(Download) UPSC IAS Mains Exam Paper - 2017 : Political Science And International Relations

Political Science And International Relations
Paper - 1

Time Allowed : Three Hours

Maximum Marks : 250

QUESTION PAPER SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS

(Please read each of the following instructions carefully before attempting questions)

There are EIGHT questions divided in two Sections and printed both in HINDI and in ENGLISH.

Candidate has to attempt FIVE questions in all.

Question Nos. 1 and 5 are compulsory and out of the remaining, THREE are to be attempted choosing at least ONE question from each Section.

The number of marks carried by each question/part is indicated against it.

Answers must be written in the medium authorized in the Admission Certificate which must be stated clearly on the cover of this Question-cum-Answer (QCA) Booklet in the space provided. No marks will be given for answers written in a medium other than the authorized one.

Assume suitable data, if considered necessary, and indicate the same clearly.

Unless and otherwise indicated, symbols and notations carry their usual standard meanings.

Attempts of questions shall be counted in sequential order. Unless struck off, attempt of a question shall be counted even if attempted partly. Any page or portion of the page left blank in the Question-cum-Answer Booklet must be clearly struck off.

SECTION-A

Q1. Comment on the following in about 150 words each :

(a) According to Sri Aurobindo, Swaraj is a necessary condition for India to accomplish its destined goal
(b) Neo-liberal perspective of State
(c) Post-modernism
(d) Eco-feminism
(e) Hobbesian notion of Political Obligation

Q2. (a) Rawls' theory of justice is both contractual and distributive. Examine.
(b) Everywhere, inequality is a cause of revolution - Aristotle. Comment.
(c) Define Socialism. Discuss the salient features of Fabian Socialism.

Q3. (a) What do you understand by Multiculturalism ? Discuss Bhikhu Parekh's views on Multiculturalism.
(b) Deliberative democracy does not have its salience without participation and participatory democracy does not have its credence without deliberations. Comment.
(c) Differentiate between Freedom and Liberty. Discuss Marx's notion of freedom.

Q4: (a) Political democracy could not last unless social democracy lay at its base - B.R. Ambedkar. Comment.
(b) Write a brief note on The End of History debate.
(c) What do you understand by the notion of Statecraft ? Discuss the theory of statecraft as given by Kautilya.

SECTION-B

Q5. Comment on the following in about 150 words each:

(a) The success of Mahatma Gandhi lay in transforming both political and non-political movements into a unified nationalist movement.
(b) Right to privacy is an intrinsic part of the right to life.
(c) Indian federation has moved from cooperative federation to competitive federation.
(d) State subvention/funding may be an effective instrument in strengthening electoral democracy in India.
(e) In the post-liberalization era, Indian politics is moving from ascriptive politics to developmental politics.

Q6. (a) Differentiate parliamentary supremacy from parliamentary sovereignty. Would you consider the Indian Parliament as a Sovereign Parliament ? Examine.
(b) Has the 73rd Constitutional Amendment empowered women in panchayats in India ? Discuss.
(c) Religion is still an important factor in Indian politics. Discuss.

Q7. (a) India has moved from ‘one-party dominant system' to 'one-party led coalition'. Discuss.
(b) How is the President of India elected ? Outline the salient characteristics of the electoral college of the Indian President.
(c) Examine the role of the National Commission for Minorities in preserving, promoting and protecting the rights of minorities in India.

Q8. (a) Judiciary has acquired the role of both, a legislature and an executive in recent years. Examine with suitable examples.
(b) What do you understand by Green Revolution ? Do you think that a Second Green Revolution is needed to adequately address the agrarian challenges in contemporary India ? Examine.
(c) Differentiate Moderate Nationalism from Extremist/Militant Nationalism in terms of their objectives and means.

Click Here to Download Full Political Science And International Relations Paper I

Click Here to Download Full Political Science And International Relations Paper II

Printed Study Material for IAS Mains General Studies

Political Science And International Relations
Paper - 2

Time Allowed : Three Hours

Maximum Marks : 250

QUESTION PAPER SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS

(Please read each of the following instructions carefully before attempting questions)

There are EIGHT questions divided in two Sections and printed both in HINDI and in ENGLISH.

Candidate has to attempt FIVE questions in all.

