Home / GS2 / 2026 / Question UPSC CSE Mains 2026 · GS2 · 15 marks · 250 words
Should education be treated primarily as a welfare obligation of the state or as a strategic investment for building a globally competitive, knowledge-driven nation? Critically evaluate Start 11-min timer Share on WhatsApp Copy
Theme
What UPSC asks in this theme Questions ask welfare obligation vs strategic investment, aims of the Public Examinations Act 2024, RTE's inadequacy, NEP 2020 and SDG-4, Amartya Sen's reforms in primary education and health, foreign universities, and autonomy of IITs and IIMs.
What to cover NEP 2020: 5+3+3+4, foundational literacy, multidisciplinary higher education, HECI RTE Act 2009: provisions, 25% quota, learning outcomes gap (ASER) Higher education quality and foreign campuses (UGC rules) Institutional autonomy (IIM Act 2017) Public Examinations Act 2024 scope Education as human capital (link inclusive growth) Writing the answer Use ASER/AISHE data Show the policy, the gap, then reforms These notes are for the whole theme, built from all 7 of its PYQs. UPSC does not publish model answers.
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What are the aims and objects of recently passed and enforced, The Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024? Whether University/State Education Board examinations, too, are covered under the Act?
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The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 remains inadequate in promoting an incentive-based system for children’s education without generating awareness about the importance of schooling. Analyse.
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National Education Policy 2020 is in conformity with the Sustainable Development Goal-4 (2030). It intends to restructure and reorient education system in India. Critically examine the statement.
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Professor Amartya Sen has advocated important reforms in the realms of primary education and primary health care. What are your suggestions to improve their status and performance?
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The quality of higher education in India requires major improvements to make it internationally competitive. Do you think that the entry of foreign educational institutions would help improve the quality of technical and higher education in the country? Discuss.
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Should the premier institutes like IITs/IIMs be allowed to retain premier status, allowed more academic independence in designing courses and also decide mode/criteria of selection of students. Discuss in light of the growing challenges.
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