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General Studies 2023 GS Paper II 15 marks 250 words Compulsory Analyse

GS Paper II — Q17

"Development and welfare schemes for the vulnerable, by its nature, are discriminatory in approach." Do you agree? Give reasons…

"Development and welfare schemes for the vulnerable, by its nature, are discriminatory in approach." Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer. (Answer in 250 words) 15 marks

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

"वंचितों के विकास और कल्याण की योजनाएँ अपनी प्रकृति से ही दृष्टिकोण में भेदभाव करने वाली होती हैं।" क्या आप सहमत हैं? अपने उत्तर के पक्ष में कारण दीजिए। (250 शब्दों में उत्तर) 15 marks

Q17 of the 2023 UPSC Mains General Studies GS Paper II, as printed
The question as printed in the 2023 General Studies paper
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Model answer

Written by UPSC Answer Check against this question's marking rubric, to the 250-word length. UPSC does not publish answers for Mains — this is one way to score well, not an official key.

The statement is partly true in form but misleading in substance. The two parts—targeted welfare and equality—interact: differential treatment is the instrument through which formal equality becomes substantive. Welfare schemes for the vulnerable do treat groups differently, but this is not discrimination in the constitutional sense; it is reasonable classification under Article 14, which permits classification based on intelligible differentia and rational nexus with the object. Formal equality treats all alike, while substantive equality recognises that caste, gender, disability, poverty and geography create different starting points. Articles 15(4) and 16(4) are enabling provisions allowing the State to make special provisions for SCs, STs, OBCs and other backward classes; Article 46, a non-enforceable DPSP, directs the State to protect them from social injustice and economic exploitation. Indra Sawhney (1992) upheld backward-class reservations as remedial, not punitive.

Schemes such as scholarships for SC/ST/OBC, Ayushman Bharat for the poor, and PM-KISAN—an income support for landholding farmer families subject to exclusion criteria—differentiate by objective disadvantage or eligibility, not arbitrary exclusion. Yet the approach can appear discriminatory when creamy-layer exclusion is contested, Aadhaar-linked delivery causes exclusion errors, or regional imbalances foster perceptions of reverse discrimination.

The tension is resolved by constitutional morality: differential treatment is permissible when it advances transformative equality. Universal schemes, where feasible, reduce exclusion errors, while targeted schemes correct structural disadvantage; demand-driven self-targeting schemes like MGNREGA combine access with poverty relief. A way forward is a saturation approach, sunset clauses and periodic review, so that welfare corrects disadvantage without creating permanent dependency.

What "Analyse" is asking you to do

Break the subject into its working parts and show how they act on each other. The marks are in the interconnections — which factor drives which, and what the resulting structure explains — not in the inventory of factors.

Structure that answers it

Define the whole → separate it into its parts → show which part drives which → what that interaction produces → what the structure implies

Where marks are lost

A flat list of causes with no account of which drives which. An answer of neatly separated headings, each self-contained, scores as description.

All UPSC directive words, compared →

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

Framework: GS2 Social Justice / Constitutional Morality. comment: context > arguments both sides > judgment > close Full marks: Balanced judgment on substantive equality with specific scheme examples

Key points expected

  • Define 'discriminatory' as targeted affirmative action
  • Cite Article 14 (Equality) vs Article 46 (Welfare)
  • Explain 'means test' as the mechanism of discrimination
  • Conclude with 'substantive equality' vs 'formal equality'

Evaluation rubric

Each sub-part is marked on its own, against the marks and word limit printed on the paper.

  1. The answer Context > arguments both sides > judgment > close 15 marks · 250 words

    comment— context → arguments both sides → judgment → close

    Must cover

    • Define 'discriminatory' as targeted affirmative action
    • Cite Article 14 (Equality) vs Article 46 (Welfare)
    • Explain 'means test' as the mechanism of discrimination
    • Conclude with 'substantive equality' vs 'formal equality'

    Loses marks

    • Reciting Articles without linking to welfare schemes
    • Activist tone or moralizing without legal basis
    • Ending without a clear judgment or reform

    Earns more

    • Mention 'horizontal' vs 'vertical' discrimination
    • Reference 'identifiable vulnerable sections' (SC/ST/Transgender)
    • Discuss 'universal' vs 'targeted' welfare schemes
    • Cite 'constitutional morality' as the guiding principle

    Extra mark

    • Cite 'Indira Sawhney' or 'E.V. Chinnaiah' judgment
    • Reference '2nd ARC' recommendations on social justice

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