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

Q5

(a) "One who is devoted to one's duty attains highest perfection in life." Analyse this statement with reference to sense of responsibility and personal fulfilment as a civil servant. (Answer in 150 words) 10 (b) To achieve holistic development goal, a civil servant acts as an enabler and active facilitator of growth rather than a regulator. What specific measures will you suggest to achieve this goal ? (Answer in 150 words) 10

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

(a) "जो व्यक्ति अपने कर्तव्य के प्रति समर्पित होता है, वह जीवन में सर्वोच्च पूर्णता को प्राप्त करता है।" एक सिविल सेवक के रूप में जिम्मेदारी की भावना और व्यक्तिगत संतुष्टि के संदर्भ में इस कथन का विश्लेषण कीजिए। (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए) (b) समग्र विकास लक्ष्य को प्राप्त करने के लिए, एक सिविल सेवक विकास के नियामक के बजाए एक सक्षमताकर्ता और सुविधाप्रदाता के रूप में कार्य करता है। इस लक्ष्य को प्राप्त करने के लिए आप क्या विशिष्ट उपाय सुझाएंगे ? (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 primary directive is 'analyse' for part (a), while part (b) requires 'suggest'—allocate ~75 words (50%) to analysing the philosophical statement on duty-perfection nexus with responsibility and fulfilment, and ~75 words (50%) to concrete enabling measures for holistic development. Structure: brief unified intro → analytical body for (a) linking svadharma to civil service ethics → prescriptive body for (b) with institutional examples → synthesising conclusion.

Key points expected

Part (a): Analysis of 'duty-perfection' linkage through lens of constitutional morality (Article 51A) and ethical frameworks (deontology vs. teleology)
Part (a): Demonstration of how sense of responsibility transforms into personal fulfilment via public service motivation and self-actualisation
Part (b): Shift from regulator to enabler-facilitator explained through collaborative governance and citizen-centric administration
Part (b): Specific measures—co-creation platforms (MyGov), capacity building (Mission Karmayogi), decriminalisation of minor offences, regulatory sandbox approach
Synthesis: Both parts converge on trusteeship model where duty-driven service enables holistic societal development

Evaluation rubric

Dimension	Weight	Max marks	Excellent	Average	Poor
Demand-directive understanding	20%	4	For (a), breaks down 'analyse' into components—unpacking philosophical premise, examining causal mechanisms between duty-responsibility-fulfilment, and evaluating validity; for (b), recognises 'suggest' demands actionable, specific measures not generic statements	Addresses both parts but treats (a) as description rather than analysis; (b) offers vague suggestions without specificity	Misreads directives—describes (a) without analysis or lists regulations for (b) instead of enabling measures; conflates both parts
Content depth & accuracy	20%	4	Part (a) accurately references Gita's nishkama karma, Weber's ethic of responsibility, or Rawlsian public reason; part (b) names precise mechanisms like SVAMITVA scheme, PM SHRI schools, or district good governance indices with correct institutional anchoring	General references to 'hard work' or 'transparency' without theoretical grounding; mentions digitisation or Jan Bhagidari without elaboration	Factually incorrect schemes or anachronistic examples; conflates holistic development with economic growth alone; misrepresents constitutional provisions
Structure & flow	20%	4	Clear demarcation between (a) and (b) with smooth transition; (a) follows thesis-antithesis-synthesis or layered analysis; (b) uses categorisation (capacity/process/outcome) or stakeholder framework; unified conclusion bridges both	Both parts present but abrupt transition; bullet points without analytical progression; conclusion merely restates	No visible structure—random thoughts; missing one part entirely; word imbalance (120:30) violating proportional marks
Examples / case-law / data	20%	4	Part (a): cites T.N. Seshan's electoral reforms or Ela Bhatt's SEWA as duty-driven perfection; part (b): references specific districts (e.g., Surat's start-up facilitation) or data on regulatory burden reduction (e.g., 25,000+ compliances reduced)	Generic references to 'corrupt officers' or 'some states'; mentions Digital India without specificity; no contemporary examples	No examples or irrelevant ones (private sector CEO anecdotes); fabricated schemes; examples contradict the argument made
Conclusion & analytical edge	20%	4	Synthesises both parts through concept of 'enabling duty'—where personal perfection through responsibility creates conditions for others' development; offers critical insight on tensions (efficiency vs. equity) or future trajectory (AI-enabled facilitation)	Separate conclusions for each part without synthesis; platitudes about 'serving nation'; no critical reflection	Missing conclusion; or conclusion contradicts body; purely aspirational statement without analytical content

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