Topic: Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity.
2) Do you think educational qualification to stand for polls is against the very spirit of democracy? Critically analyse. (250 words)
Why this question:
The question is about analyzing whether having a minimum educational qualification for contesting polls is problematic or a step forward in fulfilling true values of Democracy.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must give a detailed explanation and provide for a critical analysis of whether educational qualification should be made compulsory or not and what are the pros and cons associated with it. What should be the way forward.
Directive word:
Critically analyze – When asked to analyze, you have to examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them as a whole in a summary. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a fair judgement.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin with a brief background of the entire scenario.
Body:
- The answer should provide for a balanced opinion, start with historical factors such as – Restrictions on voting rights on the basis of property, education, etc., were colonial concepts — upon independence, the framers of the Constitution extended the voting rights to all citizens above the age of 21 years, irrespective of their educational qualifications. The literacy rate in 1951 was a mere 21.82%.
- Also provide for the viewpoint that literacy has not much bearing on this point; a man may be illiterate, none the less he may be very intelligent.
- There is no empirical study which establishes that an educational qualification infuses administrative capabilities in an individual. Instead, individuals bereft of education or devoid of social justice and necessities can generate better ideas to counter the lack of the same. This leads to a more participatory form of government, where citizens can connect more with those at the helm of administration rather than seeing them as ruling elites.
- Also discuss the aspect that – whether school-level education be made a criterion if there are quality concerns around the education imparted in government schools?
- although the job of MLAs and MPs requires a more complex understanding of Constitutional processes and administrative skills, there are no minimum educational qualifications for them — this is patently discriminatory.
- Discuss how minimum educational qualifications has also led to further marginalization of the marginalized.
Conclusion:
Draw a fair and balanced conclusion.
