PSIR Daily Writing Initiative : Phase 1

*Paper 1*

Q. Comment on the difference between normative and empirical theories of politics. (2012)

*Paper 2*

Q. Examine the significance of the comparative method in political analysis. Discuss its limitations.
(2019)

13/06/2020

Paper 1:

Theories of the State: Liberal, Neoliberal,

Marxist, Pluralist, Post-colonial and feminist.

Q. Make all assessment of the post-colonial understanding of the state (2011)

The term ‘post-colonial state’ is used for states in the developing

Societies.

Riggs, ‘Prismatic societies - state in the transitional societies; politically, structurally and historically
diferent from states in the developed

states.

The historical factors like colonialism and the experience of

the anti-colonial national movements - impact

on the nature and structure of the post-colonial States.

neo-Marxist perspective Like Hamza Alawi overdeveloped state

Paper 2:

State in Comparative Perspective: Characteristics and Changing Nature of the State in

Capitalist and Socialist Economies, and Advanced Industrial and Developing Societies

Q. Describe the changing nature of the state in the developing societies in the context of the inclusive
growth in the 21st century. (2017)

15/06/2020

Topic:

Justice: Conceptions of justice with special reference to Rawl’s theory of justice and its communitarian
critiques.

Q. Rawls theory of justice is both contractual and distributive. Examine. (2017)

Topic:

Politics of Representation and Participation: Political parties, pressure groups and social

movements in advanced industrial and developing societies.

Q. Is the rise of social movements a sign of opening up of popular space in political process or decline of
representative politics ? Examine. (2013)

16/06/2020

Topic:

Equality: Social, political and economic; relationship between equality and freedom; Affirmative action.

Q. How is liberty a precondition for equality? Explicate the relationship between equality and liberty.
(2014)

Topic:
Globalisation: Responses from developed and developing societies.

Q. How is it that economic and neo liberal globalisation is being interrogated from inside even in
developed countries? What are the economic consequences of such globalisation? (2015)

17/06/2020

Topic:

Rights: Meaning and theories; different kinds of rights; concept of Human Rights.

Q. Examine the multicultural perspectives on rights. (2012)

Topic:

Approaches to the Study of International Relations: Idealist, Realist, Marxist, Functionalist and Systems
theory.

Q. Examine the post modernist critique of Realism in international politics (2010)

18/06/2020

Topic:

Democracy: Classical and contemporary theories; different models of democracy –representative,

participatory and deliberative.

Q. Comment: Substantive Democracy (2018)

Topic:

Key concepts in International Relations: National interest, Security and power; Balance of power and
deterrence; Transnational actors and collective security; World capitalist economy and globalisation.

Q. “The notion of balance of power is notoriously full of confusion”. In the light of this quotation do you
think that the concept of balance of power is relevant? (2016)

19/06/2020
Topic: Concept of power, hegemony, ideology and legitimacy.

Q. Discuss the ‘crisis of legitimacy’ in capitalist societies. (2015)

Topic:

Changing International Political Order: Rise of super powers; strategic and ideological Bipolarity, arms
race and Cold War; nuclear threat;

Q. Identify the challenges to American Hegemony in post Soviet world. (2013)

20/06/2020

Topic:

Political Ideologies: Liberalism, Socialism, Marxism, Fascism, Gandhism and Feminism

Q. Comment on Post Modernism. (2017)

Topic:

Changing International Political Order: Non-aligned movement: Aims and achievements;

Q. Compare and contrast Non-alignment 1.0 and Non-alignment 2.0

22/06

Topic: Indian Political Thought : Dharamshastra, Arthashastra and Buddhist traditions; Sir Syed Ahmed
Khan, Sri Aurobindo, M.K. Gandhi, B.R. Ambedkar, M.N. Roy.Q.

Q. Discuss Ambedkar ideas on annihilation of caste (2018)

OR

Q. How far it would be correct to say that the Ancient Indian political thought was

concerned primarily with the art of government rather than with the problems of political

philosophy? (1989)

Topic:

Changing International Political Order: Collapse of the Soviet Union; Unipolarity and American
hegemony; relevance of non-alignment in the contemporary world.
Q. Do you think that Cold War still exists after the disintegration of the Soviet Union? (2003)

23/06

Topic:

Western Political Thought: Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, John S. Mill, Marx, Gramsci,
Hannah Arendt

Q. Everywhere, inequality is a cause of revolution – Aristotle. Comment. (2017)

Topic:

Evolution of the International Economic System: From Brettonwoods to WTO; Socialist economies and
the CMEA (Council for Mutual Economic Assistance); Third World demand for new international
economic order; Globalisation of the world economy.

