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11 August 2026

Maharashtra female foeticide racket

The topic addresses the critical social issue of female foeticide and the potential application of the MCOCA, which directly relates to gender-based societal challenges and the effectiveness of legal frameworks in protecting vulnerable sections.

2 min read 2 questions 1 prelims

Notes

  • Maharashtra continues to face systemic challenges regarding female foeticide driven by deep-rooted son preference.
  • The National Family Health Survey (2019-21) indicates that 9% of women and 12% of men in Maharashtra desire more sons than daughters, compared to only 4-5% desiring more daughters.
  • Illegal sex determination and abortion rackets persist despite existing legal frameworks, often operating through clandestine networks in both rural and urban areas.
  • Challenges in enforcement include the failure of conventional measures, low conviction rates, and the ability of implicated individuals to secure bail and resume operations.
  • Social indicators of gender bias include the naming of girls as 'Nakushi' (unwanted) or 'Dhondabai' (stone) as a reflection of their status as stopgap arrangements until a son is born.
  • The state government has proposed invoking the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) to address the organized nature of these illegal abortion rings.
  • Evidence suggests that gender-based discrimination persists across socio-economic strata, transcending rural-urban and rich-poor divides.

Questions

  1. Despite stringent legislative frameworks like the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, female foeticide remains a persistent social challenge in India. Discuss the socio-cultural factors that sustain this practice and evaluate the efficacy of current governance mechanisms in curbing these illegal networks. 150 words
    Attempt this — 150 words in 8 min
    0 / 150 words 8:00
  2. Gender-based discrimination in India is deeply embedded in the social fabric, manifesting in practices like son preference and female foeticide. Analyze the role of patriarchal mindsets in perpetuating these issues and suggest a multi-dimensional approach involving community engagement, legal enforcement, and socio-economic empowerment to address this systemic crisis. 250 words
    Attempt this — 250 words in 11 min
    0 / 250 words 11:00

Prelims

  1. According to the National Family Health Survey (2019-21) data for Maharashtra, what is the reported preference for sons compared to daughters among the surveyed population?

Syllabus

Topics

Sources

250words.in · https://250words.in/daily/2026-08-11/maharashtra-female-foeticide-racket