Indian Society Previous Year Questions Analysis for UPSC Mains 2024

1. Salient Features of Indian Society, Diversity of India

• Questions:
  • Discuss the uniqueness of tribal knowledge system (2021).
  • What makes Indian society unique in sustaining its culture? (2019).
  • Describe any four cultural elements of diversity in India and rate their significance in building a national identity (2015).
  • Distinguish between religiousness/religiosity and communalism (2017).

2. Role of Women and Women’s Organization, Population and Associated Issues, Poverty and Developmental Issues, Urbanization, Their Problems and Remedies

• Questions:
  • Explain why suicide among young women is increasing in Indian society (2023).
  • Examine the role of ‘Gig Economy’ in the process of empowerment of women in India (2021).
  • Empowering women is the key to control population growth (2019).
  • Discuss the challenges to our cultural practices in the name of secularism (2019).
  • How do you explain the statistics that show that the sex ratio in Tribes in India is more favorable to women than the sex ratio among Scheduled Castes? (2015).
  • Discuss the various economic and socio-cultural forces that are driving increasing feminization of agriculture in India (2014).

3. Effects of Globalization on Indian Society

• Questions:
  • Discuss the impact of post-liberal economy on ethnic identity and communalism (2023).
  • Is diversity and pluralism in India under threat due to globalization? (2020).
  • Globalization is generally said to promote cultural homogenization but due to this cultural specificities appear to be strengthened in the Indian society (2018).
  • To what extent globalization has influenced the core of cultural diversity in India? (2016).
  • Critically examine the effects of globalization on the aged population in India (2013).

4. Social Empowerment, Communalism, Regionalism, and Secularism

• Questions:
  • Discuss the impact of post-liberal economy on ethnic identity and communalism (2023).
  • Are tolerance, assimilation, and pluralism the key elements in the making of an Indian form of secularism? (2022).
  • Do you agree that regionalism in India appears to be a consequence of rising cultural assertiveness? (2020).
  • ‘Communalism arises either due to power struggle or relative deprivation.’ Argue by giving suitable illustrations (2018).
  • Distinguish between religiousness/religiosity and communalism giving one example of how the former has got transformed into the latter in independent India (2017).
  • Growing feeling of regionalism is an important factor in the generation of demand for a separate state. Discuss (2013).

Important Topics and Trends

From the analysis, the following important topics emerge:

1. Women’s Issues: Significant focus on the role and challenges of women in society.
2. Globalization: Impact of globalization on various aspects of Indian society, including cultural diversity and economic issues.
3. Urbanization: Issues related to urbanization, including segregation, marginalization, and urban-rural integration.
4. Social Structures: Examination of caste, tribal systems, and the dynamics of secularism and communalism.
5. Economic Development: Relationship between economic and human development, poverty, and the effects of the post-liberal economy.

Prediction for 2024 UPSC Mains

Based on the analysis, the following topics are likely to be important for the 2024 UPSC Mains:

1. Impact of Technology on Social Structures: With the rise of digital initiatives and their impact on socialization, education, and employment.
2. Women’s Empowerment: Continuing focus on the role of women, challenges, and their contributions in various sectors, especially post-pandemic.
3. Urbanization and Its Effects: Detailed examination of urbanization, smart cities, and their socio-economic impacts.
4. Globalization: Continued exploration of how globalization affects cultural identity, economic disparity, and social structures.
5. Social Movements and Empowerment: Analysis of contemporary social movements, especially those related to caste, tribal rights, and regionalism.
6. Secularism and Communalism: Examination of India’s unique form of secularism and the dynamics of communalism.