Q. Comment. India and WTO. (1995)

24/06

Section B: Indian Government and Politics

Indian Nationalism:

(a) Political Strategies of India’s Freedom Struggle: Constitutionalism to mass Satyagraha, Non-
cooperation, Civil Disobedience; Militant and revolutionary movements, Peasant and workers’
movements.

(b) Perspectives on Indian National Movement: Liberal, Socialist and Marxist; Radical humanist and Dalit.

Q. The success of Mahatma Gandhi lay in transforming both political and non-political movements into a
unified nationalist movement. Comment. (2017)

OR

Q. Comment. Dalit perspective on Indian National Movement. (2011)

Topic:

United Nations: Envisaged role and actual record; specialized UN agencies-aims and functioning; need
for UN reforms.

Q. Argue a case for the U.N. reforms in the context of changing global milieu. (2014)

I will start mentioning the marks alloted to each question from today onwards.

But as stated earlier, some questions are old...Before 2013 (when GS syllabus changed) there were 30 or
60 Marks questions...So I have kept their word limit open. You have to mention your word limit on your
paper in front of the question and marks for it while writing answers e.g.150, 250, etc. So that other
members can cross check your word limit. UPSC can ask same topic under different word limits. So it's
better you keep enough content ready for it and write within prescribed word limit in the actual exam. I
hope this clears doubt of those who are worried about the word limit.

25/06/2020

Topic:

Making of the Indian Constitution: Legacies of the British rule; different social and political perspectives.

Q. Critically examine the impact of national movement on the making of the Constitution of India.

(2001/60Marks)

Topic

Regionalisation of World Politics: EU, ASEAN, APEC, SAARC, NAFTA.

Q. How does the regionalism shape the world politics ? Explain with examples. (2016/15Marks)

26/06/2020

Topic

Salient Features of the Indian Constitution: The Preamble, Fundamental Rights and Duties, Directive
Principles; Parliamentary System and Amendment Procedures; Judicial Review and Basic Structure
doctrine
Q. Critically examine and comment on the assertion: Secularism in Indian politics is a myth.
(2011/20Marks)

OR

Q. Discuss the efficacy of judicial review in India. (2015/20 Marks)

Topic:

Contemporary Global Concerns: Democracy, human rights, environment, gender justice, terrorism,
nuclear proliferation.

Q. The struggle for democracy has been marked by bitter strife and tribulations. Examine. (2015/
15Marks)

27/06/2020

Topic:

(a) Principal Organs of the Union Government: Envisaged role and actual working of the Executive,

Legislature and Supreme Court.

(b) Principal Organs of the State Government: Envisaged role and actual working of the Executive,
Legislature and High Courts.

Q. Comment. Decline of Indian Parliament. (2013/10Marks)

OR

Q. Critically analyze the discretionary powers granted to the Governor by the Indian Constitution.
(2015/15Marks)

Section B: India and the World

1. Indian Foreign Policy: Determinants of foreign policy; institutions of policy-making; continuity

and change.

Q. Which determinant factors play an important role in making India’s foreign policy? Illustrate with the
examples. (2016/10Marks)
29/06

Topic:

Grassroots Democracy: Panchayati Raj and Municipal Government; significance of 73rd and 74th
Amendments; Grassroot movements.

Q. The goal of Good governance will be achieved only by strengthening the grass root level democracy.
(2016/20 Marks)

Topic:

India’s Contribution to the Non-Alignment Movement: Different phases; current role.

Recent developments in Indian Foreign policy: India’s position on the recent crisis in Afghanistan, Iraq
and West Asia, growing relations with US and Israel; vision of a new world order.

Q. Comment on India contribution to Non-Alignment Movement and itits contemporary relevance.

(2016/10 Marks)

OR

Q. India's foreign policy could have matched with the fast-changing international system . (2006/ 20
Marks)

30/06

Topic:

Statutory Institutions/Commissions: Election Commission, Comptroller and Auditor General, Finance

Commission, Union Public Service Commission, National Commission for Scheduled Castes, National
Commission for Scheduled Tribes,

National Commission for Women; National Human Rights Commission, National Commission for
Minorities, National Backward Classes Commission.

