PSIR Basic Kit

PSIR
Political Science & International

Relations Optional
PSIR BASIC KIT

Syllabus
Book List
PYQs Topic wise
compilation
Shashank Tyagi
Faculty PSIR Optional, StudyiqIAS
Ex. Consultant, Office of Minister
Social Welfare, GNCTD
Political Science & International Relations Optional Syllabus
PAPER-I
Part A-Political Theory
1. Political theory: meaning and approaches.
2. Theories of the state: Liberal, Neo-liberal, Marxist, Pluralist, Post-colonial and feminist.
3. Justice: Conceptions of justice with special reference to Rawl's theory of justice and its
communitarian critiques.
4. Equality: Social, political and economic; relationship between equality and freedom; Affirmative
action.
5. Rights: Meaning and theories; different kinds of rights; concept of Human Rights.
6. Democracy: Classical and contemporary theories; different models of democracy-representative,
participatory and deliberative.
7. Concept of power: hegemony, ideology and legitimacy.
8. Political Ideologies: Liberalism, Socialism, Marxism, Fascism, Gandhism and Feminism.
9. Indian Political Thought: Dharamshastra, Arthashastra and Buddhist traditions; Sir Syed Ahmed
Khan, Sri Aurobindo, M.K. Gandhi, B.R. Ambedkar, M.N. Roy.
10. Western Political Thought: Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, John S. Mill, Marx,
Gramsci, Hannah Arendt.
PART B-Indian Government and politics

1. Indian Nationalism:
a. Political Strategies of India's Freedom struggle : constitutionalism to mass Satyagraha, Non-

cooperation, Civil Disobedience ; millitant and revolutionary movements, Peasant and
workers' movements.
b. Perspectives on Indian National Movement: Liberal, Socialist and Marxist; Radical humanist
and Dalit.
2. Making of the Indian Constitution: Legacies of the British rule; different social and political
perspectives.
3. 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.
a. Principal Organs of the Union Government: Envisaged role and actual working of the
Executive, Legislature and Supreme Court.
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b. Principal Organs of the State Government: Envisaged role and actual working of the
Executive, Legislature and High Courts.
4. Grassroots Democracy: Panchayati Raj and Municipal Government; significance of 73rd and 74th
Amendments; Grassroot movements.
5. Statutory Institutions/Commissions: Election Commission, Comptroller and Auditor General,

Finance Commission, Union Public Service Commission, National Commission for Scheduled
Castes, National Comission for scheduled Tribes, National Commission for Women; National
Human Rights Commission, National Commission for Minorities, National Backward Classes
Commission.
6. Federalism: Constitutional provisions; changing nature of centre-state relations; integrationist

tendencies and regional aspirations; inter-state disputes.
7. 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.
8. Caste, Religion and Ethnicity in Indian Politics.
9. 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.
10. Social Movements: Civil liberties and human rights movements; women's movements;
environmentalist movements
PAPER II
Comparative Politics and International Relations
PART A: Comparative Political Analysis and International Politics:

1. Comparative Politics: Nature and major approaches; political economy and political sociology
perspectives; limitations of the comparative method.
2. State in comparative perspective: Characteristics and changing nature of the State in capitalist
and socialist economies, and, advanced industrial and developing societies.
3. Politics of Representation and Participation: Political parties, pressure groups and social
movements in advanced industrial and developing societies.

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4. Globalisation: Responses from developed and developing societies.
5. Approaches to the Study of International Relations: Idealist, Realist, Marxist, Functionalist and
Systems theory.
6. 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.
7. Changing International Political Order:

(a) Rise of super powers; strategic and ideological Bipolarity, arms race and Cold War; nuclear
threat;
(b) non-al igned movement: Aims and achievements;
(c) Collapse of the Soviet Union; Unipolarity and American hegemony; relevance of non-
alignment in the contemporary world.
8. 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.
9. United Nations: Envisaged role and actual record; specialized UN agencies-aims and functioning;
need for UN reforms.
10. Regionalisation of World Politics: EU, ASEAN, APEC, SAARC, NAFTA.
11. Contemporary Global Concerns: Democracy, human rights, environment, gender justice,
terrorism, nuclear proliferation.
PART B:India and the World:

1. Indian Foreign Policy: Determinants of foreign policy; institutions of policy-making; continuity and
change.
2. India's Contribution to the Non-Alignment Movement: Different phases; current role.
3. 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.

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4. India and the Global South: Relations with Africa and Latin America; leadership role in the demand
for NIEO and WTO negotiations.
5. India and the Global Centres of Power: USA, EU, Japan, China and Russia.
6. India and the UN System: Role in UN Peace-keeping; demand for Permanent Seat in the Security
Council.
7. India and the Nuclear Question: Changing perceptions and policy.
8. 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.
BOOKLIST
PAPER 1
PART A
1) An introduction to Political Theory- O.P. Gauba
2) A History of Political Thought: Plato to Marx – Mukherjee and Sushila Ramaswamy
3) Modern Indian Political Thought: Text and Context” by Bidyut Chakrabarty and Rajendra Kumar
Pandey.
4) Political Theory: An Introduction” by Rajeev Bhargava and Ashok Acharya, 2nd edition, Pearson.
5) Political Theory: An Introduction” by Andrew Heywood.
6) Western Political Thought:OP Gauba
7) Indian Political Thought:OP Gauba
Part B –Indian Government and Politics

1) India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipin Chandra.
2) Indian Polity by Laxmikanth.
3) The Oxford Companion to Politics in India by Niraja Gopal Jayal and Pratap Bhanu Mehta.
4) Rethinking Public Institutions in India by P.B. Mehta, Devesh Kapur and Milan Vaishnav.
5) Editorials on IGP by P.B. Mehta, Gopalkrishna Gandhi, Gautam Bhatia, SuhrithParthasarthy,
Christopher Jaffrelot, Ashok Gulati, Jean Derez etc.
6) An introduction to Constitution- D.D. Basu
Papar 2
Part A: Comparative Politics
1) The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations by John Baylis, Steve
Smith and Patricia Owens.
2) Global Politics by Andrew Heywood.
3) MPS 004- IGNOU Material Comparative Politics: Issues and Trends
4) Editorials by Shyam Saran, C. Raja Mohan, Harsh Pant, Amitabh Mattoo, Suhasini Haider,
Happymon Jacob, Stanly Johnny and Websites like ORF, IDSA, Project Syndicate, Council on
Foreign Relations etc.
Part B:India and the World

1) Does the Elephant Dance? – David Malone
2) India’s Foreign Policy – V.P. Dutt
3) Challenge and Strategy: Rethinking India’s Foreign Policy- Rajiv Sikri
4) Global politics- Andrew Heywood

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5) Editorials by Shyam Saran, C. Raja Mohan, Harsh Pant, Amitabh Mattoo, Suhasini Haider,
Happymon Jacob, Stanly Johnny and Websites like ORF, IDSA, Project Syndicate, Council on
Foreign Relations etc.

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POLITICAL SCIENCE AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS TOPIC WISE

PAPER1 SECTION A:
Political Theory and Indian Politics
INDEX:
SECTION A:
No. Topic Page No.
01. Political Theory – Meaning and Approach 7
02. Theories of the State 8
03. Justice 9
04. Equality 10
05. Rights 11
06. Democracy 13
07. Concept of Power 14
08. Political Ideologies 15
09. Indian Political Thought 16
10. Western Political Thought 18
SECTION B:
No. Topic Page No.
Indian Nationalism: 21,22

Political Strategies of India's Freedom Struggle
01.
Perspectives on Indian National Movement
02. Making of the Indian Constitution 22
03. Salient Features of the Indian Constitution 23
04. Principal Organs of the Government 25
05. Grassroots Democracy 27
06. Statutory Institutions/Commissions 28
07. Federalism 30

6
08. Planning and Economic Development 31
09. Caste, Religion and Ethnicity in Indian Politics 32
10 Party System 33
11. Social Movements 35
01. POLITICAL THEORY - MEANING AND APPROACHES
YEAR QUESTION WORDS MARKS
2022 Comment on: Systems Approach 150 10
2021 Examine the importance of behavioral approach in political 200 15

theory. What led to its decline?
2020 Discuss the significance of a normative approach to Political 200 15

theory.
2020 Assess the significance of right to property in political theory. 200 15
2019 Comment on: Resurgence of political theory. 150 10
2018 Comment on: Decline of Political Theory. 150 10
2016 Comment on: The Post-Behavioural Approach. 150 10
Comment on: " ... political theory is not an escape mechanism

2014 but an arduous calling." (John Plamanetz). 150 10
2012 Difference between normative and empirical theories of 150 10

politics.
2011 Examine the significance of the behavioural revolution in 200 30

politics.
Comment on: Political Theory is, quite simply, man's attempt

to consciously understand and solve the problems of his group
life and organisation. It is the disciplined investigation of
2009 political problems. Not only to show what a political practice is, 200 20
but also to show what it means. In showing what a practice
means, or what it ought to mean, political theory can alter what
it is (Sabine)
Explain the changing analytical perspectives in the

2008 development of political theory. 200 60
What is the nature of the crisis in political theory? Suggest

2004 remedies to overcome it. 200 60
Examine the arguments in the Normative vs. Empirical debate

2002 in the study of political theory. 200 60

7
Comment on: Relevance of contextualist approach to the study

2001 of political theory. 200 20
Post-behaviouralism is not a negation of the behavioural

2000 revolution but only its corrective. How does it seek to raise the 200 60
status of the discipline of political Science?
02. THEORIES OF THE STATE
2022 Examine the liberal theory of State in contemporary politics 250 20
2021 Feminist critique of the State. 150 10
2020 Post-colonial theory of the state 150 10
2019 Comment on: Pluralist theory of the State. 150 10
2019 Discuss Kautilya's views on the elements of the State. 200 15
2018 Critically examine the neo-liberal theory of State. 250 20
2017 Comment on: Neo-liberal perspective of State. 150 10
2017 Comment on: Hobbesian notion of Political Obligation. 150 10
2015 Comment on: Gandhi’s Views on State. 150 10
2015 Examine the challenges to sovereignty of the State in the 250 20

contemporary world.
2015 Discuss the key features of pre-Marxist socialist theory. 200 15
2015 Discuss the relationship between base and superstructure in 200 15

Marxist theory.
Comment on: "Covenants without swords are but words and

2013 of no strength to secure a man at all." (Hobbes) 150 10
2013 Analyse, as per Kautilya, the Saptanga theory of the state. 150 15
2012 What is meant by 'relative autonomy’ of the State in Marxist 250 20

analysis?
Comment on: “The worth of a State… Is the worth of

2011 individuals composing it.” (J. S. Mill) 200 20
2011 Comment on: Hobbies as an individualist. 200 20
2011 Make an assessment of the post-colonial understanding of the 200 30

State.

