UPSC Mains 2021 · GS I · Q20 · 15 marks · 250 words

How does Indian society maintain continuity in traditional social values ? Enumerate the changes taking place in it.

हिन्दी में

भारतीय समाज पारम्परिक सामाजिक मूल्यों में निरंतरता कैसे बनाए रखता है ? इनमें होने वाले परिवर्तनों का विवरण दीजिए ।

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “Describe the factors that contribute to the continuity and change in Indian society.”

Kumud MishraAIR 69 · CSE 2024 · 236 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

The Indian society reflects the mosaic of diverse culture, customs, traditions and beliefs reflecting "unity in diversity".

Body · points

Factors contributing to continuity in Indian society

  1. There has been continuity of the caste system because of the social hierarchies and "politicisation of caste".

  2. The religious identities continue to influence the social behaviours even leading to "identity politics" and communalism.

  3. The gender hierarchies still persist due to "patriarchal nature" of Indian society and deep rooted gender stereotypes.

  4. The idea of language, ethnicity, regionalism still reflects the continuity in Indian society.

  5. The idea of tolerance, mutual respect and recognition of diverse perspectives reflects the continuity.

  6. The idea of "collective living" in the form of "vasudhaiva kutumbakam" reflects the Indian legacy.

Factors contributing to change in Indian society

  1. The post 1991 period with LPG Reforms has altered the social dynamics.

  2. Enhanced "social mobility" i.e. vertical, horizontal and diagonal mobility in the society.

  3. Dilution of caste identities, especially in urban areas reflecting "cosmopolitan identity".

  4. Slow but steady change in gender norms because of governmental and non-governmental initiatives. Ex. Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, Mission Shakti, etc.

  5. The change is also evident in the form of upliftment of the deprived sections like the LGBTQ+, the elderly, etc. because of change in social relations.

Close · a summary

Thus, the Indian society reflects both continuity and change, the biggest continuity being the "collective, unified national identity".

2 more toppers’ answers to this question, part by part, and how they all approached it: open the question.

Toppers’ answers to other close questions

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2021, General Studies Paper I, Q20. The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.