Q. Make an assessment of the composition, functioning and the role of the Election

Commission of India in the conduct of free and fair elections. (2005/ 60 Marks)
OR

Q. Assess the effectiveness of the National Human Rights Commission in redressing

grievances pertaining to human rights violations in India. (2010/ 30 Marks)

Topic:

India and South Asia:

(a) Regional Co-operation: SAARC – past performance and future prospects.

(b) South Asia as a Free Trade Area.

(c) India’s “Look East” policy.

(d) Impediments to regional co-operation: river water disputes; illegal cross-border migration; ethnic
conflicts and insurgencies; border disputes.

Q. Identify the constraints/ challenges to the regional corporation in South Asia. (2015/ 10 Marks)

OR

Q. Despite the potentialities, India's Look East Policy requires a major course correction. Discuss. (2012/
15 Marks)

1/07/2020

Topic:

Federalism: Constitutional provisions; changing nature of centre-state relations; integrationist

tendencies and regional aspirations; inter-state disputes

Q. Comment. The philosophy and administration of the distribution of powers between centre and the
state is required to be re-assessed. (2016/ 10 Marks)
Topic:

India and the Global South: Relations with Africa and Latin America; leadership role in the demand for
NIEO and WTO negotiations.

Q. Sketch the leadership role of India in WTO negotiations (2013/ 10 Marks)

Q. Comment on India’s growing relationship with USA in the background of constrained relations
between India and China (2016/ 15 Marks)

02/07/2020

Topic:

Planning and Economic Development : Nehruvian and Gandhian perspectives; role of planning and
public sector; Green Revolution, land reforms and agrarian relations; liberalilzation and economic
reforms.

Q. What do you understand by Green Revolution ? Do you think that a second Green Revolution is
needed to adequately address the agrarian challenge in contemporary India ? (2017/ 15 Marks)

Topic:

India and the Global Centres of Power: USA, EU, Japan, China and Russia.

Q. Comment on India’s growing relationship with USA in the background of constrained relations
between India and China. (2016/ 15 Marks)

03/07/2020
Topic:

Caste, Religion and Ethnicity in Indian Politics.

Social Movements: Civil liberties and human rights movements; women’s movements; environmentalist
movements.

Q. Comment. Caste and religion as operative factors within Indian Polity (2000/ 20 Marks )

OR

Q. The dilemma of human rights movements in India (2014/ 10Marks)

Topic:

India and the UN System: Role in UN Peace-keeping; demand for Permanent Seat in the Security
Council

Q. Comment. India's claim to a permanent seat in the Security Council. ( 1996/ 20 Marks)

04/07/2020

Topic:

Party System: National and regional political parties, ideological and social bases of parties; patterns of
coalition politics; Pressure groups, trends in electoral behaviour; changing socio- economic profile of
Legislators

Q. Examine the impact of coalition politics on Indian Political System. (2012/ 30 Marks)

Topic:

India and the Nuclear Question: Changing perceptions and policy.

Q. Critically analysis India Nuclear Policy. ( 2016/ 10 Marks)

06/07
Topic:

Salient Features of the Indian Constitution: The Preamble, Fundamental Rights and Duties, Directive
Principles; Parliamentary System and Amendment Procedures; Judicial Review and Basic Structure
doctrine

Q. Analyse the trends in interrelation between FR and DPSP since independence along with the role of
judiciary in safeguarding FR. (20 Marks)

Topic:

Foreign Policy: Determinants of foreign policy; institutions of policy-making; continuity and change.

Q. India’s foreign policy has underdone significant changes in the last one decade. Discuss. (15 Marks)

07/07

Topic:

Principal Organs of the Union Government: Envisaged role and actual working of the Executive,
Legislature and Supreme Court.

Q. Even though separation of power is implicit in Indian Constitution, the Executive domain has
outweighed other 2 domains of power. Critically Examine. (20 Marks)

Topic:

India’s Contribution to the Non-Alignment Movement: Different phases; current role.

Q. Discuss the need of NAM 3.0 in the background of ongoing and emerging new cold wars across the
globe. (15 Marks)

Topic:

Principal Organs of the State Government: Envisaged role and actual working of the Executive,
Legislature and High Courts.
Q. Critically analyze the triangle of relations between Union Government, Governor and State
Government. (15 Marks)

Topic:

India and South Asia:

(a) Regional Co-operation: SAARC – past

performance and future prospects

(b) South Asia as a Free Trade Area.