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2010 Evaluate Marx's instrumentalist approach to the State. 200 30
Do you think that the modern nation - state has been declining
2010 in the wake of globalisation? Justify your answer. 200 30
2009 Critically examine Hamza Alavi's formulation of the over 200 60

developed state.
Comment on: In the happiness of his subjects lies the king's

2007 happiness, in their welfare of his welfare (Kautilya). 200 20
Comment on: state is the result of the irreconcilability of class

2007 antagonism (Lenin). 200 20
Comment on: Because the society is federal, the authority

2007 must also be federal (Laski). 200 20
Comment on: THE GENERAL WILL is not so much the will of the
2006 State as the will for the State, … (MacIver). 200 20
2006 Comment on: Impact of Globalisation on State Sovereignty. 200 20
Comment on: The discovery of Sovereign in a federal state is

2005 an impossible adventure (Laski). 200 20
The root of politics, according to Marx, does not lie in the

state; it lies in the social conditions underlying this
2005 200 60
institution,that is, in the material conditions of life as
reflected through the mode of production. Comment
Comment on: As soon as a nation appoints representatives, it

2004 is no longer free, it no longer exists (Rousseau). 200 20
2002 Comment on: Will, not force, is the basis of the state (T H 200 20
Green).
2001 Comment on: Polyarchy. 200 20
Critically examine Marxist theory of the state with reference

2001 to the dictatorship of the proletariat. 200 60
Comment on: I give the name to every state that is governed

2000 by laws, no matter what the form of its administration 200 20
(Rousseau).
2000 Comment on: State is a march of God on the Earth (Hegel). 200 20
03. JUSTICE
2022 Examine the entitlement theory of justice. 200 15

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2021 How has Rawls enriched the idea of justice in liberalism? 250 20
2020 Make a comparative assessment of Greek perspective of 250 20

Justice with the Rawlsian concept of Justice.
2019 Examine communitarian perspectives on justice. 200 15
2018 Comment on: Distributive Justice. 150 10
2018 Analyse John Rawls justification of discrimination to achieve 200 15

the goals of Justice.
2017 Rawls' theory of justice is both contractual and distributive. 250 20

Examine.
2015 Comment on: Difference Principle in Rawls’ Theory of Justice 150 10
2014 Explicate the conception of justice in the critiques of 250 20

communitarian theorists.
2013 Comment on: "Original position". 150 10
2013 Discuss the communitarian critique of liberalism. 150 20
2011 Comment on: Views of Gandhi and Ambedkar on ‘social 200 20

justice’.
It is said where there is no law there is no liberty. Give your

2011 views on this statement. 200 30
2010 Comment on: 'Veil of ignorance’. 200 20
What is the concept of justice in modern political theory?

2004 How is it related to Liberty and Equality? 200 60
To what extent does the Rawlsian goal of achieving social

2000 justice depend on an overarching consensus among cultural, 200 60
religious and ideological groups.
04. EQUALITY
2022 “Equality of estates caused equality of power, and equality 200 15

of power is liberty.” Comment.
2021 Affirmative action. 150 10
2021 Equality of outcome as a political idea. 150 10

10
2021 Equality of opportunity 150 10
2018 Equality means fair treatment rather than equal treatment. 200 15
Comment.
2016 Comment on: Affirmative Action. 150 10
2015 Comment on: Aristotle’s Conception of Equality. 150 10
2014 How is liberty a precondition for equality? Explicate the 200 15

relationship between equality and liberty.
2012 Difference between equality of opportunity and equality of 150 10

outcome.
2012 Why is ‘affirmative action’ important in provision of equal 200 15

opportunity?
Comment on: Women has always been man dependent, If

2009 not his slave; the two sexes have never shared the world in 200 20
equality (Simone de Beauvoir).
2004 Critically examine the Marxian theory of social stratification 200 60
05. RIGHTS
2022 Human Rights are complex and contested social practice 200 15
that organises relations between Individuals, Society and
the State. Comment.
2021 Can there be a universal conception of human rights? Give 200 15

your arguments.
2019 Discuss the doctrine of 'rights as trumps'. 200 15
2018 What do you understand by three generations of Human 250 20

Rights ?
Differentiate between Freedom and Liberty. Discuss Marx's 15

2017 notion of freedom. 200
Comment on: "How would I and my fellow human beings 10

behave if we were to find ourselves in a state of nature, and
2016 150
what does this behaviour tell us about our innate
predispositions ?" (Thomas Hobbes)

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2016 Critically examine John Rawl's argument for democratic 200 15

equality.
"The implementation of human rights is regarded as a 15

2016 matter of changing the conduct of States." Comment. 200
2015 Comment on: Idea of Natural Rights 150 10
Comment on: "All silencing of discussion is an assumption 10

2014 of infallibility." ( J.S. Mill) 150
2013 Analyse the relationship between natural rights and human 150 20
rights.
Comment on the assertion of Laslett that Filmer and not 15

2013 Hobbes was the main antagonist of Locke. 150
2012 Examine the multi-cultural perspectives on rights. 200 15
2012 ‘Locke is an individualist out and out’. Substantiate this 250 20

statement.
2010 Critically examine the cultural relativist approach to human 200 30

rights.
Explain as to why Jeremy Bentham dismisses the theory of 20

2009 natural right as nonsense upon stilts. 200
Comment on: "The great and chief aim of men uniting into 20
a Commonwealth and putting themselves under
2008 200
Government is the preservation of property." (Locke)
Comment on: "Real rights are a result of performance of 20

2008 duty." (Mahatma Gandhi) 200
"Human rights are basic moral guarantees that people in all 60

2008 countries and cultures possess, simply because they are 200
people." Explain the statement.
Comment on: The end of law is not an abolition or restrain

2004 but to preserve and enlarge freedom (Locke). 200 20
Comment on: The reason why men enter into civil society is
2003 the preservation of their property (Locke). 200 20
Discuss the evaluation of the theories of human rights from

2002 natural rights to collective and environmental rights. 200 60

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06. DEMOCRACY
2022 Elitist theory of democracy denies the possibility of 200 15

democracy as ‘rule of the people’. Elucidate.
2021 Free and fair deliberation is key to the foundation of 200 15

democracy.” Explain.
2019 Comment on: Deliberative democracy. 150 10
2019 Comment on: M. K. Gandhi's concept of Swaraj. 150 10
2018 Comment on: Substantive Democracy. 150 10
2018 Critically examine Macpherson's views on Democracy. 200 15
Deliberative democracy does not have its salience without

participation and participatory democracy does not have its
2017 200 15
credence without deliberations. Comment.
Political democracy could not last unless social democracy

2017 lay at its base - B.R. Ambedkar. Comment. 250 20
2016 Explicate the features of Representative Democracy. 200 15
2015 Comment on: Difference between Participatory and 150 10

Deliberative Democracy
Comment on: "India has thrown up a form of judicial

democracy that has no parallel anywhere else, and has
2014 150 10
nurtured a kind of civil society that is uniquely its own."
(Bhikhu Parekh)
2014 Explicate the features of deliberative democracy. 200 15
2012 Issues of debate in contemporary democratic theory. 150 10
2011 Examine the Participatory Model of Democracy. 200 30
2010 Assess the deliberative theories of democracy. 200 30
Comment on the proposition that liberal constitutionalism

2009 precedes liberal democracy. 200 20
Political process in a country is merely the manifestation of

2007 political culture. Elucidate 200 60
Democratic theory presupposes self-determination, human

2005 rights and social justice. Discuss this with particular 200 60
reference to M K Gandhi.
The modern pluralist democracies have posed a great

13
2000 threat to the fabric of nation state. Discuss. 200 60
07. CONCEPT OF POWER
2022 Write on: Bases of Power 150 10
2021 Tools of legitimating of the State. 150 10
2020 Examine the nature and meaning of power. 200 15
2018 Explain the relationship between power, authority and 200 15

legitimacy.
2016 Comment on: Gramsci's concept of Hegemony. 150 10
2015 Distinguish between Power and Authority. 200 15
Examine the conditions that are required for the maintenance

2014 of legitimacy in modern societies. 200 15
2013 Explain, as per Gramsci, the distinction between hegemony 150 15

and domination.
2012 Distinguish between the concepts of legitimacy and 200 15

hegemony.
Attempt a Comparative examination of the views of Marx and

2011 Weber on ‘Power’. 200 30
Comment on: "Power flows throughout the system like blood

2010 in the capillaries of our body." (Foucault) 200 20
2010 Comment on: Robert Dahl's concept of deformed polyarchy. 200 20
Examine in detail Marx's prescription for ending alienation

2009 and reaching the stage of dealienation. 200 60
2008 Comment on: Politics as a power concept 200 20
2008 Critically examine Gramsci's concept of Hegemony. 200 60
Comment on: In so far as national events are decided, the

2002 power elite are those who decide them (C Wright Mills). 200 20
2001 Comment on: Constitution as a power map 200 20

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08. POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES
2022 Write on: “Cultural Relativism” 150 10
2022 Write on: “Revolution in Permanence” 150 10
2022 Factors like community, culture and nation weaken the 250 20
hegemony of neo-liberalism today. Discuss
2021 Political ideology is primarily concerned with the allocation 200 15

and utilization of Power.” Comment.
2021 Liberalism as a revolutionary idea 150 10
2021 Explicate the ideological components of Gandhism. 250 20
2019 Comment on: End of Ideology debate. 150 10
2019 Distinguish between liberal feminism and radical feminism. 200 15
2019 What is the contemporary relevance of Marxism? 200 15
Comment on: "Nothing against the State, nothing over it,

2018 nothing beyond it." - Mussolini 150 10
2017 Comment on: Postmodernism. 150 10
2017 Comment on: Eco-feminism. 150 10
2017 Define Socialism. Discuss the salient features of Fabian 200 15

Socialism.
What do you understand by Multiculturalism? Discuss

2017 Bhikhu Parekh's views on Multiculturalism. 250 20
2017 Write a brief note on The End of History debate. 200 15
2016 "The Political ideology of Globalization is Neoliberalism." 250 20

Comment.
2016 Discuss Feminist theory of the State. 200 15
2016 Explain Marx 's understanding of Human Essence and 200 15

Alienation.
Discuss Hannah Arendt's analysis of the role of Ideology in

2016 modern totalitarian regimes. 250 20
2015 Discuss the ‘crisis of legitimacy’ in capitalist societies. 250 20

(Habermas)
Comment on the view that socialism in the 21st century

2014 may be reborn as anti-capitalism. 250 20

15
Examine the conception of the State in the ideologies of

2014 Fascism and Marxism. 200 15
Discuss in what sense Marx's understanding of state can be

2013 considered as materialistic. 150 15
2013 Explain Berlin's notion of value pluralism. 150 20
2012 Difference between Liberal and Radical forms of Feminism. 150 10
2011 Examine the debate on the ‘End of Ideology’. 200 30
2010 Comment on: ' Personal is political.' 200 20
2010 Distinguish between liberal feminism and socialist 200 30

feminism in detail.
Comment on: Socialism is a much used hat, whose original

2009 shape no one can define (C E M Joad). 200 20
Comment on: "Fascism is the destruction of liberal ideas

2008 and institutions in the interest of those who own the 200 20
instruments of economic power." (Laski).
Comment on: that the anatomy of this civil society,

2006 however, has to be sought in political economy (Marx). 200 20
Do you agree with the view that liberal theories are based
2005 on atomism, whereas communitarians have a social thesis? 200 60
Present your line of argument.
2003 Explain Plato's communism and compare it with modern 200 60

communism.
The history of all hitherto to existing society is the history 200 60

2003 of class struggle (Karl Marx). Comment.
2001 Define ideology. Critically examine the End of Ideology 200 60

Debate.
09. INDIAN POLITICAL THOUGHT
2022 “The Panchayats with Gram Sabhas should be so organized 200 15

as to identify the resources locally available for the
development in agricultural and industrial sectors.”
Examine the statement in the context of Gram Swaraj
2022 Dr.Ambedkar’s idea of social justice leads to ‘egalitarian 250 20

justice’ as compared to Rawis’ ‘justice as fairness’ which

16
aims at the notion of ‘pure procedural justice’. Comment.
2021 “When a nation becomes devoid of arts and learning, it 200 15

invites poverty.” (Sir Syed Ahmad Khan). In the light of this
statement, assess the role of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan as a
reformer in modern India.
2021 Do you think that the Buddhist traditions have lent greater 250 20
ethical foundation to the ancient Indian political thought?
Give your arguments.
2020 Explain the sources of ancient Indian political thought. 200 15
2020 Ambedkar's ideas on constitutionalism 150 10
2018 Discuss Ambedkar's ideas on annihilation of caste'. 200 15
Comment on: According to Sri Aurobindo, Swaraj is a

2017 necessary condition for India to accomplish its destined 150 10
goal.
What do you understand by the notion of Statecraft ?

