UPSC Mains Previous Year Questions 2023: GS1 Indian Society | Indian Society for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Q1: Explain why suicide among young women is increasing in Indian society. (Indian Society)
Ans: Marriage, a legally and socially recognized partnership with the goal of forming families and adhering to social norms, holds deep roots in Indian culture and religion. Nevertheless, in present-day India, its significance as a sacrament is undergoing changes.

Reasons for Decreasing Value:

• Changing Norms: Society now embraces diverse relationships, diminishing the importance of traditional marriage. Recent data indicates a rise in the percentage of youth who have never married, reaching 26.1% in 2019.
• Individual Autonomy: Personal freedom enables autonomous choices in relationships, challenging arranged marriages with alternatives like live-in relationships and encouraging single lifestyles.
• Rising Divorce: Increasing divorce rates imply a decrease in the sacredness and permanence of marriage.
• Economic Independence: The call for women's empowerment extends choices beyond traditional marriage, challenging patriarchy and diminishing the sanctity of marriage.

Reasons Supporting Marriage's Value:

• Social Stability: Marriage remains a fundamental pillar for social stability by providing a structured foundation for family life.
• Legal Protections: It provides crucial legal rights in areas such as inheritance, property, and medical decisions.
• Religious Significance: Many consider marriage as sacred, tied to their religion, imparting moral values.
• Psychological Security: Marriage alleviates isolation, offering psychological security, which is essential for addressing mental health challenges.

In summary, while marriage adapts to modern needs, it continues to hold significance in contemporary India, fulfilling evolving societal aspirations.

Q2: Child cuddling is now being replaced by mobile phones. Discuss its impact on the socialization of children. (Indian Society)
Ans: In the rapidly changing digital landscape, the traditional practice of cuddling with children is facing competition from the widespread use of mobile phones. This shift in how caregivers attend to children is reshaping their socialization experiences, presenting both advantages and drawbacks.

Negative Effects:

• Weakened Emotional Connection: Reduced physical touch and eye contact may hinder the formation of secure attachments, potentially leading to emotional insecurities.
• Delayed Development of Social Skills: Excessive screen time can hinder the acquisition of crucial interpersonal skills, affecting a child's ability to interact effectively.
• Concerns about Physical Health: Prolonged screen use is associated with health issues, reducing physical activities and limiting interactions with peers.
• Increased Impulsiveness: Overstimulating mobile apps may encourage impulsivity, affecting focus and meaningful conversations.

Positive Effects:

• Facilitating Family Ties: Mobile phones enable virtual visits, strengthening family bonds and expanding social networks.
• Language Exposure: Educational apps expose children to diverse languages, enhancing linguistic and cognitive development.
• Tech Proficiency: Children become digital natives with strong digital literacy skills, crucial in a technology-driven world.
• Accessibility Tools: Mobile devices offer features for children with special needs, aiding communication and learning.

Maintaining a balance between mobile device usage and physical interactions, including cuddling, ensures comprehensive child development, combining technological engagement with the enduring comfort of physical affection.

Q3: What are the main features of Vedic society and religion? Do you think some of the features are still prevailing in Indian society? (Indian Society)
Ans: The Vedic era, spanning approximately from 1500 BCE to 600 BCE, marks a significant chapter in Indian history, influencing the country's society and religion.

Key Aspects:

• Ritual Sacrifices (Yajnas): Ceremonies involving mantras dedicated to deities for various benefits.
• Varna System: Social roles based on skills and aptitude, evolving into the caste system.
• Concept of Dharma: Moral and ethical principles for different life stages and roles.
• Philosophical Texts (Upanishads): Writings on concepts like the self (Atman), the ultimate reality (Brahman), and the path to enlightenment (Moksha).
• Concepts of Samsara and Karma: Ideas of the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, and the law of cause and effect, initially ritualistic, later spiritual.

In contemporary India, the Vedic legacy endures through:

• Rituals and Festivals: Vedic rituals, including Diwali, are integral to cultural and spiritual practices.
• Philosophy: Vedic philosophy influences various schools of thought, such as Vedanta and Yoga. The phrase "Satyamev Jayate" is derived from the Mundaka Upanishad.
• Natural Elements: Respect for natural elements and sacred rivers, like the Ganges, is deeply ingrained in the culture.
• Celebrations and Dance Forms: Classical dance forms like Bharatanatyam and Odissi depict stories from Vedic texts.
• Ayurveda and Medicine: Ayurveda, an ancient medical system based on Vedic knowledge, continues to be practiced.

However, certain factors have led to a reduction in Vedic traditions:

• Urbanization and Modernization: Priorities shifted from traditional agricultural and pastoral practices integral to Vedic society.
• Technology Impact: The internet and social media exposed people to a broader range of ideas.
• Globalization: Exposure to global cultures and ideas has resulted in more cosmopolitan lifestyles.

The dynamic interplay between ancient traditions and contemporary influences showcases India's adaptability while preserving its heritage. This reflects the country's cultural richness and its ability to evolve and embrace change.

