General Studies 2023 GS Paper I 10 marks 150 words Compulsory Analyse

Q8

Do you think marriage as a sacrament is loosing its value in Modern India? (Answer in 150 words) 10

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

क्या आप सोचते हैं कि, आधुनिक भारत में विवाह एक संस्कार के रूप में अपना मूल्य खोता जा रहा है? (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए)

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Directive word: Analyse

This question asks you to analyse. The directive word signals the depth of analysis expected, the structure of your answer, and the weight of evidence you must bring.

See our UPSC directive words guide for a full breakdown of how to respond to each command word.

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

The directive 'analyse' requires breaking down the question into components—examining both the traditional sacramental view of marriage (sanctity, indissolubility, religious significance) and modern challenges (individualism, legal reforms, changing social attitudes). Structure as: brief definition of sacramental marriage → factors eroding its value (legal, social, economic) → counter-trends preserving sanctity → balanced conclusion on transformation rather than loss.

Key points expected

Definition of marriage as sacrament in Hindu tradition (saptapadi, indissoluble, divine union) contrasted with contractual view
Legal reforms: Hindu Marriage Act 1955 (provision for divorce), Special Marriage Act 1954, judicial rulings on live-in relationships
Social changes: rising divorce rates, delayed marriages, inter-caste/inter-faith unions, women's economic independence
Counter-trends: continued religious ceremonies, arranged marriages dominating (90%+), Supreme Court upholding marital sanctity in cases like Sarla Mudgal
Nuanced conclusion: sacrament evolving not disappearing—institutional adaptation rather than value erosion

Evaluation rubric

Dimension	Weight	Max marks	Excellent	Average	Poor
Demand-directive understanding	20%	2	Correctly interprets 'analyse' by deconstructing both dimensions—sacramental attributes (religious, eternal, duty-based) and modern challenges (individual rights, gender equality, legal intervention)—without mere description	Partially addresses both aspects but conflates description with analysis; may treat 'losing value' as purely negative without examining transformation	Misreads directive as 'describe' or 'comment'; provides only narrative of marriage changes without analytical framework
Content depth & accuracy	20%	2	Accurately distinguishes sacramental (Hindu/Christian traditions) vs contractual dimensions; cites specific legal provisions and social trends with precision on 150-word constraint	Covers basic distinction but conflates sacramental with 'traditional'; minor inaccuracies in legal references or overgeneralizes social trends	Confuses sacrament with ritual; factually wrong on legal provisions (e.g., claiming divorce unavailable) or relies on stereotypes without substantiation
Structure & flow	20%	2	Tight 150-word architecture: 20-word thesis → 60-word analysis of erosion (legal/social) → 50-word counter-analysis → 20-word synthesis; seamless logical transitions	Recognizable introduction-body-conclusion but uneven weightage; either over-expands on one aspect or conclusion feels abrupt	No discernible structure; random listing of points; exceeds word limit significantly or severely underwrites; poor paragraphing
Examples / case-law / data	20%	2	Deploys 2-3 precise references: e.g., Hindu Marriage Act Section 13, Supreme Court in S. Khushboo v. Kanniammal (2010) on live-in, or NFHS data on arranged marriages; examples directly illustrate analytical points	Generic reference to 'court judgments' or 'increasing divorce' without specificity; examples relevant but not tightly integrated	No examples or irrelevant ones (e.g., citing Dowry Prohibition Act without connecting to sacrament); fabricated case names or statistics
Conclusion & analytical edge	20%	2	Synthesizes to nuanced position: sacrament not lost but redefined—religious core persists alongside legal-contractual overlay; or argues contextual erosion with qualification	Balanced but bland conclusion ('both views have merit'); no clear analytical stance or merely restates question	Extreme position without justification (complete loss or no change); missing conclusion; or conclusion contradicts body analysis

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