Breaking Barriers, Bridging Gaps: A Decade of Gender Disparity in UPSC Civil Services Exams

Introduction: A Decade of Unequal Representation

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination — one of India’s most prestigious and competitive exams — continues to reflect deep-rooted gender disparities. Despite numerous reforms, awareness campaigns, and empowerment initiatives, the participation of women in the exam has remained below 40% over an entire decade (2010–2021). Meanwhile, transgender representation remains almost invisible, revealing the continued exclusion of marginalized groups from the nation’s top administrative pathways.

According to UPSC’s official annual reports from 2010 to 2021, women’s participation in the Civil Services Examination rose gradually from 23.4% in 2010 to 32.98% in 2021, yet this progress remains far from equitable representation. Transgender participation, on the other hand, continues to hover below 0.001%, with no qualifying candidates in any stage of the exam during this period.

Women in UPSC: Progress, but Below the 40% Ceiling

The UPSC’s 2021 annual report paints a telling picture — while 32.98% of candidates appearing for the prelims were women, only 14.75% qualified for the next stage. In the mains and interview stages combined, women made up just 26.87% (408 candidates), and in the final merit list, only 201 women (15.66%) were selected.

This modest participation marks an upward trend over the years — women’s representation has steadily climbed by nearly 10 percentage points since 2010. However, the progress remains constrained by social and structural challenges that continue to define women’s access to education and competitive exams in India.

The Numbers: A Gradual Rise Over 11 Years

While women have crossed the 30% mark since 2019, the elusive 40% ceiling remains unbroken. Experts suggest this steady rise reflects both increasing educational access and greater societal acceptance of women in civil service roles — yet many invisible hurdles persist.

Roadblocks to Equal Representation

Gendered expectations, mobility constraints, and unequal access to coaching resources continue to limit women’s participation. Many aspirants face marriage pressure, safety concerns while relocating for preparation, and skepticism from extended families.

Anshika Moyal, a UPSC aspirant from Rajasthan, shared how social expectations weigh heavily on female candidates:

“My relatives remind me that I have only one or two attempts left before I’m expected to settle down. It affects my mental health and preparation.”

Similarly, Ayushi, another aspirant working with the Uttarakhand government, said family support plays a crucial role:

“My grandmother felt I should get married as I was ‘doing nothing’, but my mother stood by me. It made me question — does society still see marriage as the only goal for women?”

IAS officer Ira Singhal (2015 batch) highlighted another critical point — the high-risk perception attached to women’s UPSC preparation:

“At 22, if a woman devotes four years to the exam, most families see it as risky. Her life, they believe, is defined by the marriage market.”

The Coaching Divide: Unequal Investment in Sons and Daughters

The cost of coaching in metro cities like Delhi often exceeds ₹3–4 lakh annually, making it unaffordable for many middle-class families. When faced with limited resources, parents still tend to prioritize sons’ education, perceiving daughters’ higher education as secondary to marital expectations.

Ayushi shared,

“My parents used their savings for my education, but I couldn’t move to Delhi due to costs. I managed through self-study. Many girls quit midway because of family obligations.”

Though some relief has come from educational loans, scholarships, and government schemes, the mindset gap continues to affect women’s access to equal opportunity.

The Hidden Burden: Marriage and Domestic Expectations

For many women who marry during or after their UPSC journey, domestic responsibilities often curtail preparation time. Aspirants like Moyal recall relatives who juggle study hours with cooking, cleaning, and childcare.

Even for successful candidates, the balancing act continues. A 2004 P.C. Hota Committee Report noted that women officers often shoulder disproportionate domestic duties even after joining the services. Gender equality, it seems, demands not just opportunity but also shared responsibility at home.

Transgender Representation: Legal Recognition, Social Exclusion

Despite progressive rulings such as NALSA vs Union of India (2014) and the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, the representation of transgender individuals in UPSC exams remains almost invisible.

In 2021, only four transgender candidates appeared for the prelims — none qualified. The participation rate has consistently remained below 0.001%, as shown below:

Experts attribute this to systemic exclusion in education, lack of family acceptance, and absence of institutional support.
Professor Rajeev, Head of the Department of Adult, Continuing Education and Extension at Delhi University, explains:

“From school to college, transgender individuals face discrimination, high dropout rates, and identity document challenges that block access to higher education and competitive exams.”

Signs of Change: The Road Ahead

While challenges persist, there are glimmers of progress. The rise of women’s participation from 23% to nearly 33% in just a decade signals a positive trajectory toward gender parity. Increasing visibility of women in leadership and policy roles is inspiring a new generation of female aspirants.

For transgender candidates, social acceptance and legal protection are still catching up with policy changes. Initiatives like the Transgender Resource Centre (TRC) at Delhi University and greater awareness in coaching institutions offer early signs of inclusion.

As IAS officer Ira Singhal aptly puts it:

“If families and institutions believe in their daughters, sisters, and students, we will not just have more women and trans people in UPSC — we’ll have a more representative India.”

Conclusion: Toward a More Inclusive Civil Service

The story of UPSC’s gender representation is one of slow but visible progress. Women continue to climb, breaking stereotypes and proving resilience, while transgender aspirants battle for a rightful place at the starting line.

True inclusivity, however, requires more than numbers — it demands systemic change, institutional support, and a collective reimagining of what equality truly means in India’s most powerful exam.

Until then, the journey from representation to equal opportunity remains unfinished — but not impossible.