← All questionsGS4 · 2026 · Ethics Theory ·Civil Disobedience & Constitutional Ethics
QUESTION 3(a)
GS4
10 marks

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar had cautioned that employing civil disobedience within a constitutional democracy equates to endorsing ‘anarchy’. How should modern democracies navigate the ethical dilemmas posed by civil disobedience movements that aim to promote social justice against policies that may raise genuine concerns?

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7 min
150 words
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What the examiner wants

Reconcile constitutional methods and rule of law with morally serious non-violent dissent when institutions fail to address injustice.

Answer each partThere is no single directive word, so answer every part the question asks, in order.

Demand-wise check

  1. 1Ambedkar’s warning when constitutional avenues are available≈30 words
  2. 2The moral claim of civil disobedience under grave injustice or institutional failure≈30 words
  3. 3Legitimacy conditions: non-violence, public reason, proportionality, last resort, respect for others and acceptance of legal consequences≈30 words
  4. 4Democratic response: dialogue, institutional review, peaceful-protest facilitation and lawful enforcement≈30 words

Open in about 20 words and close in about 20.

Answer plan

Constitutional ethicMoral case for dissentLegitimacy conditionsDemocratic response

Where marks usually go

  • Treating legality as identical to morality
  • Treating a just cause as sufficient to justify any method

Value addition

  • Legitimacy checklist for civil disobedience
    → Draw it in the body, next to the point it supports.

Official source anchors

These are authoritative sources selected for this exact PYQ. Where a card is an official-domain anchor rather than a fact-level citation, verify the precise provision, definition or data point on the linked source before using it.