Question map
One of the implications of equality in society is the absence of
Explanation
The correct answer is option A: Privileges.
The term 'equality' means the absence of special privileges to any section of the society[1]. This concept is further reinforced in the context of Article 14 of the Indian Constitution, where equality before the law is described as implying the absence of any special privilege by reason of birth, creed or the like, in favour of any individual[2]. The first step towards bringing about equality is ending the formal system of inequality and privileges, as social, economic and political inequalities have been protected by customs and legal systems that prohibited some sections of society from enjoying certain kinds of opportunities and rewards[3].
Equality does not imply the absence of competition; in fact, competition between people in free and fair conditions is considered the most just and efficient way of distributing rewards in a society, and as long as competition is open and free, inequalities are unlikely to become entrenched[4]. Restraints and ideology are not what equality seeks to eliminate—rather, equality focuses on removing unearned advantages and special privileges that create unjust social hierarchies.
Sources- [1] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 5: Preamble of the Constitution > III Liberty > p. 45
- [2] Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 8: FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES > p. 100
- [3] Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Equality > Establishing Formal Equality > p. 45
- [4] Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Equality > LET'S DO IT > p. 43
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full viewThis is a textbook 'Sitter' if you read NCERT Political Theory, but a 'Trap' if you rely only on guidebooks. It tests the normative definition of political concepts rather than constitutional articles. The key is realizing UPSC asks 'What does X imply?' using standard political science definitions found in Class XI NCERT.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Defines 'equality' (Article 14) as implying the absence of any special privilege by reason of birth, creed etc.
- Frames equality as equal subjection to ordinary law and equal protection — directly negating special privileges.
- Explicitly states the Preamble's term 'equality' means absence of special privileges to any section of society.
- Provides a clear, concise normative formulation linking equality to non-existence of privileged sections.
- Identifies ending the formal system of inequality and privileges as the first step towards bringing about equality.
- Gives historical/social mechanisms (customs, legal systems) that protected privileges and must be removed for equality.
Defines freedom as including both absence of external constraints and the presence of conditions to develop talents; notes some social constraints are necessary and must be evaluated.
A student can use this to argue that equality might coexist with justified social restraints by checking examples where societies impose equal rules while enabling equal development (e.g., laws that regulate behavior but provide public goods).
Explains 'equality before the law' as absence of special privilege and ‘equal subjection’ to ordinary law—implying rules/restraints can apply equally to all.
One could extend this by examining constitutional/legal systems where uniform legal restraints exist yet are presented as promoting equality (e.g., anti-discrimination laws applied to everyone).
Distinguishes equality of opportunity from identical outcomes, focusing on access to basic goods rather than removing all differences or restraints.
A student might test whether removing particular restraints actually affects access to education/health, thus evaluating whether equality requires removing restraints or ensuring equal access despite constraints.
Notes that the Constitution allows special measures (reservations) that are exceptions to formal equality to improve conditions—showing equality can involve targeted restraints or differential rules.
Use this to explore cases where legal exceptions/restrictions are introduced to achieve substantive equality, assessing whether such restraints contradict or promote equality.
Contrasts natural inequalities (unchangeable) with social inequalities (socially produced), suggesting some differences arise from social structures and restraints rather than inherent traits.
A student could investigate whether removing social restraints (e.g., discriminatory practices) reduces inequalities, thereby testing whether equality requires elimination of specific restraints.
- Directly states that competition in free and fair conditions is a just and efficient way of distributing rewards.
- Explicitly links open competition with preventing entrenched inequalities, implying competition can coexist with equality.
- Defines equality in terms of equal rights and opportunities rather than identical outcomes.
- Points out that differing success (e.g., ace cricketers, lawyers) does not make a society unequal, implying competition need not be absent.
- Explains that absence of equal facilities prevents fair competition, implying that equality of opportunity is a precondition for meaningful competition.
- Highlights that without equal opportunities a pool of talent is wasted, reinforcing that competition is compatible with equality when opportunities are equal.
This snippet explicitly links the study of equality to encountering major ideologies (socialism, marxism, liberalism, feminism), suggesting equality is discussed within ideological frameworks.
A student could check how each named ideology defines or pursues equality (e.g., liberalism vs socialism) to see whether equality presupposes or is independent of ideology.
It gives a concrete ideological argument (Marx) that locates the root of inequality in private property and connects economic inequality to political power — showing equality is a topic of ideological analysis.
One could map Marxist prescriptions (e.g., redistribution, public ownership) against non-ideological notions of equality to test whether achieving equality requires ideological commitments.
Describes three distinct dimensions of equality (political, social, economic), implying that 'equality' is a multifaceted concept which different ideologies may prioritize differently.
A student could compare which dimensions various ideologies emphasize (e.g., political vs economic) to judge whether equality necessarily entails an ideological stance.
Shows constitutional allowance for special measures (reservations) to achieve equality of opportunity, indicating policy choices reflecting normative stances rather than a neutral absence of ideology.
Using basic knowledge of policy debates, a student could consider whether implementing reservations requires ideological positions about justice and equality.
Defines equality in terms of equal access to basic goods (education, health, housing), framing equality as an objective with concrete policy implications.
A student could list practical measures needed to secure those goods and ask whether choosing and prioritizing such measures implies ideological commitments.
- [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Direct lift from NCERT Class XI Political Theory (Chapter 3: Equality) and Laxmikanth (Preamble chapter).
