UPSC Mains 2024 · GS II · Q15 · 15 marks · 250 words

Discuss India as a secular state and compare with the secular principles of the US constitution.

हिन्दी में

भारत की एक धर्मनिरपेक्ष राज्य के रूप में विवेचना कीजिए और अमेरिकी संविधान के धर्मनिरपेक्ष सिद्धान्तों के साथ तुलना कीजिए ।

Constitution and Basic StructureComparative Constitutions

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “Our Constitution doesn't acquire its secular character merely from the words in the Preamble, but from a collective reading of many of its provisions. Elucidate. Should India have a non-establishment principle like that of the U.S. Constitution?”

Akshay AgrawalAIR 43 · CSE 2018 · 178 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

Indian Constitution has 'Secularism' as one of its basic features. It is explicitly mentioned in the Preamble.

However, Indian secularism has not been because of a word in the Preamble but because of several articles in the Constitution which implicitly provide for a secular structure. These provisions are:

Body · points

  1. Art. 14; 15: Right to Equality. (No discrimination on the basis of race, caste, religion.

  2. Art. 25: Right to freedom of worship, faith and belief in God.

  3. Art. 26: Right to manage own religious affairs.

  4. Art. 27: No individual to be compelled to pay taxes for promotion of any religion.

  5. Art 28: No individual be compelled to attend any educational institute where religious teachings are given.

  6. Art 29, 30: Right of minorities to protect their culture & religion.

  7. Art. 44: State to strive for having a Uniform Civil Code for all its citizens.

  8. Fundamental Duties enjoin upon every citizen to respect people with different faiths.

Close

Thus, Indian secularism concept is based on - 'Sarwa Dharma Sama Bhava' & 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas'.

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 2024, General Studies Paper II, Q15. The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.