UPSC Civil Services · Mains · PSIR Optional
UPSC PSIR Optional 2015 — 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.
56 questionsPaper I & Paper II
PaperI
1
Comment on the following in about 150 words each: 50 marks
aIdea of Natural Rights10 marks
bAristotle’s Conception of Equality10 marks
c‘Difference Principle’ in Rawls theory of Justice10 marks
dDifference between participatory and Deliberative Democracy10 marks
eGandhi’s view on state10 marks
2
aExamine the challenges to sovereignty of the state in the contemporary world.20 marks
bDiscuss the key features of pre-Marxist socialist theory.15 marks
cCompare and contrast the views of Kautilya and Machiavelli on statecraft.15 marks
3
a“Plato was an enemy of the open society”. (popper) Comment.20 marks
bDiscuss the relationship between base and superstructure in Marxist theory.15 marks
cDistinguish between power and Authority.15 marks
4
aDiscuss the ‘crisis of legitimacy’ in capitalist societies. (Habermas)20 marks
bDiscuss Gramsci’s notion of ‘organic intellectuals’15 marks
cDiscuss David Easton’s model of system analysis.15 marksAnswer →
5
Comment on the following in about 150 words each: 50 marks
aSecularism in the Indian Constitution.10 marks
bSatyagraha as a Strategy in the Indian National Movement.10 marks
c99th amendment of the Indian constitution.10 marks
dStructure and function of Niti Aayog.10 marks
eCooperative federalism in India.10 marks
6
aDiscuss the efficacy of judicial review in India.20 marks
bCritically Analyze the discretionary powers granted to the governor by the Indian constitution.15 marks
c“Identity politics has trumped development politics in India”. Comment15 marks
7
aIn the light of neo- economic policies adopted since 1991, examine the relevance of the term ‘socialist’ in the preamble of the Indian constitution.20 marks
bIdentify the contested areas in Centre-State relations in India.15 marks
cDiscuss the ‘Right to Education’ and the concerns raised by it.15 marks
8
aExamine the role of Panchayati Raj Institutions and urban Local Bodies in the deepening of Democracy in India.20 marks
bCompare the Nehruvian and Gandhian models of development.15 marks
cAccount for the rise of regional political parties and assess their role in contemporary India.15 marks
PaperII
1
Answer the following in 150 words each: (50 marks)
aWhich are the major approaches of comparative politics? Explain in brief, the political economy approach to the study of comparative inquiry.10 marks
cIdentify the major differences between the classical realism of Hans J. Morgenthau and the neorealism of Kenneth Waltz. Which approach is best suited for analysing international relations after the cold war?10 marks
dIs globalization essentially a process of ‘universalisation’ of capitalist modernity?10 marks
eWhat is the difference between Interest Groups and Pressure Groups? Are the pressure groups in India in a position to fully protect or promote the interests of their members?10 marks
2
a‘The struggle for democracy has been marked by bitter strife and tribulations.’ Examine the statement, illustrating the cases of Pakistan, Nepal and Myanmar.20 marks
bDiscuss the theory of Nuclear Deterrence. Did Nuclear Deterrence prevent a superpower war?15 marks
cWhat are the real objectives of Millennium Development Goals (MDG)? Do you think that millennium development goals have been able to achieve the desired goals of poverty alleviation and sustainable development?15 marks
3
aDo you endorse that the conventional discourse on human rights has failed to include women’s rights? Explain in the context of feminist theories.20 marksAnswer →bHow far are the world governance mechanisms, dominated by IMF and World Bank, legitimate and relevant? What measures do you suggest to improve their effectiveness in global governance?15 marksAnswer →
cDiscuss the collapse of the Soviet Union and its impact on international politics.15 marks
4
aHas the reform of the economic and social arrangements of the United Nations been effective?20 marks
b‘The European Union has become, the most politically influential, economically powerful and demographically diverse regional entity in the world.’ Discuss.15 marks
cHow is it that economic and neo-liberal globalization is being interrogated from inside even in developed countries? What are the economic consequences of such globalization?15 marks
5
Answer the following question in 150 words. (50 marks)
aThe social structure of a country influences its foreign policy-making. How does the social structure of India impact the course and direction of its foreign policy?10 marks
cIdentify the constraints/challenges to the regional cooperation in South Asia.10 marks
dEthnic conflicts and insurgencies in North-East India can be better managed by improving relations with the neighbouring countries. Substantiate the statement with suitable examples.10 marks
eHow does the Parliament determine and influence the making of India’s foreign policy?10 marks
6
aBefore the year 2000, the Indo-U.S. relationship has been marked more with estrangement than cordiality. Why?20 marks
b‘Economic interest has emerged as the main component of India’s foreign policy.’ Discuss the statement in the light of India’s initiatives to improve relations with China, Japan and the Central Asian republics.15 marks
cIn 1998, India declared itself as a nuclear weapon state. India refuses to sign, NPT and CTBT. What would be the implications for India’s nuclear policy in case it signs both the treaties?15 marks
7
aVision of a new world order has emerged as the major objective of India’s foreign policy. Discuss the policy initiative taken by India in this regard and the challenges faced by it.20 marks
bDiscuss the factors for the decline of India’s presence in Latin America.15 marks
cRiver water disputes are emerging as a major source of irritation between India and its neighbours. Identify the sources of conflicts and suggest the remedial measures.15 marks
8
aThe United Nations completes 70 years of its establishment in 2015. What reforms is India asking for to strengthen the global institutions of governance and why?20 marks
bDiscuss the realistic foreign policy initiatives taken by India to balance its relations between Israel and the Arab world.15 marks
cDiscuss the humanitarian role played by India in the crisis-stricken Gulf countries like Yemen and Iraq.15 marks
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