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General Studies 2025 GS Paper II 10 marks 150 words Compulsory Justify

GS Paper II — Q8

Civil Society Organizations are often perceived as being anti-State actors than non-State actors. Do you agree? Justify. (Answer…

Civil Society Organizations are often perceived as being anti-State actors than non-State actors. Do you agree? Justify. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

नागरिक समाज संगठनों को गैर-राज्य अभिनेता की तुलना में प्रायः राज्य-विरोधी अभिनेता माना जाता है। क्या आप सहमत हैं? औचित्य सिद्ध कीजिए। (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए)

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Model answer

Written 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.

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) are non-State actors operating within the public sphere to advance collective social interests independently of the government.

Basis of the 'Anti-State' Perception The adversarial perception arises when CSOs challenge state policy, as seen during rights-based movements (Narmada Bachao Andolan), systemic accountability drives (India Against Corruption), and increased scrutiny over foreign funding leading to FCRA cancellations. Structurally, this perception is magnified by the selective media visibility of confrontational protests and state sensitivities toward rights-based demands.

The Constructive Non-State Role However, equating CSOs with anti-State activism is an oversimplification. CSOs act as vital developmental partners by bridging critical governance gaps through grassroots service delivery (SEWA), legislative and policy support (PRS Legislative Research), and disaster response (Goonj).

Conclusion The 'anti-State' label is reductionist. In a constitutional democracy, the State-CSO dynamic is fundamentally dialectical, where institutional collaboration and legitimate democratic contestation coexist to strengthen governance.

What "Justify" is asking you to do

Defend a position with reasons that carry evidence, and show why the contrary view does not hold. Where the stem runs as a question and asks you to justify your answer, the position is yours to choose and the marks lie wholly in the defence.

Structure that answers it

Position stated plainly → reason 1 with evidence → reason 2 with evidence → strongest objection, met → position restated as qualified

Where marks are lost

Reasons stated and none of them evidenced. The other standard loss is fence-sitting — an answer that finds merit on both sides and commits to neither has justified nothing.

All UPSC directive words, compared →

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

Framework: GS2: Governance, Transparency, and Accountability. justify: claim > 3-4 reasons > evidence > conclusion Full marks: Balanced judgment with specific examples of constructive and obstructive roles.

Key points expected

  • Define the 'anti-state' perception (e.g., obstruction of policy)
  • Identify CSOs as 'non-state' actors with a constructive mandate
  • Provide examples of CSOs aiding governance (e.g., RTI, health)
  • Conclude with a balanced judgment on their role

Evaluation rubric

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

  1. The answer Evaluate the 'anti-state' perception of CSOs and justify a balanced view of their role. 10 marks · 150 words

    justify— claim → 3-4 reasons → evidence → conclusion

    Must cover

    • Define the 'anti-state' perception (e.g., obstruction of policy)
    • Identify CSOs as 'non-state' actors with a constructive mandate
    • Provide examples of CSOs aiding governance (e.g., RTI, health)
    • Conclude with a balanced judgment on their role

    Loses marks

    • Reciting definitions without analytical judgment
    • Adopting an activist tone without objective analysis
    • Failing to address the 'anti-state' aspect of the prompt

    Earns more

    • Mention the 'Fourth Pillar' of democracy
    • Cite specific examples like CAG or RTI activists
    • Reference the concept of 'Social Audit'
    • Discuss the 'Watchdog' function of CSOs

    Extra mark

    • Cite a specific Supreme Court judgment on NGO regulation
    • Reference the 2nd ARC report on civil society

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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