Secularism, Communalism & Challenges to National Unity

What should you study in Secularism, Communalism & Challenges to National Unity?

• Secularism — Indian model (positive secularism) vs Western (wall of separation)
• Communalism — causes, historical instances, prevention mechanisms
• Regionalism — positive (linguistic identity) vs negative (secessionism)
• Challenges to national unity — insurgency, separatism, river disputes

How often is Secularism, Communalism & Challenges to National Unity asked in UPSC Mains?

Asked in 4 of 10 years, including 2 of the last 5. Highlighted years below are the ones it appeared in.

1. 2016: not asked
2. 2017: asked
3. 2018: not asked
4. 2019: not asked
5. 2020: asked
6. 2021: not asked
7. 2022: asked
8. 2023: not asked
9. 2024: asked
10. 2025: not asked

About the Mains GS Paper I paper

GS Paper I is a 250-mark descriptive Mains paper covering Indian heritage and culture, history and geography of the world, and society. See all 41 Mains GS Paper I topics.

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