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General Studies 2026 GS Paper II 10 marks 150 words Compulsory Discuss

GS Paper II — Q2

"Women as a class neither belong to a minority group nor are they regarded as forming a backward class." In the light of this…

"Women as a class neither belong to a minority group nor are they regarded as forming a backward class." In the light of this statement, discuss the evolution of women's reservation from local bodies to Parliament. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

“एक वर्ग के रूप में महिलाएँ न तो किसी अल्पसंख्यक समूह का अंग हैं और न ही वे पिछड़ा वर्ग बनाती मानी जाती हैं।” इस कथन के प्रकाश में, स्थानीय निकायों से संसद तक में महिला आरक्षण के क्रमिक विकास की विवेचना कीजिए। (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए)

Q2 of the 2026 UPSC Mains General Studies GS Paper II, as printed
The question as printed in the 2026 General Studies paper
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Model answer

Written by UPSC Answer Check against this question's marking rubric, to the 150-word length. UPSC does not publish answers for Mains — this is one way to score well, not an official key.

The premise separates women from minority and backward-class claims under Articles 15(4) and 16(4); Article 15(3) permits special provisions, but political reservation flows from amendments. The 73rd and 74th Amendments (1992) inserted Articles 243D and 243T, reserving one-third of Panchayat and municipal seats for women. Parliament’s reservation was long pending: the Women’s Reservation Bill, examined by the Geeta Mukherjee Committee (1996), made recommendations for amendments, including OBC sub-reservation, yet lapsed repeatedly. The 106th Amendment (Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023) inserted Articles 330A and 332A, reserving one-third Lok Sabha and State Assembly seats for women, with one-third of SC/ST-reserved seats for SC/ST women. Enforcement awaits delimitation after the next Census. The need for OBC women’s sub-quotas, and the adequacy of SC/ST women’s sub-quota, remains contested; Indra Sawhney’s backward-class test cautions against treating women as a backward class. Thus, the evolution shows constitutional recognition, but implementation and internal equity remain unfinished.

What "Discuss" is asking you to do

Lay the issue out from more than one side — how it arose, what is claimed for it, what is held against it, and where it now stands. UPSC attaches discuss to broad topics with several live dimensions, so coverage of the dimensions earns more than the strength of your opinion.

Structure that answers it

Set the issue up → the case as it is made → the case against → the dimension both sides leave out → where the balance now lies

Where marks are lost

Listing facts with no thread between them, or arguing one side throughout and calling it a discussion.

All UPSC directive words, compared →

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

Framework: Constitutional Evolution & Representation. discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close Full marks: Precise timeline of Amendments with constitutional logic.

Key points expected

  • 73rd/74th Amendments (1992)
  • 106th Amendment (2010)
  • 106th Amendment (2023)
  • Women as a distinct class

Evaluation rubric

Each sub-part is marked on its own, against the marks and word limit printed on the paper.

  1. The answer Trace the legislative journey of women's reservation from Panchayats to Parliament.  · 150 words

    discuss— intro → 3-4 dimensions → example → balanced close

    Must cover

    • 73rd/74th Amendments (1992) local body reservation
    • 106th Amendment (2010) Rajya Sabha 1/3rd
    • 106th Amendment (2023) Lok Sabha 1/3rd
    • Constitutional logic: women as distinct class

    Loses marks

    • Reciting Articles without linking to evolution
    • Ignoring the 'minority/backward class' context
    • Ending without a forward-looking reform note

    Earns more

    • Mention of 1996/1997 Bills (stalled)
    • Reference to 'Constitutional Morality' argument
    • Distinction between 'minority' and 'class' status
    • Mention of 2023 Presidential Assent

    Extra mark

    • 2nd ARC recommendation on women's representation
    • Supreme Court judgment on reservation validity

Practice this exact question

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