UPSC Themes

UPSC CSE Mains 2026 · GS2 · 10 marks · 150 words

Does India’s tribal development policy reflect the aspirations for a socially grounded and equity-based governance? Justify your answer

Theme

T51 Tribal identity, rights & development

What UPSC asks in this theme

UPSC asks about tribal diversity vs single category, tribal knowledge systems, why 'Scheduled Tribes', constitutional provisions, legal initiatives against discrimination, and whether development centres on displacement and rehabilitation.

What to cover

Writing the answer

These notes are for the whole theme, built from all 6 of its PYQs. UPSC does not publish model answers.

This question also needs

T70 Affirmative action & welfare schemes for vulnerable sections

On the map

Map module 6: Resources & agricultureMap module 8: History on the map: IndiaMap module 9: Society & polity on the mapMap module 11: Borders & internal security

More PYQs from this theme

  1. GS1202515 marks

    Does tribal development in India centre around two axes, those of displacement and of rehabilitation? Give your opinion.

  2. GS1202210 marks

    Given the diversities among tribal communities in India in which specific context should they be considered as a single category?

  3. GS12021

    Examine the uniqueness of tribal knowledge systems when compared with mainstream knowledge and cultural systems.

  4. GS12017

    What are the two major legal initiatives by the State since Independence addressing discrimination against Scheduled Tribes (STs)?

  5. GS12016

    Why are the tribals in India referred to as ‘the Scheduled Tribes’? Indicate the major provisions enshrined in the Constitution of India for their upliftment.

All 20 GS2 2026 questions · Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice & International Relations · Report a typo