Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

Democracy addresses gender inequality by supporting feminist movements demanding equal political rights, reservations for women in Panchayati Raj bodies, and laws against discrimination. It addresses caste inequality through constitutional provisions, reservations for SCs/STs, and allowing caste-based mobilisation for political representation.

Similarity: In both cases, democracy provides a platform for the oppressed to organise, voice demands, and seek legal-political remedies. Political expression of social differences is considered healthy in a democracy.

Key Difference: Caste divisions are peculiar to India (deeply embedded in social hierarchy), whereas gender inequality is a near-universal social division found across all societies. Caste-based politics risks deepening divisions; gender movements generally push toward equality without fragmenting society.

Source: Chapter 3 – Gender, Religion and Caste; Chapter 5 – Outcomes of Democracy

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• The examiner expects you to address both inequalities, then directly answer the similarity and difference parts.
• Key textbook point: "Social divisions based on caste are peculiar to India" — use this for the difference.
• For similarity, the idea that "political expression of social differences is possible and sometimes desirable" is the core textbook line.
• Don't write a general essay — keep it structured and pointed within the word limit.