All 8 questions from UPSC Civil Services Mains Philosophy
2023 Paper II (400 marks total). Every stem reproduced in full,
with directive-word analysis, marks, word limits, and answer-approach pointers.
8Questions
400Total marks
2023Year
Paper IIPaper
Topics covered
Justice, state legitimacy, rights, multiculturalism, monarchy (1)Sovereignty, rights vs duties, skill education and development (1)Historical Materialism, Ambedkar and caste annihilation, gender discrimination (1)Punishment and juvenile justice, democratic challenges, secularism (1)Concept of God, religious belief, religion and morality, religious language, agnosticism (1)Immortality of soul, immanence and transcendence of God, rationality of faith (1)Nyaya proofs for God, rebirth and karma, Tillich's symbolic religious language (1)Problem of evil, religious pluralism, mystical experience and revelation (1)
A
Q1
50M150wCompulsorycritically examineJustice, state legitimacy, rights, multiculturalism, monarchy
Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:
(a) What is meant by justice as fairness? Explain Rawls' theory of justice. (10 marks)
(b) Critically examine the anarchist's view that "all States always and everywhere are illegitimate and unjust." (10 marks)
(c) Do you agree that the rights concerning land and property have empowered women? Discuss. (10 marks)
(d) Critically examine the challenges faced by a multicultural society with reference to India. (10 marks)
(e) If monarchs are above politics, can monarchy be a systematic form of government? Discuss. (10 marks)
हिंदी में पढ़ें
निम्नलिखित में से प्रत्येक प्रश्न का उत्तर लगभग 150 शब्दों में दीजिए :
(a) निष्पक्षता के रूप में न्याय से क्या अभिप्राय है ? रॉल्स के न्याय के सिद्धांत की व्याख्या कीजिए । (10 अंक)
(b) अराजकतावादी के इस विचार का आलोचनात्मक परीक्षण कीजिए कि "सभी राज्य सदैव और सर्वत्र अवैध एवं अनुचित हैं ।" (10 अंक)
(c) क्या आप इस बात से सहमत हैं कि भूमि और सम्पत्ति से सम्बद्ध अधिकारों ने महिलाओं को सशक्त किया है ? विवेचन कीजिए । (10 अंक)
(d) भारत के संदर्भ में बहुसंस्कृतिवादी समाज के समक्ष उपस्थित चुनौतियों का आलोचनात्मक परीक्षण कीजिए । (10 अंक)
(e) यदि राजा राजनीति से ऊपर है, तो क्या राजतंत्र शासन का एक सुव्यवस्थित रूप हो सकता है ? विवेचन कीजिए । (10 अंक)
Answer approach & key points
Framework: Rawlsian Justice as Fairness. (a) explain: definition/context > points in order > small example > short close | (b) critique: the claim > its strengths > its weaknesses > your judgment | (c) discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close | (d) examine: intro > how/why with reasoning > evidence > conclusion | (e) discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close Full marks: Precise technical vocabulary, strong counter-arguments, concrete examples, balanced evaluation.
Define 'justice as fairness' as the core concept
Explain the 'Original Position' and 'Veil of Ignorance'
State the 'Difference Principle' (maximin)
Mention the 'Liberty Principle' (lexical priority)
State the anarchist argument (state as coercive)
Present the 'Social Contract' or 'Consent' counter-argument
Discuss the 'Monopoly on Violence' (Weber) as a necessity
50MelucidateSovereignty, rights vs duties, skill education and development
(a) Elucidate why the absolute nature of sovereignty was rejected by Laski. (20 marks)
(b) Do you agree that duty and accountability must be given priority over rights for the better functioning of a State? Justify your answer. (15 marks)
(c) In the present scenario, will the emphasis on skill education enhance development? Evaluate. (15 marks)
हिंदी में पढ़ें
(a) लास्की ने सम्प्रभुता के निरपेक्ष स्वरूप को क्यों अस्वीकार किया ? व्याख्या कीजिए । (20 अंक)
(b) क्या आप सहमत हैं कि राज्य के बेहतर कामकाज के लिए कर्तव्य और जवाबदेही को अधिकारों पर प्राथमिकता दी जानी चाहिए ? अपने उत्तर के लिए तर्क दीजिए । (15 अंक)
(c) वर्तमान परिदृश्य में, क्या कौशल आधारित शिक्षा विकास की गति में वृद्धि करेगी ? मूल्यांकन कीजिए । (15 अंक)
Answer approach & key points
Framework: null. (a) explain: definition/context > points in order > small example > short close | (b) justify: claim > 3-4 reasons > evidence > conclusion | (c) evaluate: criteria > evidence > balanced judgment Full marks: Precise technical vocabulary, strong counter-arguments, concrete examples, and clear evaluation.
