India’s civil services, long regarded as the pinnacle of public administration, continue to reflect deep-rooted gender imbalance. Despite gradual improvements in female participation, data from the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) between 2010 and 2021 reveals that women and transgender individuals remain severely underrepresented in the country’s most prestigious recruitment process.
Women’s Representation: Progress, But Still a Long Road Ahead
According to the UPSC’s 2021 Annual Report, women comprised 32.98% of all candidates in the Preliminary Examination. However, the numbers dwindled as the stages advanced — only 14.75% of women reached the Mains, 26.87% qualified for interviews, and just 15.66% (201 candidates) made it to the final list.
Over the decade, female participation has inched upward — from 23% in 2010 to about 33% in 2021 — a sign of steady, albeit slow, progress toward gender balance.
Transgender Representation: The Missing Voice
The inclusion of the “third gender” category in the UPSC application form in 2016 was hailed as a milestone for inclusivity. Yet, participation among transgender candidates remains nearly invisible. In 2021, out of 19 applicants, only four appeared for the exam, and none cleared it. The trend was similar in 2020, with 16 registrations but only five appearances, and just one candidate each in 2018 and 2019.
Experts link this gap to systemic exclusion and lack of educational access. Transgender students often face social stigma, discrimination, and limited institutional support,” explained Prof. Rajeev of Delhi University, who oversees the university’s Transgender Resource Center. “Unless we reform educational environments to be inclusive and affirming, these numbers will barely change.”
Social Expectations Still Bind Women Aspirants
For many women, the struggle begins at home. Societal expectations of marriage and domestic roles often overshadow academic ambition. Anshika Moyal, a UPSC aspirant from Rajasthan, recounted: “When I moved to Delhi to prepare, relatives immediately began suggesting marriage. The pressure to ‘settle down’ before 27 is intense — it’s emotionally exhausting.”
Similarly, Aayushi, a government employee from Uttarakhand, faced ridicule for pursuing studies instead of marriage. “My grandmother would often tell me I was wasting time, but my mother stood by me,” she shared. IAS officer Ira Singhal highlighted that UPSC preparation is often considered a “risky bet” for women. “Families fear the long uncertainty of the exam process and see marriage as a safer option,” she remarked.
Financial Barriers Deepen Gender Divide
Beyond social hurdles, economic inequality adds another layer of difficulty. Coaching, housing, and study materials require significant financial investment — something many women cannot access.
Aayushi revealed that although her parents valued her education, they couldn’t afford costly coaching centers. “I had to rely on self-study. Many girls simply drop out because of the cost,” she said. Families, experts note, are still more inclined to fund their sons’ education, seeing it as a higher-return investment.
Balancing Books and Responsibilities
For married women or mothers, the challenge doubles. Managing domestic responsibilities alongside UPSC preparation often becomes overwhelming.
“Some of my married friends get just three or four hours to study after cooking, cleaning, and taking care of children,” Anshika noted. “Their dedication is immense, but the structure around them rarely supports it.”
Toward an Equitable Civil Services Framework
While women’s participation in UPSC is slowly rising, transgender representation remains practically nonexistent. Experts stress that true inclusivity requires systemic changes — from gender-sensitive educational reforms to targeted scholarships and awareness drives in schools and universities.
India’s civil services stand at a turning point. To build a bureaucracy that truly mirrors its citizens, reforms must go beyond token representation — creating a level playing field where gender identity never limits potential, and merit alone defines success.