Question Nos. 1 and 5 are compulsory and out of the remaining, THREE are to be attempted choosing at least ONE question from each Section.

The number of marks carried by each question/part is indicated against it.

Answers must be written in the medium authorized in the Admission Certificate which must be stated clearly on the cover of this Question-cum-Answer (QCA) Booklet in the space provided. No marks will be given for answers written in a medium other than the authorized one.

Assume suitable data, if considered necessary, and indicate the same clearly.

Unless and otherwise indicated, symbols and notations carry their usual standard meanings.

Attempts of questions shall be counted in sequential order. Unless struck off, attempt of a question shall be counted even if attempted partly. Any page or portion of the page left blank in the Question-cum-Answer Booklet must be clearly struck off.

SECTION-A

Q1. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each :

(a) Explain the Political-Sociological Approach in the field of comparative politics and discuss its limitations.
(b) Critically examine the Globalisation in the past 25 years from the perspectives of the Western world.
(c) Examine the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) movement in developed societies and how it is affecting the political participation in developing societies.
(d) American President Donald Trump's proposal to withdraw from the 'NAFTA' would bring unforeseen consequences to the regionalisation of world politics. Elaborate.
(e) Give an assessment of the Feminist critique of contemporary global issues.

Q2. (a) Is Realist Approach the best method to understand International Relations? Examine this in the context of Classical Realism.
(b) How has the development of Global Capitalism changed the nature of socialist economies and developing societies?
(c) Discuss the changing nature of modern state with reference to transnational actors.

Q3. (a) "The development of advanced missile technology and nuclear threat by North Korea has challenged the American hegemony in South-East Asia." Evaluate the above statement in the context of recent developments in the region.
(b) Do you endorse the view that the end of Bipolarity and the rise of multiple regional organisations has made Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) more or less irrelevant?
(c) Do you agree with the view that despite the limitations in the functioning of the UN, it has distinguished and unique achievements to its credit?

Q4. (a) The recent move of USA to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement is a setback in the consensus achieved on protecting the world environment. In this context, assess the future prospectives on climate control.
(b) How has 'BREXIT' affected the regionalisation process initiated by European Union and what could be its likely impacts in the regionalisation process of world politics?
(c) Examine the World Systems Approach as developed by Immanuel Wallerstein.

SECTION-B

Q5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each :

(a) Examine the Indian National Movement and geographical location of India as determinants of India's foreign policy.
(b) What are the impediments in the development of South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA)?
(c) "The Treaty of Perpetual Peace and Friendship between India and Bhutan needs to be revised with more pragmatic, realistic obligations and responsibilities.” Comment.
(d) “India has been the largest and consistent country contributing to the UN peacekeepers worldwide." Examine India's role in this perspective.
(e) Has the recent Indo-Israeli relationships given a new dynamics to India's stand on Palestinian statehood?

Q6. (a) Suggest measures so that India's partnership with Africa becomes a true symbol of South-South Cooperation, delivering clear-cut economic and political dividends to both sides of the equation.
(b) "Despite the differences between India and Pakistan on various issues, Indus Water Treaty has stood the test of times." In the light of this statement, discuss the recent developments over this issue.
(c) Analyse the stalled progress of Doha Round of WTO negotiations over the differences between the developed and the developing countries.

Q7. (a) How is the 'Belt and Road Initiative' of China going to affect India-China relations?
(b) The recent differences between India and Russia are the result of misconceptions than facts. Elucidate.
(c) 'Uniting for Consensus' also known as 'Coffee Club' has opposed the claims of India and other countries over permanent membership of the UN Security Council. Point out their major objections.

Q8. (a) The natural behaviour of India and the United States is likely to serve each other's interests. Hence, a deliberate strategy of dovetailing their efforts will obviously benefit both. Elaborate.
(b) Do you subscribe to the idea that in the new evolving Asian dynamics, Japan and India have not only moved closer in economic cooperation, but also in strategic partnership?
(c) The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) has failed to achieve the ultimate objective of Global Nuclear Disarmament. Discuss the deficiency in the provision of NPT.

Click Here to Download Full Political Science And International Relations Paper I

Click Here to Download Full Political Science And International Relations Paper II

Printed Study Material for IAS Mains General Studies

<< Go Back to Main Page