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  • Evaluate the nature of the Bhakti literature and its contribution to Indian culture. (150 words) भक्ति साहित्य की प्रकृति का मूल्यांकन करते हुए भारतीय संस्कृति में इसके योगदान निर्धारण कीजिए। (150 शब्दों में उत्तर दीजिए)

  • Discuss the main objectives of Population Education and point out the measures to achieve them in India in detail. (250 words)

    Population Education refers to a systematic educational process aimed at developing awareness, attitudes, values, and skills that enable individuals and society to understand population dynamics and their impact on development, environment, health, and quality of life.

    Main Objectives of Population Education

    Awareness generation – To help people understand size, growth, distribution, and composition of population. Eg- explain concepts like Birth Rate, Death Rate, and Migration

    Understanding Population-Development Linkage – Eg- Pressure of population on employment, housing, and environment.

    Linking Population to Quality of Life – To demonstrate that a smaller family size is directly correlated with better health, nutrition, and educational opportunities.

    Promoting Small Family Norm and encouraging responsible parenthood. Eg- two-child norm.

    Improving Reproductive Health Knowledge – Eg- Awareness about spacing methods and family planning.

    Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment – To promote equal status of women in decision-making.

    Changing Attitudes and Behaviour –

    Acceptance of contraception and delayed childbearing.

    To eradicate the “Son Meta-preference”

    To stress the importance of maternal and child health. Eg- Focus on nutrition, immunisation, and institutional deliveries.

    Developing Responsible Citizenship – Population stabilisation as a national goal.

    Measures Taken in India to Achieve These Objectives

    National Population Education Project (1980)- Launched with support from UNFPA, it integrates population education into the school and teacher-training curricula across India.

    National Population Policy, 2000 – Comprehensive policy framework linking population stabilisation with education, health, and women’s empowerment.

    National family planning program to reduce TFR to 2.1

    Curricular Integration by NCERT- population-related themes are included in Social Studies, Science, and Languages.

    National Health Mission (NHM) – Universal access to family planning and maternal health services. Eg- Free contraceptives, institutional deliveries

    ASHA and Anganwadi Network for grassroots dissemination of population education. Eg- Counselling on contraception, birth spacing, nutrition, and immunisation.

    Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Campaigns – Eg- Hum Do, Hamare Do

    Mission Parivar Vikas – Targeted intervention in high fertility districts using community-based educators to provide information on family planning

    Women-Centric Schemes for empowerment and autonomy. Eg- Beti Bachao Beti Padhao

    Legal Measures – Enforcement of Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, PCPNDT Act

    Use of AI and Technology – Eg- SnehAI chatbot provides a safe space for adolescents to learn about sexual health.

    Way Forward

    Teacher Training and Capacity Building through DIETs (District Institute of Education and Training), and digital modules via DIKSHA portal

    Reaching the out-of-school youth and illiterate adults under “New India Literacy Programme” (NILP)

    Universal access to contraception and maternal healthcare

    Involvement of Community and Religious Leaders for attitudinal change

    Promoting women entrepreneurship under Stand-up India

    Effective Population Education can transform the “demographic burden” into a “demographic dividend”

  • How does Indian society maintain continuity in traditional social values? Enumerate the changes taking place in it. (250 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.

    Continuity in traditional social values

    Family and Kinship System – Primary agency for value transmission across generations. Eg- Respect for elders, care for parents, ritual observances.

    Customs and traditions reinforce social norms. Eg- Saptapadi in marriage

    Religious practices embeds values into everyday life. Eg- Fasts, festivals, pilgrimage traditions.

    Institution of Marriage – Marriage is viewed as a “sacrament” rather than a contract, ensuring the continuity of kinship and community ties.

    Festivals- Eg- mass celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi or Diwali pass down traditional music, food, and religious narratives to the youth.

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

    “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

    Functional Persistence of Caste (M.N. Srinivas). Eg- endogamy or Khap Panchayats.

    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”

    Changes Taking Place in Traditional Social Values

    Shift from Collectivism to Individualism – Eg- rise in “Live-in relationships” and the increasing social acceptance of divorce.

    Changes in institution of marriage – Eg- rise in inter-caste and inter-faith marriage

    Changes in the family system. Eg- rise in nuclear families and single parent families

    Democratization of Caste – While caste identity persists, its “ritual” hierarchy is weakening in favor of political and economic identity. Eg- decline of commensality restrictions (eating together) in urban public spaces.

