General Studies 2023 GS Paper I 10 marks 150 words Compulsory Explain

Q9

Explain why suicide among young women is increasing in Indian society. (Answer in 150 words) 10

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

भारतीय समाज में नवयुवतियों में आत्महत्या क्यों बढ़ रही है? स्पष्ट कीजिए। (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए)

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Directive word: Explain

This question asks you to explain. The directive word signals the depth of analysis expected, the structure of your answer, and the weight of evidence you must bring.

See our UPSC directive words guide for a full breakdown of how to respond to each command word.

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

The directive 'explain' requires establishing causal relationships and demonstrating how multiple factors interact to produce the outcome. Structure: brief context-setting introduction → 2-3 thematic paragraphs covering structural, familial, and digital-age factors → conclusion with policy pointers. Prioritize depth over breadth given the 150-word constraint.

Key points expected

Patriarchal family structures and dowry-related harassment as persistent stressors
Educational attainment-job market mismatch creating aspirational frustration
Social media-induced comparison culture and cyberbullying among young women
Mental health stigma and poor access to counseling services in semi-urban/rural areas
Economic precarity and delayed marriage pressures in changing social contexts

Evaluation rubric

Dimension	Weight	Max marks	Excellent	Average	Poor
Demand-directive understanding	20%	2	Answer explicitly unpacks causal mechanisms (why X leads to Y) rather than merely listing factors; distinguishes correlation from causation in suicide trends	Lists relevant factors but treats them as standalone points without showing interconnections or causal chains	Describes suicide statistics or merely lists problems without addressing the 'why' of increasing trends
Content depth & accuracy	20%	2	Covers structural (patriarchy), economic (aspiration-reality gap), and technological (social media) dimensions with precise terminology like 'anomic suicide' or 'status frustration'	Mentions 2-3 correct factors but lacks specificity or conflates young women with general female suicide patterns	Relies on outdated stereotypes or confuses causes with symptoms; includes medically inaccurate claims about suicide methods
Structure & flow	20%	2	Logical progression from macro (societal) to micro (individual) factors or vice versa; smooth transitions between paragraphs; adheres to 150-word limit precisely	Readable but uneven weightage—either over-expands on one factor or rushes through multiple points without development	Disjointed listing without thematic grouping; significant deviation from word limit (±30 words)
Examples / case-law / data	20%	2	Cites NCRB 2022 data showing 15-29 age group female suicide rates; references specific phenomena like 'Bois Locker Room' case or dowry death linkages; mentions states with highest incidence (Sikkim, Maharashtra)	Vague reference to 'rising statistics' without specific year or source; generic mention of dowry deaths without connecting to young women specifically	No data or examples; or irrelevant examples (e.g., farmer suicides, male suicide rates) that don't address the question's focus
Conclusion & analytical edge	20%	2	Ends with integrated multi-level response (family counseling, digital literacy, Mental Healthcare Act 2017 implementation) and recognizes suicide as structural violence indicator, not merely individual pathology	Standard recommendation of 'awareness and helplines' without specificity; no recognition of systemic dimensions	Moralistic conclusion blaming victims or families; or abrupt ending without any forward-looking element

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