UPSC Mains Previous Year Questions 2021: GS1 Indian Society | Indian Society for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Q1: Examine the uniqueness of tribal knowledge systems when compared with mainstream knowledge and cultural systems. [Indian Society]
Ans: Indigenous communities worldwide have preserved distinct cultural insights known as tribal knowledge or aboriginal knowledge, contributing to their survival.

Tribal knowledge systems, embodying inter-generational wisdom, have been transmitted through centuries of experience. Unlike mainstream knowledge and culture, tribal knowledge stands out for its unique characteristics:

• Proximity to Nature: Tribal societies maintain contemporary knowledge of nature, having remained closely connected to forests, flora, and fauna. In contrast, mainstream societies have shifted towards an agricultural basis.
• Source of Knowledge: Mainstream knowledge relies on questioning ideas, science, rationality, and evolution. Tribal methods, however, focus on the conservation of knowledge.
• Transfer of Knowledge: Tribal knowledge is passed down through generations via stories, songs, dances, carvings, paintings, and performances, while mainstream knowledge is preserved in books and recordings.
• Type of Learning: Tribal knowledge systems promote integrated learning for the community, emphasizing the production of generalists. Conversely, mainstream societies have disintegrated knowledge into specialized subjects, aiming to produce specialists.
• Equality: Tribal knowledge systems are non-exclusionary and characterized by equity, whereas mainstream knowledge systems face barriers such as the cost of education, patent protections, and social exclusion.

Nevertheless, tribal and mainstream societies are not mutually exclusive systems. Continuous interaction and mutual dependence have resulted in enrichment for both.

Q2: Examine the role of ‘Gig Economy’ in the process of empowerment of women in India. [Indian Society]
Ans: A gig economy is a flexible market system where temporary positions are prevalent, and organizations engage independent workers for short-term commitments. As per a Boston Consulting Group report, India's gig workforce comprises 15 million individuals employed in sectors like software, shared services, and professional services.

The gig economy is expected to grow and enhance women's employment opportunities due to its reliance on flexible, temporary, or freelance jobs. This has the potential to attract more women into the workforce, especially those who couldn't opt for full-time positions.

However, challenges persist:

• Unregulated Nature: The gig economy operates with minimal regulations, leading to limited job security and benefits for workers.
• Skills Requirement: Workers need to possess relevant skills, and unless exceptionally talented, their bargaining power remains constrained. Unlike traditional employment where companies invest in training, gig-economy workers, especially women, must independently upgrade their skills at their own expense.
• Supply-Demand Mismatch: The gig economy faces a surplus of potential online independent workers compared to available jobs, creating a demand-supply disparity that may depress wages, particularly for women.

To safeguard the interests of both employers and employees in this evolving work landscape, the implementation of some labor laws and regulations becomes crucial. Additionally, documenting global best practices in utilizing new technologies across various industries while creating job opportunities for women can contribute to the formulation of supportive policies.

Q3: Discuss the main objectives of Population Education and point out the measures to achieve them in India in detail. [Indian Society]
Ans: The term "population" refers to the total number of individuals residing in a specific place at a particular time. Population Education involves fostering awareness and comprehension of the population situation among people, encouraging them to take responsibility for population management.

Objectives of Population Education:

• Demographic Concepts: Develop an understanding of demographic concepts and processes.
• Influence of Population Trends: Recognize the impact of population trends on various aspects of human life, including social, cultural, political, and economic dimensions.
• Population Growth and Development: Understand the close interaction between population growth and the developmental process, particularly in the context of programs aimed at improving people's standard of living.
• Environmental Effects of Overpopulation: Learn about the adverse effects of overpopulation on the environment, including dangers associated with pollution.
• Advancements in Science and Medicine: Understand scientific and medical advancements that enable increased control over famines, diseases, and death, and the resulting imbalance between death and birth rates.
• Biological Factors and Reproduction: Gain knowledge about biological factors and the phenomenon of reproduction responsible for the continuity of the species.

