What is Social Justice?
Historical Background
Key Points
8 points- 1.
Aims to eliminate social inequalities based on caste, religion, gender, etc.
- 2.
Ensures equal access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities
- 3.
Focuses on the welfare of marginalized and vulnerable sections of society
- 4.
Involves affirmative action policies like reservations to address historical injustices
- 5.
Promotes equitable distribution of wealth and resources
- 6.
Guaranteed under Articles 14, 15, 16, 38, 39, and 46 of the Constitution
- 7.
Includes provisions for social security and welfare schemes
- 8.
Addresses issues like poverty, discrimination, and exploitation
Visual Insights
Evolution of Social Justice in India
Key events and legislations shaping social justice in India over the years.
Social justice in India has evolved through constitutional provisions, legislation, and social movements aimed at reducing inequality and promoting inclusion.
- 1947Indian Independence & Constitutional focus on Social Justice
- 1950Enactment of the Indian Constitution with Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles
- 1955The Protection of Civil Rights Act
- 1989The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act
- 1990Implementation of Mandal Commission recommendations
- 2005The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act
- 2006Sachar Committee Report on the socio-economic status of Muslims
- 2009Right to Education Act (RTE)
- 2013National Food Security Act (NFSA)
- 2015Adoption of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- 2018Constitutional status to National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC)
- 2019Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) - Debates on Social Justice
- 2022Supreme Court upholds 10% EWS reservation
- 2023Launch of PM-JANMAN scheme for PVTGs
- 2026Death of T.K. Oommen, a champion of social justice
Understanding Social Justice
Key components and related concepts of Social Justice for UPSC preparation.
Social Justice
- ●Constitutional Provisions
- ●Affirmative Action
- ●Social Security
- ●Related Concepts
Recent Developments
5 developmentsIncreased focus on inclusive growth and sustainable development
Implementation of various social welfare schemes like MGNREGA, National Health Mission
Efforts to address gender inequality and promote women's empowerment
Initiatives to improve access to education and healthcare for all
Debate on the effectiveness of affirmative action policies
This Concept in News
10 topicsSupreme Court directs states to develop protocol for correctional institutions
27 Feb 2026This news highlights the importance of ensuring social justice within the criminal justice system. It demonstrates how the concept of social justice extends beyond traditional areas like education and employment to encompass the treatment of prisoners. The news challenges the notion that prisons should only be punitive and emphasizes the need for rehabilitation and reintegration. It reveals that even within correctional institutions, inequalities persist, particularly for women. The implications of this news are that states must take proactive steps to address these inequalities and to ensure that prisons are truly institutions of correction. Understanding social justice is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides a framework for evaluating the fairness and equity of the criminal justice system. It also helps to identify the specific challenges and opportunities in promoting social justice within this context. Without this understanding, it's easy to overlook the importance of ensuring dignity and self-respect for prisoners and to focus solely on punishment.
Sociologist T.K. Oommen, Pioneer of Indian Sociology, Dies at 88
27 Feb 2026The news of T.K. Oommen's death highlights the ongoing importance of sociological research in understanding and addressing social justice issues. (1) It underscores the need for rigorous academic inquiry to identify and analyze the root causes of inequality and discrimination. (2) Oommen's work on social movements demonstrates how collective action can be a powerful tool for challenging unjust social structures and advocating for change. His involvement with the Sachar Committee illustrates the importance of evidence-based policymaking in addressing the needs of marginalized communities. (3) The news also serves as a reminder of the contributions of individual scholars and activists who have dedicated their lives to promoting social justice. (4) The implications of this news for the future of social justice are that continued research, advocacy, and policy interventions are essential for creating a more equitable and just society. (5) Understanding the concept of social justice is crucial for properly analyzing and answering questions about this news because it provides a framework for evaluating the impact of Oommen's work and the challenges that remain in achieving social equality in India.
Rajasthan: Ex-BJP MP's Act Sparks Controversy, Blankets Taken Back
24 Feb 2026This news event highlights the fragility of social justice in practice. While India's Constitution guarantees equality and prohibits discrimination, this incident demonstrates that prejudice and bias can still manifest in everyday interactions. The act of denying essential aid based on religious identity directly contradicts the principles of social justice, which seeks to ensure that everyone has equal access to resources and opportunities. This event challenges the notion that social justice is solely a matter of policy and law; it also requires a change in attitudes and behaviors at the individual and community levels. The incident raises questions about the effectiveness of current mechanisms for addressing discrimination and promoting inclusivity. It also underscores the need for greater awareness and education about social justice principles. Understanding social justice is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides a framework for evaluating the ethical and legal implications of the BJP leader's actions. It also helps to identify the systemic issues that contribute to discrimination and inequality.
Karnataka Congress Leadership Tussle Regains Traction Amid Dalit CM Demand
23 Feb 2026The news about the Karnataka Congress leadership tussle, particularly the demand for a Dalit Chief Minister, highlights the practical challenges of implementing social justice in a complex political landscape. (1) It demonstrates the ongoing tension between different groups vying for power and representation. (2) The news event applies the concept of social justice by raising the question of whether marginalized communities are adequately represented in leadership positions. It also challenges the concept by revealing the potential for factionalism and political maneuvering to undermine the pursuit of social justice. (3) This news reveals that simply having constitutional provisions and laws in place is not enough to guarantee social justice; it requires constant vigilance and advocacy. (4) The implications of this news for the concept's future are that political parties need to be more proactive in promoting diversity and inclusion within their ranks. (5) Understanding social justice is crucial for properly analyzing and answering questions about this news because it provides a framework for evaluating the fairness and equity of political processes and outcomes.
