UPSC Mains 2023 GS1 Q8: model answer
Do you think marriage as a sacrament is loosing its value in Modern India?
What the question wants
Balanced view on whether the sacramental idea of marriage is weakening, with evidence on both sides.
How to structure it
Intro: marriage as sacrament (samskara): sacred, lifelong, a union of families. Body: (1) Signs of change: love and inter-caste marriages, court and civil marriages, rising divorce, live-in relations recognised by courts, later marriage, individual choice; (2) Signs of continuity: arranged marriages still dominant, rituals and lavish weddings, low divorce rate, family role. Conclusion: not losing value but changing form, from sacrament to partnership.
- 1(1) Signs of change: love and inter-caste marriages, court and civil marriages, rising divorce, live-in relations recognised by courts, later marriage, individual choice
- 2(2) Signs of continuity: arranged marriages still dominant, rituals and lavish weddings, low divorce rate, family role
Model answer
In Hindu tradition marriage is a samskara: sacred, lifelong and a union of two families, not just two people.
Signs that the sacramental view is weakening
- The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 allowed divorce, and the Special Marriage Act, 1954 enabled civil marriage.
- Love, inter-caste and court marriages are growing in cities.
- Courts have recognised live-in relationships and the right to choose a partner.
- Women's education and jobs mean later marriage and more say.
- Divorce is more accepted, especially in metros.
Signs that it endures
- Most marriages are still arranged within caste and community.
- India's divorce rate remains about 1%, among the lowest in the world.
- Rituals like saptapadi and big weddings remain central.
- Family approval still matters.
Marriage is not losing its value; its meaning is shifting from a duty-bound sacrament to a partnership based on choice and equality.
Keywords, cases and data to drop in
samskara Hindu Marriage Act 1955 Special Marriage Act live-in 1% divorce
Where most answers lose marks
- A one-sided yes or no.
- No evidence.
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Question text as printed in the official UPSC question paper: https://www.upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/QP-CSM-23-GENERAL-STUDIES-PAPER-I-180923.pdf The model answer is original Battle IAS work; use it to learn structure, not to memorise.