GS Paper IV — Q2
(a) "It is not enough to talk about peace, one must believe in it; and it is not enough to believe in it, one must act upon it."…
"It is not enough to talk about peace, one must believe in it; and it is not enough to believe in it, one must act upon it." In the present context, the major weapon industries of the developed nations are adversely influencing continuation of number of wars for their own self-interest, all around the world. What are the ethical considerations of the powerful nations in today's international arena to stop continuation of ongoing conflicts? 10 (Answer in 150 words)
Global warming and climate change are the outcomes of human greed in the name of development, indicating the direction in which extinction of organisms including human beings is heading towards loss of life on Earth. How do you put an end to this to protect life and bring equilibrium between the society and the environment? 10 (Answer in 150 words)
हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें
"शांति के बारे में केवल बात करना ही पर्याप्त नहीं है, इस पर विश्वास करना चाहिए; और इस पर केवल विश्वास करना ही पर्याप्त नहीं है, इस पर कार्य करना चाहिए।" वर्तमान संदर्भ में, विकसित देशों के प्रमुख हथियार उद्योग, दुनिया भर में अपने स्वार्थ के लिए कई युद्धों की निरंतरता पर प्रतिकूल प्रभाव डाल रहे हैं। आज के अंतर्राष्ट्रीय क्षेत्र में निरंतर चल रहे संघर्षों को रोकने के लिए शक्तिशाली राष्ट्रों के नैतिक विचार क्या हैं? (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए)
ग्लोबल वार्मिंग और जलवायु परिवर्तन विकास के नाम पर मानव के लालच का परिणाम है, जो इस और संकेत करता है कि मानव सहित सभी जीवों का विलुप्त होना पृथ्वी पर जीवन की समाप्ति की ओर अग्रसर है। जीवन की रक्षा के लिए और समाज तथा पर्यावरण के बीच संतुलन लाने के लिए आप इसे कैसे समाप्त करेंगे? (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए)
Model answer
Drafted with AI by UPSC Answer Check against this question's marking rubric, to the 150-word length. UPSC does not publish answers for Mains — this is one way to score well, not an official key. How we build rubrics and answers.
(a) Ethical considerations for powerful nations to end ongoing conflicts
The quotation asks that a commitment to peace be acted on, not merely professed. When arms industries profit from war, powerful states face a conflict between commercial or strategic interest and moral duty.
Ethical considerations:
- Sanctity of human life: civilians in Gaza, Ukraine or Sudan are ends in themselves (Kant), not collateral for export revenue.
- Responsibility proportional to power: permanent members of the Security Council, also among the largest arms exporters, carry a special duty to restrain rather than fuel wars.
- Consistency: condemning aggression in one theatre while arming it in another erodes the credibility of international law.
- Just war principles: support only for legitimate defence, proportionality and the protection of non-combatants.
Action: enforce the Arms Trade Treaty, 2013 and halt transfers likely to be used against civilians; back ceasefires and UN-led mediation; and accept independent investigation of violations.
(b) Ending greed-driven climate change and restoring balance
The question traces climate change to greed — consumption and growth pursued without regard to nature's limits. Gandhi's words fit: the earth provides enough for every man's need, not every man's greed.
Measures at three levels:
- Individual: sustainable lifestyles under Mission LiFE — less waste, energy efficiency, plant-rich diets, public transport — and ethical consumption.
- Societal and economic: a circular economy; carbon pricing and India's Carbon Credit Trading Scheme; green finance; renewable energy, with India's target of 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030; protection of forests, wetlands and mangroves.
- Global: climate justice under common but differentiated responsibilities, with finance and technology from developed countries, and adaptation support for the vulnerable.
Ethically, the shift is from an anthropocentric to an ecocentric view, in the tradition of the Bishnois and of the Chipko movement, and to intergenerational equity — leaving the earth no poorer for those who come after.
How this answer will be evaluated
Framework: GS4 Ethical Dilemma & Governance Framework
What earns full marks: Identifies structural conflicts and offers specific, actionable policy solutions.
Evaluation rubric
Each sub-part is marked on its own, against the marks and word limit printed on the paper.
- (a) State the ethical considerations for powerful nations to stop ongoing conflicts, given the influence of arms industries. 10 marks · 150 words
discuss— intro → 3-4 dimensions → example → balanced close
Must cover
- Interpret the quote (attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt): peace needs belief translated into action
- Ethical issues: profit from war (military-industrial complex), human lives as means, complicity, double standards
- Principles: just war (jus ad bellum/in bello), non-maleficence, R2P limits, Kantian dignity, global justice
- Concrete obligations: arms export controls (Arms Trade Treaty 2013), humanitarian law compliance, mediation and ceasefire diplomacy, UN reform, transparency in arms trade (UN Register)
Loses marks
- Partisan blame of specific countries
- No ethical principle
- Generic call for peace without measures
Earns more
- Examples of ongoing conflicts treated neutrally
- India's stance (dialogue and diplomacy)
- Role of citizens and corporations (CSR/human rights due diligence)
Extra mark
- Gandhian non-violence reference
- (b) Explain how to end climate damage driven by greed and restore balance between society and environment. 10 marks · 150 words
suggest— the problem in one line → implementable measures → who acts → conclusion
Must cover
- Ethical framing: greed vs need (Gandhi), intergenerational justice, anthropocentrism vs ecocentrism
- Individual level: Mission LiFE, sustainable consumption, trusteeship
- Institutional/global: CBDR-RC, Paris goals, NDCs, climate finance and just transition, circular economy, nature-based solutions
- Balance: green growth, indigenous practices (sacred groves, Bishnoi), tech and policy (carbon markets, renewables)
Loses marks
- Alarmism without solutions
- Only policy lists, no ethics
- Ignoring equity between nations
Earns more
- Data (e.g., 1.5 °C threshold, India's 2070 net zero, 500 GW non-fossil target)
- Role of civil servants and businesses
- Environmental virtue ethics
Extra mark
- Relevant quote (e.g., 'The earth has enough for every man's need...')
What "Evaluate" is asking you to do
Judge how well something has performed against the standard it set for itself — its stated aim, mandate or promise — and commit to a verdict. Name the yardstick before you judge; an unanchored judgement reads as opinion.
Structure that answers it
Name the yardstick — stated aim, mandate or benchmark → performance against it → shortfall against it → why the gap exists → verdict
Where marks are lost
Presenting both sides and then declining to decide, or delivering a verdict against a standard you never stated, which makes it look arbitrary.
Practice this exact question
Write your answer and it is marked point by point against the model answer above — what you covered, what you missed, what you got wrong.
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