💥Join UPSC 2027,2028 Mentorship (July Batch) + XFactor Notes & Microthemes PDF
Talk to Mentor

Civilsdaily

Login

GS Paper: GS1

  • Discuss the causes of depletion of mangroves and explain their importance in maintaining coastal ecology. (मैंग्रोवों के रिक्तीकरण के कारणों पर चर्चा कीजिए और तटीय पारिस्थितिकी का अनुरक्षण करने में इनके महत्व को स्पष्ट कीजिए | ) (10m,150 words)

  • Do we have cultural pockets of small India all over the nation? Elaborate with examples.(15m,250 words)

    India’s internal migration, and cultural pluralism have created distinct cultural pockets, where communities preserve their language, customs, food, rituals, and social institutions outside their original regions. These pockets reflect India’s unity through diversity.

    Cultural pockets of small India all over the nation

    Linguistic Enclaves – Migrants often cluster in specific urban neighborhoods, creating a “home away from home.”

    Chittaranjan Park (CR Park), Delhi- Known as the “Mini-Bengal” of North India.

    Matunga, Mumbai- called “Mini-South India” due to the dominance of Tamil and Kannada speakers.

    Religious Pluralism – Certain areas serve as the spiritual or cultural headquarters for communities that are minorities elsewhere.

    Majnu-ka-Tilla, Delhi is called “Mini-Tibet.” – Buddhist monasteries, Tibetan handicrafts, and authentic Himalayan cuisine.

    The Parsi Colonies (Baugs) in Mumbai

    Economic Pockets due to labor migration

    Surat’s Textile Hubs- influx of workers from Ganjam, Odisha. Odia is the primary language in these labor colonies, and festivals like Ratha Yatra are celebrated.

    Similarly, Chhath Puja by Bihari migrants on the Yamuna and Mithi rivers.

    Bengaluru’s IT Corridors- Hindi and English dominate over Kannada.

    Gujarati pockets in Ghatkopar, Borivali in Mumbai

    Marwari and Jain communities maintain cultural continuity through business networks

    Historical “Settler” Pockets

    Mini-Punjab in Terai (Uttarakhand/UP)- After the partition, many Punjabi farmers settled here

    Fort Kochi, Kerala- Jew Town and Portuguese-influenced neighborhoods. European architecture and Jewish history blend with Malayali traditions.

    Tribal Pockets in Urban Jungles – Eg – in Ranchi and Jamshedpur, specific neighborhoods function as Adivasi pockets where traditional Sarna rituals and tribal dialects are preserved.

    North-East Indian Communities in Metros with distinct lifestyle and food practices.

    Factors unifying India despite cultural pockets

    Constitutional Values –

    Equality, secularism, and cultural freedom under Articles 25-30.

    Common Citizenship (Article 5-11).

    Federal Structure – Linguistic reorganisation of states

    Ideals of tolerance, coexistence, and pluralism. Eg- Athithi devo bhava, Sarva Dharma Sambhav

    Inter-Regional Mobility and Urbanisation

    Hindi cinema and cricket.

    Challenges

    Son of soil movement in Maharashtra and violence against migrants in Gujarat

    Cultural clashes – Eg- Mumbai’s pigeon controversy

    Communalism and hate speeches

    Ghettoization- social isolation hindering broader integration.

    As pointed out by Mahatma Gandhi, “our ability to reach unity in diversity is our civilization’s beauty and test.” Thus, cherishing this heritage and fostering brotherhood is needed to preserve Indian culture.

  • The 1857 Uprising was the culmination the recurrent big and small local rebellions that had occurred in the preceding hundred years of British rule. Elucidate. (1857 का विप्लव ब्रिटिश शासन के पुर्ववर्ती सौ वर्षों में बार-बार घटित छोटे एवं बड़े स्थानीय विद्रोहों का चरमोत्कर्ष था | सुस्पष्ट कीजिए | ) (10m,150 words)

    While the events at Meerut provided the immediate spark, the 1857 Revolt was the historical result of a century-old tradition of resistance.

