UPSC CARE Mains Practice 12th December 2025
Mains Practice Questions for the Day
- The controversy over Vande Mataram reflects deeper tensions between cultural nationalism and constitutional pluralism.” Examine this assertion with reference to historical debates, judicial pronouncements, and the recent parliamentary discussion (Dec 2025)
- Q. Safeguarding our age-old architectural heritage is the need of the moment. Discuss. (GS Paper I – Indian Heritage and Culture)
1Q.The controversy over Vande Mataram reflects deeper tensions between cultural nationalism and constitutional pluralism.” Examine this assertion with reference to historical debates, judicial pronouncements, and the recent parliamentary discussion (Dec 2025).
GS-1 (Modern Indian History, Nationalism),
Introduction:
The Vande Mataram controversy illustrates a recurrent tension in India’s polity — reconciling emotive cultural symbols with the constitutional commitment to pluralism. A historical, legal and political reading reveals why the song remains contested.
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Historical context:
Composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and popularised during the Swadeshi movement, the poem’s later stanzas contain religious imagery (invocations of Durga/Lakshmi). Early objections—most prominently from the Muslim League—led the Congress (1937) to limit public use to the first two stanzas. The Constituent Assembly later recognised Jana Gana Mana as the national anthem while treating the two-stanza Vande Mataram as the national song.
Judicial and statutory position:
The Supreme Court has repeatedly declined to constitutionalise a “national song”. The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, criminalises disrespect to the national anthem and flag but not the national song, producing an asymmetry in legal protection. High-court orders (Madras, Bombay, Delhi, Allahabad) further reflect the judiciary’s reluctance to compel uniform practice where plural sensitivities exist.
Recent politics:
The Rajya Sabha debate (Dec 2025) — including calls by the Leader of the House to elevate the song’s status — demonstrates how national symbols become electoral and ideological tools. While symbolic elevation may satisfy majoritarian sentiment, it risks alienating minorities and weakening constitutional pluralism.
Conclusion:
Balancing respect for national symbols with constitutional protection of diversity requires careful, consultative policy, not unilateral politicisation. Any attempt to statutorily elevate Vande Mataram should be preceded by inclusive dialogue and legal clarity to safeguard pluralism.
Q. Safeguarding our age-old architectural heritage is the need of the moment. Discuss. (GS Paper I – Indian Heritage and Culture)
(GS Paper 3 – Environment, Pollution, Conservation, Climate Change)
Introduction:
India’s architectural heritage—ranging from ancient temples, monuments, forts and cave complexes—embodies its civilisational memory and cultural identity. However, the recent submission of the Ministry of Culture to a Parliamentary Committee that nearly 50 centrally protected monuments are untraceable underscores the urgent need to strengthen heritage conservation.
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Why safeguarding is essential
- Historical value: Architectural heritage provides primary evidence of India’s past. Structures like the Hazara Rama Temple or the Vittala Temple reflect the artistic excellence and socio-political life of the Vijayanagara period.
- Cultural identity & soft power: Monuments such as the Taj Mahal enhance India’s global image, showcasing its artistic traditions and civilisational depth.
- Social cohesion: Heritage fosters cultural continuity and a sense of collective belonging in a diverse society.
- Economic significance: Heritage tourism generates employment, supports local economies, and improves infrastructure such as roads, rail connectivity, and hospitality services.
Key threats to architectural heritage
- Environmental degradation: Pollution has caused visible damage—for example, the yellowing of the Taj Mahal, leading to interventions like the Taj Trapezium Zone.
- Rapid urbanisation: Encroachments, unregulated construction, and pressure on land around monuments endanger their structural integrity.
- Development projects: Submergence due to dams or reservoirs continues to threaten many historical sites.
- Accessibility issues: Monuments in remote or forested regions remain unprotected due to difficulty in surveillance and mapping.
- Tourism pressure: Overcrowding, poor waste management, and visitor negligence damage fragile structures.
- Security & manpower gaps: Shortage of guards, inadequate surveillance, and poor museum management increase risks of theft and vandalism.
- Maintenance challenges: Sites like the Ajanta caves suffer from humidity-related deterioration, raising concerns about ASI’s technical capacity.
Steps taken by the Government
- AMASR (Amendment) Act, 2010: Introduced a 100-metre prohibited area and regulated construction within 300 metres of protected monuments.
- Proposed reforms: Rationalisation of regulated zones and granting ASI stronger powers to remove encroachments.
- Public–private partnership: The Adopt a Heritage scheme encourages corporate and civil society participation in conservation and site management.
Conclusion:
Safeguarding architectural heritage requires stronger institutional capacity, modern conservation technology, community participation, and greater cultural awareness through education. Preservation aligns with Article 51A(f), which identifies protection of heritage as a fundamental duty of citizens. Linking conservation with sustainable development ensures that India’s architectural treasures are safeguarded for future generations.
