IAS Plan

(Paper-2)

Section-A
Q1. Write short answers, with a sociological perspective, of the following questions in about 150 words each :
(a) Elaborate A. R. Desai's perspective to the study of Indian society.

(b) "Banning practice of 'Sati' is attributed to annihilation of a major social evil in colonial India." Comment.

(c) How do you justify Dumont's deliberate stress on ideology that produce intellectualized account of Indian society?

(d) Explain the definitional problems concerning the tribal communities in India.

(e) "Secularism was an outcome of 20th century humanistic radicalism." Comment on this statement.

Q2.(a) "Indian caste system is unique and has been unhealthy for the growth of sociology of India." How far do you agree with this view?
(b) Discuss Whitehead's contention that caste has potential to displace class and colonial contradiction.

(c) "Indian rural society is a faction-ridden society." Discuss.

Q3.(a) Examine the colonial policy of segregation of tribes under the Government of India Act, 1935.
(b) Discuss the dynamics of 'migrant workers' in India in the context of Corona pandemic.

(c) How does Andre Beteille justify 'middle class in India?

Q4.(a) Discuss the conceptual issues about lineage and descent in India. Give suitable illustrations,
(b) Analyze household dimensions of family in India.

(c) Write a note on cultural pluralism in multi-religious society like India.

Section-B
Q5. Write short answers, with a sociological perspective, of the following questions in about 150 words each :
(a) Point out the benefits of 'green chemistry' for agrarian transformation in India.

(b) Analyze the issues related to the citizenship in contemporary India. Give suitable illustrations.

(c) Give an account of the consequences and remedies of chronic malnutrition in India.

(d) How does the New Education Policy, 2020 aim to eradicate disparities in the system of education in India?

(e) What do you understand by democratic federalism? How does it promote decentralization of power in India?

Q6.(a) Discuss in detail the main issues of development planning in mixed economy like India
(b) Do you think MSP (Minimum Support Price) Scheme for ag can help in rural development? Elaborate your response with suitable examples.

(c) How can skill development programme induce social change? Illustrated

Q7.(a) Elaborate the causes, consequences and other concerns of growth of urban settlements in India.
(b) Evaluate the nature and scope of anthropogenic influence on Climate in India and also analyze the environmental movements arising out of it.

(c) Are the contemporary farmers' movements in India changing their course? Discuss.

Q8.(a) Colonial administrators helped to construct the very traditionalism which marked the Indian society as "backward'. Comment critically.
(b) What were the salient features of the India's Population Policy (2000)? How far its goals have been achieved?

(c) Point out the main causes of child labour' in India. How far the State policies have succeeded in its elimination?

(Paper-1)

Section-A
Q1. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each.
(a) How did the intellectual forces lead to the emergence of sociology ?Discuss.

(b) Is sociology a value-free science ? Discuss.

(c) Methodology is a system of rules, principles and procedures, which forms. scientific investigation. Comment.

(d) 'Ideal Types of Max Weber are mental constructs, they do not correspond to the reality. Give your views.

(e) Analyse the relevance of 'Pattern variables' in the study of social change.

Q2.(a) What are the reactions of R.K. Merton to the functionalism of social anthropologists ? Bring out the limitations of latent functions.
(b) How are Hierarchy and Exclusion the major impediments in the transformation of societies ? Discuss.

(c) Explain democracy as an order of society. What are the factors preventing people's participation in politics?

Q3.(a) Capitalism has brought increasing informalisation of work in society.Substantiate your answer.
(b) Critically Analyse Durkheim's views on elementary forms of religious life and role of religion Also discuss the consequences of religious revivalism in contemporary society.

(c) Discuss the consequences of Across Region marriage on kinship system in modern Indian society.

Q4.(a) Is humanity at the mercy of Nature, Science and Technology ? Comment in the light of pandemic situation.

(b) According to Durkheim, "The major function of education is the transmission of society's norms and values." Discuss.

(c) Critically assess social mobility in closed and open systems.