Population Education in India:

• India initiated a state-sponsored family planning program in the 1950s, becoming one of the first developing countries to do so.
• The National Population Policy of 2000 aimed at achieving a stable population for India, addressing unmet needs for contraception, health care infrastructure, and personnel.
• The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) is a comprehensive, multi-round survey conducted across India's representative households.
• Population Education in India commenced during the third Five Year Plan (1961-66), and a formal Population Education Programme was launched in 1980 to integrate Population Education into the education system.
• Despite significant contributions from family welfare programs, educational interventions remain crucial for promoting population stabilization and ensuring a better quality of life. Universities and educational institutions play a vital role by providing relevant knowledge and awareness.

Q4: What is Cryptocurrency? How does it affect global society? Has it been affecting Indian society also? [Indian Society]
Ans: 

Cryptocurrency and Its Impact on Society: A cryptocurrency is a digital form of currency designed to function as a decentralized medium of exchange, operating through a computer network without reliance on any central authority, such as a government or bank. It is a secure digital or virtual currency, utilizing cryptography to prevent counterfeiting or double-spending.

Effects of Cryptocurrency on Society:

• Globalization Advancement: Cryptocurrency brings a new level of global connectivity, being a digital currency easily accessible across international borders.
• Decentralized Global Currency: The emergence of a decentralized currency for countries worldwide, independent of any specific nation, potentially rendering fiat money obsolete in the future.
• Cost-Efficient International Transactions: Cryptocurrencies facilitate faster and more accurate international transactions, reducing fraud risks and enabling entrepreneurs to access global markets more easily.
• Challenges to Sovereign Power: While offering advantages, cryptocurrency diminishes the government's sovereign power to issue currency, making economic policy less effective and introducing volatility to capital, posing risks to macroeconomic stability.
• Illicit Use and Security Concerns: The use of cryptocurrency by criminal entities like terrorist organizations and drug cartels negatively impacts global society. The anonymity associated with its use can potentially increase criminal activities.
• Remittance Benefits and Accessibility: In countries like India, cryptocurrency can reduce expenses related to remittances, though the digital divide may exclude those who cannot afford technology.
• Regulatory Landscape: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) previously restricted banks from dealing in cryptocurrencies, a decision overturned by the Supreme Court in May 2020. The government now plans to introduce a bill creating a sovereign digital currency while prohibiting private cryptocurrencies.
• Role in Fourth Industrial Revolution: Blockchain and crypto assets are expected to be integral to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, necessitating the development of a regulatory framework through global partnerships and collective strategies.

Q5: How does Indian society maintain continuity in traditional social values? Enumerate the changes taking place in it. [Indian Society] 
Ans: The heart of Indian society lies in embracing a wide array of unique identities, ethnicities, languages, religions, and culinary preferences. Throughout history, societies attempting to suppress differences have faced fragmentation.

Key Cultural Values of Indian Life:

• A Cosmic Vision: Indian culture places human beings at the core of the universe, celebrating individuality and diverse opinions in society as a divine creation.
• Tolerance: India values tolerance and liberalism across religions, castes, and communities, fostering peaceful co-existence.
• Sense of Harmony: Indian philosophy seeks intrinsic harmony and order within society.
• Continuity and Stability: Ancient Indian cultural elements persist despite invasions, changing rulers, and evolving laws.
• Adaptability: Indian society demonstrates fluidity, adapting to changing times, places, and periods.
• Caste System and Hierarchy: While India has systems of social stratification that historically accommodated outsiders, they also contributed to discrimination and prejudice.
• Unity in Diversity: Indian society, despite inherent differences, celebrates unity in diversity, reflecting the founding principles and constitutional ideals of modern India.

Recent Divisive Issues in Indian Society:

• Casteism: Discrimination based on caste leads to societal divisions and, at times, violence.
• Communalism: Aggressive attitudes among communities create tension and clashes, posing challenges to democracy and national unity.
• Nuclear Families: The emerging trend of nuclear families with few children deprives youngsters of the presence of elders crucial for instilling values.
• Gender Discrimination: India needs to scrutinize norms permitting violence and a broader pattern of gender discrimination. A society failing to value women as much as men falls short of realizing its full potential.

Despite challenges, India remains a diverse country, a complex mosaic of communities. Our unique societal genius lies in fostering coexistence where diversity flourishes. The principle of "Sarva Dharma Sambhava" (equal respect for all religions) is deeply rooted in India’s tradition and culture.