Psychology of Gender – Psychology Optional PYQs (1995–2026)

Here are all 31 Psychology of Gender questions asked in UPSC Psychology Optional Paper II from 1995 to 2026, arranged under the 5 topics of the official syllabus. Within each topic the latest questions come first.

Each question ends with a code such as [2024/15m/3b] – the year, the marks, the word limit (where UPSC set one) and the question number in the paper.

14.1] Issues of discrimination

10 questions

1. Critically evaluate the issues of gender discrimination in the Indian context. [2025/10m/150w/5e]

2. What are the prevalent forms of gender discrimination in Indian society? Discuss the measures that can be taken to eradicate them. [2024/15m/6a]

3. How does gender socialization in India lead to gender discrimination? [2023/20m/8c]

4. Discuss nature and psychological consequences of sexual harassment of women at workplace. Suggest different behavioural patterns to overcome it. [2022/20m/6b]

5. What factors account for gender differences in India? Suggest some psychological measures to reduce gender differences. [2016/15m/8a]

6. What are gender stereotypes in India? How do they feed into gender discrimination? [2014/15m/8b]

7. What lessons can be drawn from psychological research to promote gender equality in the workplace? [2013/15m/200w/7a]

8. Discuss the challenges of managing gender biases in Indian society. [2011/30m/8b]

9. Is gender difference dichotomous or does it constitute a continuum? Explain in the light of research on masculinity-feminity. [2010/20m/200w/5b]

10. Evaluate the contribution of psychology in dealing with the issue of gender discrimination. [2009/30m/6b]

14.2] Management of diversity

5 questions

1. How can psychological education promote sensitivity to gender diversity? [2026/10m/150w/5d]

2. What are the steps to be taken to promote gender-friendly environment at workplace? [2021/10m/150w/1b]

3. Explain the nature of diversity in today’s organizations in India. What steps should organizations take to manage diversity? [2020/15m/2a]

4. Discuss the challenges and opportunities offered by multiculturalism and diversity in today’s organizations. [2017/10m/150w/5a]

5. Discuss the components of gender-sensitivity training. Indicate its importance in the context of management of workforce diversity. [2012/12m/150w/5e]

14.3] Glass ceiling effect

6 questions

1. Analyse the impact of gender based psychological construct, ‘Glass ceiling’, on women’s participation in Indian work force. [2026/15m/8a]

2. What is meant by glass ceiling effect? Discuss the factors that facilitated some women to break this glass ceiling. Illustrate with some examples. [2020/10m/150w/1d]

3. Discuss the relationship between sex-role stereotyping, self-fulfilling prophesy and glass ceiling effect in Indian society. [2018/15m/8a]

4. “Glass ceiling effects in organizations are rooted in socialization and family.” Discuss with reference to the psychological bases of gender role development. [2015/15m/6b]

5. Discuss the psychological implications of the ‘glass ceiling’ effect from the perspective of an administrator. [2013/15m/200w/2b]

6. What is glass-ceiling effect? Explain the causal factors underlying it. What remedial steps can be taken by the employing organizations to minimize the glass-ceiling effect? [2012/20m/250w/7c]

14.4] Self-fulfilling prophecy

6 questions

1. How does self-fulfilling prophecy work in case of traditional Indian women? [2023/10m/150w/5e]

2. How does a self-fulfilling prophecy work? Describe how the gender bias is an example of self-fulfilling prophecy in Indian context. [2021/15m/6a]

3. Discuss the relationship between sex-role stereotyping, self-fulfilling prophesy and glass ceiling effect in Indian society. [2018/15m/8a]

4. Does the notion of self-fulfilling prophecy relating to achievement satisfactorily explain gender differences in achievement? [2015/15m/2a]

5. Define ‘self-fulfilling prophecy’. Can it affect the students’ performance belonging to special categories? [2013/10m/150w/5e]

6. What psychological processes are associated with a self fulfilling prophecy? [2009/20m/200w/5b]

14.5] Women and Indian society

4 questions

1. Discuss the importance and applications of ecological theory for programme implementation of saving the girl child. [2023/15m/4a]

2. Discuss Gender Schema Theory and describe its contribution in explaining the personality of a housewife in a traditional family. [2022/15m/8c]

3. Women in a remote village have been deprived of development related benefits. What steps would you suggest to enable women to take advantage of these benefits? [2020/10m/150w/1e]

4. Which psychological and cultural factors will facilitate the success of ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ programme? How can this programme be promoted through information technology and mass media? [2017/15m/6b]

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Last updated: 30 October 2026