PYQ Vault · Paper 1 · Statutory & Constitutional Bodies

Discuss, in brief, the role of the National Commission for women. Do you think it is a toothless organization?

How the answer moves

The flow snapshot — the routes in, the body, the counter-view and the routes out.

Flow snapshot — how the answer moves
Intro routes

Route 1 constitutional gap Arts 14, 15(3), 21 promise equality, no permanent monitor NCW fills it (statutory, 1990 Act, est. 1992)

Route 2 women’s question vanished post-Independence (Mazumdar) institutional guardian needed

Body flow

reviews safeguards + recommends reforms complaint/counselling cells + Parivarik Mahila Lok Adalats civil court powers + suo motu shaped DV Act 2005 / workplace harassment law

Counter-view

“toothless” charge recommendations non-binding no power to punish appointments + funds with Centre Arya: two power centres (Chairperson / Member-Secretary) weaken autonomy

Conclusion routes

Route 1 not toothless but underpowered persuasion, not compulsion

Route 2 reform direction (Agnes) grievance redressal rights-based advocacy institution

Model answer

Handwritten, in the form it would be written in the examination hall.

Handwritten model answer — UPSC PSIR 2019, Statutory & Constitutional Bodies