50MexplainHistorical Materialism, Ambedkar and caste annihilation, gender discrimination
(a) Explain Historical Materialism and discuss its relevance in the context of social development and change. (20 marks)
(b) Critically analyse the social and political significance of Ambedkar's notion of annihilation of caste. (15 marks)
(c) How does gender discrimination lead to female foeticide and social imbalance? Discuss. (15 marks)
हिंदी में पढ़ें
(a) ऐतिहासिक भौतिकवाद की व्याख्या कीजिए तथा सामाजिक विकास और परिवर्तन के संदर्भ में इसकी प्रासंगिकता का विवेचन कीजिए । (20 अंक)
(b) अम्बेडकर की जाति प्रथा के विनाश की अवधारणा के सामाजिक और राजनीतिक महत्व का आलोचनात्मक विश्लेषण कीजिए । (15 अंक)
(c) लिंग भेद किस प्रकार कन्या भ्रूण-हत्या और सामाजिक असंतुलन की ओर ले जाता है ? विवेचन कीजिए । (15 अंक)
Answer approach & key points
(a) explain: definition/context > points in order > small example > short close | (b) critique: the claim > its strengths > its weaknesses > your judgment | (c) discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close Full marks: Precise technical vocabulary, strong counter-arguments, concrete application to moral/political problems.
Define base and superstructure relationship
Explain mode of production as driver of change
Link class struggle to social transformation
Apply theory to concrete social development
Define 'annihilation' vs 'abolition' distinction
Analyse social significance (inter-dining, inter-caste marriage)
Analyse political significance (constitutional rights, representation)
50MjustifyPunishment and juvenile justice, democratic challenges, secularism
(a) "Severity of punishment should be proportionate to the seriousness of the crime." — Do you agree that while punishing a juvenile, the nature of the crime should be considered? Justify your answer. (20 marks)
(b) Explain the challenges faced by a democratic state and the ways to overcome them. (15 marks)
(c) Secularism is not a rejection of religion but acceptance of all religions. Discuss. (15 marks)
हिंदी में पढ़ें
(a) "दण्ड की कठोरता अपराध की गंभीरता के अनुपात में होनी चाहिए ।" — क्या आप सहमत हैं कि एक किशोर व्यक्ति को दण्ड देते समय अपराध के स्वरूप पर विचार करना चाहिए ? अपने उत्तर के लिए तर्क दीजिए । (20 अंक)
(b) लोकतांत्रिक राज्य के समक्ष चुनौतियों और इन्हें दूर करने के तरीकों की व्याख्या कीजिए । (15 अंक)
(c) धर्मनिरपेक्षता धर्म का अस्वीकरण नहीं बल्कि सभी धर्मों का स्वीकरण है । विवेचन कीजिए । (15 अंक)
Answer approach & key points
Framework: Philosophy, Paper 2 (Political Philosophy & Ethics). (a) justify: claim > 3-4 reasons > evidence > conclusion | (b) challenges: 3-4 challenges > solutions mapped to them > conclusion | (c) discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close Full marks: Precise, well-structured arguments with specific examples and clear conclusions.
State a clear position on the proportionality of punishment for juveniles.
Provide 3-4 distinct reasons supporting the chosen position.
Apply the argument to the specific context of juvenile justice.
Conclude with a definitive judgment.
Identify 3-4 specific challenges faced by democratic states.
Map specific solutions to each identified challenge.
Provide a clear conclusion on the viability of these solutions.
50M150wCompulsoryelucidateConcept of God, religious belief, religion and morality, religious language, agnosticism
Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:
(a) Elucidate the personalistic and impersonalistic aspects of God. (10 marks)
(b) Can religious beliefs be justified? Discuss. (10 marks)
(c) Does religion influence the moral behaviour? Explain the interactive relation between religion and morality. (10 marks)
(d) Discuss Wittgenstein's view about the non-cognitive nature of religious language. (10 marks)
(e) What is Agnosticism? How do agnostics conceptualize the relation between religion and God? Discuss. (10 marks)
हिंदी में पढ़ें
निम्नलिखित में से प्रत्येक प्रश्न का उत्तर लगभग 150 शब्दों में दीजिए :
(a) ईश्वर के वैयक्तिक एवं निर्वैयक्तिक पहलुओं की स्पष्ट रूप से व्याख्या कीजिए । (10 अंक)
(b) क्या धार्मिक विश्वासों को तर्कसंगत सिद्ध किया जा सकता है ? विवेचन कीजिए । (10 अंक)
(c) क्या धर्म नैतिक व्यवहार को प्रभावित करता है ? धर्म व नैतिकता के बीच अन्योन्यक्रियात्मक संबंध की व्याख्या कीजिए । (10 अंक)
(d) धार्मिक भाषा के असंज्ञानात्मक स्वरूप के विषय में विट्टगेन्स्टाइन के विचारों का विवेचन कीजिए । (10 अंक)
(e) अज्ञेयवाद क्या है ? अज्ञेयवादी धर्म व ईश्वर के बीच संबंध की अवधारणा किस प्रकार करते हैं ? विवेचन कीजिए । (10 अंक)
Answer approach & key points
Framework: Philosophy Paper II: Reconstruct argument, strongest objection, evaluation. (a) explain: definition/context > points in order > small example > short close | (b) discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close | (c) explain: definition/context > points in order > small example > short close | (d) discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close | (e) discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close Full marks: Precise reconstruction of arguments, strongest objections, and clear evaluation with technical vocabulary.
