The Civil Services IAS Exam 2015 was commenced from 18th December 2015 and 23rd December 2015 was the day for the exam of Optional papers. The respective two optional papers, Paper I and Paper II were conducted in morning and afternoon sessions on the same day.
The Philosophy (Optional) Question Paper II of UPSC IAS Main Exam 2015 carried total 250 marks and time duration was limited to 3 hours. A candidate has to attempt five questions out of eight questions in which Question number 1 and 5 were compulsory and out of the remaining questions, three were to be attempted choosing at least one from each section.
SECTION- A
Q1. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: 10×5=50
(a) "Equality does not mean treating everyone equal” Discuss.
(b) Is civil disobedience in a democratic State justifiable? Discuss.
(c) Explain Harold Laski's critique of sovereignty.
(d) How are individual and group rights reconciled in democracy? Explain.
(e) "Inequitable development leads to social conflicts rather than social progress." Explain.
Q2: (a) What does gender discrimination mean? Is it not a violation of equality and social justice? Discuss. 15 Marks
(b) Does economic empowerment of women eliminate gender discrimination? Discuss. 15 Marks
(c) Evaluate Ambedkar's critique of caste system. 20 Marks
Q3: (a) Is multiculturalism a need of global society? Discuss. 15 Marks
(b) "The aim of punishment is to defend the moral law and to do justice to criminal." Discuss. 15 Marks
(c) Evaluate the nature and functions of parliamentary democracy. 20 Marks
Q4: (a) "Man must grow materially as well as spiritually." Evaluate this statement of Ambedkar. 15 Marks
(b) "Equality will be of no value without fraternity and liberty." Discuss. 15 Marks
(c) How is religious nationalism a threat to secular State? Explain. 20 Marks
SECTION-B
Q5: Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: 10×5=50
(a) Write a critical note on the attributes of God.
(b) Is existence of God a necessary condition for the survival of religion? Explain.
(c) Is morality necessarily based on religion? Discuss.
(d) Is God the cause of natural evil? Explain.
(e) Do faith and reason go together? Discuss.
Q6. (a) How can the religious language be verified? Is it correct to say that religious language is verified because it cannot be falsified? Discuss. 15 Marks
(b) Explain the nature of mysticism in Hinduism and Islam. 15 Marks
(c) Can revelation be justified by reason? Discuss. 20 Marks
Q7. (a) Do you think that evil is a bitter pill which no theist can easily swallow? Discuss. 15 Marks
(b) "Immortality means absence of Karma and Rebirth Discuss. 15 Marks
(c) Examine the Nyaya arguments in favour of the existence of God. 20 Marks
Q8. (a) "An atheist may be a better man than a religious person bereft of moral values." Discuss. 15 Marks
(b) Examine the ontological and cosmological arguments in favour of the existence of God. 15 Marks
(c) What is liberation? Briefly discuss the ways to attain it as outlined in the systems of Vedanta. 20 Marks.
