Introduction India, with its vast population of over 1.4 billion people, is one of the…
MCQs on “The Role of Women in India’s Workforce: Challenges and Opportunities”
1. Which of the following is a primary challenge faced by women in India’s workforce?
A) High level of education
B) Gender wage gap
C) High number of women in leadership roles
D) Equal work opportunities
Answer: B) Gender wage gap
2. The percentage of women in India’s workforce as of recent estimates is approximately:
A) 20%
B) 30%
C) 40%
D) 50%
Answer: B) 30%
3. The concept of “gender pay gap” refers to:
A) Equal pay for equal work
B) Women’s wages being higher than men’s for the same work
C) Difference in earnings between men and women for the same work
D) Women working more hours than men
Answer: C) Difference in earnings between men and women for the same work
4. Which of the following schemes focuses on promoting women’s entrepreneurship in India?
A) Atal Innovation Mission
B) MUDRA Yojana
C) Stand Up India
D) Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana
Answer: C) Stand Up India
5. What is the impact of maternity leave on women’s participation in the workforce in India?
A) Increased participation
B) No impact
C) Reduced participation due to career interruptions
D) Leads to equal work opportunities
Answer: C) Reduced participation due to career interruptions
6. Which law is meant to address workplace sexual harassment in India?
A) Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013
B) Equal Employment Opportunity Act, 2008
C) Women’s Rights Act, 1999
D) Women’s Empowerment Act, 2010
Answer: A) Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013
7. The gender parity in India’s workforce is lowest in which sector?
A) Education
B) Manufacturing
C) Services
D) Agriculture
Answer: B) Manufacturing
8. Which of the following is a major factor limiting women’s employment in rural areas of India?
A) Lack of educational opportunities
B) Cultural and social restrictions
C) High number of female entrepreneurs
D) High urbanization rates
Answer: B) Cultural and social restrictions
9. The “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” scheme primarily aims to:
A) Promote women’s entrepreneurship
B) Educate girls and promote gender equality
C) Increase women’s employment in rural areas
D) Provide financial support to working women
Answer: B) Educate girls and promote gender equality
10. According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report, which of the following has India ranked poorly in?
A) Economic participation and opportunity
B) Health and survival
C) Educational attainment
D) Political empowerment
Answer: A) Economic participation and opportunity
11. Women’s participation in which of the following industries has seen a significant increase in India?
A) Technology and IT
B) Heavy industries
C) Defense
D) Mining
Answer: A) Technology and IT
12. The concept of “glass ceiling” refers to:
A) The wage disparity between men and women
B) The invisible barrier that prevents women from reaching top leadership positions
C) Discriminatory hiring practices against women
D) The salary cap set by the government for women workers
Answer: B) The invisible barrier that prevents women from reaching top leadership positions
13. Which of the following is a major challenge for women in India’s workforce?
A) Increased job opportunities
B) Limited access to financial resources
C) Greater access to education
D) Higher representation in leadership positions
Answer: B) Limited access to financial resources
14. In which industry is the gender gap in the workforce in India the widest?
A) Healthcare
B) Banking and finance
C) Engineering
D) Retail
Answer: C) Engineering
15. The “Skill India” initiative primarily focuses on:
A) Enhancing technical skills for women
B) Providing loans to women entrepreneurs
C) Increasing the gender wage gap
D) Providing maternity benefits to women
Answer: A) Enhancing technical skills for women
16. The percentage of women in managerial positions in India is approximately:
A) 10%
B) 15%
C) 25%
D) 30%
Answer: B) 15%
17. Which of the following factors has contributed significantly to women’s underrepresentation in India’s workforce?
A) Cultural stereotypes about women’s roles
B) Women’s high level of education
C) Strict labor laws
D) Government incentives for women’s employment
Answer: A) Cultural stereotypes about women’s roles
18. The “Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP)” was launched by:
A) Ministry of Finance
B) Ministry of Women and Child Development
C) Ministry of Commerce and Industry
D) Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Answer: B) Ministry of Women and Child Development
19. Which of the following is a recommendation made by the “National Policy for Women” (2016) to improve women’s participation in the workforce?
A) Introducing quotas for women in all sectors
B) Ensuring equal wages for equal work
C) Implementing stricter labor laws for women
D) Limiting the working hours for women
Answer: B) Ensuring equal wages for equal work
20. As per India’s National Sample Survey, what is the approximate female labor force participation rate in India?
A) 10%
B) 20%
C) 25%
D) 30%
Answer: B) 20%
21. What is the most significant factor that discourages women from entering or staying in the workforce in India?
A) Access to technology
B) Social and family responsibilities
C) Lack of interest in professional careers
D) High salary expectations
Answer: B) Social and family responsibilities
22. Which of the following is a key opportunity for women in India’s emerging workforce?
A) Increase in low-paying jobs
B) Expansion of informal employment
C) Growth in gig economy jobs
D) Decline in educational attainment
Answer: C) Growth in gig economy jobs
23. The proportion of women in the Indian Parliament is:
A) Less than 5%
B) 10-15%
C) 20-25%
D) 30-35%
Answer: B) 10-15%
24. Which of the following steps could help increase female participation in India’s workforce?
A) Reducing education for women
B) Improving access to affordable childcare
C) Limiting educational opportunities for women
D) Imposing quotas for women in non-professional jobs
Answer: B) Improving access to affordable childcare
25. Which international body has India partnered with to address gender equality and promote women in the workforce?
A) World Economic Forum
B) United Nations Women
C) Asian Development Bank
D) World Trade Organization
Answer: B) United Nations Women
26. The concept of “feminization of labor” refers to:
A) Increasing male participation in the workforce
B) Women dominating the labor market
C) The rise of women’s participation in various sectors of employment
D) Increased automation reducing the number of jobs for women
Answer: C) The rise of women’s participation in various sectors of employment
27. What is the key role of “Self-Help Groups” (SHGs) in empowering women in rural India?
A) Providing legal aid to women
B) Facilitating women’s financial independence
C) Increasing female literacy rates
D) Enhancing women’s political participation
Answer: B) Facilitating women’s financial independence
28. The labor force participation rate of women in India is:
A) Higher in rural areas than urban areas
B) Higher in urban areas than rural areas
C) Equal in both rural and urban areas
D) Non-existent in rural areas
Answer: A) Higher in rural areas than urban areas
29. Which government initiative focuses on improving digital literacy for women in India?
A) Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan
B) National Skill Development Mission
C) Digital India
D) Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana
Answer: A) Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan
30. The Gender Inequality Index (GII) is published by:
A) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
B) World Bank
C) International Monetary Fund (IMF)
D) World Economic Forum (WEF)
Answer: A) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
These MCQs provide a comprehensive overview of the challenges, opportunities, and policies related to women’s role in India’s workforce.