Q4: Does urbanization lead to more segregation and/or marginalization of the poor in Indian metropolises? (Indian Society)
Ans: Urbanization has become an unavoidable challenge in India, marked by unplanned development that accentuates the existing divide between the affluent and the impoverished in urban areas. The extent of segregation and marginalization varies across regions.

How Urbanization Contributes to Poor Segregation:

1. Income Disparities: Urbanization often leads to income inequalities, resulting in limited affordable housing options for the poor and spatial segregation.
2. Inadequate Housing Policies: Poorly planned urbanization and insufficient housing policies can result in the concentration of slums.
3. Employment Opportunities: The concentration of job opportunities in specific urban areas can compel the poor to settle in marginalized neighborhoods due to proximity to employment.
4. Social Stigma: Social biases and stigma contribute to the segregation of the poor, pushing them to the outskirts of urban centers.

How Urbanization Leads to Marginalization:

• Lack of Social Services: Inadequate provision of essential services like healthcare, education, and sanitation in urban slums further marginalizes the urban poor.
• Land Displacement: Urban development projects often displace poor communities without proper compensation or alternative housing options.
• Health Disparities: Overcrowded and unsanitary living conditions in slums contribute to health issues, with limited access to quality healthcare worsening the problem.
• Social Discrimination: The urban poor may face discrimination and social exclusion based on their economic status and background.

Government Initiatives to Address Segregation and Marginalization of the Poor:

• Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana
• Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation
• Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana

While various steps are being taken, the success of these initiatives depends on improved policy implementation, community participation, and continuous advocacy for the rights of the urban poor.

Q5: Why is caste identity in India both fluid and static? (Indian Society)
Ans: The caste system in India functions as a structure of social stratification, imposing social restrictions, and serving as the foundation for affirmative action. It displays both flexible and unchanging aspects due to social, economic, and historical factors.

Characteristics of the Indian Caste System:

• Inherent Nature of Caste: The caste system in India is marked by complete rigidity and immobility, where one's caste determines their life status.
• Hierarchical Social Structure: Society's caste structure is organized hierarchically, forming a system of subordination based on relations of superiority and inferiority.

Fluid Aspects of Caste Identity:

• Inter-caste Marriages: In recent decades, inter-caste marriages have become more prevalent, especially in urban areas.
• Urbanization and Migration: The shift to urban areas and migration to cities has created more diverse and cosmopolitan environments, overshadowing traditional caste identities.
• Education and Employment: Legislative measures like the Right to Education (RTE) and affirmative action have contributed to higher education levels. For instance, President Ram Nath Kovind, hailing from a Scheduled Caste background, reached the highest office in the country.

Static Aspects of Caste Identity:

• Historical Roots: Caste identity in India has deep historical roots spanning thousands of years, persisting in the collective consciousness of the population.
• Traditional Occupations: In some rural areas, people still adhere to hereditary occupations associated with their caste.
• Caste Associations:Organizations based on caste continue to function as influential pressure groups.

Hence, the Indian caste system is a complex interplay of dynamic and unchanging elements. Overcoming caste barriers requires a combination of social awareness programs, legislative measures, and constitutional initiatives.

Q6: Discuss the impact of post-liberal economy on ethnic identity and communalism. (Indian Society)
Ans: The emergence of a post-liberal economy in India, marked by economic reforms and liberalization initiated in the early 1990s, has brought about a complex and multi-faceted impact, particularly concerning its influence on ethnic identity and communalism within the context of globalization.

Impact on Ethnic Identity:

Positive Aspects:

• Economic Empowerment: Enhanced access to economic opportunities has enabled individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds to elevate their socio-economic standing.
• Cultural Exchange: The post-liberal economy has facilitated increased cultural exchange through enhanced trade, tourism, and connectivity, fostering greater intercultural understanding.
• Entrepreneurship and Regional Identity: Economic liberalization has stimulated entrepreneurship, allowing regions with distinctive ethnic identities to showcase their unique products and traditions.

Negative Aspects:

• Economic Disparities: Uneven economic growth across ethnic groups has resulted in income disparities and the potential marginalization of certain communities.
• Cultural Homogenization: The global spread of consumer culture through liberalization can erode traditional ethnic customs and identities.
• Regional Disparities: Economic liberalization may concentrate wealth and development in specific regions, leaving others economically disadvantaged.

Impact on Communalism:

1. Positive Aspects:
   • Urbanization and Migration: These factors promote social integration and reduce the influence of communalism.
   • Education and Awareness: Improved access to education and information can cultivate a more informed and tolerant society, diminishing communal tensions.
2. Negative Aspects:
   • Media and Technology: These can be employed to propagate divisive ideologies and amplify communal tensions.
   • Rural-Urban Divide: Economic liberalization might contribute to a rural-urban divide, with rural areas feeling neglected, potentially fueling communal sentiments.
   • Consumerism: Materialistic values associated with consumerism may overshadow cultural and social values, leading to a breakdown in community cohesion.

In conclusion, while the post-liberal economy has propelled the country into an era of development and prosperity, its impact on ethnic identity and communalism has simultaneously given rise to new faultlines. Addressing these challenges should align with the values of brotherhood outlined in the preamble.