High Court Permits Rape Survivor's Daughter to Use Mother's Name
20 Feb 2026This news highlights the aspect of social justice that deals with protecting the rights and dignity of marginalized groups, specifically single mothers and children born out of difficult circumstances. This news event challenges the traditional societal norms that often stigmatize single mothers and their children. It applies the concept of social justice by ensuring the child's right to a secure and respectful identity, free from the burden of societal judgment. This reveals the evolving understanding of social justice, moving beyond formal equality to address deeply ingrained social biases. The implication is that courts are increasingly recognizing the need to protect vulnerable individuals from social stigma and ensure their right to a dignified life. Understanding social justice is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides the framework for understanding the legal and ethical considerations involved in protecting the rights of marginalized groups and promoting a more inclusive society. It shows how the judiciary is actively interpreting and applying social justice principles to address real-world problems.
Financial Scheme for Women Awaits Implementation, Aiming for Empowerment
20 Feb 2026The news highlights the practical challenges in implementing social justice initiatives. It demonstrates that simply announcing a scheme is not enough; effective implementation and timely delivery of benefits are crucial. The delay reveals a gap between policy intent and actual outcomes. This challenges the notion that social justice is automatically achieved through government programs. It underscores the need for robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure that such schemes reach their intended beneficiaries. The news reveals that achieving social justice requires sustained effort, accountability, and a commitment to addressing systemic barriers. Understanding social justice is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides a framework for evaluating the scheme's effectiveness in promoting women's empowerment and reducing gender inequality. It allows us to critically assess whether the government is fulfilling its constitutional mandate to promote a just and equitable society. Without this understanding, the news might be seen as a mere administrative delay, rather than a potential setback for social justice.
AI for Social Justice: India's Role in Inclusive Development
19 Feb 2026This news highlights the potential of AI to either advance or hinder social justice. (1) It demonstrates the aspect of social justice related to equal opportunities in employment and access to resources. (2) The news applies the concept by showing how AI can be used to create jobs and provide training, but also challenges it by raising concerns about unequal access to AI and its benefits. (3) It reveals that AI's impact on social justice depends on how it is developed and deployed. (4) The implications are that policies are needed to ensure that AI benefits all members of society, especially marginalized groups. (5) Understanding social justice is crucial for analyzing this news because it allows us to assess whether AI is contributing to a more equitable and inclusive society, or whether it is reinforcing existing inequalities. Without this understanding, we cannot properly evaluate the social impact of AI and develop effective policies to mitigate its negative consequences.
Maharashtra Village Aims to Eradicate Caste Discrimination Through Resolution
19 Feb 2026The news underscores the multifaceted nature of social justice, demonstrating that it is not merely a legal or policy matter but also a social and cultural one. The village's resolution highlights the importance of individual and community-level initiatives in challenging discriminatory practices. This news event applies the concept of social justice in practice by showcasing a concrete example of a community actively working to dismantle caste-based hierarchies. It reveals that social justice requires not only legal frameworks but also a change in attitudes and behaviors. The implications of this news for the concept's future are that it emphasizes the need for localized and participatory approaches to achieving social justice. Understanding this concept is crucial for properly analyzing and answering questions about this news because it provides a framework for understanding the underlying issues of caste discrimination and the efforts to address them.
Mahila Samriddhi Portal: Empowering Women through Financial Assistance and Skill Development
17 Feb 2026The Mahila Samriddhi portal highlights the aspect of social justice that focuses on empowering marginalized groups. It demonstrates how targeted interventions can address specific inequalities faced by women. This news applies the concept of social justice in practice by providing concrete resources and opportunities to women. It reveals the importance of financial inclusion and skill development in promoting women's economic empowerment. The implications of this news are that such initiatives can contribute to a more equitable society and reduce gender disparities. Understanding social justice is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides a framework for evaluating the effectiveness and impact of the portal on women's lives. It helps in assessing whether the portal truly promotes equality and empowers women to overcome systemic barriers.
Legal Gap Exposed in Road Accident Compensation Framework
17 Feb 2026The news underscores the importance of a comprehensive social justice framework that extends beyond traditional areas like caste and gender to include road safety and accident compensation. (1) It highlights the aspect of economic justice, specifically the right to compensation for accidental death or injury. (2) The news challenges the existing framework by revealing its inadequacy in addressing cases involving uninsured vehicles and deceased at-fault parties. This demonstrates a practical failure of the system to provide recourse to vulnerable victims. (3) It reveals the need for innovative solutions, such as expanding the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund or creating a new scheme to cover uninsured vehicle accidents. (4) The implications are that the government needs to proactively address this gap to ensure that all citizens have access to justice and economic security in the event of road accidents. Failure to do so perpetuates inequality and leaves vulnerable families without support. (5) Understanding social justice is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides the framework for evaluating the fairness and equity of the existing system and for advocating for reforms that promote greater social inclusion and protection for all citizens.
