Political Science and International Relations - UPSC MAINS 2022 - Paper I

Section ‘A’

1. Comment on the following in about 150 words each : 10x5=50

• (a). Systems Approach.
• (b). Cultural Relativism.
• (c). Revolution in Permanence.
• (d). Bases of Power.
• (e). Locke’s Social Contract.

• (a). Factors like community, culture and nation weaken the hegemony of neo-liberalism today. Discuss. 20
• (b). “Equality of estates caused equality of power, and equality of power is liberty”. Comment. 15
• (c). Elitist theory of democracy denies the possibility of democracy as ‘rule of the people’, Elucidate. 15

• (a). Examine the liberal theory of State in contemporary politics. 20
• (b). Human right are complex and contested social practice that organises relationship between individuals, society and the State. Comment. 15
• (c). Individualism is inherent in Hobbes’ absolutist ideology. Comment. 15

• (a). Ambedkar’s idea of social justice leads to ‘egalitarian justice’ as compared to Rawls’ ‘justice as fairness’ which aims at the notion of ‘pure procedural justice’. Comment. 20
• (b). “The Panchayats with Gram Sabhas should be so organised as to identify the resources locally available for the development in agricultural and industrial sectors.” Examine the statements in the context of Gram Swaraj. 15
• (c). Examine the entitlement theory of justice. 15

   Section ‘B’

5. Comment on the following in about 150 words each : 10x5=50

• (a). Analyse the workers’ movement in India in the pre-independence period.
• (b). The Preamble of the Indian Constitution reflects itself as a ‘social contract’. Elucidate.
• (c). Legislative Council is a house without any effective powers. Comment.
• (d). How far is the national commission for Backward Classes an empowered body? Assess its role in the context of raising demand for backwardness among dominant communities.
• (e). High concentration of economic activities and consumption patterns in the post-liberalisation period has led to the failure of environmental movements in India. Elucidate.

• (a). Electoral behaviour of voters is governed more by the social and economic factors than the political factors. Explain. 20
• (b). The Doctrine of Basic structure of the constitution has enhanced the power of judicial review of the Supreme Court. Examine. 15
• (c). Discuss the composition and functions of the Inter-State Council. To what extent has this body been successful in achieving its objective? 15

• (a). Examine the unique features of the 73rd constitutional Amendment. Do you think this amendment would contribute in achieving the goal of empowerment of marginalised sections of the society? 20
• (b). The Speaker represents the freedom and dignity of the house. Examine. 15
• (c). Discuss the policy initiatives of the fourteenth Finance Commission aimed towards promoting and strengthening agricultural development in India. 15

• (a). Ethnicity is the underlying cause which poses a great challenge in the resolution of the problems in the North-East region of India. Comment. 20
• (b). The making of the Indian Constitution is described as an attempt towards ‘social revolution’. Comment. 15
• (c). How far is it correct that the regional parties have strengthened Indian democracy and federal system? Substantiate your answer with suitable examples. 15

Political Science and International Relations - UPSC MAINS 2022 - Paper II

Section ‘A’

1. Comment on the following in about 150 words each : 10x5=50

• (a). Discuss the main limitations of the comparative method to the study of Political Science
• (b). What are the main challenges faced by the developing countries in the era of globalisation ?
• (c). Discuss the commonalities between the Marxist and Realist approach to the study International Politics
• (d). Bipolar structure of the world is more stable than the multipolar one. Comment.
• (e). National Interest is an essentially contested concept. Comment.

• (a). How has the electoral democracy augmented the participation of people in the democratic process? 20
• (b). Discuss the role of social movements in strengthening the democratic processes in developing societies. 15
• (c). Describe the composition of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Discuss its voluntary jurisdiction. 15

• (a). Critically examine the rise of People’s Republic of China (PRC) as a great power and its implication on Asian Political order. 20
• (b). Discuss the conceptual dimensions of collective security. 15
• (c). Discuss the efficacy of global conventions to combat international terrorism. 15

• (a). Identify and evaluate the reasons for deadlock in the WTO negotiations on fisheries between the developing and developed countries. 20
• (b). What is the realist prescription to the States to ensure their survival in an anarchical world? 15
• (c). Russia-Ukraine crisis has cast a dark shadow on the energy needs of the member states of the European Union (EU). Comment. 15

   Section ‘B’

5. Comment on the following in about 150 words each : 10x5=50

• (a). Peaceful co-existence remains the cornerstone of India’s foreign policy. Comment.
• (b). Discuss the ways and means to realise greater economic co-operation among the Member States of South Asia.
• (c). Discuss the steps required to realise ‘hydro-co-operation’ between India and Bangladesh.
• (d). Explain the significance of Basic Exchange and Co-operation Agreement (BECA) for Indo-US strategic relations.
• (e). Discuss the role of public diplomacy in the enhancement of India’s global standing.

• (a). Discuss the relevance of the demand for New International Economic Order (NIEO) in the present era of globalisation. 20
• (b). Critically examine the major factors responsible for a turnaround in the trajectory of India’s foreign policy in the post-cold war period. 15
• (c). Discuss the reasons behind India’s refusal to sign the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT). 15

• (a). What are the main drivers of India-Japan Strategic and Global partnership? 20
• (b). What are the implication of ‘Look-East’ policy on the north-eastern region of India? 15
• (c). Explain the factors which justify India’s claim for a permanent seat at the UN security council. 15

• (a). How does India-Israel bilateral ties reflect the autonomy of India’s foreign policy choices? 20
• (b). Discuss the consequences of illegal cross-border migration in India’s north-eastern region. 15
• (c). Discuss India’s vision of a New World order in the 21st century. 15