    1857 revolt as a culmination of past rebellions

    Poligars’ Revolt (1799-1805) in South India against the Company’s demand for high tribute.

    Paika Rebellion (1817)- landed militia of Odisha rose under Bakshi Jagabandhu against the British land revenue policies and the loss of their rent-free lands.

    Kittur Chennamma’s Revolt (1824) against the British refusal to recognize an adopted heir.

    Ramosi Uprising (1822-1829) led by Chittur Singh in Maharashtra as a reaction to the annexation of the Maratha territories.

    Tribal Uprisings

    Chuar Uprising (1766-1772) in Bengal against the enhanced land revenue demands of the Company.

    Kol Mutiny (1831) in Chhotanagpur against the transfer of their lands to outsiders and moneylenders

    Santhal Rebellion (1855-1856) under sidhu and kanhu just one year before 1857.

    Khasis’ Revolt (1833) under Tirut Singh in the Meghalaya hills against the British attempt to build a road through their ancestral lands using forced labor.

    Peasant Movements

    Sanyasi-Fakir Rebellion (1763-1800) in Bengal as a reaction to restrictive pilgrim taxes and the devastating famine of 1770.

    Faraizi Movement (1838-1857) in East Bengal against the excesses of indigo planters and landlords

    Paglapanthis Revolt (1825-1835)- Led by Tipu Shah in Bengal, targeting Zamindars.

    Mappila revolt in Kerala against zamindars

    Sepoy Mutinies

    Vellore Mutiny (1806) against a new dress code that forbade religious marks and required the use of leather cockades.

    Barrackpore Mutiny (1824)- Sepoys refused to cross the “Black Water” (ocean) to Burma.

    Afghan War Mutinies (1839-1842) due to the hardships of the campaign and the psychological strain of fighting outside India.

    Mutiny of 1844 (Bengal Army) against the withdrawal of Bhatta (foreign service allowance) after the annexation of Sindh.

    These movements culminated in the first large-scale, multi-class challenge to British colonial rule in India in 1857.

  • What are the continued challenges for women in India against time and space? (15m,250 words)

    Despite constitutional guarantees, legal reforms, and social movements, women in India continue to face persistent challenges that transcend historical periods and vary across geographies and social locations.

    Challenges across time

    Patriarchal social norms – Enduring preference for male authority and control over women. Eg- son meta preference

    Control over female sexuality – Moral policing, honour-based violence, restrictions on marriage choices.

    Child Marriages – 23% (NFHS-5)

    Khap panchayats restricting wearing jeans etc

    Unequal care burden – women spend an average of 305 minutes daily on unpaid domestic work, compared to only 98 minutes for men.

    Educational discontinuity due to marriage and caregiving. Eg- Higher dropout rates among adolescent girls.

    Economic marginalization

    Women constitute 63% of agriculture workforce but own only 13% of land

    Low FLFPR – 41% in India vs 71% in China

    Violence against women – domestic violence, workplace harassment etc. Eg- Nirbhaya Case

    Legal-social gap – Eg- proxy representation in PRIs (Sarpanch Pati syndrome)

    Challenges across life-cycle stages

    Before Birth – female foeticide

    Childhood and adolescent stage – Nutrition neglect (57% anemia), high dropouts

    Adulthood – Maternal health and autonomy issues. Eg- early pregnancies.

    Elderly women’s vulnerability – Loneliness, poverty, and lack of social security

    Challenges across space

    Rural-urban divide

    Limited mobility in rural areas due to safety and norms.

    Safety concerns and informal employment in cities.

    Caste and community-based challenges

    Caste-based violence – Gender violence used as social control. Eg- Hatras rape case

    Mining and infrastructure-induced displacement of Tribal women

    Minority women’s double marginalization – Eg- Muslim women’s low labour force participation.

