UPSC Mains 2019 · GS IV · Q3(a) · 10 marks · 150 words

What is meant by the term ‘constitutional morality’ ? How does one uphold constitutional morality ?

हिन्दी में

‘सांविधानिक नैतिकता’ से आप क्या समझते हैं ? सांविधानिक नैतिकता का अनुरक्षण कोई किस प्रकार करता है ?

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “Discuss B.R. Ambedkar's conception of morality and social justice. How does it differ from mere legal equality?”

AakritiAIR 93 · CSE 2025 · 158 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

Dr. BR Ambedkar's speech in the Constituent Assembly reflected his deep concern for morality & social justice in the new India.

Body · points and prose

Conception of morality

Dr Ambedkar's quote: "Constitutional morality is not a natural sentiment. It has to be cultivated. We must realize that people are yet to learn it" shows that his morality idea was → (a) Rooted in constitution (b) Contrasted with customary morality (c) something to be cultivated

Conception of social justice

Dr. B R Ambedkar described social justice as an integrated scheme of "Liberty, equality & fraternity". Any one without other will result in half baked social justice.

Difference from legal equality

(1) Form V/S substance: Legal equality upholds form eg. reservation is substantial justice.

(2) Top down V/S bottom up

Close · a summary

Legal equality is top down eg. Dowory prohibition Act has not ended dowry tradition.

In a constitutional India, constitutional morality & social justice are indispens-ble for a MODERN & JUST INDIA.

How toppers approach this question, and more on its topic: open the question.

Toppers’ answers to other close questions

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2019, General Studies Paper IV, Q3(a). The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.