Define personalistic God (Saguna) with attributes
Define impersonalistic God (Nirguna) as attributeless
Contrast the two aspects clearly
Provide examples of traditions for each
State the problem of justification
Present one major argument (e.g., Proper Function)
Present the strongest objection (e.g., Reformed Epistemology critique)
50Mcritically examineImmortality of soul, immanence and transcendence of God, rationality of faith
(a) Critically examine Plato's apriori proofs for the immortality of the soul. (20 marks)
(b) In what sense is God both immanent and transcendent in theism? Discuss. (15 marks)
(c) Explain the rational and irrational aspects of faith in the discourse of religion. (15 marks)
हिंदी में पढ़ें
(a) आत्मा के अमरत्व के संबंध में प्लेटो के अनुभवनिरपेक्ष प्रमाणों की आलोचनात्मक समीक्षा कीजिए । (20 अंक)
(b) ईश्वरवाद में ईश्वर किस अर्थ में अंतर्यामी और अनुभवातीत दोनों हैं ? विवेचन कीजिए । (15 अंक)
(c) धर्म के विमर्श में आस्था के बौद्धिक और अबौद्धिक पक्षों की व्याख्या कीजिए । (15 अंक)
Answer approach & key points
(a) critique: the claim > its strengths > its weaknesses > your judgment | (b) discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close | (c) explain: definition/context > points in order > small example > short close Full marks: Precise reconstruction of arguments, strong objections, and clear distinction between concepts.
Reconstruct the Argument from Opposites (Phaedo 70c-72e)
Reconstruct the Affinity Argument (Phaedo 78a-80d)
Reconstruct the Argument from Recollection (Meno/Phaedo)
Present the strongest objection to the Affinity Argument
Define Immanence (God in the world)
Define Transcendence (God above the world)
Explain the theological necessity of both attributes
50Mcritically examineNyaya proofs for God, rebirth and karma, Tillich's symbolic religious language
(a) Critically examine the arguments of Nyaya for the existence of God. (20 marks)
(b) Examine the significance of the concept of rebirth in the theory of Karma. (15 marks)
(c) Explain the symbolic nature of religious language according to Tillich. (15 marks)
हिंदी में पढ़ें
(a) ईश्वर के अस्तित्व के लिए न्याय दर्शन की युक्तियों का आलोचनात्मक परीक्षण कीजिए । (20 अंक)
(b) कर्म के सिद्धांत में पुनर्जन्म की अवधारणा के महत्व का परीक्षण कीजिए । (15 अंक)
(c) टिलिच के अनुसार धार्मिक भाषा के प्रतीकात्मक स्वरूप की व्याख्या कीजिए । (15 अंक)
Answer approach & key points
Framework: UPSC Philosophy Paper II. (a) critique: the claim > its strengths > its weaknesses > your judgment | (b) examine: intro > how/why with reasoning > evidence > conclusion | (c) explain: definition/context > points in order > small example > short close Full marks: Clear, logical, and well-structured answer with precise terminology and strong counter-arguments.
Reconstruct the Nyaya argument for God (Ishvara) as a creator
Identify the specific Nyaya sutras or logical steps used
Present the strongest counter-argument (e.g., from Samkhya or Buddhist logic)
Provide a final judgment on the argument's validity
Define the concept of rebirth (punarjanma) in the context of Karma
Explain how rebirth is necessary for the theory of Karma to function
Discuss the relationship between past actions and present circumstances
Provide a conclusion on the significance of rebirth in Karma theory
50Mcritically discussProblem of evil, religious pluralism, mystical experience and revelation
(a) "All evil is either sin or punishment for sin." – St. Augustine. Critically discuss. (20 marks)
(b) Does religious pluralism invite inter-religious conflicts and destroy the truth of religion? Discuss. (15 marks)
(c) Examine the relation between mystical experience and revelation and expound their significance in the religious life. (15 marks)
हिंदी में पढ़ें
(a) "सभी अशुभ या तो पाप है या पाप के लिए दिया गया दंड ।" – संत ऑगस्टाइन । समालोचनात्मक विवेचन कीजिए । (20 अंक)
(b) क्या धार्मिक बहुलवाद अन्तःधार्मिक संघर्षों को आमंत्रित करता है और धर्म के सत्य का विनाश करता है ? विवेचन कीजिए । (15 अंक)
(c) रहस्यानुभूति और इल्हाम के बीच सम्बन्ध का परीक्षण कीजिए और धार्मिक जीवन में उनके महत्व को समझाइए । (15 अंक)
Answer approach & key points
(a) critique: the claim > its strengths > its weaknesses > your judgment | (b) discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close | (c) examine: intro > how/why with reasoning > evidence > conclusion Full marks: Precise reconstruction, strong counter-arguments, technical vocabulary, and clear judgment.
Define sin as privation of good (privatio boni)
Explain punishment as just retribution for sin
Present the strongest objection to the dichotomy
Provide a final judgment on the claim's validity
Define religious pluralism clearly
Analyze the link to inter-religious conflicts
Discuss the impact on the concept of religious truth