    Challenges in Economic space

    Concentration in low paying care and domestic work

    Glass ceiling effect – discrimination and low representation at higher positions

    Digital Divide – 51.6% of women aged 15 years and above in rural areas do not own a mobile phone (NSO)

    Regional and cultural disparities

    Regional inequality – Eg- Higher TFR in Bihar (3.0 vs national average of 1.9)

    Violence in conflict zones – Eg- gang-rape and naked parade of two Kuki-Zo women in Manipur

    Improvements made

    Political

    Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam

    46% representation in PRIs

    Legal-

    stringent and gender-sensitive provisions in Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita

    PCPNDT and POSH Acts

    Health – Institutional Deliveries increased from 78.9% (NFHS-4) to 88.6% (NFHS-5).

    Education- women constitute 43% of STEM graduates.

    Economic- Over 28 crore women now have personal Jan Dhan accounts.

    Asset Ownership- Under PM Awas Yojana, 70% of houses are registered in the name of women.

    Way Forward

    Mainstreaming gender budgeting

    Expand One Stop Centres (OSCs) under Mission Shakti for integrated support services

    Introduce gender sensitisation modules in school curricula nationwide.

    Comprehensive Healthcare

    Expand coverage and financial incentives under Janani Suraksha Yojana and PM Matru Vandana Yojana

    Leverage digital health tools like MP’s SUMAN SAKHI chatbot to provide real-time support to expecting mothers.

    Women-Centric Urban Infrastructure- Eg- “Sakhi Niwas” hostels for working women

    Thus, sustainable gender justice requires simultaneous expansion of resources, agency, and participation.

  • What is water stress? How and why does it differ regionally in India? (जल प्रतिबल (वाटर स्ट्रैस) का क्या मतलब है ? भारत में यह किस प्रकार और किस कारन प्रादेशिकत: भिन्न-भिन्न है ?) (15m,250 words)

  • What makes Indian society unique in sustaining its culture? Discuss. (10m,150 words)

    According to J.H. Fichter, “a society can be defined as a network of interconnected major groups viewed as a unit and sharing a common culture.” Indian society is one of the world’s oldest living civilisations, distinguished by its ability to sustain cultural continuity amid change.

    Factors that Make Indian Society Unique in Sustaining its Culture

    Civilisational Continuity – Continuation of Vedic rituals, festivals, and pilgrimage traditions. Eg- Saptapadi in marriage

    Oral Traditions – Eg- Vedic Chanting tradition has been recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

    Syncretic Tradition – The interaction between different religions over centuries has created a unique, blended cultural fabric. Eg- Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb or Bhakti-Sufi movements

    “Unity in Diversity” – Instead of a “melting pot”, India follows a “Salad Bowl” model, where distinct identities coexist. Eg- India is home to 121 major languages and thousands of dialects

    Tolerance and Pluralism – historical precedent of providing refuge to persecuted communities further enriched its own culture. Eg- Parsis, Jews, and Tibetan Buddhists

    Family and Kinship Systems act as a carrier of cultural values.

    Caste and Community Structures ensure cultural continuity. Eg- endogamy or Khap Panchayats.

    Institution of Marriage – Marriage as a sacrament ensures reproduction of culture.

    Adaptation to Modernity – reforms in orthodox traditions. Eg- abolition of Sati and untouchability

    Constitutional Protection of Culture – Eg- Articles 29-30 protecting cultural and linguistic rights.

    Synthesis of Tradition and Technology – Eg- use of social media and OTT platforms for the revival of classical dances or broadcast of epics has created a “Neo-Traditionalism”

    As pointed out by Mahatma Gandhi, “our ability to reach unity in diversity is our civilization’s beauty and test.” Thus, cherishing this heritage and adopting scientific temper is needed to preserve Indian culture.

