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General Studies 2025 GS Paper IV 20 marks 150 words Compulsory Justify

GS Paper IV — Q4

(a) "For any kind of social re-engineering by successfully implementing welfare schemes, a civil servant must use reason and…

(a)

"For any kind of social re-engineering by successfully implementing welfare schemes, a civil servant must use reason and critical thinking in an ethical framework." Justify this statement with suitable examples. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks

(b)

What are the major teachings of Mahavir? Explain their relevance in the contemporary world. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें
(a)

किसी भी प्रकार की सामाजिक पुनर्चना के लिए कल्याणकारी योजनाओं को सफलतापूर्वक क्रियान्वित करने हेतु एक सिविल सेवक को नैतिक ढांचे में तर्क और आलोचनात्मक सोच का उपयोग करना चाहिए। उपयुक्त उदाहरणों के साथ इस कथन की पुष्टि कीजिए। (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए) 10 marks

(b)

महावीर की प्रमुख शिक्षाएं क्या हैं ? समकालीन विश्व में उनकी प्रासंगिकता स्पष्ट कीजिए। (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए) 10 marks

Q4 of the 2025 UPSC Mains General Studies GS Paper IV, as printed
The question as printed in the 2025 General Studies paper
Evaluate your answer to this question → See all 2025 General Studies questions

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.

(a) Ethical Rationality in Welfare Implementation

A civil servant requires critical thinking anchored in an ethical framework to translate policy intent into substantive social justice. Pure technocratic reasoning risks bureaucratic rigidity and exclusion errors, whereas ethical rationality prevents arbitrariness. In implementing schemes like MGNREGA and PM-GKAY, critical evaluation helps identify systemic leakages, while empathy ensures that technological tools (like Aadhaar-based authentication) do not deny rations to marginalized beneficiaries. Ethical reasoning thus balances procedural compliance with constitutional morality, ensuring inclusive targeting and human dignity.

(b) Teachings of Mahavira and Contemporary Relevance

Lord Mahavira’s Pancha Mahavratas offer enduring ethical solutions to modern crises:

  • Ahimsa (Non-violence): Essential for ecological conservation, conflict resolution, and addressing anthropogenic climate change.
  • Aparigraha (Non-possession): Serves as an antidote to unsustainable consumerism and resource depletion.
  • Satya (Truthfulness) & Asteya (Non-stealing): Provide the moral bedrock for administrative integrity, transparency, anti-corruption, and accountability in public life.
  • Brahmacharya (Self-restraint): Promotes moral discipline and personal integrity.

Mahavira’s philosophy remains vital for fostering sustainable development and value-based 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: GS4 Ethical Framework: Reason, Critical Thinking, and Ethical Dilemmas. (a) justify: claim > 3-4 reasons > evidence > conclusion | (b) explain: definition/context > points in order > small example > short close Full marks: Clear, concise, and well-structured with specific examples and strong ethical reasoning.

Key points expected

  • Define the ethical framework for social re-engineering
  • Explain the role of reason and critical thinking
  • Provide a suitable example of a welfare scheme
  • Link the example to the ethical framework
  • List the major teachings of Mahavir (e.g., Ahimsa, Satya)
  • Explain the meaning of each teaching
  • Connect the teachings to contemporary issues
  • Provide a specific example of relevance

Evaluation rubric

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

  1. (a) Justify the necessity of reason and critical thinking in an ethical framework for implementing welfare schemes. 10 marks · 150 words

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

    Must cover

    • Define the ethical framework for social re-engineering
    • Explain the role of reason and critical thinking
    • Provide a suitable example of a welfare scheme
    • Link the example to the ethical framework

    Loses marks

    • Preaching instead of reasoning
    • Lack of a concrete example
    • Ignoring the ethical framework

    Earns more

    • Mention specific ethical principles (e.g., justice, equity)
    • Discuss potential dilemmas in implementation
    • Reference a specific civil servant's role
    • Highlight the impact on public trust

    Extra mark

    • Cite a specific Supreme Court judgment on welfare
    • Reference a specific government report or data
  2. (b) Explain the major teachings of Mahavir and their relevance in the contemporary world. 10 marks · 150 words

    explain— definition/context → points in order → small example → short close

    Must cover

    • List the major teachings of Mahavir (e.g., Ahimsa, Satya)
    • Explain the meaning of each teaching
    • Connect the teachings to contemporary issues
    • Provide a specific example of relevance

    Loses marks

    • Listing teachings without explaining relevance
    • Vague or generic examples
    • Ignoring the contemporary context

    Earns more

    • Discuss the concept of 'Anekantavada' (many-sidedness)
    • Link teachings to environmental sustainability
    • Reference modern social movements
    • Highlight the role of non-violence in conflict resolution

    Extra mark

    • Quote a specific verse from the Tattvartha Sutra
    • Reference a contemporary leader who embodies these teachings

Practice this exact question

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