Section-B
Q5. Answer the following Questions in about 150 words each :
(a) In the context of globalisation, has the scope of sociology been changing India ? Comment.

(b) Discuss the importance and sources of hypothesis in social research.

(c) What are the problems in observing social facts in Durkheim's views?

(d) State the reasons for the various religious beliefs and practices in pre-modern societies.

(e) Does the institution of marriage continue to be sacred in Indian society? Comments.

Q6.(a) Discuss the new labour codes and their impact on formal and informal labour in India.
(b) According to Mills, "Elites rule in institutional terms rather than psychological terms." Comment.

(c) Analyse the strengths and weaknesses of social survey method in social research.

Q7.(a) Technology has accelerated the process of development and dependency. Discuss.
(b) Phenomenological perspectives in sociology reject many of the assumptions of positivism. Comment.

(c) Critically assess the Marxian theory of 'Alienation'."

Q8.(a) How does Marx view social conflict as an essential element in social change?
(b) What is the impact of gender division of labour on the development of society?

(c) Examine how social movements come to an end. Illustrate with examples.

HISTORY (Paper-2)

SECTION 'A'
Q1. Critically examine the following statements in about 150 words each :
(a) "Maharaja Ranjit Singh died in 1839. His death was the signal for an outburst of anarchy all over the Punjab."

(b) “In the initial stages, when was immature, just sprouting, it found expression in many liberal religio-reform movements."

(c) “In the early twentieth century, there came into existence a number of women's organisations, which operated more actively in the public arena and focused more directly on women's political and legal rights."

(d) “The Trade Union Movement in India not only supported the call for national struggle at critical junctures, but also impacted its course and character in several ways."

(e) “Based on his discussion with Indian leaders, as well as his own perception, Lord Mountbatten soon came to the conclusion that partition was the only practicable and feasible solution."

Q2.(a) It was Dupleix who had first showed the way of intervening of the Indian rulers and thereby acquiring political control over vast territories — a technique which was later perfec India Company." Elaborate.
(b) For long, the Revolt of 1857. has been mistaken to be a mere mutiny of me Indian sepoys in the Bengal army. However, its causes need to be searched for not only in the dissatisfaction of the army but in a long arawn process of fundamental Social and economic change that upset the peasant communities./Discuss.

(c) Do you feel that the Santhal Hool (rebellion) 1855-56, was the most effective tribal movement in pre-1857 India ?

Q3.(a) In its political behaviour the Indian National Congress in its early career was never a radical organisation, besides the founders of the Congress involved A.O. Hume in their project. Do these facts verify that the Congress was founded as a 'Safety valve' ? Explain.
(b). Do you agree with the fact that the virtual failure of the Non-Cooperation Movement and the gloom that descended on the nationalist scene, created conditions for revolutionary activities ? Discuss.,,

(c). Planning was seen as a powerful instrument that could be used to remove regional inequality. Examine.

Q4. (a) “In the divided and contestable space of Indian politics, Gandhiji could claim for himself a centrist position because he alienated neither and tactically combined the goal of the moderates with the means of the extremists." Discuss.
(b) "After Indian Independence India-China relations started on a high note, but during the course of the coming years India had to face a bitter experience due to the Chinese aggression." Elaborate.
(c) “The Reorganisation of the States on the basis of language was a major aspect of national consolidation and integration.” Comment.

SECTION 'B'
Q5. Critically examine the following statements in about 150 words each:
(a) “The principles of Enlightenment were in some ways a continuation of the discoveries and theories of the Scientific Revolution."

(b) "The causes of the French Revolution of 1789 included both long term and structural factors, as well as more immediate events."

(c) "Industrial Revolution had far reaching social and political consequences with the advent of assembly line factories, urbanization and rise of the urban working class."

(d) "The multitude of newly independent countries came to be known as the “Third World', belonging neither to the First World of capitalist democracies, nor the Communist Second World."

(e) "The British were slated to withdraw from Palestine in May 1948, and both sides prepared for that day. Violence between Arabs and Jews, a already endemic, escalated."

