Women & Gender Current Affairs for UPSC (GS Paper I)

October 2026

• 12 Oct 2026Andhra Pradesh

  GVMC Mayor post reserved for women ahead of direct elections

  The Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation Mayor position has been officially reserved for women as the city prepares for its first direct mayoral election in 26 years. Officials highlighted that upgrading civic amenities and water supply...

• 08 Oct 2026Andhra Pradesh

  Women Save Thousands of Crores Under Stree Shakti

  Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced that women in Andhra Pradesh have saved approximately 3,550 crore rupees under the Stree Shakti scheme. The initiative has strengthened Self Help Groups (SHGs) by encouraging financial...

• 06 Oct 2026

  ICC unseals arrest warrants for Taliban leaders

  The International Criminal Court (ICC) has unsealed arrest warrants for four prominent Taliban leaders on charges of gender persecution in Afghanistan. Since taking control in 2021, the Taliban has systematically deprived women of...

• 03 Oct 2026

  Rethinking Women's Safety and Access to Public Spaces

  Public discourse is shifting away from imposing regressive mobility restrictions, such as night curfews on women, as a solution to hostile public spaces. Experts emphasize that institutional reforms, better policing, improved street...

September 2026

• 24 Sep 2026

  Maharashtra passes Women Farmers Empowerment Bill

  Maharashtra's passage of the Women Farmers' Empowerment Bill marks a landmark shift by granting women independent recognition as farmers, irrespective of land ownership. This legislation addresses the historic structural bias where...

• 10 Sep 2026

  Women's Representation in Senior Corporate Roles Drops to 16.7%

  A study by diversity consulting firm Avtar reveals that the share of women in corporate executive roles has dropped from 20 percent to 16.7 percent. Experts attribute this decline partly to international changes in Diversity, Equity,...

August 2026

• 29 Aug 2026

  Tamil Nadu to Establish District Safe Houses for Vulnerable Couples

  The Tamil Nadu government announced plans to establish safe houses across districts to provide shelter and protection to couples vulnerable to honor killings and caste violence. This initiative aligns with the landmark Supreme Court...

July 2026

• 31 Jul 2026

  Dementia Risk Study Highlights Vulnerability of Rural Women

  A recent study identified diabetes and hearing loss as key modifiable risk factors driving dementia in India. The study noted a higher prevalence among rural populations and women, primarily due to the underdiagnosis of these underlying...

• 29 Jul 2026

  Indian Coast Guard unveils reforms for gender equality

  Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced new reforms within the Indian Coast Guard to promote gender parity and streamline welfare measures. Key changes include enhanced roles for women and a simplified process for granting ex-gratia...

• 29 Jul 2026

  Early menopause crisis identified among women in rural Bihar

  A recent study has highlighted a worrying trend where women in rural Bihar are reaching menopause in their early thirties. Experts point to poor reproductive surgical care and the incentivization of unnecessary hysterectomies under...

• 20 Jul 2026

  Mandatory Registration of Live-In Relationships under MP UCC

  Under the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) framework for Madhya Pradesh, couples who fail to register their live-in relationships could face imprisonment or fines. This move mirrors similar provisions enacted in Uttarakhand, raising...

• 19 Jul 2026

  Global Crackdown on AI-Driven 'Nudification' Apps

  Authorities globally, including municipal leaders in San Francisco, have urged tech giants Apple and Google to remove AI-driven 'Nudification' apps from their platforms. These deepfake-generating applications present a severe threat to...

• 14 Jul 2026

  Women enrollment in higher education sees significant growth

  New data from the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) indicates a rise in women's participation in higher studies. However, experts warn that while enrollment is increasing, policy support is needed to ensure these women find...

• 11 Jul 2026

  Education Delays Marriage Rather Than Restricting Family Size

  With 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...

• 08 Jul 2026

  Kerala High Court's Push for Christian Women's Divorce Rights

  The Kerala High Court has urged Parliament to amend the Indian Divorce Act, 1869, to allow Christian women to file for divorce in the jurisdiction where they currently reside rather than where the marriage was solemnized or where the...

• 06 Jul 2026

  Decline in Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates Under NFHS-6

  Despite marked improvements in institutional deliveries and overall women empowerment metrics, recent NFHS-6 data reveals a decline in exclusive breastfeeding rates across India. Experts point to persistent gaps in postnatal support,...