Political Science UPSC PYQ 2018

Q3 (Paper 2). (a) Discuss relevance of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on security of women in conflict zones. (20 marks) (b) Would you agree that ongoing debates on international environmental politics continue to be marred by a new North-South ideological divide over historical responsibility and developmental model? Illustrate with examples. (15 marks) (c) "Since its inception SAARC has failed to deliver on its promises." What initiatives should be taken to reinvigorate the organization? (15 marks)

Q4 (Paper 2). (a) Critically examine the notion of "Asian Values" in context of ongoing debates on human rights. (20 marks) (b) Discuss implications of the Trump-Kim Singapore Summit on prospects of denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. (15 marks) (c) Critically examine the Functionalist approach to the study of International Relations. (15 marks)

Q5 (Paper 1). Comment on the following in about 150 words each (10x5=50 marks): (a) "Revolt of 1857 is a 'Sepoy Mutiny' or 'First War of Independence'." (10 marks) (b) "Indian Constitution is a 'Lawyers' Paradise'." - Ivor Jennings (10 marks) (c) "New Panchayat Raj is an effective instrument for women empowerment." (10 marks) (d) "Implementation of GST and NEET is a major challenge to Indian federalism." (10 marks) (e) "Political personalities are more significant than political parties in India." (10 marks)

Q2 (Paper 2). (a) Discuss significance of Non-Aligned Movement as a unique contribution of the Non-Western world to World Politics. (20 marks) (b) Discuss consequences of Trump's "America First" and Xi's "Chinese Dream" on World Politics. (15 marks) (c) "Some feel Multinational Corporations are a vital new road to economic growth, whereas others feel they perpetuate underdevelopment." Discuss. (15 marks)

Q1 (Paper 1). Comment on the following in about 150 words each (10x5=50 marks): (a) "John Stuart Mill is a 'reluctant democrat'" - C. L. Wayper (10 marks) (b) Decline of Political Theory (10 marks) (c) Distributive Justice (10 marks) (d) Substantive Democracy (10 marks) (e) "Nothing against the State, nothing over it, nothing beyond it." - Mussolini (10 marks)

Q3 (Paper 1). (a) What do you understand by three generations of Human Rights? (20 marks) (b) Critically examine Macpherson's views on Democracy (15 marks) (c) Explain the relationship between power, authority and legitimacy (15 marks)

Q7 (Paper 2). (a) Discuss role of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in promoting India's soft power abroad. (20 marks) (b) Discuss role of Indian diaspora in promoting Indo-US relations. (15 marks) (c) Discuss various impediments in India's way to a permanent seat in the Security Council. (15 marks)

Q6 (Paper 1). (a) Whether judicial activism has undermined or strengthened Parliamentary Democracy in India? Discuss. (20 marks) (b) Do the Lieutenant Governors have more powers than the Governors of the States? Explain. (15 marks) (c) Critically examine the ethnic conflicts in North-East India. (15 marks)

Q5 (Paper 2). Answer in approximately 150 words each (10x5=50 marks): (a) Do you agree that Indian Foreign Policy is increasingly shaped by the Neoliberal outlook? Elaborate. (10 marks) (b) "India is often said to have a rich strategic culture." Discuss. (10 marks) (c) Evaluate India's stand on the recent Rohingya refugee issue. (10 marks) (d) "India's current foreign policy marks significant qualitative shifts from that of previous regimes." Discuss. (10 marks) (e) Analyse significance of India's Look East Policy in light of concerns of indigenous peoples of North-east India. (10 marks)

Q2 (Paper 1). (a) Critically examine the neo-liberal theory of State (20 marks) (b) Analyse John Rawls' justification of discrimination to achieve the goals of Justice (15 marks) (c) Equality means fair treatment rather than equal treatment. Comment (15 marks)

Q8 (Paper 1). (a) Examine the various causes of the agrarian crisis in India. (20 marks) (b) Explain the increasing role of regional political parties in national politics. (15 marks) (c) Critically analyse the environmentalist movement in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu. (15 marks)

Q7 (Paper 1). (a) Examine the provisions of Panchayat Extension Services Act (PESA), 1996. (20 marks) (b) Analyse the arguments in favour and against the lateral entry into higher civil services in India. (15 marks) (c) Discuss asymmetrical federalism in India. (15 marks)

Q4 (Paper 1). (a) John Locke is the father of liberalism. Explain (20 marks) (b) Discuss Ambedkar's ideas on 'annihilation of caste' (15 marks) (c) Critically examine Machiavelli's views on religion and politics (15 marks)

Q6 (Paper 2). (a) India's coalitional diplomacy within the WTO has earned it wide appreciation. What accounts for the success of India's coalitional diplomacy? (20 marks) (b) "India's capacity building programmes under Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) has earned much goodwill for it in Africa." Discuss. (15 marks) (c) "India's Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) is a major initiative in South-South Cooperation." Discuss. (15 marks)

Q1 (Paper 2). Answer in approximately 150 words each (10x5=50 marks): (a) Describe the changing nature of Comparative Politics. Briefly explain the Political Economy approach to the study of Comparative Politics. (10 marks) (b) Describe the changing nature of the State in developing societies in the context of inclusive growth in the 21st century. (10 marks) (c) How big a role does identity play in determining political participation in developing countries? Discuss with suitable illustrations. (10 marks) (d) Bring out major differences between Classical Realism of Hans Morgenthau and Neorealism of Kenneth Waltz. (10 marks) (e) What, according to Joseph Nye, are major sources of a country's soft power? Discuss its relevance in contemporary world politics. (10 marks)

Q8 (Paper 2). (a) Do you think India's capacity-building role in Afghanistan has shrunk the strategic space for Pakistan there? Discuss. (20 marks) (b) Critically assess evolving convergence of India and China in areas of trade and environment. (15 marks) (c) Do you agree that growing assertiveness of China is leading to multilayered Indo-Japan relations? Comment. (15 marks)