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