Introduction — Understanding Social Problems

A social problem is a condition that is harmful to a significant portion of society and that most community members agree should be corrected. In the Indian context, social problems often intersect with economic deprivation, gender inequality, caste hierarchies, and governance failures.

The RPSC 2026 syllabus explicitly lists seven social problems under Topic 44: dowry, divorce, corruption, poverty, prostitution, unemployment, and drug addiction. PYQ data confirms that corruption, poverty, and dowry have been the most frequently asked sub-domains (2021: definition of political corruption — 2m; 2023: demerits of dowry — 2m; 2023: culture of poverty — 2m; 2023: casual employment — 2m).

Sociological framework: C. Wright Mills (1959) distinguished between "personal troubles" and "public issues" — what appears to be an individual's failing (e.g., unemployment) is often a structural problem (insufficient jobs in the economy). This Mills framework underpins how RPSC examiners frame questions about social problems.

Interrelationships: These problems rarely exist in isolation. Poverty drives families to demand dowry as financial security; unemployment pushes individuals toward drug dependence or prostitution as survival strategies; corruption diverts welfare funds meant to reduce poverty; and divorce rates rise with economic stress and changing gender norms.

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