2017 Discuss the theory of statecraft as given by Kautilya. 200 15
2016 Comment on: Dr. B. R. Ambedkar's idea of state socialism. 150 10
2016 Discuss Sri Aurobindo's views on Cultural Nationalism. 250 20
2016 Examine Gandhi's critique of 'Modernisation'. 200 15
Comment on: "Nationalism is not a mere political

2014 programme but a way of life like religion." (Aurobindo 150 10
Ghose).
2014 Evaluate the contributions of Buddhist tradition to Indian 200 15

political thought.
2013 Comment on: Sri Aurobindo's "idea of freedom". 150 10
2013 Comment on: Syed Ahmed Khan as a modernizer. 150 10
2013 Examine Ambedkar's critique of Marxism. 150 15
2013 Examine the significance of Dharma in ancient Indian 150 15

political thought.
Comment on the Marxist and Radical Humanist phases of

2012 M.N. Roy’s thought. 200 15
Examine the Gandhian idea of village community as an ideal

2012 unit of self-governance. 250 20
Draw parallels between Arthashastra tradition and the

2012 ‘Realist’ tradition represented by Machiavelli. 200 15

17
2012 Write a note on the Buddhist tradition in Indian political 200 15

thought.
Compare and contrast Dharmasastra and Arthasastra with

2010 reference to State power. 200 30
2007 Critically examine the Sapta Prakriti of the state as 200 60

envisaged by Kautilya.
Explain Gandhi's ideas regarding State and highlight their

2006 relationship with modern democracy and principles of 200 60
anarchism.
2005 Comment on: Of those (officers) the ways of embezzlement 200 20

are forty (Kautilya).
Comment on: Rulership can be successfully carried out

2004 (only) with the help of associates: One wheel alone does not 200 20
turn (Kautilya).
2003 Comment on: The main political ideas contained in the 200 20
Manusmriti.
2003 Comment on: Mandal theory. 200 20
Comment on: The true source of light is duty. If we all

2002 discharge our duties, rights will not be far to see (M K 200 20
Gandhi).
2002 Analyse M. N Roys ideational journey from Marxism to 200 60

Radical Humanism.
Comment on: Validity of the statement that most

2001 prominent among Gandhian principles are non-violence, 200 20
adherence to truth and dignity of labour.
What are the major components of Modern Indian Political

2001 Thought? Examine them with reference to Gandhi and M N 200 60
Roy.
10. WESTERN POLITICAL THOUGHT
2022 Write on: Locke’s Social Contract 150 10
2022 Individualism is inherent in Hobbes’ absolutist ideology. 200 15

Comment.
2021 J. S. Mill's ideas on women suffrage. 150 10

18
2021 Explain the Aristotelian view of politics. To what extent do 250 20

you think it has contributed to the development of modern-
day constitutional democracies,
2021 Marx's concept of 'alienation' is an essential part of the 200 15

reality in capitalism. Explain.
2020 Machiavelli's secularism 150 10
2020 Representative democracy . . . . . . means the people as a 200 15

body must be able to control the general direction of
government policy. (J. S. Mill). Comment.
2020 Trace the evolution of Western Political Thought from 250 20

ancient to contemporary period.
2020 Discuss Karl Marx's concept of class. 200 15
2019 Explain Aristotle's critique of Plato's Idealism. 250 20
2019 Compare negative and positive concepts of liberty 200 15
According to Gramsci, hegemony is primarily based on the

2019 organisation of consent.' Comment 250 20
Critically examine Hannah Arendt's conceptual triad of

2019 labour, work and action. 250 20
2018 Comment on: John Stuart Mill is a 'reluctant democrat'. - C. 150 10

L. Wayper
2018 John Locke is the father of liberalism. Explain. 250 20
2018 Critically examine Machiavelli's views on religion and 200 15

politics.
2017 Everywhere, inequality is a cause of revolution- Aristotle. 200 15

Comment.
2015 Compare and contrast the views of Kautilya and Machiavelli 200 15
on Statecraft.
2015 “Plato was an enemy of open society.” (Popper) Comment. 250 20
2015 Discuss Gramsci’s notion of ‘organic intellectuals’. 200 15
Comment on: "Power is never the property of an individual;

it belongs to a group and remains in existence only so long
2014 150 10
as the group keeps together." (Hannah Arendt)
Explain how Machiavelli's application of empirical method

2014 to human affairs marks an important stage in the evolution 250 20
of political science.
Central to Aristotle's political thought is his classification of

19
2014 the different types of political constitutions in Politics. 200 15

Evaluate.
2013 Comment on: "Personal is political" 150 10
2012 Hannah Arendt’s conception of the ‘political. 150 10
Comment on: “The State is a creation of nature and man is

2011 by nature a political animal.” (Aristotle) 200 20
Comment on: Western thought, one might say, has been

2009 either platonic or anti platonic but hardly ever non-platonic 200 20
(Popper).
Comment on: Plato’s communism is a supplementary

2007 machinery to give effect to and reinforce that spirit which 200 20
education is created (Nettleship).
Discuss the importance of Machiavelli in the history of

2007 political thought. Is it correct to say that Machiavelli's theory 200 60
is narrowly local and narrowly dated?
2006 Comment on: State is individual writ large (Plato) 200 20
2006 Attempt a critique of Aristotle's ideas on slavery. 200 60
2005 Comment on: The State is Individual Writ Large. (Plato). 200 20
Comment on: The sole end for which mankind is warranted,

individually or collectively, in interfering with the liberty of
2005 200 20
action of any of their members is self protection (J S Mill).
Comment on: The authority of the master and that of the

2004 statements are different from one another (Aristotle). 200 20
2003 Comment on: Machiavelli's political philosophy was 200 20

narrowly located and narrowly dated (Sabine).
2003 Discuss the political philosophy of Hannah Arendt. 200 60
Comment on: The polis exists by nature and that it is prior

2002 to the individual (Aristotle). 200 20
Comment on: Until philosophers are kings. Or kings and

princes of this world have the spirit and power of
2000 200 20
philosophy, cities will never have rest from evil (Plato).
Comment on: Power is an end in itself and he (Machievelli)

inquires into the means that are best suited to acquire,
2000 retain and expand power, thus separating power from 200 20
morality, ethics, religion and metaphysics (Ebenstein on
Machievelli).

20
PAPER1 SECTION B:
INDIAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
01 INDIAN NATIONALISM: (A) POLITICAL STRATEGIES OF INDIA'S FREEDOM STRUGGLE
2022 Analyse the workers’ movement in India in the pre- 150 10

Independence period
2020 Role of socialists in Indian National Movement 150 10
2020 Trace the role of militant and revolutionary movements in 200 15

Indian national movement.
Differentiate Moderate Nationalism from Extremist/Militant 200 15

2017 Nationalism in terms of their objectives and means.
2015 Comment on: Satyagraha as a Strategy in the Indian National 150 10

Movement
2015 Comment on: Efficacy of Satyagraha as moral resistance to 150 10

colonial rule.
2012 Comment on: Significance of the Civil Disobedience Movement 200 20
2008 Comment on: "Swaraj is the culmination of Swadeshi and 200 20

Sarvodaya."
2007 “Political reforms must precede not follow social reform” -Tilak. 200 60
Elucidate.
2005 Comment on: Views of Jaya Prakash Narayan on Total 200 20

Revolution.
2004 Political reforms must precede and not follow social reforms 200 60
(Tilak). Discuss.
Comment on: Gandhi's concept of Truth and Non-violence. Why

2003 was he opposed to modern civilisation? 200 20

21
01 INDIAN NATIONALISM: (B) PERSPECTIVES ON INDIAN NATIONAL MOVEMENT
2021 Analyze the Marxist perspective of the nature of Indian 150 10

National Movement.
2019 Dalit perspective on Indian national movement. Discuss. 150 10
National movement in India was anti-imperialist and

2019 increasingly radical in its socio-economic and political 250 20
programmes. Discuss.
Comment on: Revolt of 1857 is a 'Sepoy Mutiny' or 'First War of

2018 Independence', 150 10
Comment on: The success of Mahatma Gandhi lay in

2017 transforming both political and non-political movements into a 150 10
unified nationalist movement.
Critically examine the Radical Humanist perspective on Indian

2016 National Movement. 150 10
2013 Comment on: Marxist understanding of India's freedom 150 10

movement
2011 Comment on: Dalit perspective on Indian National Movement 200 20
Comment on: Indian nationalism as depicted in S.N. Banerjee's

2010 “A Nation in the making”. 200 20
2009 Comments on: Radical Humanism 200 20
02 (A) MAKING OF THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION
2022 The making of the Indian Constitution is described as an 200 15

attempt towards ‘social revolution’. Comment.
2021 “The Constitution of India is a product of a historical process, 150 10

rich with constitutional antecedents.” Comment.
2021 “The Constitution makers faced the great task of forging a 150 10
common national identity in the face of unparalleled social and
cultural diversity in India.” Comment.

22
2021 Mention the founding principles that define India's 150 10

Constitution.
2021 Underline the significance of the first constitutional 150 10

amendment.
2020 Indian constitution makers' concerns on social inequality 150 10
Unity and integrity of India was perhaps the single uppermost 150 10
2019 factor in the minds of the Constitution makers. Comment.
2018 Comment on: Indian Constitution is a "Lawyers' Paradise'. - Ivor 150 10

Jennings
Discuss the extent to which the Indian Constitution reflects 250 25

2012 successful reconciliation of alternative perspectives
2010 Comment on: "The Constituent Assembly was a one party body 200 20
in an essentially one party country . The Assembly was the
Congress and the Congress was India." ( Granville Austin)
Discuss the dominant external and internal influences in the 200 60

2008 framing of the Indian Constitution.
2005 Explain the federal scheme under the Government of India Act, 200 60
1935. Why could this scheme not be implemented?
2003 Comment on: Simon Commission. 200 20
2002 Comment on: Dyarchy under Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms. 200 20
Examine the salient features of the Indian Independence Act 200 60

2002 (1947) relating to the transfer of power. What specific
provisions did this Act make for the lapse of paramountcy.
2001 Critically examine the impact of the national movement on the 200 60
making of the constitution of India
03 SALIENT FEATURES OF THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION
2022 The Doctrine of Basic Structure of the Constitution has 200 15

enhanced the power of judicial review of the Supreme Court.
Examine
2022 The Preamble of the Indian Constitution reflects itself as a 150 10

‘social contract’. Elucidate.

