Social Issues & Schemes

Explore UPSC Current Affairs articles related to Social Issues & Schemes.

Population and Associated Issues Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors

Usage of LPG, smartphones among details to be sought during census, Pg6

RGI notifies 33 items for Census 2027, including LPG/PNG usage, smartphone access, and housing materials, enhancing data-driven governance.

Population and Associated Issues Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors

23 Jan, 2026

Usage of LPG, smartphones among details to be sought during census, Pg6

RGI notifies 33 items for Census 2027, including LPG/PNG usage, smartphone access, and housing materials, enhancing data-driven governance.

23 Jan, 2026

Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors Health Sector Conservation, Pollution and Degradation

Sports alarm bells: Toxic outdoors, no weather-proof indoors, IOC takes note, Pg1

Toxic air and extreme heat jeopardize Indian athletes' training, raising concerns for 2036 Olympics bid and performance.

Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors Health Sector Conservation, Pollution and Degradation

23 Jan, 2026

Sports alarm bells: Toxic outdoors, no weather-proof indoors, IOC takes note, Pg1

Toxic air and extreme heat jeopardize Indian athletes' training, raising concerns for 2036 Olympics bid and performance.

23 Jan, 2026

Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors Health Sector Important International Institutions, Agencies and Fora Science and Technology in Everyday Life

Lancet experts call for a ‘citizen-centric’ healthcare delivery and use of technology, Pg12

Lancet commission advocates citizen-centric, integrated healthcare via public financing, technology, and empowered local governance for universal coverage in India.

Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors Health Sector Important International Institutions, Agencies and Fora Science and Technology in Everyday Life

22 Jan, 2026

Lancet experts call for a ‘citizen-centric’ healthcare delivery and use of technology, Pg12

Lancet commission advocates citizen-centric, integrated healthcare via public financing, technology, and empowered local governance for universal coverage in India.

22 Jan, 2026

Parliament and State Legislatures Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors Vulnerable Sections

‘Freebies’ different from public welfare investment, says SC, Pg10

Supreme Court distinguishes between welfare investments and irrational freebies, emphasizing state's obligation towards developmental Directive Principles of State Policy.

Parliament and State Legislatures Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors Vulnerable Sections

22 Jan, 2026

‘Freebies’ different from public welfare investment, says SC, Pg10

Supreme Court distinguishes between welfare investments and irrational freebies, emphasizing state's obligation towards developmental Directive Principles of State Policy.

22 Jan, 2026

Urbanization, Problems and Remedies Changes in Critical Geographical Features, Water Bodies, Ice Caps, Flora and Fauna Disaster and Disaster Management

Study shows India’s deltas sinking due to human activity, PgII

Indian river deltas sinking rapidly due to human activities like groundwater extraction and urbanization, exacerbating flood risks and land loss.

Urbanization, Problems and Remedies Changes in Critical Geographical Features, Water Bodies, Ice Caps, Flora and Fauna Disaster and Disaster Management

22 Jan, 2026

Study shows India’s deltas sinking due to human activity, PgII

Indian river deltas sinking rapidly due to human activities like groundwater extraction and urbanization, exacerbating flood risks and land loss.

22 Jan, 2026

Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors Vulnerable Sections

Lowering the age of juvenility for crimes is a step back, Pg6

Proposed Juvenile Justice Act amendment seeks to lower juvenility age to 14, raising concerns about child rights and rehabilitation.

Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors Vulnerable Sections

22 Jan, 2026

Lowering the age of juvenility for crimes is a step back, Pg6

Proposed Juvenile Justice Act amendment seeks to lower juvenility age to 14, raising concerns about child rights and rehabilitation.

22 Jan, 2026

Women and Women's Organizations Separation of Powers and Dispute Redressal Mechanisms Vulnerable Sections

Why HC ordered release of trafficking victim from protective home, Pg19

Bombay HC upholds constitutional liberty, releases trafficking victim; emphasizes rehabilitation over confinement under Immoral Traffic Prevention Act.

Women and Women's Organizations Separation of Powers and Dispute Redressal Mechanisms Vulnerable Sections

22 Jan, 2026

Why HC ordered release of trafficking victim from protective home, Pg19

Bombay HC upholds constitutional liberty, releases trafficking victim; emphasizes rehabilitation over confinement under Immoral Traffic Prevention Act.

22 Jan, 2026

Population and Associated Issues Vulnerable Sections Education Sector

Nation's future starts with child's early learning, Pg13

India prioritizes early childhood education and foundational literacy through anganwadis, balvatikas, and NIPUN Bharat mission for enhanced human capital.

Population and Associated Issues Vulnerable Sections Education Sector

22 Jan, 2026

Nation's future starts with child's early learning, Pg13

India prioritizes early childhood education and foundational literacy through anganwadis, balvatikas, and NIPUN Bharat mission for enhanced human capital.

22 Jan, 2026

Education Sector India and its Neighbourhood Relations Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements

Enhancing China-India youth ties, Pg9

China emphasizes youth engagement for stronger Sino-Indian ties amidst growing trade and cultural exchanges post-pandemic, aiming for mutual growth.

Education Sector India and its Neighbourhood Relations Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements

21 Jan, 2026

Enhancing China-India youth ties, Pg9

China emphasizes youth engagement for stronger Sino-Indian ties amidst growing trade and cultural exchanges post-pandemic, aiming for mutual growth.

