QUESTION 17
GS2
15 marks
“Development and welfare schemes for the vulnerable, by its nature, are discriminatory in approach.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer.
WRITE IN
11 min
250 words
What the examiner wants
Take a stand on whether targeted welfare for the vulnerable is discriminatory, separating positive discrimination from unfair exclusion.
Give reasonsAnswer exactly what the question asks.
Demand-wise check
- 1Yes in form: schemes treat groups differently by design≈65 words
- 2Justified: Articles 15(4), 16(4), 46 permit and require protective discrimination; substantive equality≈65 words
- 3Problems: exclusion and inclusion errors, stigma, identity-based targeting, political capture≈65 words
Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.
Answer plan
StandPositive discrimination argumentProblems in practiceConclusion
Where marks usually go
- Answering yes or no without nuance
- Not citing constitutional basis
Draw this
- Equality vs equity illustration
Value addition
- Case lawState of Kerala v. N.M. Thomas (1976): reservation is a facet of equality, not an exception to it.Supreme Court of India, 1976
- ConceptSubstantive equality: treating unequals differently to achieve real equality.Indian constitutional jurisprudence
Mapped topper copies
Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 38 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Aditya Srivastava · AIR 1 · Page 5 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 15 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 11 ↗Same syllabus reference
Links open original public sources. MainsBuddy does not host these answer sheets.
Next: plan for one minute, write it in 11 minutes, then get it checked.