23
2022 The Legislative Council is a house without any effective powers. 150 10
Comment
2021 "Constitutionally reconciling the Fundamental Rights with the 250 20

Directive Principles of State Policy has led to frequent
amendments of the Constitution and judicial interventions."
Comment.
2020 Right to constitutional remedies in India 150 10
"The basic structure doctrine is implícit in the Indian 250 20

2019 Constitution; the Supreme Court has only given it an explicit
form. Comment.
Comment on the relevance of the Directive Principles of State 200 15

2019 Policy in an era of liberalization and globalization.
2017 Comment on: Right to privacy is an intrinsic part of the right to 150 10
life.
The purpose of 42nd Constitutional Amendment was to make

2016 the economic and social democracy explicitly visible. 150 10
Discuss the Right to Information and underlined challenges

2016 being posed before it. 200 15
2015 Comment on: Secularism in the Indian Constitution. 150 10
2015 Discuss the ‘Right to Education' and the concerns raised by it. 200 15
2014 Comment on: Increasingly higher focus on Directive Principles 150 10

of State Policy
What are the provisions for constitutional protection of the

2014 right to freedom of religion and how far have they succeeded 200 15
in promoting secularism in India?
2013 Comment on: Significance of the Preamble. 150 10
2013 Analyse the significance of Article 32 of the Indian Constitution. 200 15
Examine the significance of the verdicts of the Supreme Court

2013 in the Golaknath and Keshavananda Bharati cases for an 250 20
understanding of the scope of Article 368 in regard to
Fundamental Rights.
2012 Comment on: Doctrine of Basic Structure of the Indian 150 10

Constitution.
Examine the relevance of Directive Principles in the era of

2012 liberalisation and globalization. 250 25

24
Examine the significance of the Directive achieving the goal of

2011 socio-economic justice. 200 30
Comment on: The type of Government enshrined in 'the

2008 Preamble of the Indian Constitution. 200 20
Comment on: The Directive principles of state policy are not

2007 mere pious declaration but clear direction for the guideline of 200 20
state policy.
2006 Comment on: Judicial Activism. 200 20
Comment on: Fundamental Duties under Article 51A of the

2005 Constitution of India. 200 20
Do you agree with the view that Fundamental Rights and

2005 Directive Principles of State Policy Constitute the Core and 200 60
Conscience of the Indian Constitution? Comment on the
emerging trends in their interrelationship.
2004 Comment on: Cultural secularization. 200 20
2003 Comment on: Right against exploitation under the Indian 200 20
Constitution.
The Directive Principles of State Policy are not mere pious

2003 declarations but clear directions for the guidance of State 200 60
Policy. Comment and show how far they have been applied in
practice.
04. PRINCIPAL ORGANS OF THE GOVERNMENT
2022 The Speaker represents the freedom and dignity of the House. 200 15
Examine
2021 Examine the evolution of the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court 200 15
of India as a Constitutional Court.
2021 The role of the President of India becomes more significant 200 15
during a minority government and a coalition government.
Explain.
2020 Judicial overreach in India 150 10
2020 Has the thrust of government tilted towards executive in 200 15

contemporary Indian Politics? Give your arguments
The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has emerged as the most 200 15

25
2019 powerful institution in India. Discuss.
Whether judicial activism has undermined or strengthened

2018 Parliamentary Democracy in India? Discuss. 250 20
Analyse the arguments in favour and against the lateral entry

2018 into higher civil services in India. 200 15
Differentiate parliamentary supremacy from parliamentary

sovereignty. Would you consider the Indian Parliament as a
2017 250 20
Sovereign Parliament? Examine.
How is the President of India elected? Outline the salient

2017 characteristics of the electoral college of the Indian President. 200 15
Judiciary has acquired the role of both a legislature and an

2017 executive in recent years. Examine with suitable examples. 250 20
2015 Discuss the efficacy of judicial review in India. 250 20
Examine the debates on the appointment procedure of judges

2014 to the higher judiciary in India. 200 15
2013 Comment on: Decline of Indian Parliament. 150 10
Examine the role of the Supreme Court as the final interpreter

2013 of the Indian Constitution. 200 15
2013 Analyse the position of the Prime Minister of India in a coalition 200 15
regime.
2012 Comment on: Judicial activism and social change. 150 10
Comment on: the principle of collective responsibility in the

cabinet system of Government, has eroded in the context of
2010 200 20
emergence of coalition governments in India.
Critically examine the arguments being advanced for review of

2009 the present system of appointment of judges to the higher 200 30
judiciary of the country.
Explain the concept of judicial activism and examine its impact

2007 on the relationship between executive and judiciary in India. 200 60
Critically examine the role and contribution of India’s

2006 bureaucracy in nation building. 200 60
2004 Comment on: Public interests litigation. 200 20
2001 Comment on: The debate over judicial activism in India. 200 20
2001 Comment on: Concept of committed bureaucracy. 200 20
Indian democracy began with the unique advantages of an

efficient civil service and a well organized political party yet its

26
2001 record is dismal. What are the causes for such poor 200 60
performance
Comment on: Corruption in Administration in India and its

2000 impact on socio- economic reconstruction. 200 20
Critically evaluate Weber’s ideas on Bureaucracy and highlight

2000 the significance of the Weberian model from India’s point of 200 60
view.
The role of Indian Prime Ministers in the federal system was

always controversial. Do you agree with this statement? Give
2000 200 60
reasons for your answer with apt examples.
05. GRASSROOTS DEMOCRACY
2022 Examine the unique features of the 73rd Constitutional 250 20

Amendment. Do you think this Amendment would contribute
in achieving the goal of empowerment of marginalized sections
of the society?
2021 Do you think that despite having significant limitations the 200 15
Panchayati Raj institutions have strengthened the process of
democratic decentralization? Give your views.
2020 To what extent has 73rd and 74th amendments of the Indian 200 15
Constitution enhanced women's empowerment?
2019 Political decentralization has not been matched by 150 10

administrative decentralization at the grass roots level. Explain
Comment on: Panchayat Raj is an effective instrument for

2018 women empowerment. 150 10
2018 Examine the provisions of Panchayat Extension Services Act 250 20

(PESA), 1996.
Has the 73rd Constitutional Amendment empowered women

2017 in panchayats in India? Discuss. 200 15
The goal of Good governance will be achieved only by

2016 strengthening the grass root level democracy. 250 20
Examine the role of Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local

2015 Bodies in deepening democracy in India. 250 20
Explain how the participation of women impacted the

2014 functioning of rural local bodies in India. 200 15

27
Examine the changing structure of Panchayati Raj institutions

2013 with special reference to the 73rd Constitution Amendment 200 15
Act.
2008 Comment on: The correlation between democracy and 200 20

development in India.
Comment on: The panchayati Raj institutions and district

2007 administration should develop a new relationship for achieving 200 20
the goal of good governance.
Discuss how far the grass root democratic institutions have

remained successful in accelerating the process of rural
2007 200 60
development after the 73rd constitutional amendment.
Highlight the impact of 73rd Constitutional Amendment on the

2006 working of the Panchayati Raj institutions in India. 200 60
Comment on: Role of Gram Sabha under the Constitution

2005 (Seventy third- Amendment) Act, 1992. 200 20
Bring out the common and unique features of the 73rd and the
74th amendments to the Constitution of India. Do you think
2002 that these amendments would contribute to the achievement 200 60
of gender and social justice at the grass root level.
06. STATUTORY INSTITUTIONS/COMMISSIONS
2022 How far is the National Commission for Backward Classes an 150 10
empowered body? Assess its role in the context of rising
demand for backwardness among dominant communities.
2022 Discuss the policy initiatives of the Fourteenth Finance 200 15

Commission aimed towards promoting and strengthening
agricultural development in India.
2021 The success of electoral democracy can partly be attributed to 250 20

the status and role of the Election Commission of India.”
Explain.
2020 Examine the role and functioning of the Election Commission of 250 20
India and the Comptroller and Auditor General in the last two
decades.
2019 Comptroller and Auditor-General of India enhances the 200 15

accountability of the Government and serves as the watchdog
of the finances of the Government. Explain.

28
2019 Discuss, in brief, the role of the National Commission for 200 15
women. Do you think it is a toothless organisation?
2017 Comment on: State subvention/funding may be an effective 150 10

instrument for strengthening electoral democracy in India.
2017 Examine the role of the National Commission for Minorities in 200 15
preserving, promoting and protecting the rights of minorities in
India.
2016 Examine the objective and role of the National Human Rights 200 15
Commission.
Critically examine the provisions made in the Constitution for 200 15

2016 the protection of the Environment.
2015 Comment on: Structure and Function of NITI Aayog. 150 10
2014 Comment on: The role of the Comptroller and Auditor General 150 10
of India in promoting good governance.
2014 Discuss the working of the National Commission for Scheduled 250 20
Castes to curb violence against Dalits.
2012 Comment on: Role of National Commission for Women in India. 150 10
2011 Comment on: Role of National Commission for Scheduled 200 20

Castes.
2011 Make an assessment of the role of the Election Commission of

India in the conduct of free and fair elections. 200 30
Assess the effectiveness of the National Human Rights

2010 Commission in redressing grievances pertaining to human 200 30
rights violations in India.
Comments on: The Functions, duties and powers of the

2009 appropriate National Commission as laid down in clauses (5) 200 20
(8), and (9) of Articles-338 of the constitution.
2008 Comment on: Revision in the Election Code of Conduct. 200 20
Make an assessment of the composition, functioning and the

2005 role of the Election Commission of India in the conduct of free 200 60
and fair elections.
2003 Comment on: Union Public Service Commission. 200 20
2002 Comment on: Comptroller and Auditor General of India. 200 20

29
07. FEDERALISM
2022 Discuss the composition and functions of the Inter-State 200 15

Council. To what extent has this body been successful in
achieving its objectives?
2021 Do you think that there has been a gradual shift in the basis on 200 15
which the demands for the creation of new States have been
raised in different regions of India? Explain.
2020 Mechanism for settling inter-state disputes 150 10
2020 Does the functioning of the federalism in India tend to make it 250 20
appear as a unitary state in practice?
Despite constitutional mandate the Inter-State Council has not 150 10

2019 come of age. Discuss.
Comment on: Implementation of GST and NEET is a major

2018 challenge to Indian federalism. 150 10
Do the Lieutenant Governors have more powers than the

2018 Governors of the States? Explain. 200 15
2018 Discuss asymmetrical federalism in India. 200 15
Comment on: Indian federation has moved from cooperative

2017 federation to competitive federation. 150 10
‘Article 368 does not enable Parliament to alter the basic

2016 structure or framework of the Constitution’. 150 10
The philosophy and administration of the distribution of

2016 powers between Centre and State is required to be re-assessed. 150 10
2016 Critically examine the role of Governor in recent times. 200 15
2015 Comment on: 99th Amendment of the Indian Constitution 150 10
2015 Comment on: Cooperative Federalism in India. 150 10
Critically analyze the discretionary powers granted to the

2015 Governor by the Indian Constitution. 200 15
2015 Identify the contested areas in Centre-State relations in India. 200 15
“Cooperative federalism produces a strong central, or general

government, yet it does not necessarily result in weak
2013 provincial governments that are largely administrative agencies 250 20
for central policies. Indian federation has demonstrated this.”
(Granville Austin) Examine the uniqueness of Indian federalism
in the light of the above statement.