Q6. (a). "Napoleon was not a revolutionary but he solidified many of the revolutionary changes of 1789 - 1791 and he himself supported most of the ideas and proposals of Enlightenment philosophers.".Substantiate.,
(b) "Lincoln's main thesis was that the Slavery issue had to be decided one way or the other and could no longer be evaded by compromise." Comment in the light of his role in the American Civil War.

(c) "The 1848 revolutions frightened the crowned heads of Europe and caused several to abdicate. Those who remained were cognizant of the threats posed by liberalism, nationalism and socialism.” Comment. 10

Q7 (a) "From Bismarck's 'Blood and Iron' speech and his forceful actions to achieve German unification, Bismarck came to be known as the Iron Chancellor.” Critically examine.
(b) Do you agree with the statement that the Second World War was history's most destructive war ? Elaborate.

(c) Discuss the circumstances leading to the French exit from Algeria in 1962.

Q8.(a) How did Stalin build on Lenin's legacy of Bolshevik Revolution and introduce new elements of totalitarianism to transform USSR as a superpower?
(b) A new configuration of power emerged in world politics after the end of the cold war. Analyse how USA managed to become the sole superpower. 20

(c) Critically examine whether it was true that after a century of dependency on Europeans, Africans were ill prepared for the task of nation-building.

(Paper-1)

SECTION 'A'
Q1. Identify the following places marked on the map supplied to you and write a short note of about 30 words on each of them in your Question-cum-Answer Booklet. Locational hints for each of the places marked on the map are given below seriatim.
(i) Paleolithic site is no
(ii) Paleolithic Factory site
(iii) Neolithic site
(iv) Early and Mature Harappan site
(v) Chalcolithic site
(vi) Site of Coin and Seal Moulds
(vii) Ancient Administration Centre
(viii) Ancient Political Headquarter
(ix) Ancient Temple site
(x) Pre and Proto Historic sites
(xi) Ancient Capital City
(xii) Place of Shaiva Temple
(xiii) World Heritage Centre of Temple complex
(xiv) An Inscriptional site
(xv) Place of Jain Temple
(xvi) Largest Buddhist Monastery
(xvii) Ancient Temple Complex
(xviii) Place of oldest Mosque
(xix) Temple Complex dedicated to Shiva
(xx) Ancient Education Centre

Q2.(a) Puranas were the innovative genre of literature to popularise and revive Vedic religion. Elaborate with examples.
2.(b) Discuss the factors that played an important role in the process of urbanisation : after the Later-Vedic period. .

2.(c) Throw light on the nature of religion and classification of gods mentioned in the Rigveda.

Q3.(a) Evaluate the significant political features of the Post Mauryan Northern India. What are the main sources of it?
3.(b) A number of scholars considered Alexander as 'The Great', although long term impacts of Alexander's invasion on India need to be re-evaluated. Comment. 15.

3.(c) Discuss the salient features of cultural traditions of South India as reflected in Sangam Literature.

Q4.(a) Sanskrit literature of classical Gupta Age set standards for the early medieval India. Evaluate the statement with representative examples.
4.(b) Trace and identify the changing pattern of Tantrism in Ancient India with examples.

4.(c) Describe the evolution and development of regional temple architecture of South India with special reference to Pallavas.

SECTION 'B'
Q5.Answer the following questions in about 150 words each :
5.(a) Critically evaluate the Muslim Nobility during the period of Tughlaq dynasty.

5.(b) Describe in detail about the foreign travellers' accounts which gave information of Vijayanagar kingdom.

5.(c) How did international trade support urbanisation in North India during the 13-14th century CE.

5.(d) Evaluate the aim and impact of the translation of Sanskrit scriptures into Persian language during Mughal period.

5.(e) Examine the sources of the history of Chhatrapati Shivaji with special reference to Shivabharat and Sabhasad Bakhar.

Q6.(a) Assess the causes of the defeat of Northern Indian States against the Turkish invasion.
6.(b) Amuktamalyada dwells much upon the relationship of (fort, Brahmanas) and dispersed tribal groups. Comment.

