Mains Practice Questions

1. Justice is the first virtue of social institutions, as truth is of systems of thought. (1200 words)

Introduction: 

When Martin Luther King Jr. proclaimed, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” he captured the universal truth that justice is the moral foundation of any society. Just as truth anchors systems of thought by giving them legitimacy and coherence, justice anchors social institutions by ensuring fairness, equality, and moral order. 

A democracy without justice risks descending into tyranny, and a philosophy without truth collapses into dogma or propaganda. Hence, as John Rawls argued, “Justice is the first virtue of social institutions, as truth is of systems of thought.” This timeless principle highlights that both justice and truth are indispensable virtues that preserve the legitimacy, credibility, and survival of human societies.

Body : 

Understanding the Core Idea

• Justice in Social Institutions: Ensures equitable distribution of rights and duties.
  • Example: Article 14 of the Indian Constitution guarantees equality before law.
• Truth in Thought Systems: Knowledge rests on evidence and rationality. Without truth, even science becomes unreliable.
  •  Example: Denial of climate change undermines global cooperation.
• Parallel: Justice legitimises institutions just as truth legitimises knowledge.

Philosophical Dimensions

• Plato: Justice is the harmony of different classes performing their roles.
• Aristotle: Justice is “giving each his due.”
• Rawls: Justice as fairness—ensuring equal liberty and protecting the least advantaged.
• Gandhi: Linked justice with Satya (truth); believed truth and non-violence form the bedrock of a just society.
  •  Example: Gandhi’s fight against racial injustice in South Africa and colonial injustice in India showed truth as a weapon for justice.

 Application in Social Institutions

• Political Institutions: Justice sustains democracy.
  • Example: Kesavananda Bharati case (1973) upheld constitutional justice.
• Economic Institutions: Schemes like MNREGA ensure distributive justice by guaranteeing the right to work.
• Judicial Institutions: Fair trials under Article 21 safeguard liberty.
• Social Institutions: Abolition of untouchability (Article 17) and reservation policies promote social justice.

Relevance in Governance and Society

• Justice builds trust in institutions.
  Example: People’s faith in the Indian judiciary despite delays.
• Truth safeguards credibility in media and science.
  Example: During COVID-19, misinformation eroded trust, while data-driven policies saved lives.
• Absence of justice turns into unrest (e.g., Arab Spring, Dalit movements in India).
• Absence of truth turns into chaos (e.g., post-truth politics, fake news in elections).

Contemporary Relevance

• India: Preamble guarantees Justice—social, economic, and political.
• Global: SDGs (Goal 16) emphasise peace, justice, and strong institutions.
• Challenges:
  • Rising inequality (Oxfam report: Top 1% hold 40% of India’s wealth) undermines justice.
  • Misinformation on social media undermines truth.

Counter Perspective

• Justice is context-specific—what is “just” in one society may differ in another.
• Truth can be contested—relativism vs. absolutism.
• Yet, the pursuit of justice and truth must remain central to governance and thought.

Way Forward

• Strengthen the rule of law, transparency, and institutional independence.
• Promote evidence-based policymaking and media literacy.
• Foster inclusive development to balance freedom with equality.
• Encourage moral leadership rooted in truth and fairness.

Conclusion: 

A society can achieve lasting peace, prosperity, and harmony only when its institutions are rooted in justice and its actions guided by truth. Ensuring inclusive governance, equitable opportunities, and moral leadership empowers citizens, strengthens democracy, and fosters social cohesion. Upholding justice in public life and truth in thought not only safeguards human dignity but also inspires future generations to build a fair and ethical world. As Gandhiji wisely observed, “Truth and justice are perhaps the two most powerful forces that can guide humanity towards peace.”

2. Freedom of mind is real freedom. (1200 words)

Introduction : 

Swami Vivekananda once said, “You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher but your own soul.” This highlights the essence of freedom of mind—true liberation comes from within, through independent thought, reflection, and self-realisation. True freedom is not merely political or social, but resides in the ability to think critically, question assumptions, and act ethically.

