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Society History Governance Science and Technology Environment Polity Economy Intellectual Property Rights Geography Reports Defence Miscellaneous Disproportionate Burden on Women in Risk Society Syllabus: GS1/ Society   What is a Risk Society? Coined by German sociologist Ulrich Beck in his 1986 book Risk Society: Towards a New Modernity. Refers to a shift from industrial society to one dominated by man-made risks—like climate change, pandemics, and technological hazards—arising from modern development. Unlike natural disasters, these risks are global, complex, and often invisible, affecting societies unequally.       Why Women Are Disproportionately Affected Environmental & Health Risks: Water collection exposes women to contaminated sources, increasing the risk of disease. Solid fuels for cooking cause indoor air pollution, leading to chronic respiratory issues. Gender norms (e.g., eating last or less) worsen women’s nutritional and health outcomes. NFHS-5 (2019–21): 57% of Indian women suffer from anaemia vs. 25% of men. Economic Vulnerability: Concentration in informal work with low job security and savings. Limited land ownership and asset access hinder disaster recovery. Lower credit access increases dependency and reduces resilience. Unpaid care work adds emotional and physical strain. Political & Institutional Exclusion: Women’s voices are often missing in policy-making, especially in disaster preparedness and climate governance. Results in gender-blind policies and missed use of women’s community knowledge.   Way Forward Gender Mainstreaming: Integrate women’s needs into all risk reduction, climate, and pandemic strategies. Economic Empowerment: Ensure land rights, financial access, and social protection schemes prioritise women. Care Infrastructure: Support unpaid care work via crèches, health insurance, and community kitchens. Inclusive Governance: Institutionalise women’s participation in disaster management and local planning bodies. Consider the following statements regarding the concept of a “Risk Society” and its gendered impacts: The term “Risk Society” was coined by Ulrich Beck in 1986 and refers to a society increasingly shaped by global, man-made risks such as climate change, pandemics, and technological hazards. Women are disproportionately affected by environmental and health risks, such as water collection from contaminated sources and indoor air pollution from solid fuels. Women’s economic vulnerability is exacerbated by higher participation in the formal labor sector, where job security and savings are guaranteed. Political and institutional exclusion of women often leads to gender-neutral policies, ignoring their unique needs in disaster preparedness and climate governance. Which of the above statements is/are correct? A. 1 and 2 onlyB. 2 and 4 onlyC. 1, 2, and 4 onlyD. 1, 2, 3, and 4 Answer: C. 1, 2, and 4 only Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Ulrich Beck’s “Risk Society” indeed describes the shift towards a society dominated by human-made, global risks such as climate change, pandemics, and technological hazards. Statement 2 is correct. Women are disproportionately affected by environmental and health risks, such as exposure to contaminated water and indoor air pollution, which are exacerbated by gendered roles (e.g., water collection and cooking). Statement 3 is incorrect. Women are more likely to be concentrated in the informal labor sector, where job security and savings are often lacking, not in the formal sector as the statement suggests. Statement 4 is correct. Women’s exclusion from decision-making results in gender-blind policies, ignoring their specific needs in the context of disaster preparedness and climate governance. Dongria Kondh Community Syllabus:Society The Dongria Kondh is a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) residing in the Niyamgiri Hills, spread across Kalahandi and Rayagada districts of Odisha.     Cultural and Spiritual Significance The term ‘Dongria’ is derived from ‘Dongar’, meaning hill, indicating their habitation in hilly terrain. They call themselves Jharnia, meaning “protectors of streams.” They follow an animistic and polytheistic belief system, where hilltops and forests are revered as sacred deities. The community worships Niyam Raja, a mythical god-king, believed to be the creator and guardian of the Niyamgiri Hills. Their art and symbols—notably triangular motifs—reflect deep reverence for the mountains and nature.   