UPSC 2023 PSIR Question Paper 2

 

Instructions -

  • Questions no. 1 and 5 are compulsory and out of the remaining, any THREE are to be attempted choosing at least ONE question from each section.
  • Attempts of questions shall be counted in sequential order. Unless struck off, attempt of a question shall be counted even if attempted partly. Any page or portion of the page left blank in the Question-cum-Answer Booklet must be clearly struck off.

                            PAPER 1 - Section A 

1. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:  (10*5 = 50M)

a. What are the crucial functions  of empirical political theory in Comparative Politics?

b. What are the difficulties faced by a political theorist in comparing the States?

c. How does democratic politics construct citizenship?

d. What is the structure and functions of International Court of Justice?

e. Discuss the structure and functions  of UN Security Council.

2. (20, 15, 15 = 50M)

(a) Discuss the relevance of the normative ethos of the Non-Aligned Movement in magnifying India's soft power in pursuit of her national interest.

(b) In what ways does the funcitonalist approach in International relations help in maintaining peace and order in global politics?

(c) How does the regime change and political crisis in Myanmar threaten regional security and peace?

3. (20, 15, 15 = 50M)

(a) "During the Cold War, the Non-Aligned Movement tried to become a "Third force' in World Politics, but failed because it was too large and unwieldy." Discuss.

(b) Account for the rise of European Union as a highly influential regional organisation.

(c) Narrate the various ways in which rapid environmental degradation is posing a serious threat to human security. Illustrate your answer with suitable examples.

4. (20, 15, 15 = 50M)

(a) Critically examine the impact of Globalisation on the developing countries of the world.

(b) What do you mean by offensive and defensive realism?

(c) Discuss the various constraints on American hegemony today. Which of these are likely to become more prominent in the future?

                                PAPER 1 - Section B

5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:  (10*5 = 50M)
(a) Explain the major features of India's Foreign Policy in the 21st Century.

(b) What are the reasons for lack of 'regionness' in South Asia?

(c) Why is the compromise reached at WTO regarding the Covid-19 vaccine manufacturing not a Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) waiver?

(d) Why do ethnic conflicts and insurgencies continue to remain major impediments to regional co-operation in South Asia?

(e) What diplomatic steps has India taken to articulate the interests of the Global South in International Politics?

6. (20, 15, 15 = 50M)
(a) Arms trade, economic ties and congruent geo-political interests are no longer the three pillars of India-Russia relationship in emerging strategic context. Comment.

(b)Discuss the importance of India's role in UN peacekeeping operations as a ground for its claim to a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.

(c) Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) performs an important role in India's strategic balancing act to withstand the dominance of China in Asia. Discuss.

7. (20, 15, 15 = 50M)
(a) "India's Nuclear policy is deeply influenced by its cultural beliefs and the pragmatic approach of its foreign policy." Discuss.

(b) What steps has India taken to regain its foothold in Afghanistan since the Taliban has taken over the country in August 2021?

(c) What are the challenges and limitations in Inida-Iran relations?

8. (20, 15, 15 = 50M)
(a) What are the external determinants of the Foreign Policy of a State?

(b) Discuss the significance of "West Asia Quad" in the light of India's 'Look West' policy.

(c) Discuss the major drivers of India's interests in Africa.






Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Buddhist contribution to Indian Political Thought

Evaluate the contributions of Buddhist tradition to Indian political thought. UPSC 2014 Paper 1A Qn 2c   The Buddhist tradition has made profound contributions to Indian political thought by introducing a unique blend of ethical, philosophical, and practical principles that have influenced governance, statecraft, and social justice. Rooted in the teachings of Gautama Buddha, the tradition emphasizes the integration of moral values with political practice, offering an alternative vision of power and governance distinct from the more hierarchical and ritualized structures of ancient Hindu polity. 1. Moral Foundations of Governance One of the central contributions of Buddhist tradition to Indian political thought is its emphasis on Dhamma (moral law) as the guiding principle of governance. Unlike the Dharma of Brahmanical tradition, which often had a caste-based interpretation, Dhamma in Buddhism is universal and egalitarian, focusing on ethical behavior, compassion, and the wel...
Read more

Human Rights - Universalism and Cultural Relativism

The debate on human rights is caught between the limitations of both universalism and cultural relativism. Comment. UPSC 2024 Paper 1A Qn 3a The debate on human rights is fundamentally shaped by the tension between universalism and cultural relativism, two competing perspectives on the nature, scope, and application of human rights. While universalists argue that human rights are inherent, inalienable, and applicable to all individuals regardless of cultural or social contexts, cultural relativists contend that rights must be understood within the specific traditions, values, and histories of different societies. This debate raises critical questions about the legitimacy, enforcement, and adaptability of human rights in a diverse global order.   The Universalist Perspective - Universalism, largely rooted in the Enlightenment tradition and codified in international human rights frameworks such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) (1948), asserts that human rights...
Read more

Participative Approach to Development

The idea of Democracy becomes a reality when people are involved in collective problem-solving. The type of system in which development projects are conceived, planned, executed, operated, and maintained by outsiders, people receive benefits with little or no participation in the actual process of development. The field investigations showed the 'top-down' approach as inefficient as outsourcing development projects needed to address social issues. The limitations were - Unequal distribution of development benefits among different sections of the population Increased dependency of people on external resources Indifference of people towards the facilities created Heavy spending by the government on the replacement, operation, and maintenance of facilities created Depletion of natural resources due to over-utilization Under-utilization of inputs, when unsuitable for use The studies demonstrated that the problems ...
Read more