Topper’s Copy

GS2

Indian Polity

15 marks

Women’s representation in the Civil Services Examination (CSE) has increased significantly in recent years. Discuss the factors contributing to this rise and analyse its implications for governance and public administration in India.

Student’s Answer

Evaluation by SuperKalam

icon

Score:

9.5/15

0
5
10
15

Demand of the Question

  • Factors contributing to the rise in women's representation in CSE
  • Implications for governance and public administration in India
  • Analysis of the trend and its broader impact

What you wrote:

Women's representation in civil services examination (CSE) has risen from 18% in 2010 to nearly 34% in 2023, reflecting India's evolving socio-economic and gender dynamics.

[GRAPH: A line graph showing "Women in CSE selection". The x-axis shows the years "2010", "2019", and "2023". The y-axis shows percentages starting from 18% in 2010, rising to 24% in 2019, and reaching 34% in 2023. A side box titled "Led by" lists "Education access", "Social awareness", "Policy support", and "Women empowerment".]

Women's representation in civil services examination (CSE) has risen from 18% in 2010 to nearly 34% in 2023, reflecting India's evolving socio-economic and gender dynamics.

[GRAPH: A line graph showing "Women in CSE selection". The x-axis shows the years "2010", "2019", and "2023". The y-axis shows percentages starting from 18% in 2010, rising to 24% in 2019, and reaching 34% in 2023. A side box titled "Led by" lists "Education access", "Social awareness", "Policy support", and "Women empowerment".]

Suggestions to improve:

  • NA

What you wrote:

Factors behind rising women's representation

1. Educational attainment: Female literacy rose to 77% (NFHS-5).

2. Urban coaching ecosystem: Growth of coaching institutes like Vision IAS, Vajiram, etc.

3. Policy Push: Schemes like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and UPSC coaching fee waivers.

4. Changing family norms: Increasing social acceptance of women in leadership roles, parental encouragement in middle-class families.

5. Inspirational role models: UPSC toppers like Shruti Sharma (2021), Ishita Kishore (2022) and Shakti Dubey (2014), etc.

6. Technological inclusions: Internet based mentorship and coaching through AI integrated mentors like SuperKalam IAS create easy, accessible learning spaces.

Factors behind rising women's representation

1. Educational attainment: Female literacy rose to 77% (NFHS-5).

2. Urban coaching ecosystem: Growth of coaching institutes like Vision IAS, Vajiram, etc.

3. Policy Push: Schemes like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and UPSC coaching fee waivers.

4. Changing family norms: Increasing social acceptance of women in leadership roles, parental encouragement in middle-class families.

5. Inspirational role models: UPSC toppers like Shruti Sharma (2021), Ishita Kishore (2022) and Shakti Dubey (2014), etc.

6. Technological inclusions: Internet based mentorship and coaching through AI integrated mentors like SuperKalam IAS create easy, accessible learning spaces.

Suggestions to improve:

  • Could elaborate on economic independence factors (e.g., women's workforce participation rising to 25.3% in 2022-23, providing financial autonomy for exam preparation)
  • Can include reservation policies impact (e.g., 33% reservation for women in Panchayati Raj institutions creating aspirational effect for administrative roles)

What you wrote:

Implications for governance and administration

1. Gender sensitive policy making: Women officers lead programmes like POSHAN Abhiyan, Mission Shakti, ensuring inclusive policy design.

2. Improved service delivery: Female bureaucrats enhance responsiveness in health, education, and welfare sector.

3. Ethical and empathetic administration: Studies show higher emotional intelligence and participatory leadership among women officers.

4. Increased representation: Encourages diversity in decision making, improving legitimacy and trust in governance.

5. Grassroots empowerment: Women in field administration amplify local women's participation in Panchayats and SHGs.

6. Balanced developmental focus: Broader emphasis on social equity, maternal health, and safety initiatives.

[DRAWING: A central bubble labelled "Broader socio-economic impact" has three lines branching out to three other points: "Breaking stereotypes, patriarchal barriers, etc.", "Institutional diversity, empathetic governance", and "Nation building aligning SDG5 and SDG-16".]