Social and Religious Structure Dongria Kondhs do not have a central political or religious authority. Each clan or village is self-governed. Religious and ceremonial roles are performed by beju (male priest) and bejuni (female priest). Distinctive tattoos, jewellery, and hairstyles mark their cultural identity. Women wear multiple rings in ears and nose; men also adorn nose rings.   Language They speak Kuyi and Kuvi, which are linguistically unrelated to Odia, the state’s official language.   Livelihood The Dongria Kondh are traditionally horticulturists, engaged primarily in: Podu cultivation (shifting agriculture), Collection of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs). Their sustenance is intricately tied to the forests, slopes, and water sources of Niyamgiri.   Current Concerns The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has recently sought an Action Taken Report from the Odisha Chief Secretary, highlighting the alarming lack of basic amenities and precarious living conditions of over 10,000 Dongria Kondh families. With reference to the Dongria Kondh community, consider the following statements: They are classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) under the provisions of the Forest Rights Act, 2006. The community practices settled agriculture and avoids shifting cultivation due to ecological concerns. Their traditional religious belief revolves around worship of Niyam Raja, whom they consider the guardian of the Niyamgiri hills. The languages spoken by them, Kuyi and Kuvi, belong to the Dravidian language family and are closely related to Odia. Which of the above statements is/are correct?A. 1 and 3 onlyB. 2 and 4 onlyC. 1, 2 and 4 onlyD. 3 only  Answer:AExplanation: Statement 1 is correct – Dongria Kondhs are listed as a PVTG, though not specifically under the FRA, 2006 (but it reinforces their rights). Statement 2 is incorrect – They practice podu (shifting) cultivation, not settled agriculture. Statement 3 is correct – They worship Niyam Raja, a guardian deity of the Niyamgiri hills. Statement 4 is incorrect – Kuyi and Kuvi are Dravidian languages, but not closely related to Odia, which is Indo-Aryan. Afrikaners – Africa’s White Tribe Syllabus:Society The U.S. recently welcomed its first group of Afrikaner refugees, drawing attention to the historical and sociocultural origins of this unique community.   Who are the Afrikaners?: Afrikaners are a white ethnic

Society History Governance Science and Technology Environment Polity Economy Intellectual Property Rights Geography Reports Defence Miscellaneous Disproportionate Burden on Women in Risk Society Syllabus: GS1/ Society   What is a Risk Society? Coined by German sociologist Ulrich Beck in his 1986 book Risk Society: Towards a New Modernity. Refers to a shift from industrial society to one dominated by man-made risks—like climate change, pandemics, and technological hazards—arising from modern development. Unlike natural disasters, these risks are global, complex, and often invisible, affecting societies unequally.       Why Women Are Disproportionately Affected Environmental & Health Risks: Water collection exposes women to contaminated sources, increasing the risk of disease. Solid fuels for cooking cause indoor air pollution, leading to chronic respiratory issues. Gender norms (e.g., eating last or less) worsen women’s nutritional and health outcomes. NFHS-5 (2019–21): 57% of Indian women suffer from anaemia vs. 25% of men. Economic Vulnerability: Concentration in informal work with low job security and savings. Limited land ownership and asset access hinder disaster recovery. Lower credit access increases dependency and reduces resilience. Unpaid care work adds emotional and physical strain. Political & Institutional Exclusion: Women’s voices are often missing in policy-making, especially in disaster preparedness and climate governance. Results in gender-blind policies and missed use of women’s community knowledge.   Way Forward Gender Mainstreaming: Integrate women’s needs into all risk reduction, climate, and pandemic strategies. Economic Empowerment: Ensure land rights, financial access, and social protection schemes prioritise women. Care Infrastructure: Support unpaid care work via crèches, health insurance, and community kitchens. Inclusive Governance: Institutionalise women’s participation in disaster management and local planning bodies. Consider the following statements regarding the concept of a “Risk Society” and its gendered impacts: The term “Risk Society” was coined by Ulrich Beck in 1986 and refers to a society increasingly shaped by global, man-made risks such as climate change, pandemics, and technological hazards. Women are disproportionately affected by environmental and health risks, such as water collection from contaminated sources and indoor air pollution from solid fuels. Women’s economic vulnerability is exacerbated by higher participation in the formal labor sector, where job security and savings are guaranteed. Political and institutional exclusion of women often leads to gender-neutral policies, ignoring their unique needs in disaster preparedness and climate governance. Which of the above statements is/are correct? A. 1 and 2 onlyB. 