Women's Empowerment — Historical Phases, Barriers, Reservations, Laws

What should you study in Women's Empowerment?

• Historical phases — Brahmo Samaj, Arya Samaj, anti-Sati movement
• Post-independence — legal reforms (HMA 1955, Succession Act)
• Contemporary — MeToo, domestic violence, workplace harassment (POSH Act)
• Political representation — reservation debate, Women's Reservation Act 2023

How often is Women's Empowerment asked in UPSC Mains?

Asked in 5 of 10 years, including 2 of the last 5. Highlighted years below are the ones it appeared in.

1. 2016: asked
2. 2017: asked
3. 2018: not asked
4. 2019: asked
5. 2020: not asked
6. 2021: asked
7. 2022: not asked
8. 2023: asked
9. 2024: not asked
10. 2025: not asked

About the Mains GS Paper I paper

GS Paper I is a 250-mark descriptive Mains paper covering Indian heritage and culture, history and geography of the world, and society. See all 41 Mains GS Paper I topics.

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