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.
"In matters of conscience, the law of the majority has no place." - Mahatma Gandhi.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2024
Indian ThinkersDimensions of Ethics
In pursuit of political power, means are often compromised that leads to competitive reliance on unethical practices resulting in erosion of public trust. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2019–2023
Civil Service ValuesEthical Dilemmas in Government
A. In the context of public service, what does public service attitude mean? Discuss the attitude biases that affects a public servants on field decision making? Explain how a public servant can overcome such attitude biases?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
AttitudeAptitude for Civil Service
Given below are two quotations of moral thinkers/ philosophers. For each of these, bring out what it means to you in the present context. (a) "Silence becomes cowardice when occasion demands speaking out the whole truth and acting accordingly" - Mahatma Gandhi.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2018–2019
Indian ThinkersIntegrity
"We must not only tolerate others, but positively embrace them" - Swami Vivekananda.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2018–2019
Human ValuesIndian Thinkers
"Two ways of building character - cultivating strength to challenge oppression, and tolerate the resultant hardships that give rise to courage and awareness." -Sardar Patel
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2025
Human ValuesIndian Thinkers
The moral worth of an action depends not on the consequences that flow from it, but on its motivation. Explain the statement with the help of suitable examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2019–2023
Dimensions of EthicsEthical Theories
Swami Vivekanand brought religion to the centre-stage and gave a new meaning to it while stressing the need for harmony among faiths. In this context, discuss the relevance of his teachings in contemporary society.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Indian ThinkersHuman Values
Given below are the three quotations of great thinkers. What do each of these quotations convey to you in the present context? a) "This life is short, the vanities of the world are transient, but they alone live who live for others, the rest are more dead than alive."-Swami Vivekanand
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2025
Human ValuesIndian Thinkers
"Nonviolence is not servile passivity but a powerful moral force which makes for social transformation". Comment.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2018–2019
Indian ThinkersHuman Values
What do you understand by Amartya Sen's 'capability approach'? Analyse its significance in understanding social realities and in making a pro poor development strategy.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2018–2019
Indian ThinkersWorld Thinkers
The mind of the superior man is conversant with righteousness; the mind of the mean man is conversant with gain. Confucius.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2019–2023
World ThinkersHuman Values
"The State took taxes from the people only to ensure their prosperity in return like the sun takes moisture from the earth only to give it back in thousandfold measure." Kalidasa. Explain the Indian concept of "giving it back" and its relevance as a guiding value for civil servants.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Dedication to Public ServiceProbity in Governance
What do each of the following quotations mean to you? (a) Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or the darkness of destructive selfishness. – Martin Luther King Jr.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2021
Human ValuesDimensions of Ethics
Courage is the first of human qualities because it's the quality that guarantees the others.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2018–2020
Human ValuesDimensions of Ethics
What do each of the following quotations mean to you? (a) "Each individual is capable of transforming his immediate environment by attempting a radical transformation inside him". - J Krishnamurti
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2021
Human ValuesDimensions of Ethics
"Gandhian ethics emphasize purity of means, truth, and moral courage even when outcomes are uncertain." Critically evaluate whether such absolutist ethics are compatible with the demands of modern public administration, where administrative realism and pragmatism are often necessary.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Indian ThinkersEthical Theories
"If you cry because the sun has gone out of your life, your tears will prevent you from seeing the stars."-Rabindranath Tagore
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
Human ValuesIndian Thinkers
Given below are two quotations. For each of these bring out what it means to you in the present context. (a) The golden rule of conduct is mutual toleration, seeing that we will never all think alike and we shall always see Truth in fragment and from different points of vision. Mahatma Gandhi.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2019–2023
Indian ThinkersHuman Values
"Ideas are the cornerstone of a strong public service framework globally." In the context of this statement, discuss the ideas of a philosopher whose ideas you believe are most pertinent to the civil services in India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
Indian ThinkersCivil Service Values
Income inequality is a matter of grave concern for the Indian society. In this context, examine the relevance of Gandhiji's concepts of 'Sarvodaya' and 'Trusteeship'.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2018–2019
Indian ThinkersDimensions of Ethics
"Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time." – Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2020–2024
Human ValuesDimensions of Ethics
"To tolerate is purely an act of the mind. That is the essence of virtue. To tolerate is a strength."
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2021–2024
Human ValuesDimensions of Ethics
"Why should a man be moral? Because it strengthens his will." - Swami Vivekanand. In this perspective, discuss the significance of morality for bringing efficiency and effectiveness in public administration. Do you think moral rigidity can be a hindrance in good governance?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2020–2024
Civil Service ValuesIndian Thinkers
"I care only for the Spirit - when that is right, everything will be righted by itself". Swami Vivekananda.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2022–2023
Indian ThinkersHuman Values
"True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice." Martin Luther King Jr
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2022–2023
Dimensions of EthicsWorld Thinkers
What are the important learnings from the life and teachings of Sri Adi Shankaracharya that can help public servants in their personal and professional lives.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2021–2022
Indian ThinkersHuman Values
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 4 toppers · CSE 2022–2024
Indian ThinkersDimensions of Ethics
Raja Ram Mohan Roy's liberal views on social and religious issues have much relevance in present day India. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2021
Indian ThinkersHuman Values
Patriotism encourages ethical questioning, while nationalism often suppresses it. Discuss this statement in light of the formation of political attitudes during high-pressure national events. How can individuals develop moral attitudes that balance national interest with ethical reasoning?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2025
AttitudeSocial Influence and Persuasion