    Sanskritization (M.N. Srinivas) – Lower castes adopt the customs and rituals of upper castes to claim higher social status, leading to “cultural mobility.”

    From Hierarchy to Stratification (André Béteille) – The traditional link between caste, land, and power is breaking down into a more complex system of class

    Economic independence of women challenging traditional patriarchal values. Eg- rise in “dual income” households

    Secularization of Rituals – Eg- transformation of Durga Puja or Dandiya into major commercial and tourist festivals where participation is not limited by faith.

    Impact of Globalization – Eg- emergence of “Hinglish” and the celebration of events like Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day.

    Reforms under constitutional provisions and laws changing value system and behaviour. Eg- abolition of untouchability

    As Yogendra Singh noted, Indian society is undergoing a “structural” change while maintaining “cultural” continuity. The synthesis of traditional values with modern democratic ideals has created a unique “Indian Modernity.”

  • Examine the role of ‘Gig Economy’ in the process of empowerment of women in India. (150 words)

    Gig Economy refers to a labor market characterized by the prevalence of short-term contracts or freelance work as opposed to permanent jobs.

    Role of Gig Economy in Women Empowerment

    Work-Life Integration- Gig work offers flexible hours, allowing women to balance the “Double Burden” (41% of Indian women are primary caregivers).

    Economic Autonomy- It provides a direct source of income for women in Tier-II and Tier-III cities where formal job opportunities are scarce.

    Formalizing Informal Skills- Platforms like Urban Company have professionalized domestic skills. Eg- beauticians, cleaning.

    Bypassing Social Gatekeepers- Digital platforms allow women to access work directly, reducing dependence on male family members.

    Financial Inclusion- Gig platforms mandate digital payments into personal bank accounts, enabling women to build a “credit history” for small business loans.

    Safety through Technology- Features like real-time GPS tracking, SOS buttons provide a sense of security for women working in transit-heavy roles. Eg- zomato delivery

    Upskilling Opportunities- Many platforms provide vocational training.

    Re-entry into Workforce- Gig work provides a low-barrier entry point for women returning from “maternity breaks”.

    Global Market Access- High-skill gig workers serve international clients via platforms like Upwork or Fiverr.

    Collective Bargaining- rise of unions like the Gig and Platform Services Workers Union (GIPSWU). Eg- Diwali ‘digital strike’ by female gig workers in 2024

    Challenges for Women in the Gig Economy

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

    Lack of Social Security- Eg- excluded from the Maternity Benefit Act and paid sick leaves.

    Wage Disparity- 40% of gig workers earn below ₹15,000/month, and women often earn less due to an inability to work “high-incentive” late-night hours.

    Occupational Segregation- women confined to beauty and care while men dominate higher-paying delivery and ride-hailing sectors.

    Safety Risks- Women in home-service gigs face risks of harassment and customer misconduct

    Gig platforms classify women as ‘independent contractors’ – excluded from protections under POSH Act

    Way Forward

    Adopting global best practices – Eg- Platform Work Directive (EU)

    Skill Diversification- Government-led missions to train women in sectors like EV-cab driving and tech-maintenance to break occupational silos.

    Algorithmic Accountability– Transparency and fairness in digital management systems that control job assignments, worker ratings, and payouts.

    A multi-stakeholder approach is necessary to turn the gig economy from a place of exploitation to one of opportunity for women.

  • Why is India considered as a subcontinent? Elaborate your answer. (150 words) भारत को एक उपमहाद्वीप क्यों माना जाता है ? विस्तारपूर्वक उत्तर दीजिए। (150 शब्दों में उत्तर दीजिए)

  • Mention the global occurrence of volcanic eruptions in 2021 and their impact on regional environment. (150 words) 2021 में घटित ज्वालामुखी विस्फोटों की वैश्विक घटनाओं का उल्लेख करते हुए क्षेत्रीय पर्यावरण पर उनके द्वारा पड़े प्रभाव को बताइए। (150 शब्दों में उत्तर दीजिए)

  • Examine the uniqueness of tribal knowledge system when compared with mainstream knowledge and cultural systems. (150 words)

    According to Census 2011, Tribals constitute 8.6% of India’s population. Their knowledge systems are rooted in local ecology, collective life, and cultural continuity.