30
2012 Comment on: Demands for the creation of new States in India. 150 10
Examine the efficacy of available mechanisms for resolving

2012 inter-State disputes in India. 250 25
In normal conditions, the Governor is a constitutional executive

2011 but in case of a constitutional crisis, he can become a powerful 200 30
and effective executive. Discuss.
2010 Comment on: Inter- State water disputes. 200 20
Comment on: “Articles 2 and 3 of the Indian Constitution are

2010 inconsistent with the spirit of federalism.” 200 20
2009 Comments on: Inter State Committee. 200 20
2004 Trace and analyse the co-operation trends in Indian federalism. 200 60
It is generally believed that federalism suffers in the system of

2002 centralized planning. Do you agree with this point of view? 200 60
Would you advocate decentralized governance for India in the
context of liberalization since 1991.
2001 Comment on: Factors for the growth of regionalism in India. 200 20
2000 Comment on: Shared rule to be as important as self rule in 200 20

explaining the possibility of federal power sharing.
What are the salient features of Sarkaria Commission Report as

2000 regard to federal restructuring in India with special reference 200 60
to autonomy demand by states.
08. PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
2022 High concentration of economic activities and consumption 150 10

patterns in post-liberalisation period has led to the failure of
environmental movements in India. Elucidate
2021 What explains India's modest improvements in social 200 15

development outcomes even as the rate of growth has
accelerated since the initiation of economic reforms?
2020 ‘Liberalisation of the Indian Economy has not been 200 15

accompanied with adequate reforms’. Comment.
2019 What has been the political fallout of the Green Revolution in 200 15
India? Explain.
Comment on: In the post-liberalization era, Indian politics is

31
2017 moving from ascriptive politics to developmental politics. 150 10
What do you understand by Green Revolution? Do you think

that a Second Green Revolution is needed to adequately
2017 200 15
address the agrarian challenges in contemporary India?
Examine.
2016 Critically examine the politics of Economic growth in India. 250 20
2016 Land reforms have failed in the eradication of rural poverty. 250 20
Comment.
In the light of neo-economic policies adopted since 1991,

2015 examine the relevance of the term ‘socialist' in the Preamble of 250 20
the Indian Constitution.
2015 Compare the Nehruvian and Gandhian models of development. 200 15
Comment on: Gandhian perspective of development and its

2013 contemporary relevance 150 10
Critically examine. Green Revolution as a strategy for

2012 sustainable agriculture development. 250 25
Comment on: Economic liberalisation and uneven

2010 development among Indian States. 200 20
Do you think that post- 1991 reforms in India mark a significant

2010 shift from the Nehruvian model of economic development? 250 30
Justify your answer.
2007 Comment on: Nehru's View on socialism. 200 20
2006 Comment on: Decentralized Planning. 200 20
Pandit Jawaharlal Nahru comes before us as a great nationalist,

2003 Internationalist and Humanist. Discuss. 200 60
2002 Comment on: New Economic Policy (1991). 200 20
2001 Comment on: Impact of disinvestment and privatization on 200 20

planning in India.
09. CASTE, RELIGION AND ETHNICITY IN INDIAN POLITICS
2022 Ethnicity is the underlying cause which poses a great challenge 250 20
in the resolution of the problems in the North-East region of
India. Comment.
2021 Explain how caste as a social category is also becoming a 200 15

32
political category in the democratic politics of India.
2020 Examine the role of religion in Indian Electoral Politics in the 200 15
contemporary times.
2019 Development has overshadowed the influence of caste in 250 20

electoral behaviour in recent elections. Discuss.
2018 Critically examine the ethnic conflicts in North-East India. 200 15
2017 Religion is still an important factor in Indian politics. Discuss. 200 15
Cultural and Regional differences are the enduring bases on

2016 which politics is played out in India. 150 10
2016 Comment on the emergence of Backward classes in Indian 200 15

Politics.
2014 Comment on: Relation between ethnicity and democracy in 150 10

India.
2013 Explain the phenomenon of ethnic politics in India in recent 250 20

times.
2011 Indian politics has influenced caste and caste has influenced 200 20
Indian politics.Comment.
2011 Secularism in Indian politics is a myth. 200 20
"Minorities are the natural custodians of the secular state."

2010 (D.E. Smith). Discuss. 250 30
The OBC politics has challenged the nature of dominant caste

2009 politics in the states. Critically examine this statement and bring 200 60
out your conclusion.
Examine the effect of caste and community in Indian politics.

2008 Do you foresee their continued relevance in the country's 200 60
politics?
Comment on: the instability of national policies is due to rising

2007 influence of religious politics. 200 20
2000 Comment on: Caste and religion as operative factors with 200 20
Indian policy
10. PARTY SYSTEM
2022 How far is it correct that the regional parties have strengthened 200 15
Indian democracy and federal system? Substantiate your

33
answer with suitable examples.
2022 Electoral behavior of voters is governed more by the social and 250 20
economic factors than the political factors. Explain
2021 "The Indian party system is shaped by a complex interaction of 250 20

the country's federal structure, electoral system and social
cleavages.” Explain
2020 To what extent has the inadequate intra-party democracy 250 20

affected the functioning of Indian Democracy?
The changing socio-economic profile of our legislators does not 200 15

2019 augur well for the health of Indian democracy. Comment.
Comment on: Political personalities are more significant than 150 10

2018 political parties in India.
Explain the increasing role of regional political parties in the 200 15

2018 national politics in India.
India has moved from 'one-party dominant system' to 'one- 250 20

2017 party led coalition'. Discuss.
Discuss the pattern of shift of Party system from one dominant 200 15
2016 party system to coalition politics in national politics
“Identity politics has trumped development politics in India.” 200 15

2015 Comment.
Account for the rise of regional political parties and assess their 200 15
2015 role in contemporary India.
Discuss the nature of reforms of the electoral process in India

2014 and explain the further scope for reforms. 250 20
Explain how pressure groups have been influencing public

2014 policy-making with suitable illustrations. 250 20
Account for the changes in the socio-economic profile of

2014 legislators during the last one decade in India. 200 15
Explain to what extent the concept of "one-party dominance"

2013 (W.H. Morris- Jones) model is relevant in Indian politics today. 200 15
2012 Examine the impact of coalition-politics on the Indian political 250 25

system.
2011 Comment on: Trade union as a pressure group in Indian politics. 200 20
It is not constitutional law but political factors that ultimately

2011 determine Centre States relations in India. 200 20
2011 Examine the changing pattern of electoral behaviour in India. 200 20

34
Comment on: Upsurge in political participation among the

2010 marginalised communities in the Indian General Elections 200 20
during the last two decades.
Comments on: Implication of the use of Electronic Voting

2009 Machine (EVM) on electoral politics. 200 20
Bring out the changing educational profile of the members of

2009 the Lok Sabha over the years, up to the present (15th) Lok 200 20
Sabha.
In what ways do pressure groups and movements exert

influence in politics? In the Indian political context, discuss the
2008 200 60
implications of such influence being exerted.
Discuss whether coalitional federalism in India.

2006 200 60
2005 Comment on: Coalition Governments in India at the Centre 200 20

since 1998.
How far do regional groupings pose a threat to the stability of

2004 Indian political system? 200 60
Identify the major pressure-group in Indian politics and

2003 examine their role in it. 200 60
11. SOCIAL MOVEMENTS
2020 Examine the nature of the civil liberty movement in India. 200 15
2019 Write a short note on the significance of the Chipko Movement. 150 10
2018 Examine the various causes of agrarian crisis in India. 250 20
2018 Critically analyse the environmental movement in Tuticorin, 200 15

Tamil Nadu.
2014 Comment on: The dilemmas of the human rights movements in 150 10
India.
2014 Examine the scope and limitations of women's movements in 200 15

India.
2014 Explain how peasant movements promoted nationalist ideas 200 15

during the 20 15 struggle for Indian independence.
2013 Comment on: Compare and contrast Chipko Movement with 150 10
Narmada Bachao Andolan.

35
2013 Point out and comment on the historic importance of the 200 15
document 'Towards Equality (1974)', for women's movement in
India.
2012 Discuss the impact of the environmentalist movement on 250 25

government policies in recent years.
2010 In what ways do civil liberties and human rights movements 200 30
influence the working of Indian democracy? Give your answer
with suitable examples.
2009 The environmental movements have challenged the policy and 200 60
pattern of economic development in post independent India.
Analyze with examples.
2006 Comment on: Ambedkar's Concept of Social Justice. 200 20
2006 Comment on: The Concept of Women Empowerment 200 20
2002 Comment on: Tribal people movement in the North-East. 200 20
2001 The women activists did not support Quota till 1974. What led 200 60
to the subsequent change in their stand.
2000 Comment on: Women empowerment in India and its impact on 200 20
democracy.

36

PAPER 2 SECTION A:
Political Theory and Indian Politics
INDEX:
SECTION A:
No. Topic Page No.
01. Comparative Politics 37

02. State in Comparative Perspective 38
03. Politics of Representation and Participation 39
04. Globalisation 40
05. Approaches to the Study of International Relations 41
06. Key Concepts in International Relations 42
07. Changing International Political Order 44
08. Evolution of the International Economic System 46
09. United Nations 46
10. Regionalisation of World Politics 48
11. Contemporary Global Concerns 49
SECTION B:
NO. TOPIC Page No.
01. 52
02. ̵Ǧ 54
03. 54
04. 57
05. 58
06. 59
07. QUESTION 60
08. 61
01 COMPARATIVE POLITICS

2022 Discuss the main limitations of the comparative method to the 150 10
study of Political Science.
2021 Discuss the political economic approach to the comparative 150 10
analysis of politics
2020 Discuss the subject matter of comparative politics. Outline the 150 10
limitations of comparative political analysis.
Examine the significance of the comparative method in 250 20
2019 political analysis Discuss its limitations.

37
2018 Describe the changing nature of Comparative Politics. Briefly

explain the Political Economy approach to the study of 150 10
Comparative Polities.
Explain the Political-Sociological Approach in the field of
2017 comparative politics and discuss its limitations. 150 10
Critically examine the Marxist aspect of political economy
2016 approach to the study of comparative politics. 150 10
Which are the major approaches of comparative politics ?
2015 Explain in brief, the political economy approach to the study 150 10
of comparative inquiry.
2015 Discuss David Easton’s model of systems analysis. 200 15
Examining political phenomena through a process of cross-
global investigation has become the fundamental function of
2012 150 10
Comparative Politics.” Discuss.
Does the perspective of Dependencies Theory offer a robust
critique on the nature of mainstream development process
2012 200 15
taking place in Africa and Latin America?
Elucidate the transdisciplinary nature of modern comparative
politics and identify the modern comparative politics and
2012 200 20
identify the contributions of political sociologists towards this
goal.
“Structural-functional approach to political analysis focuses
2011 more on status quoism, and less on change.” Elucidate 200 30
Explain the uses of systems approach in international relations
2011 and examine the relevance of Kaplan's system analysis. 200 30
How is the modern comparative politics--approach different
2010 from the traditional legal institutional approach? 200 20
How does comparative political sociology help inn
2008 understanding the socio-political process of different 200 20
countries of the world ?
Examine the relevance of the political economy approach to
2007 the study of comparative politics. 200 20
Comment on: International politics, like all politics, is a
2006 struggle for power. Comment. 200 20
2006 Comment on: Input-output functions of political system 200 20
Do you agree with the view that Political culture of a society is
a highly significant aspect of the Political System? Give reasons
2006 200 60
in support of your answer
02 STATE IN COMPARATIVE PERSPECTIVE