  • Assess the impact of global warming on coral life system with examples. (वैश्विक तापन का प्रवाल जीवन तंत्र पर प्रभाव का, उदाहरणों के साथ, आकलन कीजिए | ) (10m,150 words)

  • Assess the role of British imperial power in complicating the process of transfer of power during the 1940s. (1940 के दशक के दौरान सत्ता हस्तान्तरण की प्रक्रिया को जटिल बनाने में ब्रिटिश साम्राज्यिक सत्ता की भूमिका का आकलन कीजिए | ) (15m,250 words)

  • Discuss the factors for localization of agro-based food processing industries of North-West India. (उत्तर-पश्चिमी भारत के कृषि-आधारित खाद्य प्रक्रमण उद्योगों के स्थाणुयकरण के कारकों पर चर्चा कीजिए | ) (10m,150 words)

  • COVID-19 pandemic accelerated class inequalities and poverty in India. Comment.

    The COVID-19 pandemic inflicted dual shock on India – a public health crisis compounded by economic devastation, thereby reversing a decade of hard-won poverty-reduction gains.

    COVID-19 Pandemic Accelerating Class Inequalities in India

    K-Shaped Recovery – While 84% of households suffered income decline in 2020-21, India’s billionaires grew from 102 to 142, with collective wealth of the top 100 hitting INR 57.3 lakh crore.

    Billionaire vs. Working-Class – Between 2020 to 2022, Indian billionaires saw wealth increase by 121%, while the bottom 50% saw their income share fall to just 13% of national income.

    Informal Sector impact- CMIE data shows 122 million people lost jobs in April 2020 alone; three-quarters were small traders and wage labourers in the informal sector.

    Digital Divide – Fewer than 15% of rural Indian households have internet access (42% urban), making technology-driven remote work and education inaccessible during lockdowns. (UNICEF)

    Gender-Class Compounding – 37.1% of women lost jobs in April 2020 versus 27.7% of men; by April 2021, women accounted for 73% of job losses, with recovery far slower for urban women.

    The top 1% own nearly 40.6% of India’s total wealth; in contrast, the bottom 50% (700 million people) own around 3% of total wealth. (Oxfam)

    Capital vs. Labour – Corporate Tax cut from 30% to 22% (2019) combined with pandemic-era surge in equity markets rewarded capital owners, while wages of casual workers stagnated or collapsed.

    Access to Quality Healthcare – high out-of-pocket expenditure in private hospitals

    Education Inequality – School dropout rates nearly doubled in 2021-22. Rates for SC (22.5%), ST (26.9%) and OBC (20%) children at the secondary level far exceeded the general category (15.6%).

    Unpaid Care Burden (Hidden Class-Gender Tax)- During the pandemic, women’s unpaid care work grew by nearly 30%; on average (UN Women.)

    COVID-19 Pandemic Accelerating Poverty in India

    Extreme Poverty – More than 4.6 crore Indians fell into extreme poverty in 2020 – nearly half of the global new poor that year, according to the United Nations.

    Mass Job Losses – CMIE data shows the highest single-month job loss of 123.8 million persons in April 2020, affecting over 30% of the total workforce

    Migrant Worker Crisis – Over one crore migrant workers returned home during the lockdown without any livelihood or social security.

    Informal Economy Collapse – ILO estimated approximately 400 million workers in India’s informal economy were at risk of falling deeper into poverty during the pandemic

    Food Insecurity due to loss of livelihood. World Food Programme estimated 130 million additional food-insecure persons globally.

    Wage Collapse – A CEP survey of urban workers (May-July 2020) found earnings fell 48% on average compared to pre-COVID months of January-February 2020.

    Rural poverty – SC/ST communities, casual labourers and self-employed were the most impacted

    Risk of child labour increased in India as job losses in the informal sector, inadequate social protection, and financial pressure led employers to use children as cheap labour, compounded by school dropouts and orphanhood from COVID deaths.

    Reverse Migration of labourers created excess pressure on the rural economy and agriculture, creating a poverty trap as overcrowded agriculture could not absorb them with dignified livelihood

    The pandemic revealed India’s structural inequalities, highlighting the urgent need for inclusive welfare, universal healthcare, social security, and resilient livelihoods.

    Tribals