21 Jan, 2026

Women and Women's Organizations Structure and Functioning of Executive and Judiciary Representation of the People's Act

Augean mess, Pg8

Supreme Court intervenes as ECI's electoral roll 'cleaning' faces scrutiny over flawed processes and potential voter disenfranchisement across multiple states.

Women and Women's Organizations Structure and Functioning of Executive and Judiciary Representation of the People's Act

21 Jan, 2026

Augean mess, Pg8

Supreme Court intervenes as ECI's electoral roll 'cleaning' faces scrutiny over flawed processes and potential voter disenfranchisement across multiple states.

21 Jan, 2026

Education Sector Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements

UK govt plans to increase education exports, India among five focus countries, Pg6

UK aims to boost education exports to £40 billion by 2030, focusing on India and four other nations.

Education Sector Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements

21 Jan, 2026

UK govt plans to increase education exports, India among five focus countries, Pg6

UK aims to boost education exports to £40 billion by 2030, focusing on India and four other nations.

21 Jan, 2026

Poverty and Developmental Issues Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors Vulnerable Sections Health Sector

The gutkha nation and the welfare state, Pg11

HCES 2023-24 reveals alarming rise in tobacco consumption, especially gutkha, among poorer households, straining public healthcare and social welfare goals.

Poverty and Developmental Issues Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors Vulnerable Sections Health Sector

21 Jan, 2026

The gutkha nation and the welfare state, Pg11

HCES 2023-24 reveals alarming rise in tobacco consumption, especially gutkha, among poorer households, straining public healthcare and social welfare goals.

21 Jan, 2026

Vulnerable Sections E Governance

New portal, software, AI-powered translation: EPFO 3.0 coming soon, Pg1

EPFO 3.0 to launch with AI translation, new portal, and software for better services and expanded reach.

Vulnerable Sections E Governance

21 Jan, 2026

New portal, software, AI-powered translation: EPFO 3.0 coming soon, Pg1

EPFO 3.0 to launch with AI translation, new portal, and software for better services and expanded reach.

21 Jan, 2026

Separation of Powers and Dispute Redressal Mechanisms Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors Education Sector

SC backs fee-cap law, says pvt schools fees 'phenomenally high', Pg3

Supreme Court upholds Delhi's fee-cap law for private schools, cautions against hurried implementation affecting school viability.

Separation of Powers and Dispute Redressal Mechanisms Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors Education Sector

20 Jan, 2026

SC backs fee-cap law, says pvt schools fees 'phenomenally high', Pg3

Supreme Court upholds Delhi's fee-cap law for private schools, cautions against hurried implementation affecting school viability.

20 Jan, 2026

Health Sector Biotechnology Intellectual Property Rights, IPR

Blockbuster drug, proven against a range of cancers, may get much cheaper, Pg17

Delhi HC allows Zydus to produce cheaper Nivolumab biosimilar, potentially cutting cancer treatment costs by 70% after patent expiry.

Health Sector Biotechnology Intellectual Property Rights, IPR

20 Jan, 2026

Blockbuster drug, proven against a range of cancers, may get much cheaper, Pg17

Delhi HC allows Zydus to produce cheaper Nivolumab biosimilar, potentially cutting cancer treatment costs by 70% after patent expiry.

20 Jan, 2026

Union State Relations and Federal Structure Vulnerable Sections Government Budgeting

Tax cuts leave governments little room for welfare spending, Pg11

Tax cuts constrain government finances, limiting welfare spending despite expanded tax base and competitive populism, impacting future fiscal policies.

Union State Relations and Federal Structure Vulnerable Sections Government Budgeting

20 Jan, 2026

Tax cuts leave governments little room for welfare spending, Pg11

Tax cuts constrain government finances, limiting welfare spending despite expanded tax base and competitive populism, impacting future fiscal policies.

20 Jan, 2026

Structure and Functioning of Executive and Judiciary Health Sector Education Sector

Fill vacant faculty positions within 4 months: SC, Pg10

Supreme Court mandates filling faculty vacancies in 4 months, addressing student suicides, and improving mental health support in HEIs.

Structure and Functioning of Executive and Judiciary Health Sector Education Sector

19 Jan, 2026

Fill vacant faculty positions within 4 months: SC, Pg10

Supreme Court mandates filling faculty vacancies in 4 months, addressing student suicides, and improving mental health support in HEIs.

19 Jan, 2026

Poverty and Developmental Issues Social Empowerment, Communalism, Regionalism and Secularism Union State Relations and Federal Structure Vulnerable Sections

How should India tackle child trafficking?, Pg8

Supreme Court mandates strict guidelines to combat child trafficking, highlighting fundamental rights violations and socio-economic vulnerabilities, demanding stringent law enforcement.

Poverty and Developmental Issues Social Empowerment, Communalism, Regionalism and Secularism Union State Relations and Federal Structure Vulnerable Sections

19 Jan, 2026

How should India tackle child trafficking?, Pg8

Supreme Court mandates strict guidelines to combat child trafficking, highlighting fundamental rights violations and socio-economic vulnerabilities, demanding stringent law enforcement.

19 Jan, 2026

Structure and Functioning of Executive and Judiciary Education Sector