For instance, during the Bengal Renaissance, Raja Ram Mohan Roy defied orthodox Hindu practices like Sati despite immense societal pressure, relying on rational thought and moral courage. Even in the colonial struggle, Bhagat Singh chose the path of conscious rebellion after reflecting on injustice, demonstrating that inner freedom enables transformative action in the external world.

Similarly, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, despite being born into a socially marginalized caste, exercised freedom of mind by critically evaluating social norms and advocating for constitutional safeguards, education, and equality, eventually shaping India’s legal and social framework, demonstrating that freedom of mind empowers both the individual and society.

Body:

Conceptual Understanding

• Freedom of mind: Ability to think critically, reason independently, and remain autonomous in belief and action.
• The difference between external freedom (political rights, freedom of speech) and internal freedom (mental autonomy, self-awareness).
  • Example: Citizens in India may enjoy constitutional rights, but social prejudices, caste hierarchies, and gender norms limit true mental freedom.
• UNESCO’s Global Education Monitoring Report highlights that critical thinking in schools improves empowerment and decision-making, showing the link between mental autonomy and real freedom.
• Without freedom of mind, democracy is superficial, as people may conform blindly despite legal liberties.

Philosophical and Historical Perspectives

• John Stuart Mill: Individual liberty includes freedom of thought and expression, essential for personal and societal progress.
• Buddhism: Mindfulness and detachment cultivate inner freedom, enabling ethical choices.
• Movements driven by free thinkers often lead to social reforms.
• Historical examples:
  • Kabir, the 15th-century poet-saint, challenged caste hierarchies and ritualistic practices through critical thought and spiritual reasoning, promoting equality and inner liberation.
  • Jyotirao Phule challenged caste oppression using reason and education.
  • Mahatma Jotirao Phule’s wife, Savitribai Phule, used her freedom of mind to revolutionise women’s education in India, establishing schools for girls despite societal opposition.
  • Nelson Mandela (global example) exercised freedom of mind in resisting apartheid, showing how inner conviction drives societal transformation.

Importance in Personal Life

• Fosters self-awareness, creativity, and resilience.
• Reduces susceptibility to manipulation, fake news, and blind conformity.
• Encourages ethical and informed decision-making; people with mental freedom can question authority and discriminatory practices.
  • Example: Entrepreneurs and innovators like Elon Musk leveraged independent thinking to create breakthrough solutions.

Social and Political Relevance

• Societies of free minds nurture democracy, pluralism, and innovation.
• Limits the influence of propaganda, misinformation, and authoritarian control.
  • Example: Nordic countries with high literacy and critical thinking demonstrate strong social justice, participatory governance, and civic engagement.
• Free thought strengthens civil liberties, rule of law, and human rights protections, preventing societal stagnation.

Economic and Developmental Implications

• Mental freedom drives innovation, entrepreneurship, and scientific discovery.
• Encourages adaptive thinking in crises; e.g., COVID-19 pandemic showed how evidence-based decisions saved lives.
• Education systems emphasizing critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving strengthen mental autonomy.
• According to the World Economic Forum, countries with strong innovation ecosystems and independent thinkers outperform others in economic resilience and technological development.

Challenges to Mental Freedom

• Social conditioning, caste/gender biases, and rigid orthodoxies limit independent thinking.
• Misinformation, ideological polarization, and social media echo chambers weaken critical judgment.
• Authoritarian regimes often suppress dissent and free thought.
  • Example: Restrictions on media and academic freedom in certain countries limit intellectual and societal progress.

Way Forward

• Promote education systems focused on critical thinking, ethics, and self-reflection.
• Encourage open dialogue, debates, and exposure to diverse perspectives.
• Build mental resilience through mindfulness, reasoning, and rational discourse.
• Strengthen laws and institutions protecting freedom of thought, expression, and conscience.
• Encourage social reforms that challenge discrimination, dogma, and blind conformity.

Conclusion: 

Real freedom begins in the mind; without mental liberation, all external freedoms remain incomplete. A society where individuals think independently, question boldly, and act ethically is resilient, progressive, and inclusive. Freedom of mind empowers the individual while strengthening democracy, social justice, and innovation. As Albert Einstein envisioned, “The mind that opens to a new idea never returns to its original size.” Nurturing this freedom ensures a future where humanity thrives in wisdom, dignity, and ethical progress.