QUESTION 19
GS1
15 marks
Customs and traditions suppress reason leading to obscurantism. Do you agree?
WRITE IN
11 min
250 words
What the examiner wants
Discuss: answer the exact PYQ as framed — “Customs and traditions suppress reason leading to obscurantism. Do you agree?” Treat each scoring limb separately instead of writing a general note on Tradition vs Obscurantism.
DiscussExplain the different sides of the issue, use evidence, and finish with a balanced view.
Demand-wise check
- 1Customs and traditions suppress reason leading to obscurantism≈95 words
- 2Support the Discuss with directly relevant evidence/examples and end with a reasoned conclusion≈95 words
Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.
Answer plan
Define/contextAddress each explicit social dimension in sequenceUse India-specific examples/evidenceCounterpoint/limitationsBalanced conclusion or way forward
Where marks usually go
- Writing generally about Tradition vs Obscurantism without directly resolving: “Customs and traditions suppress reason leading to obscurantism.”
- Using facts/examples as decoration without linking them to the Discuss judgement required by the question
Value addition
- 3–4 node flowchart or dimension wheel keyed to the question’s main components
→ Draw it in the body, next to the point it supports.
Official source anchors
These are authoritative sources selected for this exact PYQ. Where a card is an official-domain anchor rather than a fact-level citation, verify the precise provision, definition or data point on the linked source before using it.
Next: plan for one minute, write it in 11 minutes, then get it checked.