QUESTION 6(c)
GS4
10 marks
“Falsehood takes the place of truth when it results in unblemished common good.” – Tirukkural. What does this quotation mean to you in the present context?
WRITE IN
7 min
150 words
What the examiner wants
Explain when untruth may serve truth's purpose if it brings blameless common good, and its limits today.
Explain the meaningAnswer exactly what the question asks.
Demand-wise check
- 1Meaning: truth is judged by its result; a falsehood that brings pure, harmless good is treated as truth≈30 words
- 2Examples: doctor softening grim news, police withholding details to prevent a riot≈30 words
- 3Limits: 'unblemished' good is rare; risk of misuse for propaganda or cover-ups; conflicts with transparency≈30 words
- 4Contrast: Kant's absolute duty not to lie; Gandhi's insistence on truth≈30 words
Open in about 20 words and close in about 20.
Answer plan
MeaningExamplesLimits and risksContrast with absolute truthConclusion
Where marks usually go
- Using it to justify official lying in general
- Ignoring the condition 'unblemished'
Draw this
- Two columns: acceptable vs unacceptable falsehoods
Value addition
- SourceTirukkural, chapter on Truthfulness (Vaaimai), Kural 292.Thiruvalluvar
- ThinkerKant held that lying is wrong even to a murderer asking where your friend is.'On a Supposed Right to Lie', 1797
Mapped topper copies
Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.
- Shubhankar Patilak · Page 24 ↗Reviewed PYQ reference
- Vidushi Singh · AIR 13 · Page 5 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 23 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Aakash Garg · AIR 5 · Page 7 ↗Same syllabus reference
Links open original public sources. MainsBuddy does not host these answer sheets.
Next: plan for one minute, write it in 7 minutes, then get it checked.