PYQ Vault · Paper 1 · Equality

Affirmative Action Policies draw as much strong criticism as strong support. Analyze this statement in the context of equality.

How the answer moves

The flow snapshot — the routes in, the body, the counter-view and the routes out.

Flow snapshot — how the answer moves
Intro routes

Route 1 AA contested because support and criticism rest on rival conceptions of equality

Route 2 the real divide is equal treatment (formal) vs fair treatment (substantive)

Body flow

support turns formal into substantive equality Rawls (difference principle / fair opportunity) Dworkin (brute luck, not choice) Sen (capabilities / remove actual injustice) Indra Sawhney (Art 16(4) as restatement of equality) critics work from equal treatment Nozick (rights) Sowell (merit + division) reverse discrimination cluster (creamy layer / stigma / self-perpetuation)

Counter-view

equal treatment + merit + rights vs fair treatment + historical disadvantage

Conclusion routes

Route 1 statement holds because both sides defend a genuine idea of equality

Route 2 calibrated AA (temporary, targeted, reviewed) delivers substantive equality without sacrificing fairness

Model answer

Handwritten, in the form it would be written in the examination hall.

Handwritten model answer — UPSC PSIR 2023, Equality