Please see this post on the same issue on this blog before reading this. On the same forum a new elaborate comment on this matter by a forum member:
It is true that the government does many things on the gender front without following it whole-heartedly (such as the gender budgeting by Chidambaram). Still in my opinion, this has a lot more than what meets the eye.
1. It is a clear policy statement by the UPSC/government. It has no tangible benefits except the 50 Rupees for the womenfolk but it will have ramifications. They may extend it to all other UPSC exams (ideally they should) including the Civil Services Main examination. Maybe someday the reservation for women in the parliament will also become a reality.