📘 Weekly Current Affairs – Page 6

UPSC • IAS • State PSC
Social Justice & Human Development | GS-II Core

GS-II | SOCIAL JUSTICE – CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

1️⃣ Meaning and Importance of Social Justice

Social justice is a foundational principle of the Indian Constitution. It aims to ensure dignity, equality, and opportunities for all sections of society, especially the marginalised and vulnerable.

Unlike formal equality, social justice focuses on substantive equality by addressing historical disadvantages.

Constitutional Basis:

Preamble – Justice (Social, Economic, Political)
Fundamental Rights
Directive Principles of State Policy

Mains Angle:
“Social justice is essential for the stability and legitimacy of a democracy.” Examine in the Indian context.

🏛️ GS-II | WELFARE SCHEMES & INCLUSIVE GOVERNANCE

2️⃣ Evolution of Welfare Schemes in India

India’s welfare framework has evolved from subsidy-based approaches to rights-based and outcome-oriented governance.

Major shifts include:

From universal to targeted welfare
Use of technology for delivery
Emphasis on measurable outcomes

Welfare schemes now aim not just at relief, but at empowerment and capability building.

Mains Angle:
“Indian welfare schemes are increasingly focused on empowerment rather than mere assistance.” Discuss.

3️⃣ Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) & Transparency

The Direct Benefit Transfer mechanism has transformed welfare delivery by reducing leakages and ensuring benefits reach intended beneficiaries.

Advantages of DBT:

Improved transparency
Reduced corruption
Timely transfer of benefits

However, issues such as exclusion errors and digital literacy gaps remain.

Mains Angle:
“DBT is a powerful tool for welfare reform, but not a complete solution.” Analyse.

GS-I & GS-II | WOMEN, CHILDREN & VULNERABLE GROUPS

4️⃣ Women Empowerment & Gender Justice

Women empowerment is central to inclusive development. It involves enhancing women’s agency in social, economic, and political spheres.

Key dimensions include:

Education and skill development
Economic participation
Safety and legal protection
Political representation

Despite progress, challenges such as gender pay gap and unpaid care work persist.

Mains Angle:
“Gender justice is not only a social imperative but an economic necessity.” Discuss.

5️⃣ Child Development & Nutrition

Early childhood development is crucial for long-term human capital formation. Malnutrition adversely affects physical and cognitive development.

Key challenges include:

Stunting and wasting
Inter-generational malnutrition
Regional disparities

A multi-sectoral approach involving health, nutrition, sanitation, and education is required.

Mains Angle:
“Addressing child malnutrition requires convergence of multiple sectors.” Analyse.

📚 GS-II | EDUCATION & HEALTH AS HUMAN DEVELOPMENT PILLARS

6️⃣ Education for Inclusive Growth

Education enhances productivity, social mobility, and democratic participation. Quality education is more important than mere enrolment.

Challenges in education include:

Learning outcomes
Teacher training
Digital divide

Mains Angle:
“Education policy must focus on learning outcomes rather than enrolment ratios.” Discuss.

7️⃣ Public Health & Healthcare Access

Public health is a critical component of human development. A healthy population is essential for economic growth and social stability.

Key issues include:

Affordability of healthcare
Urban-rural health disparities
Preventive healthcare

Strengthening primary healthcare is the most cost-effective strategy.

Mains Angle:
“Preventive healthcare is more effective than curative healthcare.” Examine.

GS-IV | ETHICS & SOCIAL SECTOR GOVERNANCE

8️⃣ Ethics in Welfare Delivery

Implementation of welfare schemes often presents ethical challenges for administrators, including prioritisation, fairness, and accountability.

Core Ethical Values:

Equity
Compassion
Integrity
Responsibility

Ethical governance enhances trust between the state and citizens.

GS-IV Application:
Use examples from welfare delivery in ethics case studies.

✍️ ANSWER WRITING PRACTICE

Q1 (GS-II | 150 words):
Discuss the role of welfare schemes in promoting social justice in India.

Q2 (GS-I | 150 words):
Examine the challenges to women empowerment in contemporary India.

Q3 (GS-IV | 150 words):
How can ethical principles improve the implementation of welfare programmes?

HOW TO USE PAGE 6

Use social justice themes in GS-II answers
Link women & child issues with GS-I society topics
Apply welfare examples in ethics case studies

“Human development is the true measure of national progress.”

— Shaktimatha 369 Learning

📘 Shaktimatha 369 Learning – UPSC Master Library

🗞️ SECTION A: WEEKLY CURRENT AFFAIRS (Pages 1–20)

📌 Conceptual & GS-Wise Analysis

📝 Practice, Tests & Strategy

⚖️ SECTION B: INDIAN CONSTITUTION, GOVERNANCE & ETHICS

🎯 SECTION C: MAINS, ETHICS & REVISION TOOLKIT

Prepared by Shaktimatha 369 Learning
“Depth • Discipline • Democracy”

Tuesday, 6 January 2026