Philosophy Optional · Paper II · Socio-Political Philosophy
Caste Discrimination: Gandhi and Ambedkar Notes · PYQs
Free notes and every UPSC previous year question for Caste Discrimination: Gandhi and Ambedkar, Unit 10 of Paper II, Section A: the official syllabus, 9 topic-wise notes in syllabus order, and all 19 questions from 2000 to 2026 grouped by sub-topic.
9
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19
Questions listed
17
Asked since 2013
2000–2026
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Syllabus Free notes Previous year questions All Philosophy units
Official UPSC syllabus
Caste Discrimination: Gandhi and Ambedkar: syllabus
The syllabus text for this unit in Paper II, Section A (Socio-Political Philosophy) of Philosophy Optional. Every note and question on this page maps to it.
Caste Discrimination: Gandhi and Ambedkar.
Paper II · Section A · Unit 10
Caste Discrimination: Gandhi and Ambedkar notes
Topic-wise notes for this unit in syllabus order, written for UPSC Mains in plain language, with diagrams and the previous year questions on each topic.
Free notes
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Caste and Caste Discrimination: Varṇa vs Jāti, Theories of Origin, Ghurye’s Features, Purity and Pollution, Untouchability, Types and Main Factors
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Is Caste Discrimination Justifiable? Scriptural and Functional Defences, the Anti-Caste Tradition from the Buddha to the Dalit Panthers, and Caste Is Not a Sin, but Caste Discrimination Is
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Gandhi’s Philosophical Foundations: Truth and Ahiṃsā, Ends and Means, Satyāgraha, Swaraj, Critique of Modernity, Sarvodaya, Trusteeship, State, Women, and Gandhi Compared with Marx and Roy
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Gandhi on Varṇa, Caste and Untouchability: Varṇāśrama as Bread Labour, the Evolution of His Views, Harijan, Temple Entry, Fasts, Change of Heart and a Critical Evaluation
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Ambedkar’s Analysis of Caste: Castes in India (1916), Endogamy Superimposed on Exogamy, Imitation and the Closed Door, Who Were the Shudras?, the Broken Men, Graded Inequality and the Division of Labourers
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Annihilation of Caste (1936): the Undelivered Lahore Address, Division of Labourers, Rules vs Principles, Inter-marriage, Critique of Cāturvarṇya, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity and Social Endosmosis
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Ambedkar’s Remedies and Social Philosophy: Educate, Agitate, Organise, Mahad, Safeguards, Navayāna Buddhism, State Socialism, Social Democracy, Constitutional Morality, Women and Social Change
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The Gandhi–Ambedkar Debate: Varṇa, Untouchability, Religion, Village and State, Separate Electorates, the Poona Pact, A Vindication of Caste, Harijan vs Dalit, Convergence and Secular Democracy
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Caste in Contemporary India: Caste and Democracy, Caste in the Body Politic, the Constitutional Scheme, Reservation Debates, Which Principle of Justice?, Rights in a Caste Society and Social Harmony
Free practice
Previous year questions: Caste Discrimination: Gandhi and Ambedkar
All 19 questions UPSC has set from this unit between 2000 and 2026, grouped by sub-topic with the most-asked first, newest first within each. Questions from 2013 onwards are shown; earlier ones open on a tap.
How often UPSC asks each sub-topic
| Sub-topic | Questions | Since 2013 | Last asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gandhi vs Ambedkar | 5 | 3 | 2025 |
| Ambedkar · Caste Critique | 4 | 4 | 2021 |
| Ambedkar · Annihilation | 2 | 2 | 2026 |
| Caste · Democracy | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Gandhi · Varna & Caste | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Caste · Causes | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Ambedkar · Social Change | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Ambedkar · Humanism | 1 | 1 | 2015 |
| Caste · Justice | 1 | 1 | 2014 |
Gandhi vs Ambedkar
5 questions · 3 since 2013 · last asked 2025
Asked since 2013 · 3
2025Present a detailed account of the debate between Gandhi and Ambedkar on the issue of caste discrimination. (20 marks)2019Examine whether there is any difference between the views of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar on the philosophical foundations of secular democracy. (20 marks)2014What are the basic differences between Gandhi and Ambedkar regarding caste system in India? (15 marks)
Show 2 earlier questions (before 2013)
2000–2012 · 2 questions
2012What were Gandhi’s views on varna and jati ? Critically discuss Ambedkar’s disagreement with Gandhi’s treatment of varna (30 marks)2000Gandhi and Ambedkar on the removal of untouchability. (20 marks)
Ambedkar · Caste Critique
4 questions · 4 since 2013 · last asked 2021
Asked since 2013 · 4
2021Discuss the views of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar regarding caste-discrimination in Indian Society. What are the measures suggested by him for its elimination? Explain. (20 marks)2017Is caste discrimination a result of the superiority complex of a privileged class of the society or of religious rituals? Discuss with reference to the views propounded by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. (10 marks)2016How did Ambedkar analyse the caste system from the historical and social perspectives ? Explain. (15 marks)2015Evaluate Ambedkar’s critique of caste system. (15 marks)
Ambedkar · Annihilation
2 questions · 2 since 2013 · last asked 2026
Asked since 2013 · 2
2026How has Ambedkar applied the concept of ‘Social Endosmosis’ for annihilation of castes. Evaluate its relevance for contemporary debates on identity and the politics of difference. (20 marks)2023Critically analyze the social and political significance of Ambedkar’s notion of annihilation of caste. (15 marks)
Caste · Democracy
2 questions · 2 since 2013 · last asked 2022
Asked since 2013 · 2
2022In the age of individualism and universal franchise, what role does caste play in body-politic? Discuss. (10 marks)2013Is there any impact of caste discrimination on democracy in Indian context? (10 marks)
Gandhi · Varna & Caste
2 questions · 2 since 2013 · last asked 2022
Asked since 2013 · 2
2022Critically evaluate Gandhi’s views on eradication of caste discrimination. (15 marks)2018It is said that the traditional hold of caste-based groups on Indian social behaviour has survived all attempts to build alternate identities. Discuss in the light of M.K. Gandhi. (10 marks)
Caste · Causes
1 question · 1 since 2013 · last asked 2024
Asked since 2013 · 1
2024Discuss the main factors responsible for caste discrimination. (10 marks)
Ambedkar · Social Change
1 question · 1 since 2013 · last asked 2020
Asked since 2013 · 1
2020State and examine B.R. Ambedkar’s contribution towards social changes in Independent India. (20 marks)
Ambedkar · Humanism
1 question · 1 since 2013 · last asked 2015
Asked since 2013 · 1
2015“Man must grow materially as well as spiritually.” Evaluate this statement of Ambedkar. (20 marks)
Caste · Justice
1 question · 1 since 2013 · last asked 2014
Asked since 2013 · 1
2014If caste discrimination has continuity and hierarchy, which principle of justice can dissolve this problem? (10 marks)
Year-wise question papers
All question papers Topic-wise PYQ bank (both papers) 2026 paper 2025 paper 2024 paper 2023 paper
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Notions of God
Notions of God: Attributes; Relation to Man and the World (Indian and Western).
Philosophy Optional
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