Implications for governance and administration

1. Gender sensitive policy making: Women officers lead programmes like POSHAN Abhiyan, Mission Shakti, ensuring inclusive policy design.

2. Improved service delivery: Female bureaucrats enhance responsiveness in health, education, and welfare sector.

3. Ethical and empathetic administration: Studies show higher emotional intelligence and participatory leadership among women officers.

4. Increased representation: Encourages diversity in decision making, improving legitimacy and trust in governance.

5. Grassroots empowerment: Women in field administration amplify local women's participation in Panchayats and SHGs.

6. Balanced developmental focus: Broader emphasis on social equity, maternal health, and safety initiatives.

[DRAWING: A central bubble labelled "Broader socio-economic impact" has three lines branching out to three other points: "Breaking stereotypes, patriarchal barriers, etc.", "Institutional diversity, empathetic governance", and "Nation building aligning SDG5 and SDG-16".]

Suggestions to improve:

  • Could discuss representation in senior positions (e.g., only 18% women in Joint Secretary and above positions, indicating need for sustained career progression support)
  • Can analyze work-life balance initiatives (e.g., maternity leave extensions to 26 weeks, childcare facilities in government offices enabling sustained careers)

What you wrote:

Rising women's representation in the civil services reflects India's progressive social transformation, enriching governance through diversity, empathy, and equity - key pillars of a responsive democratic administration.

Rising women's representation in the civil services reflects India's progressive social transformation, enriching governance through diversity, empathy, and equity - key pillars of a responsive democratic administration.

Suggestions to improve:

  • Can strengthen the conclusion by referencing constitutional goals (e.g., Article 14's equality principle being actualized through diverse administrative representation)
  • Could mention future targets (e.g., achieving 50% women representation in civil services aligning with SDG 5.5 on women's leadership)

Your answer demonstrates strong analytical skills with good use of data and examples. The visual elements enhance comprehension, though some claims could benefit from stronger evidence base.

Marks: 9.5/15

Demand of the Question

  • Factors contributing to the rise in women's representation in CSE
  • Implications for governance and public administration in India
  • Analysis of the trend and its broader impact

What you wrote:

Women's representation in civil services examination (CSE) has risen from 18% in 2010 to nearly 34% in 2023, reflecting India's evolving socio-economic and gender dynamics.

[GRAPH: A line graph showing "Women in CSE selection". The x-axis shows the years "2010", "2019", and "2023". The y-axis shows percentages starting from 18% in 2010, rising to 24% in 2019, and reaching 34% in 2023. A side box titled "Led by" lists "Education access", "Social awareness", "Policy support", and "Women empowerment".]

Women's representation in civil services examination (CSE) has risen from 18% in 2010 to nearly 34% in 2023, reflecting India's evolving socio-economic and gender dynamics.

[GRAPH: A line graph showing "Women in CSE selection". The x-axis shows the years "2010", "2019", and "2023". The y-axis shows percentages starting from 18% in 2010, rising to 24% in 2019, and reaching 34% in 2023. A side box titled "Led by" lists "Education access", "Social awareness", "Policy support", and "Women empowerment".]

Suggestions to improve:

  • NA

More Challenges

View All
  • GS2

    International Relations

    24 Dec, 2025

    India recently signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with Oman. Examine the key features of the India–Oman CEPA and analyse its strategic and economic significance for India’s West Asia trade policy. Also discuss the challenges associated with the agreement.

    View Challenge
  • GS2

    Indian Geography

    Yesterday

    Dense fog episodes are increasingly affecting northern India during winter months. Explain the formation of fog and its major types. Examine the impacts of persistent fog on weather conditions and socio-economic activities in India.

    View Challenge
  • GS2

    Indian Polity

    22 Dec, 2025

    “Recent legislative reforms indicate a shift towards greater foreign participation in strategic sectors.” In this context, examine the objectives of the SHANTI Bill, 2025 and the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and discuss their implications for India’s energy security and financial sector development.

    View Challenge
SuperKalam is your personal mentor for UPSC preparation, guiding you at every step of the exam journey.

Download the App

Get it on Google PlayDownload on the App Store
Follow us

ⓒ Snapstack Technologies Private Limited