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Read this question in English
Unity in diversity remains the defining feature of Indian society despite the challenges from communalism and regionalism. Comment.
ЁЯзн How to think about this question ┬╖ directive: тАЬcommentтАЭ
Decode the demand
- Directive 'comment': give an evidence-backed opinion on a statement, not a description. The statement has two halves: unity in diversity is defining, and it holds despite communalism and regionalism.
- Three things to answer: what binds India together, how the two strains hurt it, and your verdict on whether the binding still wins.
- The trap: listing festivals and languages, then listing riots, with no judgement. The examiner wants a reasoned position on the word 'remains'.
Think in a structure
- Open with a concept (NCERT's 'state-nation') and one fact on diversity, then turn to the test the question poses.
- One heading per half: binding forces in dimensions (civilisation, Constitution, federalism, daily life), then the two strains with how each shows up; a short assessment heading gives the verdict.
- Visuals: a hub for the binding forces, a table that pairs each strain with how India absorbs it; both drawable in half a minute.
- End positively: concrete renewals (EBSB pairings, fair institutions, cooperative federalism), then Ambedkar's idea of fraternity as the anchor.
Facts checked at source (2)┬╖ open
- Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat was announced by the Prime Minister on 31 October 2015, Sardar Patel's 140th birth anniversary.Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme тАФ PIB, September 2020 тЖЧтАЬEk Bharat Shresta Bharat was announced by PM on 31st October 2015, the 140th birth anniversary of the Iron Man of India Sardar Vallabhbhai PatelтАЭ
- Under EBSB, each State or UT is paired with another for a year of cultural engagement.Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme тАФ PIB, September 2020 тЖЧтАЬevery state and union territory would be paired with another State/UT for a yearтАЭ
Question: UPSC's CS (Main) 2026, GS Paper I тАФ paper тЖЧ. Guidance: Minimalist IAS, checked 8 Nov 2026 (how we verify). ┬╖
Model answer┬╖ 446words ┬╖ Minimalist IAS
NCERT calls India a 'state-nation': many religious, linguistic and ethnic identities live under one state without being asked to merge. With 22 Scheduled Languages and every major faith, this unity rests on accommodation, not uniformity, which is why communalism and regionalism test it rather than end it.
What makes unity in diversity the defining feature
Unity in diversity: shared civilisation; secular Constitution; accommodating federalism; everyday integration; democratic politics
- Civilisational bonds: pilgrimage circuits, Bhakti and Sufi syncretism and the freedom struggle gave a shared memory before a shared state.
- Nehru's 'unity amidst diversity' in The Discovery of India; Amartya Sen's argumentative tradition of dialogue across faiths.
- Constitutional glue: secularism as basic structure (S.R. Bommai, 1994), minority rights (Articles 25тАУ30) and the Article 51A(e) duty to promote harmony.
- Accommodating federalism: the States Reorganisation Commission (1953) led to linguistic states from 1956; three new states in 2000 met tribal and regional aspirations.
- Article 371 and the Sixth Schedule offer special arrangements, so aspiration need not become secession.
- Everyday integration: national markets, migration, the armed forces, cinema and cricket bind daily life across regions.
The full answer goes on to cover
- Challenges from communalism and regionalism
- Does unity in diversity still hold?
- Way forward
With 1 table you can reproduce in the exam.
Prepared by Minimalist IAS to the answer standard of Shivam Singh (mentor, 7 years) ┬╖ facts checked against official sources (how we verify) ┬╖ updated 8 Nov 2026. UPSC publishes no model answers: compare your structure and coverage with this, then write your own.