2 and 4 onlyC. 1, 2, and 4 onlyD. 1, 2, 3, and 4 Answer: C. 1, 2, and 4 only Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Ulrich Beck’s “Risk Society” indeed describes the shift towards a society dominated by human-made, global risks such as climate change, pandemics, and technological hazards. Statement 2 is correct. Women are disproportionately affected by environmental and health risks, such as exposure to contaminated water and indoor air pollution, which are exacerbated by gendered roles (e.g., water collection and cooking). Statement 3 is incorrect. Women are more likely to be concentrated in the informal labor sector, where job security and savings are often lacking, not in the formal sector as the statement suggests. Statement 4 is correct. Women’s exclusion from decision-making results in gender-blind policies, ignoring their specific needs in the context of disaster preparedness and climate governance. Dongria Kondh Community Syllabus:Society The Dongria Kondh is a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) residing in the Niyamgiri Hills, spread across Kalahandi and Rayagada districts of Odisha.     Cultural and Spiritual Significance The term ‘Dongria’ is derived from ‘Dongar’, meaning hill, indicating their habitation in hilly terrain. They call themselves Jharnia, meaning “protectors of streams.” They follow an animistic and polytheistic belief system, where hilltops and forests are revered as sacred deities. The community worships Niyam Raja, a mythical god-king, believed to be the creator and guardian of the Niyamgiri Hills. Their art and symbols—notably triangular motifs—reflect deep reverence for the mountains and nature.   Social and Religious Structure Dongria Kondhs do not have a central political or religious authority. Each clan or village is self-governed. Religious and ceremonial roles are performed by beju (male priest) and bejuni (female priest). Distinctive tattoos, jewellery, and hairstyles mark their cultural identity. Women wear multiple rings in ears and nose; men also adorn nose rings.   Language They speak Kuyi and Kuvi, which are linguistically unrelated to Odia, the state’s official language.   Livelihood The Dongria Kondh are traditionally horticulturists, engaged primarily in: Podu cultivation (shifting agriculture), Collection of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs). Their sustenance is intricately tied to the forests, slopes, and water sources of Niyamgiri.   Current Concerns The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has recently sought an Action Taken Report from the Odisha Chief Secretary, highlighting the alarming lack of basic amenities and precarious living conditions of over 10,000 Dongria Kondh families. With reference to the Dongria Kondh community, consider the following statements: They are classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) under the provisions of the Forest Rights Act, 2006. The community practices settled agriculture and avoids shifting cultivation due to ecological concerns. Their traditional religious belief revolves around worship of Niyam Raja, whom they consider the guardian of the Niyamgiri hills. The languages spoken by them, Kuyi and Kuvi, belong to the Dravidian language family and are closely related to Odia. Which of the above statements is/are correct?A. 1 and 3 onlyB. 2 and 4 onlyC. 1, 2 and 4 onlyD. 3 only  Answer:AExplanation: Statement 1 is correct – Dongria Kondhs are listed as a PVTG, though not specifically under the FRA, 2006 (but it reinforces their rights). Statement 2 is incorrect – They practice podu (shifting) cultivation, not settled agriculture. Statement 3 is correct – They worship Niyam Raja, a guardian deity of the Niyamgiri hills. Statement 4 is incorrect – Kuyi and Kuvi are Dravidian languages, but not closely related to Odia, which is Indo-Aryan. Afrikaners – Africa’s White Tribe Syllabus:Society The U.S. recently welcomed its first group of Afrikaner refugees, drawing attention to the historical and sociocultural origins of this unique community.   Who are the Afrikaners?: Afrikaners are a white ethnic