2021 “The post-colonial state was thought of as an entity that 250 20
stood outside and above society as an autonomous agency.”
Explain
2021 Explain the impact of electoral systems and cleavages in 250 20
shaping party systems with reference to developing
countries.
2018 Describe the changing nature of the State in the developing 150 10

38
societies in the context of inclusive growth in the 21st

century.
2016 “A combination of internal pressures (ethnic and regional 150 10
forces) and external threats (EU, UN, TNC, global market,
etc.) has produced what is commonly referred to as a ‘crisis
of the nation-state’.” Elaborate.
2015 Do you subscribe to the view that the modern constructs of 150 10
the State and politics are pre-eminently Eurocentric and not
indigenous and appropriate for the analysis of non-western
societies ?
2015 ‘The struggle for democracy has been marked by bitter strife 250 20
and tribulations.’ Examine the statement, illustrating the
cases of Pakistan, Nepal and Myanmar.
2013 ‘A minimal State ensures maximum of Individual Liberty.’ 250 20
Examine .the concept of Minimal State.
2009 Is it necessary to evolve a distinct theoretical framework for 200 15
analysis emergent politics in the developing world?
2000 Comment on: Rethinking on sovereign state. 200 15
03.POLITICS OF REPRESENTATION AND PARTICIPATION

2022 How has the electrol democracy augmented the 250 20
participation of people in the democratic process?
2021 “Political parties and pressure groups are sine qua none of 150 10
democracy." Comment.
2020 Has the increased participation of the underprivileged in 150 10
the political process of the developing societies
strengthened democracy or created political chaos and
conflict? Comment.
Comment on the decline of political parties and examine
whether new social movements shall be alternative
2016 150 10
strategy for establishing link between government and
society.
Do interest groups help to promote democracy or to
2016 undermine it? Give your opinion. 200 15
What is the difference between Interest Groups and
Pressure Groups ? I Are the Pressure Groups in India in a
2015 150 10
position to fully protect or promote the interests of their
members ?
2014 Party system in India is neither western nor indigenous. 150 10
Explain
Is the rise of social movement a sign of opening up of
2013 popular space in political process or decline of 200 20
representative politics? Examine.
How did the struggle for representation increase the level
2012 and quality of democracy in the industrial societies? 150 10
Evaluate the nature and distinctions of anomic and
2012 associational interest groups in the pressure politics of 200 15

39
developing countries.
examine the significance of ideological and policy aspects
2012 in the structural growth of modern political parties. 250 15
How does functioning of interest groups differ from
2008 political parties? Discuss with appropriate examples 200 60
04. GLOBALISATION

2022 What are the main challenges faced by the developing 150 10
countires in the era of globalisation?
2021 What is globalisation ? Why is there an intense debate 200 15
about globalisation and its consequences?
2020 Critically examine the impact of the process of 150 10
globalization from the perspective of the countries of the
Global South.
"Some feel Multinational Corporations (MNCs) are a vital 200 15
2018 new road to economic growth, whereas others feel they
perpetuate underdevelopment." Discuss.
2017 Critically examine the Globalisation in the past 25 YEARs
from the perspectives of the Western world. 150 10
Discuss the changing nature of modern state with
2017 reference to transnational actors. 200 15
2016 Discuss the impact of globalization on the internal 150 10
functioning of the state.
Is globalization essentially a process of ‘universalisation’
2015 of capitalist modernity? 150 10
How is it that economic and neo-liberal globalization is
2015 being interrogated from inside even in developed 200 15
countries? What are the economic consequences of such
globalization?
How do you · explain the growmg importance of multi-
2014 national corporations (MNCs) and civil society in 250 20
contemporary international politics?
What is 'global village'? Elaborate its main characteristics
2014 and also the factors that contributed to its growth. 200 15
'Global commons belong to global society and r equires
2013 global attention.' Comment. 150 10
2013 'Transnational actors have become driving forces of global 250 20
politics.' Elaborate
Review the increasing role of Multi National Corporations
2012 in the policy making process of developing countries. 150 10
2011 Examine the nature and dynamics of contemporary 200 20
globalization.
2010 Critically examine globalisation from a Third World 200 30
perspective
Bring out your perspectives on: The indications of the
2010 emergence of a global civil society 200 20
2009 What are the major critiques of liberal 200 20

40
internationalization?
Elaborate the factors which cause North-South divide in
2008 the age of globalisation. 200 20
2000 Comment on: Information Technology as element of 200 20
national power
Liberalization and Globalization are feared by the
2000 developing countries, as the Trojan Horses of the 200 60
developed countries. Elucidate.
05. APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

2022 What is the realist prescription to the States to ensure their 200 15
survival in an anarchical world?
2022 Discuss the commonalities between the Marxist and Realist 150 10
approach to the study of International Politics.
2021 Discuss the emergence of neo-realism and its basic tenets. 200 15
2021 What is ‘complex interdependence'? Discuss the role of 200 15

transnational actors in the international system.
2021 The modernization thesis asserts that affluence breeds 250 20
stable democracy. How do you explain the success of India
being the world's largest democracy as an exceptional case?
2021 Marxist approach to the study of international relations has 150 10
lost its relevance in the post-cold war era.” Comment.
2020 Analyze the contribution of liberal democratic principles in 150 10
the democratization of Indian polity.
2020 What are the core assumptions of idealism as an approach 150 10
to study International Relations? Explain its continuing
relevance in peace building.
Explain the relevance of the Marxist approach in the 250 20
2019 context of globalization.
2018 Bring out the major differences between the Classical 150 10
Realism of Hans Morgenthau and the Neorealism of
Kenneth Waltz.
2018 Critically examine the Functionlist approach to the study of 200 15
International Relations
Is Realist Approach the best method to understand 250 20
2017 International Relations? Examine this in the context of
Classical Realism.
2017 Examine the World Systems Approach as developed by 150 10
Immanuel Wallerstein
Critically examine the functional and system approaches to 200 15
2016 the study of international relations
Identify the major differences between the classical realism
2015 of Hans J. Morgenthau and the neorealism of Kenneth 150 10
Waltz. Which approach is best, suited for analysing
international relations after the Cold War?
2014 "The Feminist approach to international politics is biased." 150 10

41
Comment
Who was Mr. 'X' in international politics? Elaborate his
2014 approach to foreign policy. 200 15
"Morton A. Kaplan's system theory is contrary to the
2014 fundamental precepts of systems approach." Comment. 200 15
Discuss the main factors that have contributed to the
2014 gradual transformation of the world from 'Billiard Ball 200 15
Model' to 'Cobweb Model'.
2013 Examine major principles of State centric world views. 200 20
2013 How does Marxist approach explain contemporary 200 15
International Relations?
2013 Write a note on Intellectual precursors of Realism. 200 15
2013 'Building ' peace by pieces' is the basis of functionalism.' 200 15
Elaborate.
Do you agree that liberal international theories are
2012 essentially ‘Eurocentric’ and not necessarily imperialist? 150 10
What are the great debates between ‘classical’ and
2012 ‘modern’ realists? Is there any thin line of continuity 250 20
between these two traditions?
2010 Examine the post-modernist critique of Realism in 200 30
international politics
Explain how far Deutschs model explains the framework
2009 international interdependence. Do you think that the 200 60
processes of interdependence and integration have grown
steadily in the post Cold War Globlisation trajectory?
How has geo-economics replaced geo-politics in the
2008 present International scenario? 200 20
Discuss the realist and neo-realist approaches to the study
2008 of International relations. 200 60
Do you agree with the notion that Marxist approach to the
2008 study of International relations is largely based on 200 60
economic reductionism? Give reasons.
Analyse and evaluate the role of decision-making theory as
2006 a tool of foreign policy analysis 200 60
Comment on: Game Theory for the study of International
2005 Politics and its limitations 200 20
2003 Comment on: Traditional approach and its significance 200 20
06. KEY CONCEPTS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

2022 Discuss the conceptual dimensions of collective security. 200 15
2022 National Interest is an essentially contested concept. 150 10
Comment.
2020 Explain the concept of balance of power. What are the 250 20
various techniques of maintaining balance of power?
2020 Enumerate the challenges in the operation of the principles 200 15
related to collective security in the UN Charter.
How big a role does identity play in determining political 150 10

42
2018 participation in the developing countries ? Discuss your

answer with suitable illustrations
2018 What, according to Joseph Nye, are the major sources of a
country's soft power? Discuss its relevance in the 150 10
contemporary world politics.
How has the development of Global Capitalism changed the
2017 nature of socialist economies and developing societies? 200 15
Why does global human security need to be emphasized
2016 along with economic security? Explain with examples. 250 20
Explain the instruments and methods devised for the
2016 promotion of national interest. 250 20
"The notion of balance of power is notoriously full of
2016 confusion." In the light of this quotation, do you think that 200 15
the concept of balance of power is relevant?
Discuss the theory of Nuclear Deterrence. Did Nuclear
2015 Deterrence prevent a superpower war ? 200 15
2014 Critically assess the changing nature of the concept of 200 15
national security.
'National Interests are Dynamic'. Identify the dynamic
2013 nature of National Interests in the contemporary world 200 15
politics with suitable examples
Collective Security and Collective Defence are the
institutional and State mechanisms to sustain the
2013 250 15
domination of powers that be in international politics.'
Elaborate.
Why is the ‘polarity of power’ thesis less relevant and
2012 meaningful in the present architecture of ‘balance of 150 10
power’?
What constitutes ‘national security discourses’ ? How far
2012 have the IR Feminists QUESTIONed how ‘security’ has been 200 15
problematised ?
How would you explain the future of ‘Nuclear Deterrence’
2012 ? Do you think that ‘preventive war’ is a good substitute for 250 15
Nuclear Deterrence ?
Ǯ ǯ Ǯ ǯ
2012 Ǯǯ Ǥ 250 15
Ǯ Ǧ
ǯǫ
2011 ǫ 200 30
Ǧ
2011 Ǯ ǯ 200 30
ǫ Ǥ
2010 200 20
Ǥ
2010 200 20
̵ ̵Ǥ
ǣ
2010 Ǧ 200 20

2008 200 20
Ǥ

43
2008 ̵ ̵Ǥ 200 20

2007 200 20
ǣ Ǧ
2006 ǤǤ 200 20

2005 200 60

2005 Ǧ 200 60

ǣ
2004 200 20
2003 ǣ 200 20

2002 ǣ 200 20
Ǥ
2002 200 60

ǣ
2001 ǣ 200 20
2000 ǡ 200 60
Ǥ
07. CHANGING INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ORDER

2022 ̵ 250 20
ȋȌ
Ǥ
2022 150 10
ǤǤ
2021 200 15

Ǥ
2020 Ǧ 250 20
ȋȌ
Ǥ
2020 Ǧ 200 15
Ǧ
Ǥ
ǦǤ 200 15
2019
2018 Ǧ
Ǧ 250 20
Ǥ
̶

2017 250 20
Ǧ Ǥ̶


44

Ǧ
2017 200 15
ȋȌǫ
Ǧ
2016 ǦǤ 200 15
2016 Ǥ 200 15

2016 ̵Ǥ 200 15

2015 Ǥ 200 15

ǯ Ǥ
2015 250 20

Ǥ
2014 ̶ Ǧ 150 10
Ǥ̶
2014 ̵Ǥ 150 10
2014 Ǧ 250 20
ǦǦǤ
ǡ
2013 ǫ 200 20

2013 Ǥ 200 15
2013 Ǧ ʹǤͲ 200 15

2013 150 10

2013 150 10
ǫ

2010 ǦǦǤ 200 30
ǣ
2010 ǦǦ 200 20

Ǥ
2009 200 60
ǫ
Ǥ

2007 Ǥ 200 20

2007 ǫ 200 60
2005 ǣ Ǧ Ǧ 200 20

2004 ǣ Ǥ 200 20

2004 200 60
ǡ ǡ ǡ
ǡ Ǥ
2003 200 60
ǫ
Ǥ

45
2002 200 60

2001 ǣ 200 20
Ǥ
2001 ǣ Ǥ 200 20
ǤǤ
2001 Ǧ 200 60

Ǧ
2001 200 60
2000 ǣǦ 200 20
Ǧ
2000 200 60
08. EVOLUTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC SYSTEM

