UPSC PSIR Optional 2021 — 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 about 150 words: (50 marks)
aFeminist critique of the State10 marksAnswer →bAffirmative action10 marksAnswer →cEquality of outcome as a political idea10 marksAnswer →dTools of legitimation of the State10 marksAnswer →eS. Mill’s ideas on women suffrage10 marksAnswer →
aHow has Rawls enriched the idea of justice in liberalism?20 marksAnswer →bExamine the importance of behavioural approach in political theory. What led to its decline?15 marksAnswer →cCan there be universal conception of human rights? Give your arguments.15 marksAnswer →
aExplain the Aristotelian view of politics. To what extent do you think it has contributed to the development of modern-day constitutional democracies?20 marksAnswer →b“When a nation becomes devoid of arts and learning, it invites poverty.” (Sir Syed Ahmad Khan). In the light of this statement, assess the role of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan as a reformer in modern India.15 marksAnswer →c“Political ideology is primarily concerned with the allocation and utilization of power.” Comment.15 marksAnswer →
aDo you think that the Buddhist traditions have lent greater ethical foundation to the ancient Indian political thought? Give your arguments.20 marksAnswer →bMarx’s concept of ‘alienation’ is an essential part of the reality in capitalism. Explain.15 marksAnswer →c“Free and fair deliberation is key to the foundation of democracy.” Explain.15 marksAnswer →
Answer the following in about 150 words: (50 marks)
a“The Constitution of India is a product of a historical process, rich with constitutional antecedents.” Comment.10 marksAnswer →b“The Constitution makers faced the great task of forging a common national identity in the face of unparalleled social and cultural diversity in India.” Comment.10 marksAnswer →cMention the founding principles that define India’s Constitution.10 marksAnswer →dAnalyze the Marxist perspective of the nature of Indian National Movement.10 marksAnswer →eUnderline the significance of the first constitutional amendment.10 marksAnswer →
bThe role of the President of India becomes more significant during a minority government and a coalition government. Explain.15 marksAnswer →cDo you think that despite having significant limitations the Panchayati Raj Institutions have strengthened the process of democratic decentralization? Give your views.15 marksAnswer →
a“The success of electoral democracy can partly be attributed to the status and role of the Election Commission of India.” Explain.20 marksAnswer →bExamine the evolution of the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of India as a constitutional court.15 marksAnswer →cExplain how caste as a social category is also becoming a political category in the democratic politics of India.15 marksAnswer →
Answer the following in about 150 words: (50 marks)
aDiscuss the political economy approach to the comparative analysis of politics.10 marksAnswer →b“Political parties and pressure groups are sine qua non of democracy.” Comment.10 marksAnswer →c“Marxist approach to the study of international relations has lost its relevance in the post-cold war era.” Comment.10 marksAnswer →dWhat measures have been undertaken by the United Nations for its reforms?10 marksAnswer →
aExplain the impact of electoral systems and cleavages in shaping party systems with reference to developing countries.20 marksAnswer →bWhat is globalisation? Why is there an intense debate about globalisation and its consequences?15 marksAnswer →cCritically examine the decline of the United States of America as a hegemon and its implications for the changing international political order.15 marksAnswer →
cExplain India’s relations with the European Union in the context of Brexit.15 marksAnswer →
Answer the following in about 150 words: (50 marks)
dWrite about the growing significance of QUAD.10 marksAnswer →eHow does the recent takeover of Afghanistan by Taliban impact India’s strategic interests?10 marksAnswer →
a“Non-alignment was little more than a rational strategy on the part of a materially weak India to maximise its interests with a bipolar distribution of global power.” Comment.20 marksAnswer →bExamine the Geo-strategic points of contention in the bilateral relationship between India and China.15 marksAnswer →cWrite a brief analysis of the ethnic conflicts and cross-border migrations along India-Myanmar and India-Bangladesh borders.15 marksAnswer →
cExamine the evolution of India’s role in the global nuclear order.15 marksAnswer →
a‘Relations between India and Russia are rooted in history, mutual trust and mutually beneficial cooperation.’ Discuss.20 marksAnswer →bDiscuss the ‘Sustainable Development Goals’ as set by the United Nations.15 marksAnswer →