Chapter 1: Social Issues in Indian Society
The social issues in India include the complex blending of various cultures, people, faiths,
and languages that may have originated anywhere but are now a part of one large country.
Due to its depth and diversity, Indian society gives off a distinct sense of a prospering and
varied cultural nation. But along with such complexity comes a complicated environment of
societal issues and challenges.
A variety of social issues in India must be adequately addressed if social and economic
fairness is to be ensured for all citizens. The founders of India wanted to address the
socioeconomic issues facing the nation through the constitution.
Poverty:
A significant portion of India's population lives in poverty. Although the economy has clearly shown
evidence of growth over the past 20 years, this growth has not been uniforming across all industries or
regions. Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have slower growth rates than Gujarat and Delhi. Nearly half of the
population lacks access to adequate sanitation facilities, adequate roads, and a secondary school in their
villages. Communities also lack a reliable water source. The system of government subsidies which has
leaks in the distribution network, worsens and further complicates the issue.
Poverty and economic inequality are pervasive issues that significantly impact the quality of life for
many Indians. The rural-urban divide further exacerbates these disparities, with rural areas often lacking
access to essential services and opportunities. Child labor, a byproduct of poverty and lack of education,
deprives millions of children of their childhood and future prospects. Despite legislative measures, child
labor remains a persistent problem in various industries and informal sectors.
Millions of people, especially in rural areas, live below the poverty line, lacking access to basic
necessities such as food, clean water, and sanitation. Economic disparities between urban and rural
areas, as well as among different social groups, contribute to social tensions and hinder inclusive
development.
According to the World Bank, if a person is living on $1.90 a day or less, then he/she is living in extreme
poverty, and currently, 767 million people in the world fall under that category. According to the last
released official data, in 2011, 268 million people in India were surviving on less than $1.90 a day.
Various Programmes and Schemes under the Government of India were launched to eradicate poverty
and to provide basic amenities to poor households.
Unemployment:
High unemployment rates, especially among the youth, pose a significant challenge. A mismatch
between the skills of the workforce and the demands of the job market exacerbates the problem,
leading to underemployment and job insecurity.
Unemployment is a significant issue in India, with 31 million jobless people reported by the government
in September 2018. Digital manufacturing and automation are also contributing factors. Unemployment
rates dropped to 6.5% in January 2021 but surged to 14.45% during the pandemic's second wave in May
2021, staying high at 13.62% in early June 2021.
Unemployment in India is driven by a combination of restrictive and complex labour laws, slow industrial
growth, technological changes leading to automation, and a mismatch between education and job
market needs. Rapid population growth exacerbates the issue, as job creation lags behind the influx of
new job seekers. Additionally, inadequate infrastructure and uneven economic reforms contribute to
regional disparities in employment opportunities. The COVID-19 pandemic further worsened the
situation, causing significant job losses. Comprehensive labour market reforms and policies that foster
job creation and skills development are essential to address these challenges.
Overpopulation:
India's population growth has been significantly influenced by increased life expectancy and a
declining death rate. While the birth rate has decreased from 42 per thousand in 1951-61 to 24.8
per thousand in 2011, the death rate has also declined sharply from 42.6 per thousand in 1901-
1911 to 8.5 per thousand in 2001-2011. This reduction in the death rate, without a corresponding
significant decrease in the birth rate, has led to rapid population growth. The lack of effective family
planning further exacerbates this issue, as many people, especially those who are illiterate, are
unaware of the benefits of family planning and the adverse effects of overpopulation.
Early marriage remains a major social issue in India, contributing to higher fertility rates
and infant mortality. Many young boys and girls are married before they are socially,
emotionally, physically, and mentally ready to handle family responsibilities. This practice,
coupled with high illiteracy rates, perpetuates a cycle of poverty and overpopulation.
Uneducated families often fail to understand the impact of a growing population and are
less aware of contraceptive methods and birth control measures. This ignorance is
compounded by the low status of women, who have little say in family planning decisions.
Overpopulation in India significantly strains natural resources, leading to malnutrition,
starvation, pollution, and deforestation. It exacerbates poverty by perpetuating illiteracy
and unemployment, widening the wealth gap between the rich and poor. Additionally,
overpopulation drives migration as people seek better opportunities elsewhere, impacting
cultural and economic dynamics. This population pressure results in various issues
including food and housing shortages, the spread of infectious diseases, urban slums,
environmental degradation, political instability, and social corruption.
Education System :
The Indian Education System has its share of issues and challenges which need to be resolved to
provide better and improved education to children, who are the future of the country. Over the
years, a lot has changed in the Indian education system but still, there are many loopholes and
problems which need to be resolved.
