What are the major social problems in India?

Following are some of the growing social problems in India:

1. Alcoholism, Smoking and Drug Addiction

This social problems are witnessed on a large scale amongst the Highest Income group and the lowest income group. Along with this, they are popular substance abuse amongst the teenagers.

The teenage is called as a period of “Storm and Stress” where the individual is affected by many physical and mental changes. Hence in order to relieve themselves from various tensions and frustration, the youths start substance abuse like smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol and using drugs like Charas, Ganja, Cocaine etc. This ultimately creates problems in the personal and social life of the individual as well as disturbs the peace of the society.

2. Dowry System

It is a part and parcel of the traditional Indian society. Almost in every caste and religion of India, the dowry system is found on a large scale. The women are burnt alive and harassed by their in-laws for dowry.

3. Casteism

The Caste System is a blot on the traditional hindu society. The low caste people are harassed and tortured by the high caste. Incidences like Khairlanje in Maharashtra occurs even in today’s highly modernized world.

4. Communalism

Since the Indian society is a multi-religious society, conflicts based on religion are quite natural. The Hindus, the Muslims, the Christains et al ., exhibit communalistic tendencies. The Ram-Janma Bhoomi Babri Masjid issue, the Godhra Railway incident, the Mumbai riots of 1993 present a bloody picture of communal violence in the country.

5. Linguism

Since the Government started the re-organization of States on the basis of language, Linguism became a cause of conflict in the country. Hindi was given the status of national language in 1961and since that time lingual conflicts occurred in the country.

6. Regionalism

The politicians for their own benefit have created regionalism. They try to ignite the flame of regionalistic fervor amongst the people and later on they utilize people for political power.

7. Population Explosion

From 1901 till today the population of the country is on rise. It gives rise to problems like poverty, hunger, malnutrition, unemployment, illiteracy, corruption etc.

8. Illiteracy

One of the reason for the backwardness of the country is illiteracy. From 1951 to 2001 the literacy rate of India was just 65%. On the top of it, the rates of drop-out students, female illiteracy are also very high. This again is concern for the government of the country.

9. Unemployment

The main reason for unemployment is population explosion. The government is finding it difficult to create jobs for its literate citizens. If this problem continues then it would lead the educated youth towards criminalization.

10 Corruption

Almost in every walk of life whether it is social, political or economical ,we find corruption. It has affected the social and economic development of the people. According to the former Commissioner of the Chief Vigilance Commissioner, there are five players of corruption in India. They are Neta(politician), Lala(Businessmen), Jhola(Non- Governmental Organizations), Babu(Civil Servants) and Data(Criminals).

11. Poverty

The social problem of poverty is inter-related with hunger and malnutrition. The main causes of poverty are population explosion and unemployment. The government has plans like Garibi Hatao Yojana., however, many of such plans are only on paper.

12. HIV / AIDS

It is a cause of concern for many countries of the world. India hosts about 5.2 million HIV infected persons. There is a need to create awareness amongst the masses about the menace of the deadly disease of AIDS.

13. Trafficking

India faces the proble of in-country and cross- border trafficking. Commercial sexual exploitation, organ transplant, begging, circus and forced marriage of women and children are common in the country.

14. Child Abuse

The exploitation of children is a universal problem and one of the major problems in india. The childrens are forced to work in factories and industries for free and they are physically and mentally exploitated by the businessmen and the high class society. Many childrens are kidnapped for ransom and sexually abused by sadistic people.

15. Gender Inequality

Since the traditional Indian society is male dominated society, the women have secondary status as compared to men. In many families birth of a baby girl is considered as a bad omen and as a liability. Women are exploited , ill-treated, burnt alive, sold in an open market, assaulted and harassed in all the stages of their life and at any age.