GS4 · Topic
Indian Thinkers
Moral thinkers and philosophers from India used as a source: Gandhi, Buddha, Vivekananda, Kautilya, Tiruvalluvar, Ambedkar, Kabir and others.
204 UPSC Mains GS4 questions on Indian Thinkers that toppers answered in test series, CSE 2014–2025, most answered first. Open one to see how toppers opened, built and closed it.
"Faith is of no evil in the absence of strength. Faith and strength, both are essential to accomplish any great work" - Vallabhbhai Patel
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Human ValuesIndian Thinkers
'Niti' must be more concerned with 'nyaya' i.e. the elimination of removable injustices rather than defining a perfectly just society. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Indian ThinkersDimensions of Ethics
Traditional Indian wisdom has been relevant for ages and the cardinal virtues espoused have an impact on public services.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Human ValuesIndian Thinkers
The highest education is that which does not merely give us information, but makes our life in harmony with all existence - Tagore
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2019
Human ValuesFamily, Society and Education
Compare and contrast Kant's notion of duty with Gandhi's idea of non-violence in the context of administrative responsibility.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
World ThinkersIndian Thinkers
Socratic concept of “Ethical dying” is a principled leave-taking from life. Compare and contrast it with the Gandhian concept of Satyagraha and Non-violence.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2019
World ThinkersIndian Thinkers
What do you understand by 'Nishkam Karma'? Discuss the importance of 'Nishkam Karma' in the life of a civil servant.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
Indian ThinkersCivil Service Values
Public service attitude reflects core public service values of honesty, devotion to duty, justice, fairness to ensure public interest and well being. Discuss the significance of such an attitude and mention the common biases that influence decision making in the field. 3(B) 'Religion is the opium of the masses'. Examine the statement and discuss the role of religion in moral life.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
AttitudeIndian Thinkers
What does each of the following quotation mean to you? a) A man can give up a right, but he may not give up a duty without being guilty of a grave dereliction. b) Justice without force is futile, force without justice is tyrannical.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper
Dimensions of EthicsIndian Thinkers
Greed is a bottomless pit which is harmful not only for self but for the entire society. Discuss. How can such negative desires be controlled?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2022
Dimensions of EthicsHuman Values
Gandhi's compassion towards the weaker sections makes him different from other social reformers. What are the lessons that it conveys? Discuss a situation where you have shown compassion towards weaker sections of the society.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2014
Empathy and CompassionIndian Thinkers
The politically charged, non-violent and ethical Gandhian philosophy is based on the idea of truth (satya) and ahimsa to achieve the idea of Sarvodaya (welfare of all).
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Indian ThinkersHuman Values
What do each of the following quotations mean to you? (30) (a) "We are what our thoughts have made us; so take care about what you think. Words are secondary. Thoughts live; they travel far." - Swami Vivekananda
30 marks · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2022
Indian ThinkersHuman Values
Indian ethics teach moderation as a moral standard. Examine.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2019
Indian ThinkersWorld Thinkers
A. In the context of public service, what does public service attitude mean? Discuss the attitude biases that affect a public servant's on-field decision making? Explain how a public servant can overcome such attitude biases? B. "I am a Moslem; I am a Hindu; I am a Christian; I am a Jew." Mahatma Gandhi. What did Mahatma Gandhi mean by the above statement? Some philosophers have argued that religion is harmful to the moral life, whereas others have claimed that it is necessary to it. Explain your position on the relationship between religion and morality.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
AttitudeIndian Thinkers
Given below are three quotations of great thinkers. What do each of these quotations convey to you in the present context? “We want the education by which character is formed, strength of mind is increased, the intellect is expanded, and by which one can stand on one’s own feet” - Swami Vivekanand
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Human ValuesFamily, Society and Education
Given below are three quotations of great thinkers. What do each of these quotations convey to you in the present context? a. Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever. - Mahatma Gandhi
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Indian ThinkersHuman Values
The idea of 'minimum government and maximum governance' has become a popular model of governance today. In the light of this statement, analyse the following questions with suitable illustrations and in the end explain how ethics can help in reconciling both views? i. It propagates the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi-that people should govern themselves, that is, self governance. ii. This idea runs afoul to the fact that people cannot govern themselves, they must be governed.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2016
Civil Service ValuesIndian Thinkers
What lessons can be learnt from the life of Mahatma Gandhi for promoting social harmony today's times?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2022
Indian ThinkersHuman Values
Acc. to Buddhism, for a man to be perfect there are two qualities that he should develop equally: comparison & wisdom. Analyse.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020
Indian ThinkersHuman Values
If one takes care of the means the end will take care of itself. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper
Indian ThinkersEthical Theories
"Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man" - Mahatma Gandhi. Does this view still hold true in the contemporary world? Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Indian ThinkersDimensions of Ethics
What does this quote mean to you? (a) "Determination is the power that sees us through all our frustrations and obstacles. It helps us in building our willpower which is the very basis of success." - APJ Abdul Kalam [10M]
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Human ValuesIndian Thinkers
Explain the ethos and philosophy of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Indian Thinkers