UPSC Mains 2016 GS Paper 2 Q5: model answer
Discuss each adjective attached to the word ‘Republic’ in the ‘Preamble’. Are they defendable in the present circumstances?
What the question wants
Explain each adjective qualifying 'Republic' in the Preamble and judge whether each still holds today.
How to structure it
Discuss each ... Are they defendable: five words, meaning plus present test. A table-like list works.
- Sovereign
- Socialist
- Secular
- Democratic
- Republic itself
- Overall
How to think it through
Five words, five quick health checks. Don't write an essay on each; give meaning, one strength and one stress for every word. 'Socialist' and 'secular' were added by the 42nd Amendment in 1976, and in 2024 the Supreme Court refused to strike them out. Use that.
Model answer
In November 2024, in Dr Balram Singh v Union of India, the Supreme Court dismissed petitions seeking to remove 'socialist' and 'secular' from the Preamble, holding that both words reflect the Constitution's character.
Sovereign
India is free to decide its internal and external affairs.
- Defendable: independent foreign policy, strategic autonomy, nuclear choices.
- Stress: WTO rules and global finance constrain choices, but membership is voluntary.
Socialist (added 1976)
Not state ownership but a welfare state reducing inequality (Excel Wear, 1979; D.S. Nakara, 1983).
- Defendable: food security law, MGNREGA, DBT, progressive taxation.
- Stress: high inequality; market reforms since 1991. Yet 'democratic socialism' in a mixed economy still fits.
Secular (added 1976)
Equal respect for all religions and no state religion (S.R. Bommai, 1994: secularism is basic structure).
- Defendable: Articles 14, 15, 25–30.
- Stress: communal violence, hate speech, religion in politics.
Democratic
Universal adult franchise, free elections, rule of law, rights.
- Defendable: peaceful transfers of power, nearly 98 crore voters in 2024.
- Stress: money and criminals in politics, weak intra-party democracy.
Republic
An elected head of state, and every office open to every citizen.
- Defendable: Presidents from varied backgrounds, including Dalit and tribal women and men.
Overall
The ideals face strain but remain the yardstick by which courts and citizens judge governments. In that sense they are not only defendable but necessary.
Draw: Five pillars holding up 'Republic'.
Keywords, cases and data to drop in
Preamble, 42nd Amendment 1976, Berubari, Kesavananda (Preamble part of Constitution), Bommai 1994, Balram Singh 2024, democratic socialism.
Where most answers lose marks
- Explaining 'Republic' only and ignoring 'present circumstances'.
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Question text as printed in the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) question paper. The model answer is original Battle IAS work; use it to learn structure, not to memorise.
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