UPSC PSIR Optional 2019 — Question Paper
The complete paper as UPSC set it, Paper I and Paper II. Tap a question to open its own page — the flow snapshot showing how the answer moves, and the handwritten answer.
Comment on the following in 150 words: (50 marks)
aResurgence of political theory.10 marksAnswer →bPluralist theory of the State.10 marksAnswer →cEnd of Ideology debate10 marksAnswer →dDeliberative democracy.10 marksAnswer →eK. Gandhi’s concept of Swaraj.10 marksAnswer →
aExplain Aristotle’s critique of Plato’s Idealism.20 marksAnswer →bExamine communitarian perspectives on justice.15 marksAnswer →cCompare negative and positive concepts of liberty.15 marksAnswer →
aAccording to Gramsci, ‘hegemony is primarily based on the organisation of consent.’ Comment.20 marksAnswer →bKautilya’s views on the elements of the State.15 marksAnswer →cDistinguish between liberal feminism and radical feminism.15 marksAnswer →
aCritically examine Hannah Arendt’s conceptual triad of labour, work and action.20 marksAnswer →bDiscuss the doctrine of ‘rights as trumps’.15 marksAnswer →cWhat is the contemporary relevance of Marxism?15 marksAnswer →
Answer the following in 150 words: (50 marks)
aUnity and integrity of India was perhaps the single uppermost factor in the minds of the Constitution makers. Comment.10 marksAnswer →bDalit perspective on Indian national movement. Discuss.10 marksAnswer →cDespite constitutional mandate the Inter-State Council has not come of age. Discuss.10 marksAnswer →dPolitical decentralization has not been matched by administrative decentralization at the grass roots level. Explain10 marksAnswer →eWrite short note on the significance of Chipko Movement.10 marksAnswer →
aDevelopment has overshadowed the influence of caste in electoral behaviour in recent elections. Discuss.20 marksAnswer →bThe Comptroller and Auditor-General of India enhances the accountability of the Government and serves as the watchdog of the finances of the Government. Explain.15 marksAnswer →cDiscuss, in brief, the role of the National Commission for women. Do you think it is a toothless organization?15 marksAnswer →
bPrime Minister’s Office (PMO) has emerged as the most powerful institution in India. Discuss.15 marksAnswer →cComment on the relevance of the Directive Principles of State Policy in an era of liberalization and globalization.15 marksAnswer →
Answer the following in about 150 words: (50 marks)
cIn what way does the predominance of the USA in the UN funding affect its decision-making?10 marksAnswer →dEvaluate the role of BIMSTEC in multi-sectoral technical and economic cooperation.?10 marksAnswer →
aExamine the significance of the comparative method in political analysis. Discuss its limitations.20 marksAnswer →bExplain the reasons for low voter turnout in democratic countries with suitable examples.15 marksAnswer →cEvaluate the role of the International Court of Justice in inter-State disputes.15 marksAnswer →
aExplain the relevance of the Marxist approach in the context of globalization.20 marksAnswer →
cDiscuss the importance of personal data protection in the context of human rights.15 marksAnswer →
aHow are the rising powers challenging the USA and Western dominance in the IMF and the World Bank?20 marksAnswer →bWrite an essay on ‘New Social Movements’ in developing countries.15 marksAnswer →cIs democracy promotion in developing countries a feasible idea?15 marksAnswer →
Answer the following in about 150 words: (50 marks)
aExamine the role of ‘parliamentary diplomacy’ in India’s foreign policy.10 marksAnswer →bCompare and contrast Non-alignment 1.0 with Non-alignment 2.0.10 marksAnswer →
dHow is India responding to the idea of Indo-Pacific?10 marksAnswer →
cAnalyze the recent trends in India’s role in the UN peacekeeping operations.15 marksAnswer →
aExamine the increasing significance of maritime security in India’s foreign policy.20 marksAnswer →bWrite a brief note on India’s interests in West Asia.15 marksAnswer →
aEvaluate India’s vision of a new world order.20 marksAnswer →