Here are Gandhiji’s Seven Social Sins, as published in Young India on October 22, 1925 — a timeless ethical framework relevant to both public and personal life.
(Notion-Compatible Format with Explanation + Examples)
| # | Sin | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Politics without Principle | Engaging in political activities for power or personal gain, without a foundation of ethical values. | Corrupt leaders switching parties for ministerial positions, not ideology. |
| 2 | Wealth without Work | Earning money through exploitation, speculation, or inheritance without contributing productive effort. | Profiting from land speculation or insider trading. |
| 3 | Pleasure without Conscience | Seeking gratification without moral responsibility or concern for consequences. | Engaging in substance abuse or unethical entertainment practices. |
| 4 | Knowledge without Character | Possessing education or intelligence but lacking moral compass and empathy. | A brilliant scientist using knowledge to create harmful technologies. |
| 5 | Commerce without Morality | Running businesses or markets without ethics, fairness, or concern for society. | Adulteration of food products, greenwashing, or exploiting labor. |
| 6 | Science without Humanity | Advancing science and innovation without human welfare or ethical reflection. | AI or biotechnology used to harm privacy, dignity, or life. |
| 7 | Worship without Sacrifice | Practicing religion or spirituality without selflessness, compassion, or action for others. | Offering donations to temples while ignoring the poor in society. |
These sins remain deeply relevant today — in governance, corporate ethics, technology, education, and personal morality — especially for UPSC aspirants and ethical governance practitioners.
Let me know if you'd like to link each sin to specific SDGs, Indian constitutional values, or case studies!