Paper I
SECTION ‘A’
1. Write approximately 150 words on each of the following. (10×5=50)
(a) Behavioural approach to Political Science. [10 Marks]
(b) Pluralist theory of the State. [10 Marks]
(c) Locke’s views on Revolution. [10 Marks]
(d) Decline of Liberalism. [10 Marks]
(e) Linkage between Power and Hegemony. [10 Marks]
2.
(a) Elucidate the meanings inherent in the term ‘political’ with appropriate illustrations. [20 Marks]
(b) “Marxism is a political theory of action demanding strict compliance with its core principles.” Comment. [15 Marks]
(c) “The nature of the relationship between equality of democratic citizenship and liberty of citizens is influenced by economic equality.” Comment. [15 Marks]
3.
(a) “The debate on human rights is caught between the limitations of both universalism and cultural relativism.” Comment. [20 Marks]
(b) Deliberative democracy seeks to promote democratic decision-making about public issues among citizens. Discuss. [15 Marks]
(c) Dharmashastra presents a duty-centric worldview for individuals and communities. Comment. [15 Marks]
4.
(a) Legitimacy adds positive value to political authority and obligation. Discuss. [20 Marks]
(b) Critically examine Plato’s Theory of Forms. [15 Marks]
(c) Manabendra Nath Roy’s political thought highlighted the humanistic aspects of Marxism. Discuss. [15 Marks]
SECTION ‘B’
5. Write approximately 150 words on each of the following. (10×5=50)
(a) Constitutional morality in the Indian Constitution. [10 Marks]
(b) Objective Resolution of the Constituent Assembly. [10 Marks]
(c) Legal remedies in Part III of the Constitution of India. [10 Marks]
(d) Relevance of the Legislative Council. [10 Marks]
(e) Women’s role in the anti-arrack movement. [10 Marks]
6.
(a) How far do you agree that the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) are more fundamental than the Fundamental Rights (FR) in meeting socio-economic justice as mentioned in the Preamble of the Constitution? [20 Marks]
(b) Explain the structure and functions of the National Commission for Women (NCW). [15 Marks]
(c) The legacy of the Planning Commission still has a bearing on India’s development policies. Discuss. [15 Marks]
7.
(a) Discuss the contribution of the Dalit struggle to establishing egalitarianism in Indian society during the freedom movement. [20 Marks]
(b) The blueprint of Gram Swaraj is the key to understanding the Gandhian perspective on planning. Discuss. [15 Marks]
(c) Critically assess the role of pressure groups in the decision-making process of the government. [15 Marks]
8.
(a) Discuss the role of environmental movements in shaping environmental governance in India. [20 Marks]
(b) “Relative deprivation is a major source of ethnic conflict.” Elaborate with relevant examples. [15 Marks]
(c) Gram Sabha in the Panchayati Raj system is a forum that expresses the collective wisdom, aspirations and will of the people. Comment. [15 Marks]
Paper II
SECTION ‘A’
Q1. Answer the following in about 150 words each. (10×5=50)
(a) Discuss the interpretive approach to the study of comparative politics. [10 Marks]
(b) Explain the central tenets of World-Systems Theory. [10 Marks]
(c) “The expansionist tendencies of the current Russian regime indicate intentions to realise a Greater Russia on the lines of the Soviet era.” Comment. [10 Marks]
(d) Explain the facets of the idealist approach to the study of International Relations (IR). Comment on its contemporary relevance. [10 Marks]
(e) “The changing global order and ongoing regional conflicts, with global powers taking sides, have jeopardised progress made towards disarmament.” Comment. [10 Marks]
Q2.
(a) “Deglobalisation is displacing globalisation.” Comment. [20 Marks]
(b) What are the distinctive features of the post-modern state in advanced capitalist economies? Analyse. [15 Marks]
(c) What were the limitations of NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement)? How did its replacement by the USMCA (United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement) address them? Explain. [15 Marks]
Q3.
(a) Discuss major recent social movements related to the bodily/physical rights of women in various countries. [20 Marks]
(b) Critically examine the role of political parties in sustaining and stabilising democracies in developing societies. [15 Marks]
(c) Do you agree that the USA uses NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) as a traditional strategic tool to perpetuate its hegemony? [15 Marks]
Q4.
(a) “The Gramscian theory of hegemony provides valuable insights into the nature of global power.” Comment. [20 Marks]
(b) The return of trade barriers and economic sanctions has diminished the spirit of GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade). In this context, discuss factors contributing to the decline of the WTO (World Trade Organization) in recent times. [15 Marks]
(c) Do you agree that the EU (European Union) has thus far been the most successful experiment in regional integration? Account for its successes and some recent challenges. [15 Marks]
SECTION ‘B’
Q5. Answer the following in about 150 words each. (10×5=50)
(a) “India must strive to become a semi-permanent member of the UNSC (United Nations Security Council), rather than a permanent member without the right to veto.” Comment. [10 Marks]
(b) Bhutan has historically been India’s ally, but China–Bhutan border issues have become a security concern for India. Discuss. [10 Marks]
(c) “Nothing is going to move within WTO negotiations unless India is on board.” Discuss the main reasons behind India’s increased clout in the WTO. [10 Marks]
(d) Discuss the rationale behind replacing the “Asia-Pacific” strategy with the term “Indo-Pacific” strategy. [10 Marks]
(e) Despite deep ties, India–Sri Lanka relations have seen strains due to China’s growing influence in Sri Lanka through investments and economic dominance. Analyse. [10 Marks]
Q6.
(a) Would you concur that, of late, India’s foreign policy has been transitioning from Nehruvianism to Neoliberalism? Support your answer with suitable examples. [20 Marks]
(b) Does the idea of the 21st century as an “Asian century” remain feasible given the growing friction between India and China? [15 Marks]
(c) Discuss the potential role India could play as leader of the Global South in realising a new international economic order in the 21st century. [15 Marks]
Q7.
(a) Discuss the future of SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) in light of India’s increased focus on other regional groupings like ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation). [20 Marks]
(b) Critically examine India’s persistent refusal to sign the NPT (Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons) despite being recognised as a de facto nuclear power. [15 Marks]
(c) “India and the USA have become such strong strategic partners that they need not become formal allies.” Comment. [15 Marks]
Q8.
(a) Critically examine continuity and change in India’s Palestine policy in the wake of the ongoing Israel–Hamas war. [20 Marks]
(b) Discuss the implications of India scrapping the Free Movement Regime (FMR) with Myanmar for the north-eastern region’s complex ethno-political dynamics. [15 Marks]
(c) “India has, of late, chosen to debunk non-alignment in its pursuit of multi-alignment.” Comment. [15 Marks]