Mains Practice Questions for the Day
- Q. The Supreme Court’s recent judgment on maternity leave for adoptive mothers reflects the evolving nature of equality and social welfare in India. Discuss its constitutional basis and broader implications for gender justice and labour rights. (15 M)
- Q. Women’s increasing participation in India’s credit market reflects a shift from financial inclusion to economic empowerment. Discuss the findings of the “From Borrowers to Builders” report and examine the challenges in achieving inclusive credit access. (15 M)
Q. The Supreme Court’s recent judgment on maternity leave for adoptive mothers reflects the evolving nature of equality and social welfare in India. Discuss its constitutional basis and broader implications for gender justice and labour rights. (15 M)
(GS Paper II – Polity, Governance – Fundamental Rights, Social Justice, Labour Welfare)
Introduction:
The Supreme Court has struck down the restrictive three-month age limit for adoptive mothers to claim maternity leave under the Code on Social Security, 2020. This judgment marks a shift from a biological understanding of motherhood to a rights-based and inclusive framework, recognising adoption as an equally valid form of parenthood.
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1.Constitutional Basis of the Judgment
- The Court grounded its decision in multiple constitutional provisions.
- Under Article 14, the distinction between adoptive mothers based on the age of the child was held arbitrary, as bonding and caregiving needs exist irrespective of age.
- Under Article 15, such classification indirectly discriminated against women choosing adoption.
- The judgment also invoked Article 21, recognising the right to dignity, including the child’s right to care and the mother’s right to nurture.
- Further, Article 42 (DPSP) mandates humane working conditions and maternity relief, which the earlier provision rendered ineffective for most adoptive mothers.
2. Addressing Ground Realities of Adoption
- The Court considered procedural realities under CARA (Central Adoption Resource Authority), where adoption processes (home study, matching, legal approval) often exceed three months.
- Thus, the earlier rule effectively denied benefits to most adoptive mothers, making the law illusory in practice.
- By removing the age restriction, the Court aligned legal provisions with practical accessibility and social realities.
3. Implications for Gender Justice and Workforce Participation
- The judgment promotes substantive equality by placing adoptive mothers on par with biological mothers.
- It helps in retention of female workforce, as many women earlier dropped out due to lack of support post-adoption.
- It also encourages adoption by removing legal barriers, contributing to child welfare.
- Importantly, the Court expanded the discourse by highlighting the need for paternity leave, recognising shared parenting and challenging gender stereotypes in caregiving roles.
4. Challenges and Economic Concerns
- Implementation poses challenges, particularly the financial burden on employers, as maternity benefits in India are largely employer-funded.
- This may lead to hiring discrimination against women.
- The absence of a universal social security framework and lack of statutory paternity leave further limit the impact of the judgment.
5. Way Forward
- There is a need to amend the Code on Social Security, 2020 to formally remove discriminatory provisions.
- India should adopt a social insurance model, where the State shares the cost of maternity benefits, reducing employer bias.
- Introducing statutory paternity leave can promote shared parenting. Streamlining adoption procedures and increasing awareness can further strengthen inclusivity.
Conclusion:
The judgment reinforces that maternity benefits are not a concession but a constitutional and social right linked to dignity and child welfare. It represents a progressive step towards inclusive governance, but its full impact will depend on legislative reforms and effective implementation.
Q. Women’s increasing participation in India’s credit market reflects a shift from financial inclusion to economic empowerment. Discuss the findings of the “From Borrowers to Builders” report and examine the challenges in achieving inclusive credit access. (15 M)
(GS Paper II – Social Justice – Women, Inclusive Growth, Financial Inclusion)
Introduction:
The report “From Borrowers to Builders: Women and India’s Evolving Credit Market”, released by NITI Aayog in 2026, highlights a transformative shift in women’s financial participation—from microfinance borrowers to enterprise builders. Women now hold a ₹76 lakh crore credit portfolio (26% of total system credit), signalling progress from mere financial inclusion to economic empowerment.
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1.Key Findings of the Report (Facts & Trends)
- Women’s outstanding credit has grown 8 times (₹16 lakh crore in 2017 → ₹76 lakh crore in 2025), with credit penetration rising from 19% to 36%.
- There is a notable shift from consumption to commercial credit, with business loans growing at 31% CAGR, outperforming overall credit growth.
- Women’s participation in housing loans has reached 69%, indicating asset ownership.
- Around 19% of microfinance borrowers have graduated to formal retail/commercial credit.
- Regional trends show strong growth in states like Bihar (59% CAGR) and Uttar Pradesh (42% CAGR).
- Importantly, women display better credit discipline, with default rates 7 times lower than average.
2.Significance for Economic and Social Development
- The transition from borrowers to builders reflects deeper financial inclusion and entrepreneurship growth.
- It enhances women’s economic agency and decision-making power, contributing to inclusive growth.
- Increased asset ownership and enterprise participation support poverty reduction, job creation, and formalisation of the economy.
- The trend also aligns with India’s push for women-led development, making women active contributors to GDP rather than passive beneficiaries.
3. Challenges in Women’s Credit Ecosystem
- Despite progress, nearly 29 crore credit-eligible women remain unserved, indicating a significant inclusion gap.
- Structural barriers such as lack of collateral limit access to formal credit. Many rural women lack financial autonomy, restricting effective utilisation of loans.
- The digital literacy gap persists despite smartphone penetration, while time poverty due to unpaid care work (e.g., 38% in Kerala) constrains engagement with credit systems.
- Additionally, nano-enterprises remain vulnerable to fluctuations in credit supply.
4. Government Initiatives and Way Forward
- Initiatives like Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP), Financing Women Collaborative (FWC), and digital public infrastructure (Aadhaar, UPI) have improved access.
- Going forward, adopting flow-based lending (using digital transaction data) can enable collateral-free credit.
- Developing lifecycle-based financial products tailored to women’s needs and strengthening credit literacy programs is essential.
- Leveraging Self-Help Groups (SHGs) for trust-based capacity building and ensuring vernacular, user-friendly digital tools can bridge inclusion gaps.
Conclusion:
The report underscores that women’s growing role in the credit ecosystem is not merely a social achievement but an economic imperative. Bridging the remaining gaps through inclusive policies and innovation will be crucial for transforming women from participants to drivers of India’s sustainable growth story.