6.(c) Elaborate upon the agrarian reforms of Alauddin Khilji.

Q7.(a) Describe village polity and economy of medieval Deccan.
7.(b) Some new crafts production were introduced by the Turks. Comment.

7.(c) The mission of Kabir was to preach a religion of love which would unite all castes and creeds. Explain.

Q8.(a) Evaluate the contribution of Sher Shah towards trade and commerce, administration and lagricultural reforms.
8.(b) Make an estimate of the development of paintings under Mughal reference to colours, technique, themes and influences on them. paintings under Mughal rulers with special

8.(c) Critically evaluate history of the Eighteenth century India with reference to culture and economy.

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (Paper-2)

Q1. Answer the following in about 150 words cach :
(a) Mughal administration incorporated a combination of indian and extra-Indian clements. Discuss.

(b) There is a constant and continuous collision between bureaucratic values and democratic values which adversely affects development. Do you agree? Elaborate.

(c) Parliamentary committees are at the deliberative core of parliamentary work which is crucial for refining legislations. Elucidate.

(d) Considering India's diversity, the planning pattern of 'one-size-fits-all' was discarded in favour of indicative planning. To what extent has it been useful to India?

(e) Even if all the States combine together, they cannot have their way decision-making in the GST Council, unless the Union agrees to it. Analy this in the perspective of federalism in India,

Q2.(a) District administration is the most important unit in governance. Most of the Central and State Government schemes and programmes are directed towards the district administration. In this context, discuss the challenges and problems posed to the district administration,
(b) The structural part of the Constitution of India is to a large extent derived from the Government of India Act, 1935, whereas its philosophical part has many other sources. Discuss the sources of the philosophical part.

(c) The public services in India are an evolution of the British Raj. Trace the Indianization of the services.

Q3.(a) Does the privatization of key public sector bodies augur well for welfarisin in India? Discuss with suitable illustrations,
(b) The spirit of democratic values requires that the independence of judiciary remains absolute. It is high time that the All India Judicial Service (AIJS) was created. Elaborate.

(c) To strengthen the Election Commission of India and its commissioners is the need of the hour. Suggest measures to make it more independent and impartial.

Q4.(a) Examine the National Health Policy in the context of the current pandomia situation, Identify the problems and suggest improvements.
(b) The Speaker of the State Assembly has assumed a significant role in formations and dissolutions of government. Examine under the circumstances of coalition governments with examples.

(c) At the district level, police functions under the overall supervision and control of the District Magistrate. Comment.

Section-B
Q5. Answer the following in about 150 words each :
(a) Political neutrality of civil servants has been regarded as one of the cardinal principles in democrntic governments. Is its sanctity being maintained in practice in India? Elucidate.

(b) Budget is anindicntor of financial health of a polity which is reflected in the statement of income and expenditure. Discuss.

(c) Panchayati Raj Institutions are still plagued by State control and domination of bureaucracy. Argue your casc.

(d) Urban local governance is perpetually afflicted with lack of financial autonomy and starvation of funds. Elaborate.

(e) There has been a long-standing demand for separation of police investigation from prosecution. Analyze its merits and demerits.

Q6.(a) The office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India stands on the pillar of autonomy. Discuss the major lacunae in the functioning of this constitutional body and also suggest measures for its strengthening.
(b) Implementation of administrative reforms is humongous and arduous. What lacks the push to realize the changes?

(c)Immediate post-retirement appointments of high officers of government have become a new trend. Discuss its pros and cons.

Q7.(a) Ward committees in urban local governance have remained more tigers. The ideal of realizing effective people's participation in collabor with local functionaries is still in the pipeline. Evaluate the gap in the and practice.
(b) Police needs to be made accountable and freed from the grip of politics. It is a big challenge not only for law and order but also for the development of the country. Critically examine.

(c) Civil servants are trained to follow rules and procedures so much that they become bureaucracy. Do you agree? Justify.

