Topic: Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
Q2. Superstition continues to shape social behaviour in many parts of India. Analyse the reasons for the persistence of such belief systems. Suggest measures to promote scientific temper at the community level. (10 M)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: IE
Why the question:
Recent incidents where individuals relied on faith healers, leading to exploitation and violence, highlight how superstition continues to influence behaviour even today.Key demand of the question:
Explain the socio-cultural and psychological reasons behind the persistence of superstition and propose practical community-level measures to promote scientific temper.Structure of the Answer:
Introduction:
Briefly link scientific temper to constitutional values and social behaviour patterns.Body:
- Reasons for persistence: Mention cultural transmission, psychological reassurance, institutional trust gaps, and influence of informal authority figures.
- Measures to promote scientific temper: Suggest education reforms, community science outreach, legal regulation of harmful practices, and role of local health/social workers.
Conclusion:
Highlight that promoting scientific temper requires community trust-building, not just information delivery.