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Political Theory > Core Concepts. Specifically, the distinction between 'Equality' (Absence of Privilege) and 'Liberty' (Absence of Restraints).
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize these NCERT definitions: 1) Liberty = Absence of restraints (Negative) + Conditions for development (Positive). 2) Justice = Rawls' Veil of Ignorance / Fair distribution. 3) Rights = Claims recognized by society, sanctioned by law. 4) Rule of Law = Absence of arbitrary power. 5) Fraternity = Dignity of individual + Unity of nation.
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Stop memorizing Articles (14-18) in isolation. Ask 'Why do these exist?'. Article 14 exists to remove 'Privilege'. Article 19 exists to manage 'Restraints'. UPSC Prelims has shifted from 'Which Article?' to 'What is the philosophical implication?'.
Multiple references (constitutional and political theory) equate equality with removal of special privileges and equal subjection to law.
High-yield for polity: explains the constitutional ideal (Article 14, Preamble) and is frequently tested in questions on equality, discrimination and fundamental rights. Master by linking textual sources (Preamble, Article 14) with NCERT explanations; useful for essays, Mains answers and domicile/rights-related prelim questions.
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 8: FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES > p. 100
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 5: Preamble of the Constitution > III Liberty > p. 45
- Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Equality > Establishing Formal Equality > p. 45
References distinguish equal worth/outcomes from access to basic goods and note constitutional allowance for special schemes (reservations) to secure equal opportunities.
Essential for UPSC: frames debate on reservations, affirmative action and social justice. Frequently appears in prelim and mains (ethics, polity, GS papers). Prepare by studying NCERT concepts of opportunity vs outcome and constitutional provisions permitting remedial measures; practice applying these to policy questions.
- Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Equality > Equality of Opportunities > p. 36
- Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: RIGHTS IN THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION > Right to Constitutional Remedies > p. 33
- Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Equality > LET'S THINK > p. 50
Several references question whether equality requires treating everyone exactly the same or eliminating all differences, showing equality aims at fair access rather than identical results.
High-yield for Polity and GS essays: distinguishes formal equality from substantive equality and underpins debates on social justice and public policy. Mastering this helps answer questions on affirmative action, welfare policy and constitutional intent; prepare by comparing NCERT treatments of 'equality' and practising answer frameworks that separate equality of opportunity from equality of outcome.
- Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Equality > Equality of Opportunities > p. 36
- Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Equality > ECONOMIC INEQUALITIES IN INDIA > p. 34
- Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Equality > ECONOMIC INEQUALITIES IN INDIA > p. 35
The text explicitly states that special schemes like reservations are consistent with the constitutional principle of equality and are not violations of it.
Crucial for UPSC Polity and governance topics: explains how equality can coexist with targeted state action. Useful for questions on Article 16, social justice and policy design. Study NCERT exposition and constitutional provisions to frame answers on legitimacy and limits of affirmative action.
- Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: RIGHTS IN THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION > Right to Constitutional Remedies > p. 33
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 8: FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES > p. 100
Discussion on freedom notes both absence of external constraints and necessary social conditions, and that total absence of constraints is impossible—relevant to whether equality requires no restraints.
Useful across Polity, Ethics and GS: helps evaluate normative claims about liberty vs regulation and judge which social constraints are justified. Practice by linking the concept to examples of justified/unjustified constraints and by contrasting freedom and equality in answers.
- Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Freedom > SWARAJ > p. 20
- Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Equality > Equality of Opportunities > p. 36
References distinguish equal rights/opportunities from identical outcomes, directly addressing whether equality requires absence of competition.
High-yield for polity and political theory questions; frequently tested in essays and mains (debates on redistribution, affirmative action). Mastering this helps answer questions about policy design (reservations, welfare) and ideological positions (liberalism vs egalitarianism). Prepare by contrasting examples and constitutional provisions.
- Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Equality > Equality of Opportunities > p. 36
- Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Equality > ECONOMIC INEQUALITIES IN INDIA > p. 34
- Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Equality > Natural and Social Inequalities > p. 37
Sources state that competition under free and fair conditions distributes rewards justly and prevents entrenched inequality, showing compatibility of competition with equality.
Useful for questions on market mechanisms, meritocracy, and state regulation; connects to debates on regulation of entrance tests, economic policy and social justice. Practice by linking theoretical claims to policy examples (educational admission, labour markets).
- Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Equality > LET'S DO IT > p. 43
- Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Equality > Social Equality > p. 39
Since they asked about Equality (Absence of Privilege), the sibling fact is 'Liberty'. The classic definition of Negative Liberty is 'Absence of Restraints'. Expect a future question asking: 'What is the primary implication of Liberty?' -> Answer: Absence of restraints (or opportunity to develop oneself).
Use the 'Antonym Test'. What is the opposite of Equality? Inequality. Historically, inequality was defined by 'Privilege' (Aristocracy vs Commoners). Therefore, Equality must mean the death of Privilege. 'Restraints' is the antonym of Liberty. 'Competition' is a mechanism, not a definition. 'Ideology' is a container for these concepts. Option A is the only historical and logical fit.
Mains GS2 (Social Justice) & GS4 (Ethics): The concept of 'Absence of Privilege' is the bedrock of the 'Conflict of Interest' debate in Ethics. If a civil servant accepts a VIP perk, they violate the core constitutional value of Equality. Use this definition to critique VIP culture in Mains answers.