UGC NET/JRF EXAM, September-2024 WOMEN’S STUDIES

The common methods of data collection in research include:

A. Interviews: A primary qualitative method where information is collected directly from respondents through structured or semistructured questions.

B. Experiments: A scientific and controlled approach to collect data, particularly in quantitative research, often used in psychology and social sciences.

C. Literature Survey: Involves reviewing existing scholarly publications, reports, journals, and books to gather data and identify research gaps.

D. Analysing Financial Records is contextspecific and not a standard method used across general research disciplines unless dealing with economics or finance-based studies. Thus, A, B, and C are common methods.

Transgender theory emerges within the broader umbrella of Post-modernism, which challenges fixed identities, binary thinking, and essentialist views of gender.

Post-modernists argue that gender is a fluid and socially constructed identity, not biologically fixed.

Transgender theory supports deconstructing the binary categories of male/female, recognizing non-binary, queer, and trans identities as valid and significant.

Influenced by scholars like Judith Butler, it critiques traditional feminism for focusing only on the experiences of cisgender women.

Correct match of Commissions/Institutions with their year of establishment:

A. National Commission for Women - III. 1992: Established as a statutory body under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990, and became operational in 1992 to safeguard women's rights.

B. National Commission for Minorities - I. 1993: Created to protect and promote the interests of minority communities under the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992.

C. National Commission for Protection of Child Rights - II. 2007: Set up under the Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005, began functioning in 2007.

D. National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development - IV. 1966: Although the option says 1980, the correct year is 1966, but since this option pairs D with IV, which is the closest available, it is accepted here. Thus, sequence matches option 3.

Correct chronological arrangement of UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) based on their official order (not year):

C. No Poverty - SDG 1 Eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions.

D. Decent Work and Economic Growth - SDG 8 Promotes sustained, inclusive economic growth and productive employment.

A. Reduced Inequality SDG 10 Focuses on reducing inequality within and among countries.

B. Partnership for the Goals - SDG 17 Strengthens global partnerships to support sustainable development.

The official SDG sequence aligns with C, D, A, B, which corresponds to option 3.

Matching gender-related concepts with their definitions:

A. Gender Segregation - IV: Refers to the systematic separation of men and women into different jobs or roles, leading to the creation of male and female labour markets.

B. Glass Ceiling - I: Describes the invisible barriers preventing women from advancing to top-level positions despite qualifications.

C. Double shift / Double burden - II: Refers to women working both at the job and managing household responsibilities, leading to physical and emotional exhaustion.

D. Work Force Participation Rate - III: It is the percentage of working-age population that is economically active - either employed or actively seeking employment.

Chronological order of the listed programs and policies is as follows:

D. Integrated Child Development Service (ICDS) - 1975: One of the world's largest and most unique programs for early childhood care and development, launched by the Government of India.

C. National Health Policy - 1983 (first version): Aimed to provide universal access to health care services, especially in rural areas.

A. Nutrition Programme for Adolescent Girls (NPAG) - 2002: Launched to improve nutritional status of adolescent girls (11-18 years) in low-income households.

B. National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) 2005: - Started under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to provide accessible, affordable, and quality health care to rural populations.

Thus, the correct chronological sequence is D, C, А, В.

Nancy Hartsock, a feminist philosopher, published the essay "The Feminist Standpoint: Developing the Ground for a Specifically Feminist Historical Materialism" in 1983.

Her work is foundational in standpoint theory, which argues that women's lived experiences offer a unique and critical perspective on knowledge and social structures.

She integrates Marxist historical materialism with feminist epistemology to challenge the male-dominated production of knowledge and advocates for the inclusion of women's. perspectives in academic and political discourse.

The One-Stop Centre (OSC) Scheme, also known as Sakhi Centres, was launched in 2015 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India.

These centers provide integrated support and services such as medical aid, legal aid, police assistance, psychosocial counseling, and temporary shelter to women affected by violence.

The scheme is funded through the Nirbhaya Fund and is operational in all districts across India, ensuring timely and coordinated assistance to victims under one roof.

While implementing policies on women's education, committees often face challenges such as:

• Cultural resistance, where patriarchal beliefs discourage girls from pursuing education, especially beyond the primary level.
• Socio-economic barriers, such as poverty, child marriage, and lack of infrastructure, disproportionately affect girls' access to schools.

Even if policies are well-designed, these ground-level realities hinder effective implementation, especially in rural and marginalized communities.

According to the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), dropout rates among adolescent girls remain significantly higher due to such social constraints.

Chronological steps in research process:

B. Formulating Objectives: After identifying the research problem, defining clear objectives is the first structured step in the research process.

A. Identifying Methods: Once objectives are in place, the appropriate methodologies and tools for data collection and analysis are selected.

C. Problematizing Research: This involves critically analyzing the chosen topic, identifying knowledge gaps, and framing relevant research questions.

D. Analysis and Interpretation: This is the final step where the collected data is processed, analyzed, and interpreted to draw meaningful conclusions and recommendations.