchal mindsets)Organizational/Administrative (Workplace environment)Ethical/Integrity (Probity and accountability)Legal/Policy (Maternity benefits, Vishaka guidelines)
- Marks allocation hint
Allocate roughly 30 words to briefly acknowledge the culture-reality gap. Dedicate 60 words to the 'examine' part focusing on specific challenges like the double burden and glass ceilings. Use the remaining 60 words for 'measures,' ensuring a clear link between those measures and the specific outcomes of 'efficiency' and 'probity' as required by the prompt.
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