    Features of Mainstream Knowledge and Cultural Systems

    Text-based and codified knowledge

    Anthropocentric- Nature is viewed as a “resource”

    Institutional and formal transmission (schools, universities, laboratories)

    Specialisation and compartmentalisation of disciplines

    Market-oriented and productivity-driven approach

    Intellectual property regimes

    Universalist- Aims for “one-size-fits-all” solutions

    Uniqueness of Tribal Knowledge Systems

    Ecology-Centred Knowledge – Eg- Baiga tribe (Madhya Pradesh) practising bewar (shifting cultivation) with long fallow cycles that allow forest regeneration.

    Sustainability and Conservation Ethic – Resource use governed by restraint and regeneration. Eg- Sacred groves.

    Oral Transmission of Knowledge through folklore, rituals, and practice. Eg- Santhal songs encoding agricultural seasons and crop cycles.

    Community Ownership of Knowledge rather than individual control. Eg- Seed sharing by Maliya Kondh tribe in Odisha during Burlang Yatra

    Holistic Worldview – No rigid separation between nature, religion, economy, and culture. Eg- Dongria Kondh (Odisha) worship Niyamgiri hills as a living deity.

    Indigenous Medical Systems – Plant-based, preventive, and locally adapted healthcare. Eg- Irula tribe (Tamil Nadu) using forest herbs for snakebite treatment.

    Climate and Weather Prediction Skills – Eg- Bhils predicting monsoon patterns through bird migration and flowering cycles.

    Low-Cost, Locally Available Technologies – Eg- Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya

    Cultural sanctions regulate exploitation of resources. Eg- Hunting restrictions during breeding seasons among Gonds.

    Cultural Continuity – Eg- Tribal festivals like Sarhul among Mundas reinforcing ecological and social values.

    Measures taken to preserve tribal knowledge systems in India

    Tribal Health Care Research Programme (THCRP) for collecting information on folk medicines / traditional practices

    Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) – to create digital knowledge repository

    PM Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PM-JVM) to promote “forest-based livelihoods.”

    UNDPs North-East India Biocultural Initiative (NEBI) for revitalizing traditional knowledge and promoting ecosystem-based solutions

    Adi Sanskriti – “world’s first digital university to preserve and promote the culture and knowledge of tribal communities.”

    In an era of climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainability crises, integrating tribal knowledge is essential for achieving inclusive and sustainable development.

  • Differentiate the causes of landslides in the Himalayan region and Western Ghats. (150 words) हिमालय क्षेत्र तथा पश्चिमी घाटों में भू-स्खलनों के विभिन्न कारणों का अंतर स्पष्ट कीजिए। (150 शब्दों में उत्तर दीजिए)

  • What do you understand by term ‘good governance’? How far recent initiatives in terms of e-Governance steps taken by the State have helped the beneficiaries? Discuss with suitable examples.

    “In the happiness of his people lies the king’s happiness, in their welfare his welfare”. -Kautilya

    Good governance is an administrative approach defined by transparency, accountability, responsiveness, equity, and inclusiveness.

    Core Principles of Good Governance (UNDP)

    Participation: Direct/indirect citizen involvement in decision-making. Eg: Gram Sabhas.

    Rule of Law: Fair legal frameworks enforced impartially. Eg: Independent judiciary.

    Transparency: Free flow of accessible information. Eg: Mandatory disclosures under the RTI.

    Responsiveness: Institutions serving stakeholders within timeframes. Eg: Citizens’ Charters and CPGRAMS grievance portal.

    Consensus Orientation: Eg: Federal consensus in GST Council meetings.

    Equity/Inclusiveness: Ensuring all members feel valued. Eg: PM Jan Dhan Yojana’s universal financial inclusion.

    Effectiveness/Efficiency: Optimizing resources for societal needs. Eg: Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) reducing subsidy leakages.

    Accountability: Answerability of officials to the public. Eg: Mandatory CAG audits of government spending.

    Success of Recent E-Governance Initiatives

    Eliminating Welfare Leakages-

    Paperless Document Access- Eg- DigiLocker crossing 67.63 crore registered users, hosting over 950 crore verified digital documents.

    Telemedicine Reaching Remote Areas- Eg- The eSanjeevani platform providing digital medical services to over 45.42 crore remote patients.

    Real-Time Payment and Financial Inclusion- Eg- Unified Payments Interface (UPI)

    Democratization of Digital Commerce: Eg: The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) supporting over 1.16 lakh retail sellers across 630 cities.

    Unified Public Grievance Redressal: Eg: The UMANG App offering citizens smooth, singular access to over 1,700 diverse public utility services.

