2024 - Previous Year Questions

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Paper I Section-A

1. Comment on the following in about 150 words each: (10 x 5 = 50 marks)

  • Behavioural approach to Political Science. (10 marks)
  • Pluralist theory of State. (10 marks)
  • Locke’s views on Revolution. (10 marks)
  • Decline of Liberalism. (10 marks)
  • Linkage between Power and Hegemony. (10 marks)

2.(a) Elucidate the meanings inherent in the term ‘political’ with appropriate illustrations. (20 Marks)

2.(b) Marxism is a political theory of action demanding strict compliance with its core principles. Comment. (15 Marks)

2.(c) The nature of relationship between equality of democratic citizenship and liberty of citizens is influenced by economic equality. Comment. (15 Marks)

3.(a) The debate on human rights is caught between the limitations of both universalism and cultural relativism. Comment. (20 Marks)

3.(b) Deliberative democracy seeks to promote democratic decision making about public issues among the citizens. Discuss. (15 Marks)

3.(c) Dharmashastra presents a duty-centric worldview for individuals and communities. Comment. (15 Marks)

4.(a) Legitimacy adds positive value to political authority and obligation. Discuss. (20 Marks)

4.(b) Critically examine Plato’s theory of Forms. (15 Marks)

4.(c) Manabendra Nath Roy’s political thought highlighted the humanistic aspects of Marxism. Discuss. (15 Marks)

Paper I Section-B

5. Answer the following in about 150 words each: (10 x 5 = 50 marks)

  • Constitutional morality in the Indian Constitution. (10 marks)
  • Objective Resolution of the Constituent Assembly. (10 marks)
  • Legal remedies in Part III of the Constitution of India. (10 marks)
  • Relevance of the Legislative Council. (10 marks)
  • Women’s role in anti-arrack movement. (10 marks)

6.(a) How far do you agree that the Directive Principles of State Policy are more fundamental than the Fundamental Rights in meeting socio-economic justice as mentioned in the Preamble of the Constitution? (20 Marks)

6.(b) Explain the structure and functions of the National Commission for Women. (15 Marks)

6.(c) The legacy of the Planning Commission still has a bearing on India’s development policies. Discuss. (15 Marks)

7.(a) Discuss the contribution of the Dalit struggle to establish egalitarianism in Indian society during freedom movement. (20 Marks)

7.(b) The blueprint of Gram Swaraj is the key to understand the Gandhian perspective on planning. Discuss. (15 Marks)

7.(c) Critically assess the role of pressure groups in the decision-making process of the government. (15 Marks)

8.(a) Discuss the role of environmental movements in shaping environmental governance in India. (20 Marks)

8.(b) “Relative deprivation is a major source of ethnic conflict.” Elaborate the statement with relevant examples. (15 Marks)

8.(c) Gram Sabha in the Panchayati Raj system is a forum which gives expression to the collective wisdom, aspirations, and will of the people. Comment. (15 Marks)

Paper II Section-A

1. Answer the following in about 150 words each: (10 x 5 = 50 marks)

  • Discuss the interpretive approach to the study of comparative politics. (10 marks)
  • Explain the central tenets of the World-Systems Theory. (10 marks)
  • The expansionist tendencies of the current Russian regime indicate its intentions for the realisation of a Greater Russia on the lines of the Soviet era. Comment. (10 marks)
  • Explain the various facets of the idealist approach to the study of international relations. Comment on its contemporary relevance. (10 marks)
  • The changing global order and ongoing regional conflicts, with the global powers taking sides, have jeopardised the progress made towards disarmament in the past. Comment. (10 marks)

2.(a) “Deglobalisation is displacing globalisation.” Comment. (20 Marks)

2.(b) What are the distinctive features of the post-modern state in the advanced capitalist economies? Analyse. (15 Marks)

2.(c) What were the limitations of NAFTA? How did its replacement by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement counter them? Explain. (15 Marks)

3.(b) Critically examine the role of political parties in sustaining and stabilising democracies in developing societies. (15 Marks)

3.(c) Do you agree with the view that the USA uses NATO as a traditional tool of strategy to perpetuate its hegemony in the world? (15 Marks)

4.(a) “The Gramscian theory of hegemony provides many valuable insights into the nature of global power.” Comment. (20 Marks)

4.(b) The return of trade barriers and economic sanctions has diminished the spirit of GATT. In this context, discuss the factors contributing to the decline of WTO in recent times. (15 Marks)

4.(c) Do you agree with the view that the EU has thus far proved to be the most successful experiment in regional integration processes? Account for its successes and also some of its recent challenges. (15 Marks)

Paper II Section-B

5. Answer the following in about 150 words each: (10 x 5 = 50 marks)

  • “India must strive to become a semi-permanent member of the UNSC, rather than a permanent member without the right to veto.” Comment. (10 marks)
  • Bhutan has historically been an ally of India, but China-Bhutan border-related issues have become a security issue for India. Discuss. (10 marks)
  • “Nothing is going to move within WTO negotiations unless India is on board.” Discuss the main reasons behind India’s increased clout in WTO. (10 marks)
  • Discuss the rationale behind replacing the “Asia-Pacific” strategy with the new term “Indo-Pacific” strategy. (10 marks)
  • Despite deep ties, India’s relations with Sri Lanka have seen strains due to China’s growing influence in Sri Lanka through investments and economic dominance. Analyse. (10 marks)

6.(a) Would you concur with the view that, of late, India’s foreign policy has been in a transition mode from Nehruvianism to Neoliberalism? Support your answer with suitable examples. (20 Marks)

6.(b) Does the idea of the 21st century as ‘Asian century’ continue to remain feasible given growing friction between India and China? (15 Marks)

6.(c) Discuss India’s potential role as a leader of Global South in realising a new international economic order in this century. (15 Marks)

7.(a) Discuss SAARC’s future in light of India’s increased focus on other regional groupings like ASEAN and BIMSTEC. (20 Marks)

7.(b) Critically examine India’s persistent refusal to sign NPT despite being recognized as a de facto nuclear power. (15 Marks)

7.(c) “India and USA have become such strong strategic partners that they need not become formal allies.” Comment. (15 Marks)

8.(a) Critically examine continuity and change in India’s Palestine policy amid ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. (20 Marks)

8.(b) Discuss implications of scrapping Free Movement Regime with Myanmar on north-eastern region’s complex ethno-political dynamics. (15 Marks)

8.(c) “India has recently chosen to debunk non-alignment in pursuit of multi-alignment.” Comment. (15 Marks)

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