Q8.(a) "There are adequate legal mechanisms to address corruption malpractices in administration, but they have failed to curb the mea any noticeable degree." In the light of this statement, discuss the efficacy the institution of Lokayukta in Indian States.
(b) Despite the constitutional provisions for representation, the voice weaker of sections is not having the desired impact in the realms of Panchayati Raya Institutions. Critically examine.

(c) Ideally citizen-administration interface is supposed to be based on trustworthiness and purposesulness, in reality it is observed to be plagued by suspicion, conflicts, stresses and strains. Do you agree? Elaborate.

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (Paper-1)

SECTION-A
Q1. Answer the following in about 150 words each:
(a) "The strength of Public Administration is in its exploration of the complexities and nuances of public policy making and implementation." Discuss.

(b) Principles of analysis and principles of action were not differentiated in Taylor's scientific management. Comment

(c) "Arbitrariness in the application of rule of law is a primary cause of poor governance." Discuss.

(d) Departments, Boards and Commissions as forms of organization are dissimilar in the context of accountability and responsibility." Analyze.

(e)Administrative man bridges the psychological man and the rational man. Explain.

Q2.(a) The movement towards governance as an organizing concept for public administration and management is because the focus of administration has been shifting from the bureaucratic state to the 'hollow state' and 'third-party government. Critically examine.
(b) "Organizations of the future will be organic-adaptive structures but temporary systems." Discuss how Warren Bennis characterizes the new form of organization.

(c) "Productivity is not the result of working conditions but the result of emotional response of workers to work performed." Are Elton Mayo's findings relevant in contemporary organizations?

Q3.(a) Performance information use is a form of organizational behavior that is influenced by individual. job, organizational and environmental factors." Critically analyze.
(b) New Public Service emphasizes democracy and citizenship as the basis for public administration theory and practice. Elucidate.

(c) "Accountability under New Public Management has undergone a radical change, although the focus has continued to remain on management." Comment

Q4.(a) "Developments in the field of Administrative Law reflect an increasingly blurred boundary between the state and society, and between justice and administration." Has administrative law become more constitutional than the Constitution itself? Argue.
(b) The content and process theories of motivation have the same focus but are different in approaches." Do you agree? Give reasons.

(c) Thrust on the citizen centricity and Right based approaches, aim to empower the citizens. In the light of the above, has the administrative accountability improved ? Justify your argument

Section-B
Q5. Answer the following in about 150 words each:
(a) "Comparative Public Administration started with no paradigm of its own and developed nane" Comment

(b) "Markets, hierarchies and networks represent modem governing structures in government." Explain.

(c) Has policy analysis become a major source of legitimation of status quo in political and social order? Discuss.

(d) "Fiscal policy should address the issues of inequity, intricacy and obscurantism." Explain.

(e) "Prevention of misconduct requires institutionalization of ethical values at the political and administrative levels." Justify.

Q6.(a) "Administrative ideas must be seen in the context of environment in which they develop." In the light of the above statement, examine the influence of New Public Management and Information and Communication Technologies on comparative study of Public Administration.
(b) Affirmative action in socio-economic development has not altogether eliminated discrimination. Discuss it in the context of women empowerment.

(c) Have political realities thwarted the move towards evidence based policy making ? Critically examine.

Q7.(a) “Globalization is impacting the context of national policy making. The national policy agenda is becoming international.” Explain.
(b) "Collaboration and its cognates for public service delivery need to be viewed from the governance lenses." Comment. |

(c) Administrative reform is "an artificial inducement of administrative transformation against resistance." (Gerald Caiden). Identify the nature of resistance and inducements required to overcome it.

Q8.(a)"Disruptive nature of developments in Information Technology has changed the contours of e-governance in the last one decade." Analyze.
(b) "Performance Management Framework enables a clear line of sight between planning, measuring and monitoring performance." Critically analyze.

(c) "Objectives of performance budgeting include improving expenditure prioritization, effectiveness and efficiency." Has performance budgeting worked effectively in governmental system ? Argue.

ESSAY QUESTION PAPER

GS 4 Main Question Paper

GS 3 Main Question Paper

GS 2 Main Question Paper

GS 1 Main Question Paper