    Scientific Grassroots Nutrition Monitoring: Eg: The POSHAN Tracker continuously monitoring nutrition metrics for 8.9 crore children in 14.03 lakh Anganwadi centers.

    Major limitations

    Aadhaar-Linked Service Failures- Eg: Santoshi Kumari (11) starvation death in Simdega, Jharkhand (2017)

    The Persistence of Digital Divide: Only 38% of rural households have high-speed broadband vs. 85% in urban clusters.

    Digital Illiteracy: only 38% rural population digitally literate. Eg: Dependence on “CSC Middlemen” for simple tasks like PM-Kisan registration due to UI/UX complexity.

    Linguistic Barriers: Eg: Despite “Bhashini,” real-time voice-to-text accuracy in tribal dialects (like Santhali or Gondi) remains below 60%.

    Digital gender gap: Only 37% of Indian women have adopted mobile internet and only 26% use it regularly. (UNDP).

    Aadhaar exclusion: A 2017 starvation death in Jharkhand’s Simdega due to Aadhaar-linked ration card failure exposed authentication risks.

    Bureaucratic Resistance: Lower-level officials often view e-governance as a threat to their discretionary power.

    Manpower & Skill Gaps: Eg: Dependence on private consultants for maintaining critical state data centers (SDCs).

    Cybersecurity Threats: CERT-In reported 2.94 million cyber incidents in 2025, specifically targeting state-owned utility grids.

    Way Forward

    Enact a National e-Governance Act to make digital service delivery a mandatory right rather than an administrative choice.

    Accelerate BharatNet completion: Connect remaining 55,000 GPs and 3.8 lakh non-GP villages by 2026 under Amended BharatNet Programme

    Strengthen Common Service Centres as “Digital Post Offices.” Eg- Rajasthan’s e-Mitra model

    Adopt X-Road interoperability layer (Estonia): handles 2.7 billion data queries with “once-only” principle – citizen submits info only once. 99% services online.

    Implement 2nd ARC’s 11th Report fully:

    Adopt national “enterprise architecture” framework

    Mandatory Business Process Re-engineering before digitisation;

    Build SMART (Simple, Moral, Accountable, Responsive, Transparent) governance.

    The state must tackle the digital divide to ensure technology remains an inclusive tool for good governance.

  • Whistle blower, who reports corruption and illegal activities, wrongdoing and misconduct to the concerned authorities, runs the risk of being exposed to grave danger, physical harm and victimization by the vested interests, accused persons and his team. What policy measures would you suggest to strengthen protection mechanism to safeguard the whistle blower?

    A whistleblower is described as the “conscience of the organization.” They are individuals who, out of a sense of public duty, report corruption and misconduct within an organization to competent authorities.

    Risks faced by whistle blower

    Leak of identity – Eg- Satyendra Dubey’s identity was leaked despite his request for anonymity to the PMO.

    Violent Assault and Murder- S. Manjunath (2005), an IOCL officer, was shot dead.

    Unnatural Deaths- In the Vyapam Scam, nearly 40 people died under suspicious circumstances.

    Institutional Victimization- transferred to remote postings repeatedly to break their morale.

    False Disciplinary Inquiries on fabricated charges of insubordination or breach of conduct.

    Social Ostracization- labeled as “snitches” or “disloyal”.

    Economic Harassment- withholding promotions, denying increments etc.

    Legal Entrapment under the official secrets Act (1923)

    Policy Measures to Strengthen the Protection Mechanism

    Strict “Anonymity by Design”- Eg- encrypted digital portal for reporting

    Criminalizing the Leak of Identity

    Proactive Threat Assessment to provide immediate security or relocation.

    Financial Incentives (Bounty System)- Following the U.S. False Claims Act, whistleblowers should be entitled to a percentage of the money recovered from the exposed scam.

    Protection must extend to private sector employees and contractors, as corruption often involves public-private nexuses.

    Time-Bound Investigation to minimize the “exposure time” of the complainant.

    Whistleblower Defense Fund to provide legal aid and psychological counseling.

    Witness Protection Programs- “Relocation and Identity Change” services for whistleblowers and their families.

    Establishing “Integrity Awards” (potentially awarded anonymously or post-retirement) to change the social narrative from “snitching” to “patriotism.”

    Providing job security and protection against “Victimization” through independent ombudsman

    A whistleblower is a vital cog in the machinery of Good Governance. Their safety is essential to maintain probity in administration.

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