2022 250 20

Ǥ
2020
ȋȌ 200 15

Ǥ
2020
200 15
ȋ ȌǤ
ǫ
2019 250 20
ǫ

2017 200 15
Ǥ
2013 150 10

2013 Ǥ 150 10

2005 ǫ 200 60
̵ǫ
2004 ǣ 200 20

2002 ǫ 200 60
2000 ǣ 200 20
09 UNITED NATIONS

2022 Describe the composition of the International Court of 200 15
Justice (ICJ). Discuss its voluntary jurisdiction
2021 What measures have been undertaken by the United 150 10

46
Nations for its reforms?

2020 Discuss the significance and urgency of the UN Security 250 20
Council reforms. Explain the relevance of the reform
proposals made by the UN Secretary General António
Guterres for the developing countries
2020 Enumerate the challenges in the operation of the principles
related to collective security in the UN Charter.
In what way does the predominance of the USA in the UN 150 10
2019 funding affect its decision-making?
Do you think that sustainable development goals are really
2019 attainable by 20302 150 10
Evaluate the role of the International Court of Justice in
2019 inter-State disputes. 200 15
Discuss the relevance of UN Security Council Resolution
2018 1825 on the security of women in conflict zones. 250 20
Do you agree with the view that despite the limitations in
2017 the functioning of the UN, it has distinguished and unique 200 15
achievements to its credit?
Do you endorse that the United Nations needs major
2016 changes in its structures and functioning? Suggest the 200 15
changes for efficient improvements.
How far are the world governance mechanisms, dominated
2015 by IMF and World Bank, legitimate and relevant ? What 200 15
measures do you suggest to improve their effectiveness in
global governance ?
Has the reform of the economic and social arrangements of
2015 the United Nations been effective ? 250 20
Do you agree that the U.N. has ·failed to contain
2014 transnational terrorism? Elaborate your answer with 150 10
examples.
2014 Argue a case for U.N. reform in the context of changing 250 20
global milieu
How far have the UN reform efforts of 2004-05,
2012 transformed the concept of ‘Sovereignty’ as a 250 20
fundamental principle of International Law ? Do you
think that UN reform discourse represents a ‘biopolitical
reprogramming’ of contemporary sovereignty and global
governance?
How for the efforts to maintain international order in the
2011 post-Cold War period by the UN have been successful? 200 30
2011 What are the major impediments to UN Security Council 200 30
reform?
Explain the role of non state actors, like IMF, World Bank,
2009 European Union and MNCs, in modulating and 200 60
transforming the broad dynamics of international relations
Analyze critically the major changes in the role of United
2007 Nations (UN) since the onset of new millennium. 200 60
2006 Comment on: International Court of Justice. 200 20
Few agencies of International co-operation have been
2006 more successful in tending to the welfare of humanity than 200 60

47
the I. L. O Discuss the organization of activities of the

International Labour Organization in the light of the above
statement
2004 Comment on: UNs peacekeeping role in domestic conflicts 200 20
2003 Comment on: Main features of WTO 200 20
Critically examine the protection and enforcement of
2003 Human Rights under the U. N. System 200 60
2003 Comment on: IMF and India's development 200 20
Comment on: The compulsory jurisdiction clause under the
2001 statute of the International Court of Justice 200 20
2000 Comment on: The U. N General Assembly Millenium 200 20
Summit (Sept. 2000).
10. REGIONALISATION OF WORLD POLITICS

2022 Ǧ 200 15

ȋȌǤǤ
2021 Ǥ 200 15
2021 ̵ 200 15
Ǥ
2020 200 15

Ǥ
ͳ͹Ǥ 150 10
2019
Ǧ
2019 Ǥ 150 10
̵̶
2018 ̵̶̶ Ǥ 200 15
̶
ȋȌ
2018 200 15
Ǥ
ǫ
̵
̵ ̵
2017 150 10
ǤǤ
̵ ̵

2017 200 15
ǫ
̶ ǡǡ Ǧ͹ǡ
ǡ
2016 250 20
̵̵Ǥ̶
Ǥ
2016 ǫ 200 15

Ǯ ǡ
ǡ ǡ
2015 200 15
Ǥǯ Ǥ

48
̶ ǡ
ǡ
2014 ȋȌ 250 20
Ǥ̶
Ǥ
2013 Ǥ 200 15
2013 200 15

2010 200 30
Ǥ

2008 200 20

ǦȋȌ Ǧ
2006 Ǥ 200 60

2005 Ǥ Ǧ Ǧ 200 60
ǫ
2003 ǣ 200 20

2002 ǣ 200 20
Ǥ
11. CONTEMPORARY GLOBAL CONCERNS

2022 200 15
Ǥ
2021 150 10
Ǧʹ͸ Ǥ
2020 200 15
ȋ Ȍ

Ǥ
200 15
2019

2019 Ǥ 200 15
2019 ̵ ̵ 200 15

2019 200 15
ǫ
Ǧ
2018 200 15
Ǧ
Ȍ ǫ
Ǥ
̶̶
2018 ǦǤ 250 20

49
Ǧ

2018 200 15

ȋǡ ǡ
2017 Ȍ 150 10

Ǥ
2017 150 10
Ǥ

2017 250 20
Ǥ ǡ
Ǥ

2016 Ǥ 250 20

ȋ Ȍ ǫ
2015 200 15

ǫ

2015 ǯ ǫ 250 20
Ǥ
2014 150 10
ǫ Ǥ

2014 Ǥ 200 15

2013 200 20
Ǧ
2013 Ǥ 200 15
2013 200 15
Ǥ
2013 150 10
Ǥ
ǮǯǮ ǯ ǫ
2012 Ǯǯ 200 15
ǡ ǫ
ǲ Ǥǳ
2011 200 20
ȋȌǫ
2011 200 20

2009 200 20
ǫ

2009 200 20
2007 200 20
Ǥ

2007 Ǥ 200 60
Ǥ

50
2005 ǣ 200 20

2005 ǣ 200 20

2002 ǣ 200 20
Ǥ

2001 Ǥ 200 60

2000 ǣ Ǧ 200 20


51
PAPER2 SECTION B
INDIA AND THE WORLD
01 INDIAN FOREIGN POLICY

2022 Ǧ ̵ 150 10
ǤǤ
2022 150 10
̵Ǥ
2021 200 15
ǫ
2021 ̵ 150 10
Ǥ
2020 150 10
Ǥ
ǫ
2019 150 10
Ǥ
2019 ̵ 150 10
Ǥ
2019 Ǧ ǫ 150 10

2019 ̵ Ǥ 250 20
2019 ̵ 250 20
ǡ
2019 ̵̵ ̵ 200 15
ǫ

2018 ǫ 150 10
ͳͲ
2018 ̶ Ǥ ǡ 150 10
̶ ̵ MARKS
2018 Ǥ̶ 150 10
Ǥ

2017 ̵ Ǥ 150 10

2016 ̵ ǫ Ǥ 150 10

ǦǤ
2015 150 10
ǫ

2015 ǯǢǢ ǫ 150 10
Ǯ
ǯ Ǥǯ
2015 200 15
ǯ ǡ
Ǥ
̶ ̵
2014 Ǥ̶ 200 15
ǦǦǤ

52

2014 ̵ 250 20
ǤǤǤ
2013 ̵ Ǥȉ 150 10
̵ ̵
Ǥ̵
2013 200 20

Ǥ
ǯ
ǫ
2012 200 20
Ǯ ǯ Ǯ ǯǫ
Ǯǯ
2012 150 10
ǫ
WORDS
ǮȀǯ
2012 ǮȀǯǫ 250 20
ǡ
ǫ
Ǧ
ǫ Ǧ
2012 250 15

ǫ

2012 250 15
ǯ Ǥ
2012 ǲ Ǥǳ 200 15

ͳʹ͵
2011 Ǧ 200 20

ǣ
2011 ǲ ̵ Ǧ 200 30
Ǥǳ
Ǧ
2011 ̵ 200 30
ǫ
̵
2011 ͳͻͻͲǤ 200 30
2010 ̵̵ ǫ 200 20
ǡ
2009 ǡ Ǥ 200 60
Ǥ
ǣ ̵
2006 Ǧ Ǥ 200 20

ǡ
2004 Ǧ 200 60
Ǥ
Ǥ
ǡ
2004 200 60
Ǥ

53
2000 ǣ 200 20
02 INDIA'S CONTRIBUTION TO THE NON-ALIGNMENT MOVEMENT

2021 ǲǦ 250 20

Ǥǳ
Ǥ
Ǧ ͳǤͲ Ǧ 150 10
2019
̵ Ǧ
2016 Ǥ 150 10
ǮǦǯ ǯ
2015 Ǥ 150 10
Ǥ
̶ ̵ Ǧ
2014 Ǥ̶Ǥ 200 15
ǯǮ ǯ
2012 250 20
ǦǤǫ
ǣ
2011 ǲ ̵ Ǧ 200 30
Ǥǳ
Ǧ
2007 Ǥ 200 20
ǣ
2006 Ǧ 200 20
2005 ǣ Ǧ 200 20
Ǧ
2003 Ǧ 200 60
̵
2002 Ǧ 200 60
Ǧ
2001 ǫ 200 60