(c) India’s “Look East” policy.

(d) Impediments to regional co-operation: river water disputes; illegal cross-border

migration; ethnic conflicts and insurgencies; border disputes.

Q. India needs significant changes in its Act East Policy in the present geopolitical complexities. Discuss.
(15 Marks)

09//2020

Topic:

Grassroots Democracy: Panchayati Raj and Municipal Government; significance of 73rd and 74th
Amendments; Grassroot movements.

Q. Ongoing Covid-19 Crisis has shown that India can not handle disasters without empowering local self
governments. Evaluate. (15 Marks)

Topic:

India and the Global South: Relations with Africa and Latin America; leadership role in the demand for
NIEO and WTO negotiations.

Q. India needs long term strategies to maintain its status of the leader of Global South. Comment. (15
Marks)
10/07/2020

Topic:

Statutory Institutions/Commissions: Election Commission, Comptroller and Auditor General, Finance

Commission, Union Public Service Commission, National Commission for Scheduled Castes, National
Commission for Scheduled Tribes, National Commission for Women; National Human Rights
Commission, National Commission for Minorities, National Backward Classes Commission.

Q. ECI needs urgent structural and procedural reforms to safeguard India's vibrant democracy. Discuss.
(15 Marks)

OR

Q. Statutory bodies established to safeguard the rights of disadvantaged sections in India have failed to
deliver justice to the victims. Critically Analyze. (20 Marks)

Topic:

India and the Global Centres of Power: USA, EU, Japan, China and Russia.

Q. India should maintain it’s strategic autonomy in Great Power politics in ongoing reflux in the balance
of power equations. Comment. (10 Marks)

11/07

Topic:

Federalism: Constitutional provisions; changing nature of centre-state relations; integrationist

tendencies and regional aspirations; inter-state disputes.

Q. Constitution of India has envisaged a Unitary Federalism only in case of emergency. But, in recent
years, Unitary Federalism has become a norm than exception. Critically Analyze. (20 Marks)

Topic:

India and the UN System: Role in UN Peace-keeping; demand for Permanent Seat in the Security Council

Q. World needs UN 2.0 or a New International Organization for Global Governance. Discuss. (15 Marks)
13/07/2020

Topic:

Planning and Economic Development : Nehruvian and Gandhian perspectives; role of planning and
public sector; Green Revolution, land reforms and agrarian relations; liberalilzation and economic
reforms.

Q. Discuss the challenges, opportunities and solutions to revive Indian Economy during and after Covid-
19 crisis. (20 M)

Topic:

India and the Nuclear Question: Changing perceptions and policy.

Q. Is there a need to review India’s No First Use policy in the background of rising tensions with the
neighbours? Critically examine. (15 M)

14/07/2020

Topic:

Caste, Religion and Ethnicity in Indian Politics.

Q. Discuss the ethnicity in India with the role of different governments and their strategies. (15 M)

Topic:

Recent developments in Indian Foreign policy: India’s position on the recent crisis in Afghanistan, Iraq
and West Asia, growing relations with US and Israel; vision of a new world order.

Q. As a rising global power, what is India’s vision for the new world order? (15 M)

15/07/2020

Topic:
Social Movements: Civil liberties and human rights movements; women’s movements;
environmentalist movements.
Q. Recent Environment Impact Assessment 2020 Draft Notification is one of the examples
which proves that economic development has always outweighed the environment
protection in India. Comment. (15 M)

Topic:
Globalisation: Responses from developed and developing societies.
Q. Critically Analyse ongoing and probable impacts of Covid-19 crisis on the phenomenon of
globalisation. (15 M)

16/07/2020

Topic:
Party System: National and regional political parties, ideological and social bases of parties;
patterns of coalition politics; Pressure groups, trends in electoral behaviour; changing socio-
economic profile of Legislators

Q. Comment on the increasing role of pressure groups in policy matters in India. (10 M)

Topic:
Changing International Political Order: Rise of super powers; strategic and ideological Bipolarity,
arms race and Cold War; nuclear threat;

Q.China's "not so peaceful rise" is threatening the world peace and global power equations.
Discuss (20 Marks)