Theme T48 · Indian Society

Diversity & national unity

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What UPSC asks

UPSC asks about unity in diversity, whether regions form cultural units more than states, tolerance as a feature of Indian society, cultural elements of diversity, and links between diversity and marginality.

Prepare these

• Forms of diversity: language, religion, caste, region, ethnicity
• Bonds of unity: geography, culture, constitution, economy
• Regions as cultural units
• Diversity overlapping with socio-economic marginality

Answer writing

• Use examples from different regions; avoid generic statements

Directive words in these PYQs: Comment (1), Analyse (1), Critically (1), Elaborate (1), Describe (1).

Linked themes

Comes back later in

Later themes that take this one further.

Syllabus lines covered

• GS1-L6 — Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.

All 5 PYQs, newest first

1. GS1202610 marks · 150 wordsGS1-SOC-01-M2026-S01

   Unity in diversity remains the defining feature of Indian society despite the challenges from communalism and regionalism. Comment

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2. GS1202415 marks · 250 wordsGS1-SOC-01-M2024-Q20

   Critically analyse the proposition that there is a high correlation between India's cultural diversities and socio-economic marginalities.

   Also needs: T70 Affirmative action & welfare schemes for vulnerable sectionsCopyReport a typo
3. GS12017GS1-SOC-01-M2017-S01

   In the context of the diversity of India, can it be said that the regions form cultural units rather than the States? Give reasons with examples for your viewpoint.

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4. GS12017GS1-SOC-01-M2017-S03

   The spirit of tolerance and love is not only an interesting feature of Indian society from very early times, but it is also playing an important part at the present. Elaborate.

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5. GS12015GS1-SOC-01-M2015-S01

   Describe any four cultural elements of diversity in India and rate their relative significance in building a national identity.

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