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.
'We are what our thoughts have made us'. What do you understand by this statement? Explain in reference to the contemporary times.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2018
AttitudeHuman Values
"Five things should be pondered over before you act: Resources, weapons, time, place and deed" - Thirukkural.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2022
Indian ThinkersDimensions of Ethics
"If a good teacher becomes a soldier, the society will lose a good teacher and get a bad soldier" - Aristotle.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2022
Human ValuesWorld Thinkers
What do you mean by ethical political leadership? Do you think it is on a declining trend in India? If so, highlight the socio-political causes responsible for its decline.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2022
Civil Service ValuesCorruption
Given below are the three quotations of great thinkers. What do each of these quotations convey to you in the present context? a) "When learning is purposeful, creativity blossoms. When creativity blossoms, thinking emanates. When thinking emanates, knowledge is fully lit. When knowledge is lit, the economy flourishes." - Abdul Kalam.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers
Human ValuesIndian Thinkers
The core of Gandhiji's philosophy lies in internal moral power. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Indian ThinkersHuman Values
Is greed wholly a vice or a trait of character that has both positive and negative sides? Could you relate it to the utilitarian philosophy that emphasizes pursuit of self interest by individuals as the basis of economic well being?
Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2018–2019
Dimensions of EthicsEthical Theories
"Whatever a person having authority does, other people do the same thing; whatever standards he sets up, all people follow the same." Examine, with reference to real-life examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2018
Human ValuesSocial Influence and Persuasion
The means used shape the outcome, so the ends cannot justify the means. Discuss with examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2024
Dimensions of EthicsEthical Theories
The teachings of Arya Samaj present key ethical lessons for present day India. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Human ValuesIndian 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.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2022
Dimensions of EthicsEthical Theories
A. "There is only one responsibility of business, namely to use its resources and engage in activities designed to increase profits." Do you think corporations, by indulging in social responsibilities, are compromising their core resource utilisation and production responsibility by diverting resources into unproductive social endeavours? B. Do you think values such as "tyaga," (renunciation) "seva," (service) "daanam," (Charity) "damah," (self-control) that are espoused in traditional Indian Wisdom have relevance for modern day public servants? Why? Why not?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2024
Corporate GovernanceCivil Service Values
"It is compassion, the most gracious of virtues, which moves the world."
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2022
Empathy and CompassionHuman Values
What were the major teachings of Swami Dayanand Saraswati? Explain their relevance in addressing the current ethical and social challenges in India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
Indian ThinkersHuman Values
"I understand democracy as something that gives the weak the same chance as the strong." - Mahatma Gandhi
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2022
Human ValuesIndian Thinkers
What does each of the following quotations mean to you in the present context? a) "In a conflict between the heart and the brain, follow your heart"- Swami Vivekananda
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
Indian ThinkersDimensions of Ethics
The ideals of ‘Dhamma’ by Ashoka present key learnings on public morality. Discuss. Also, state their relevance for public servants.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Indian ThinkersCivil Service Values
What are the key teachings of Thiruvalluvar, and how are they relevant in today's world?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
Indian Thinkers
Discuss the significance of Mahatma Gandhi's Talisman for civil servants.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2018
Human ValuesIndian Thinkers
The end cannot justify the means, for the simple and obvious reason that the means employed determine the nature of the ends produced. Discuss with suitable examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
Dimensions of EthicsIndian Thinkers
Highlight the important teachings of Swami Vivekananda, relevant to the youth of today.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2020
Indian ThinkersHuman Values
A man can give up a right, but he may not give up a duty without being guilty of a grave dereliction.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper
Dimensions of EthicsIndian Thinkers
Do you think values such as "tyaga," (renunciation) "seva," (service) "daanam," (Charity) "damah," (self-control) that are espoused in traditional Indian Wisdom have relevance for modern day public servants? Why? Why not?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Human ValuesIndian Thinkers
What does each of the following quotations mean to you? "The end-product of education should be a free creative man, who can battle against historical circumstances and adversities of nature." Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Human ValuesFamily, Society and Education
"You can't cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water." - Rabindranath Tagore
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Indian ThinkersHuman Values
Discuss B.R. Ambedkar's conception of morality and social justice. How does it differ from mere legal equality?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Indian ThinkersDimensions of Ethics
Do you think the utilitarian approach can be the foundation of morals and legislation?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Ethical TheoriesWorld Thinkers
Bring out the relevance of the teachings of Gautam Buddha in contemporary times.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper
Indian ThinkersHuman Values
"Service which is rendered without joy helps neither the servant nor the served.". Mahatma Gandhi
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Human ValuesIndian Thinkers
Explain the main elements of Integral Humanism by Deen Dayal Upadhyaya and highlight its contemporary relevance.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2019
Indian ThinkersDimensions of Ethics