GS Paper I · Indian Society
Population & Census Current Affairs for UPSC (GS Paper I)
From the syllabus: Salient features of Indian society, diversity of India; role of women, population, poverty, urbanization; effects of globalization; social empowerment, communalism, regionalism and secularism
Why it matters: Demographic dynamics matter because examiners test your understanding of dividend potential, age distribution trends, and challenges linked to rapid population changes in society.
In the news
October 2026
13 Oct 2026
Rising need for formal elderly care workforceWith India’s population over 60 projected to reach 347 million by 2050, experts are calling for a formal, gender-neutral training ecosystem for caregiving. The move aims to transition from informal unpaid domestic care to a structured...
September 2026
05 Sep 2026
Managing Demographic Shifts and Ageing Populations in Southern StatesRecent demographic data from states like Tamil Nadu indicates a sustained decline in fertility rates alongside a rising proportion of elderly citizens. Policy experts emphasize the need to shift governance priorities toward geriatric...
July 2026
19 Jul 2026
Supreme Court Scrutinizes Two-Child Norm in Local PollsThe Supreme Court has raised questions about the constitutional and social validity of the two-child rule enforced by several states for contesting panchayat and local body elections. The bench indicated a need to examine if such...
15 Jul 2026
Ravidassia Community Renews Demand for Separate Census CategoryThe Ravidassia community, concentrated largely in Punjab, has intensified its demand for a separate religion category in the upcoming Census. Originating from the teachings of the 14th-century Bhakti saint Guru Ravidas, the community...
14 Jul 2026
Near-Universal Birth and Death Registration Milestone in IndiaIndia has achieved a major milestone by registering over 99 percent of its births and deaths under the Civil Registration System. Experts point out that while this universal coverage is a massive step forward, public health focus must...
13 Jul 2026
Debate intensifies over caste enumeration methodology in Census 2027National debates have emerged regarding the inclusion and execution of caste-based data collection in the upcoming Census 2027. Experts caution that using an open-ended questionnaire without standardized sub-caste categories might...
12 Jul 2026
NFHS-6 Flags Sharp Rise in Private C-Section RatesThe latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) data highlights a steep increase in Caesarean section (C-section) deliveries, with Jammu and Kashmir leading in private hospital rates. Medical experts attribute this trend to factors...
11 Jul 2026
Education Delays Marriage Rather Than Restricting Family SizeWith a significant majority of Indian states having already completed their fertility transition, analysts pointing to NFHS-6 data state there is now limited scope for further fertility rate reductions through schooling. However, female...
07 Jul 2026
Census Rehearsal Introduces Open Column for Caste EnumerationThe Union government has introduced an open column to record caste details during the test rehearsal for the second phase of the census. The final methodology for caste enumeration in the upcoming Census 2027 will be shaped by the...
Practise Population & Census
10 of our latest questions on this topic (out of 16).
Question 1 of 10
Which of the following is NOT a primary reason for the call for a formal elderly care workforce in India?
Previous years' questions
Past exam questions sorted by topic are coming here. Until then, the full papers are in our previous papers library.