PYQ Vault · Paper 1 · Indian Political Thought

Comment on the Ambedkar’s view on constitutionalism in 150 words.

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 constitutionalism ≠ mere written Constitution limited govt + rule of law + democracy + accountability but legal-social, aimed at transforming an unequal society

Route 2 start from his legal-social premise the text limits power, yet its real purpose is to remake society, not just regulate the state

Body flow

legislature = product of social conditions unlimited legislative power vs constitutionalism government as public trust public opinion as preventive check + democratic control of bureaucracy text alone insufficient democracy as the edifice constitutional morality (values over caste / religion / party / hero worship) “must be cultivated”

Counter-view

politics confined to constitutional methods, routine civil disobedience rejected (read by some as narrowing popular agitation) his defence: without social democracy, constitutionalism stays fragile

Conclusion routes

Route 1 responsible government + responsible citizenry limited in method, purposive in transforming society

Route 2 the text guarantees nothing on its own survives only where constitutional morality and social democracy are cultivated

Model answer

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

Handwritten model answer — UPSC PSIR 2020, Indian Political Thought