UPSC Mains 2023 GS4 Q6a: model answer
What were the major teachings of Guru Nanak ? Explain their relevance in the contemporary world.
What the question wants
Guru Nanak's main teachings and their relevance today.
How to structure it
Intro: Guru Nanak (1469–1539), founder of Sikhism. Body: (1) Teachings: one God (Ik Onkar), equality of all, rejection of caste and ritualism, Naam Japna, Kirat Karni, Vand Chakna, seva, langar, equality of women, humility; (2) Relevance: social equality, dignity of labour, charity and sharing, interfaith harmony, gender justice, environmental respect, service in crises. Conclusion: universal message.
- 1(1) Teachings: one God (Ik Onkar), equality of all, rejection of caste and ritualism, Naam Japna, Kirat Karni, Vand Chakna, seva, langar, equality of women, humility
- 2(2) Relevance: social equality, dignity of labour, charity and sharing, interfaith harmony, gender justice, environmental respect, service in crises
Model answer
Guru Nanak (1469–1539), the founder of Sikhism, preached a simple, practical spirituality.
Major teachings
- Ik Onkar: one God for all; no group has a monopoly on truth.
- Equality: rejected caste divisions and ritualism.
- Three pillars: Naam Japna (remember God), Kirat Karni (honest work) and Vand Chakna (share with others).
- Seva and langar: community kitchen where all sit together.
- Dignity of women: 'Why call her inferior, from whom kings are born?'
Relevance today
- Social equality: a challenge to caste and other discrimination.
- Dignity of labour and honest earning: an answer to corruption and greed.
- Sharing: a model for reducing inequality; langars fed millions during COVID-19 and at protests and disasters.
- Interfaith harmony: the Kartarpur Corridor (2019) links people across borders.
- Gender justice: equal respect for women.
- Nature: 'Air is the Guru, water the father, earth the mother', relevant to climate action.
His teachings offer a practical ethic of equality, work and sharing for a divided world.
Keywords, cases and data to drop in
Ik Onkar Kirat Karni Vand Chakna langar Kartarpur
Where most answers lose marks
- Only listing teachings.
- No present-day relevance.
Question text as printed in the official UPSC question paper: https://www.upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/QP-CSM-23-GENERAL-STUDIES-PAPER-IV-180923.pdf The model answer is original Battle IAS work; use it to learn structure, not to memorise.