ǫ
03 INDIA AND SOUTH ASIA

2022 Ǧ 200 15
̵ǦǤ
2022 ̵Ǧ̵ 200 15
Ǧ ǫ
2022 ̵Ǧ Ǧ̵ 150 10
Ǥ
2022 150 10
ǦǤ

54
2021 ̵ 250 20

ǫǤ
2021 Ǧ 200 15
Ǧ Ǧ
Ǥ
2021 ̵ ̵ 150 10
̵̵ ̵Ǥ
2020 Ǧ 150 10
ǫ
2020 Ǧ
Ǥ 200 15
2020 Ǧ
200 15

2020 150 10
Ǥ
̵ ȋȌ̵ 250 20
2019 ̵ Ǥ

2019 ǫ 200 15
2018 ̵ 150 10
ǡ
̵
2018 Ǧ 150 10
Ǥ
̶ ̵
2018 ȋ ȌǦ 200 15
ǡ Ǥ

2018 Ǥ 200 15

2017 ȋ Ȍǫ 150 10
̶

2017 150 10
ǡ Ǥ̶
Ǥ
̶
ǡ
2017 200 15
Ǥ̶ ǡ

̵ ̵
2017 Ǧǫ 250 20

2016 ǤǤ 150 10
̶̵
2016 Ǥ̶ 150 10
Ǥ
2016 ̵ ̵ 200 15
ǫǤ
̵
2016 Ǥ 200 15
Ȁ
2015 ǤǤ 150 10

55
Ǧ

2015 150 10
Ǥ
Ǥ

Ǥ
2015 200 15
Ǥ
̶ ̵
2014 Ǧ ͳͻ͸ʹ 200 15
Ǥ̶ Ǥ
Ǧ
2012 150 10

ǯ
ǫ
2012 150 10
ǯǦ Ǯ
ǯ
ǯ
2012 150 10
Ǥ
ǲ ǡ ǯ Ǯ ǯ
2012 ǳǤ Ǥ 200 20

ǫ
2012 250 15
Ǧ

Ǧǡ
2011 200 20
ǫ
̵Ǯ ǯ

2011 200 30
̵ Ǧ Ǧ
ǫ
Ǧ
2011 ǡ 200 30

̵
2010 ǫ 200 30

2009 ǡ 200 20

ǡ
2009 200 20
ǫ

Ǧ Ǥǡ
2009 200 60
ǡ

2008 Ǥ̵Ǥ 200 20
2007 ̵ ǫ 200 20

56

2007 Ǥ 200 20
Ǧ
2007 Ǥ 200 60

2007 Ǥ 200 60

2005 ǣ ̵ 200 20

2005 200 60
2004 ǣ 200 20
2004 ǣ Ǥ Ǥ 200 20

ǡ ǡ
2004 200 60
Ȁ Ǥ
Ǥ
2003 ǣ Ǧ ͳͻ͸ʹ 200 20

2003 ǣ ǯ 200 20

2002 ǣ Ǥ 200 20
2002 ǣ Ǥ 200 20
2002 Ǧ 200 60
2001 ǣǣ Ǥ 200 20
Ǧ
2000 Ǥ 200 60

04 INDIA AND THE GLOBAL SOUTH

2022 250 20
ȋ Ȍ
Ǥ
2021 ̵ Ǥ 200 15
2020 Ǧ 250 20

ǫ
150 10
2018 ȋ ǡ
Ȍǫ
̵
2018 Ǥ 250 20
̵ ǫ
̶ ̵
ȋ Ȍ
2018 200 15
Ǥ̶ Ǥ

2018 ȋ Ȍ ̵Ǥ 250 20
̵
Ǧ ǡ

57
2017 Ǧ 250 20

Ǥ
Ǧ

2016 200 15
ǡ ǡ

Ǥ
2015 ǯ 200 15
Ǥ

2009 Ǧ 200 20
Ʈ
2008 200 60
Ǥ̵ǫ
̵ Ǧ

2008 200 60
̵ ̵
ǫ
̵
2006 200 60
2001 ǣ ǣ 200 20
Ǥ
05 INDIA AND THE GLOBAL CENTRES OF POWER

2022 Ǧ 250 20
ǫ
2022 Ǧ 150 10
ȋȌ Ǧ
Ǥ
2021 Ǥ 150 10
2021 Ǧ 200 15
Ǥ
2021 ǲ 250 20
Ȁ Ǥ̵
Ǥ
2020 200 15
Ǧ
ȋȌ ǫ
ǫ

2020 Ǧ 200 15
̵

Ǧ 200 15
2018 Ǥ

2018 Ǧ ǫǤ 200 15

2017 Ǥ Ǥ 200 15

58

̵ Ǥ ǡ
2017 250 20

ǤǤ

ǡ
2017 200 15
ǡ ǫ
̵
2016 250 20
Ǥ
̵
2016 200 15
Ǥ
YEARʹͲͲͲǡ ǦǤǤ
2015 Ǥǫ 250 20
̶Ǧ
2014 Ǥ̶ Ǥ 150 10

2014 Ǧ 150 10
ǫ
2014 Ǧ 250 20
2013 Ǧ 150 10

2012 ǤǤǤ 200 20
Ǥ

2010 Ǥ 200 30
2010 ̵ 200 30
2007 ̵ 200 20

Ȁ Ǧ
2007 200 60
ͳͻͻͲ̵Ǥ
ǫ
2006 ǦǤ 200 60
2005 ǣ Ǧ 200 20

2004 ǣ 200 20
2003 ǣ 200 20

2003 Ǧ 200 60

2002 ǣ Ǥ 200 20
2001 Ǧ 200 60

06 INDIA AND THE UN SYSTEM

2022 Explain the factors which justify India's claim for a permanent seat 200 15

59
at the UN security council.

2021 Discuss the “Sustainable Development Goals' as set by the United 200 15
Nations.
2020 Explain the importance of India's claim for a permanent seat in the 200 15
UN Security Council.
Analyze the recent trends in India's role in the UN peacekeeping 200 15
2019 operations.
Discuss the various impediments in India's way to a permanent 200 15
2018 seat in the Security Council.
"India has been the largest and consistent country contributing to 150 10
2017 the UN peacekeepers worldwide." Examine India's role in this
perspective.
2017 Uniting for Consensus' also known as 'Coffee Club' has opposed the 200 15
claims of India and other countries over permanent membership of
the UN Security Council. Point out their major objections.
2016 Critically analyze China's role in international politics against India's 200 15
demand for permanent seat in UN Security Council.
2015 The United Nations completes 70 YEARs of its establishment in 250 20
2015. What reforms is India asking for to strengthen the global
institutions of governance and why ?
2014 Is India's quest for a permanent seat in the Security Council a 150 10
possibility or just a pipedream? Elaborate with reasons.
2014 Evaluate India's participation in United Nations peacekeeping 200 15
operations over the YEARs.
2013 Bring out the objectives of India seeking permanent seat in 150 10
Security Council.
Ǧ
2010 Ǥ 200 20
̶
2010 Ǥ̶ Ǥ 200 30
̵
2010 200 30
2008 ̵ ǫ 200 20
Ǥ Ǥ Ǧ
2005 200 60
2002 ǣ ̵ 200 20
Ǥ
2001 ǣ Ǥ Ǧ 200 20
̵
2000 ǫ 200 60
Ǥ
07 INDIA AND THE NUCLEAR QUESTION

2022 Discuss the reasons behind India's refusal to sign the nuclear non- 200 15
proliferation treaty (NPT).
2021 Examine the evolution of India's role in the global nuclear order. 200 15
2020 Discuss the efficacy of India's ‘no first use' policy (nuclear weapons) 200 15
in the context of the evolving strategic challenges from its

60
neighbours.
2017 The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) has failed to achieve 200 15
the ultimate objective of Global Nuclear Disarmament. Discuss the
deficiency in the provision of NPT
2016 Critically analyze India's nuclear policy. 150 10
2015 In 1998, India declared itself as a nuclear weapon state. India 200 15
refuses to sign, NPT and CTBT. What would be the implications for
India’s nuclear - policy in case it signs both the treaties ?
2013 Is India's Nuclear doctrine a viable one ? 150 10
2011 “While India opposes NPT as discriminatory, it opposes CTBT on the 200 20
ground of ineffectiveness.” Comment
2008 The growth and possession of WMD has seriously undermined 200 60
international security. Discuss.
2006 Give a arguments in defence of Indias approach to Comprehensive 200 60
Test Ban Treaty (CTBT)
2005 Comment on: India's claim for acceptance as a nuclear power 200 20
Ǧ
ǡ
2004 ǡ 200 60
Ǥ
ǡ
ǡ
2004 200 60
Ǥ Ǥ

2003 200 60
2002 200 60
ǣ ǣ
2001 Ǥ 200 20
2001 200 60
2000 ǣ ȋȌ 200 20
08. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN INDIAN FOREIGN POLICY
YEAR QUESTION WORD MARKS

S
2022 ̵ʹͳ Ǥ 200 15
2022 Ǧ 250 20
̵ ǫ
2022 200 15
̵
Ǧ Ǥ
2021 150 10
̵ ǫ
2021 ǯ 150 10
Ǧͳͻ Ǥ
2020 250 20
̵ Ǥ
ǡ
Ǥ̶Ǥ
2020 200 15

61

2020 200 15
ʹͲͳͶǤ
Ǥ
2020 250 20
Ǧ
ȋȌǤ
2019 ̶ 150 10
ǤǤ
2019 ̵Ǥ 200 15
15
2019 ̵ ǫ 200
2019 ̵Ǥ 200 15
̵
2018 ǫ Ǥ 250 20
Ǧ
2017 ̵ǫ 150 10
Ǧ
2016 Ǥ 250 20

2015 Ǥ 200 15
Ǧ
2015 Ǥ 200 15
̶ ȉ ̵
2014 Ǥ̶ 150 10

2014 ̵ Ǥ 200 15
ǡ
Ǥͳ
2014 200 15
Ƭ Ǥ
ǲ Ǥǳ
2012 150 10
Ǥ

2012 Ǧ Ǥ 200 15
2010 ̵Ǧ Ǥ 200 20

2010 200 30
ǯ
2009 ǡ ǫ 200 20

2009 Ǥ ǡ 200 60

ǫ
2006 ǣ 200 20

2006 ǣ ǣ ̵ 200 20

2004 ǣ 200 20
Ǧ
2000 200 60

62
UPSC IAS (Mains)
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PSIR

Political Science & International

PSIR BASIC KIT

PART B-Indian Government and politics

a. Political Strategies of India's Freedom struggle : constitutionalism to mass Satyagraha, Non-

For More Study Material, Visit: studyiq.com Page no.

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

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

8. Caste, Religion and Ethnicity in Indian Politics.

PART A: Comparative Political Analysis and International Politics:

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7. Changing International Political Order:

8. Evolution of the International Economic System: From Brettonwoods to WTO; Socialist

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

PART B:India and the World:

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

3. India and South Asia:

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Part B –Indian Government and Politics

Part B:India and the World

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For More Study Material, Visit: studyiq.com Page no.

POLITICAL SCIENCE AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

01. Political Theory – Meaning and Approach 7

02. Theories of the State 8

07. Concept of Power 14

08. Political Ideologies 15

09. Indian Political Thought 16

10. Western Political Thought 18

Indian Nationalism: 21,22

02. Making of the Indian Constitution 22

03. Salient Features of the Indian Constitution 23

04. Principal Organs of the Government 25

05. Grassroots Democracy 27

06. Statutory Institutions/Commissions 28

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08. Planning and Economic Development 31

09. Caste, Religion and Ethnicity in Indian Politics 32

11. Social Movements 35

01. POLITICAL THEORY - MEANING AND APPROACHES

YEAR QUESTION WORDS MARKS

2022 Comment on: Systems Approach 150 10

2021 Examine the importance of behavioral approach in political 200 15

2020 Discuss the significance of a normative approach to Political 200 15

2020 Assess the significance of right to property in political theory. 200 15

2019 Comment on: Resurgence of political theory. 150 10

2018 Comment on: Decline of Political Theory. 150 10

2016 Comment on: The Post-Behavioural Approach. 150 10

Comment on: " ... political theory is not an escape mechanism

2012 Difference between normative and empirical theories of 150 10

2011 Examine the significance of the behavioural revolution in 200 30

Comment on: Political Theory is, quite simply, man's attempt

Explain the changing analytical perspectives in the

What is the nature of the crisis in political theory? Suggest

Examine the arguments in the Normative vs. Empirical debate

For More Study Material, Visit: studyiq.com Page no.

Comment on: Relevance of contextualist approach to the study

Post-behaviouralism is not a negation of the behavioural

02. THEORIES OF THE STATE

YEAR QUESTION WORDS MARKS

2022 Examine the liberal theory of State in contemporary politics 250 20

2021 Feminist critique of the State. 150 10

2020 Post-colonial theory of the state 150 10

2019 Comment on: Pluralist theory of the State. 150 10