India's education system faces several challenges that need urgent attention. One major issue is the
insufficient expenditure on education, which hampers the development of educational
infrastructure and quality. Although recent steps have been taken to improve funding, sustained
efforts are necessary to overcome existing hurdles. Additionally, adopting the UN's gross enrolment
pattern could help in tracking and improving student enrolment rates across the country.
Improving infrastructure, especially in government and rural schools, is crucial for enhancing the
quality of education. The government is focusing on digital education, but this requires adequate
facilities and resources in underprivileged areas. The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model could
be a viable solution, fostering innovation and development in the school system. Schools should
also maximize students' potential by encouraging creativity and ensuring their ideas are valued and
nurtured.
The student-teacher ratio is another critical issue, with a shortage of qualified teachers to meet the
educational demands of the growing student population. Improving this ratio is essential for
providing quality education. Moreover, addressing issues like accreditation and quality standards is
necessary to ensure educational excellence. Many Indian students opt to study abroad due to these
systemic issues, highlighting the need for reforms to retain talent within the country and empower
India through their knowledge and skills.
Women Safety:
Women safety issues in India stem from deep-rooted patriarchal norms that view women as
inferior to men, leading to widespread discrimination and violence. Cultural and social practices
such as dowry, child marriage, and honor killings perpetuate gender-based violence, while
traditional beliefs often go unchallenged, further entrenching these harmful norms.
The lack of education and awareness among women, particularly in rural areas, exacerbates their
vulnerability to exploitation and abuse. Ineffective law enforcement, characterized by delayed
justice, corruption, and insensitivity among officers, fails to provide adequate protection to women.
Additionally, economic dependence on male relatives traps many women in abusive situations,
limiting their ability to seek help and leave unsafe environments.
Public safety concerns, including unsafe public transportation, poorly lit streets, and inadequate
police presence, contribute to the unsafe environment for women. Media representation often
reinforces harmful stereotypes and objectification, normalizing violence and harassment against
women. Moreover, the lack of support systems such as shelters, counseling services, and hotlines
makes it difficult for women to escape dangerous situations and seek assistance.
Underrepresentation of women in political and decision-making positions means that women's
issues are often not prioritized in policy-making. Greater political representation could lead to
more effective legislation and implementation. Additionally, social stigma discourages victims from
reporting crimes and seeking help, as they fear being ostracized or blamed for the violence.
Addressing these issues through education, economic empowerment, legal reforms, and changing
societal attitudes is crucial for improving women's safety in India.
Caste System:
Despite legal measures, the caste system continues to influence social dynamics in India.
Discrimination and untouchability practices still exist, affecting the social and economic mobility of
lower-caste individuals.
Caste-based discrimination in India is rooted in a centuries-old social hierarchy that has
perpetuated deep-seated inequalities. The caste system, formalized during ancient times, divided
society into hierarchical groups, with higher castes enjoying privileges and lower castes facing
systematic discrimination. This historical legacy is reinforced through cultural practices and
religious beliefs that justify and perpetuate caste-based inequalities. Economic disparities further
exacerbate the situation, as lower castes often face limited access to resources and opportunities,
reinforcing their marginalized status..
Many political parties in India have indulged in caste-based votebank politics. Parties such
as Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), the Samajwadi Party and the Janata Dal claim that they are
representing the backward castes, and rely on OBC support, often in alliance with Dalit and Muslim
support, to win elections. On the other hand, the Hindu right has also at times courted controversy
over its own caste-based appeals, for example in 2020 when BJP MP (Member of
Parliament) Pragya Singh Thakur came under fire for comments she made about Shudras during an
address to a caste body called the 'Kshatriya Mahasabha'.
Caste-related violence in India has occurred and continues to occur in various forms.
In September 2020, a dalit girl in Hathras district of Uttar
Pradesh was allegedly murdered by 4 men
from Thakur caste. According to victim's family, the girl was
Hathras gang raped by Thakurs of the Village and in order to
Uttar Pradesh, Hathras
gang rape eliminate the evidences her backbone was broken and the
district
& murder tongue was cut by the perpetrators. The girl has confessed
the same on a video shot inside the Hospital. The Police
secretly burned her dead body at midnight without
conducting any Post Mortem Test.
1948 Anti- Maharashtra After assassination of Mahatma Gandhi by Nathuram
Brahmin Godse who was a Chitpavan Brahmin, Marathi
riots Brahmins were targeted by people from the Maratha caste.
Later, Jains and Lingayats also attacked innocent Brahmins.
Several incidents of burning of homes were reported.[
