Political science encompasses crucial areas such as political theories, foreign policy, and agreements like Panchsheel, influencing the global stance and international relations of various nations. In India, the adoption of Gandhian principles has inspired a foundation of international tolerance and friendly relations.
Introduction to Political Theory:
- Political theory delves into the philosophical exploration of government, addressing questions about the nature, scope, and legitimacy of public agents, institutions, and their relationships.
- It extends its inquiries to broader political phenomena and categories, including identity, culture, sexuality, race, wealth, human-non-human relations, ecology, and religion. The theories cover fundamental concepts such as liberty, justice, property, rights, law, and the authoritative enforcement of laws.
Law Overview:
- Law, defined as a set of widely accepted rules and regulations governing human inter-relationships, aims to establish order and balanced development within society.
- The term “law” carries different connotations, either indicating rules dictating human conduct or implying certain regularities in nature and society.
- According to John Austin, law is a command backed by the physical power of the state.
- Thomas Erskine Holland defines law as a general rule of external action enforced by sovereign political authority.
- LA Barker emphasizes that every law must possess both validity and value.
Law and Freedom
- Law delineates the boundaries of citizens’ freedom, specifying permissible actions and prohibited behaviors.
- The state, while exercising control over binding power, grants freedom to individuals by legally restraining the use of force in both individual and group relationships.
- Freedom, in this context, does not imply unrestricted discretion.
- A society with absolute freedom is impractical, as it would lead to anarchy where only the powerful could exercise their freedom.
- True freedom can only exist in a void where no other individuals coexist. Therefore, rights act as safeguards against the arbitrary exercise of autocratic powers.
Liberty
- The term liberty is synonymous with freedom, signifying a state of being free in society from control or oppressive restrictions imposed by authority.
- Two main concepts of liberty include:
- Negative Liberty: Protecting individuals from undue state interference, allowing an area where individuals can act without obstruction, as advocated by Locke, Mill, and Tocqueville.
- Positive Liberty: Involves the right to participate in sovereign authority, enabling individuals to live according to their conscious purposes and make decisions independently.
Equality
- Equality stands as a central theme in social and political theory.
Types of Equality
- Three distinct types of equalities exist:
- Political Equality: Best guaranteed in a democracy where each citizen holds equal importance, ensuring equal citizenship for all members of the state.
- Civil Equality or Equality before the Law: A fundamental condition for freedom, ensuring that the law is not subject to the whims or biases of those in power.
- Economic Equality: Aims to reduce the power of capitalists and landlords, creating more equality and preventing the exploitation of peasants and workers.
Justice
- Derived from the Latin word “jungere,” meaning to bind together, justice is seen as a bond or tie.
- Rawls argues for a fair and just society by encouraging people to imagine themselves in a situation where decisions about societal organization must be made—referred to as thinking under a “veil of ignorance.”
- The concept of equality as a political ideal focuses on shared characteristics among all human beings, regardless of differences in color, gender, race, or nationality.
- The Indian Constitution prohibits discrimination based on caste, religion, class, gender, or race.
- Equality before the law is considered the fundamental basis of the judicial system.
- According to Jeremy Bentham, justice, under the numerical concept, dictates treating everyone as one. Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar emphasizes that a just society fosters mutual respect and diminishes humiliation.
Citizenship, Equality, and Rights
- Citizenship extends beyond a legal concept, closely intertwining with broader objectives of equality and rights.
- British sociologist TH Marshall (1893-1981) formulated this relationship, emphasizing its unanimous importance.
- Marshall, in his 1950 book “Citizenship and Social Order,” defines citizenship as the status granted to full members of a community. Those bestowed with this status are considered equal in terms of the inherent rights and duties associated with it.
- The foundational concept of equality in citizenship, as outlined by Marshall, encompasses three types of rights: civil, political, and social rights.
Rights
- A right is essentially an entitlement or justified claim, representing what citizens, individuals, and human beings are entitled to. These claims are considered necessary for leading a life of respect and dignity, and they come in various forms:
- Political Rights grant citizens equality before the law and the right to participate in the political process.
- This includes the right to vote, elect representatives, contest elections, form or join political parties, and is complemented by civil liberties.
- Economic Rights entail facilities such as an adequate wage, recognizing citizens’ economic needs.
- Some countries provide housing and medical facilities to citizens, especially those with lower incomes.
- Cultural Rights include the right to primary education in one’s mother tongue and the establishment of institutions for teaching language and culture, recognized as essential for leading a good life.
- Human Rights revolve around the fundamental theme of the survival and well-being of human beings, emphasizing respect for humanity and human dignity.
- Human rights encompass both inherent and inalienable rights due to every person simply by being human, as well as legal rights established through legal processes.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- Article 1 of the charter highlights the United Nations’ aim to promote and encourage respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms without discrimination based on race, sex, language, or religion.
- Human Rights Day is observed on December 10th, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights consists of a Preamble and 30 articles.
- To give legal sanction to human rights, the General Assembly adopted two covenants on December 16, 1966: the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Nationalism
- Over the past two centuries, nationalism has emerged as a powerful political creed shaping history.
- Nations are formed by groups sharing common features such as descent, language, religion, or ethnicity.
- A nation is largely an imagined community, united by the collective beliefs, aspirations, and imaginations of its members.
Secularism
- Secularism is a normative doctrine aiming to establish a secular society devoid of inter-religious or intra-religious domination.
- It promotes freedom within religions and equality both between and within religions.
Secular State
- A secular state not only refrains from being theocratic but also avoids establishing any formal, legal alliances with specific religions.
- Instead, it commits to principles and goals derived, at least in part, from non-religious sources.
- The objectives of a secular state should encompass peace, religious freedom, protection from religiously grounded oppression, discrimination, and exclusion, as well as ensuring both inter-religious and intra-religious equality.
Western Model of Secularism
- In the American model of secularism, the separation of religion and state involves mutual exclusion.
- The state refrains from intervening in religious affairs, and similarly, religion does not interfere in state matters.
Indian Model of Secularism
- The Indian model of secularism differs fundamentally from the Western model. It goes beyond the concept of church-state separation and emphasizes the crucial idea of inter-religious equality.
- Indian secularism addresses not only the religious freedom of individuals but also recognizes and safeguards the religious freedom of minority communities.
- Individuals have the right to profess the religion of their choice, and religious minorities have the right to exist, maintain their culture, and establish educational institutions.
Liberalism
- Liberalism, originating from the Enlightenment, the Glorious Revolution in England, and the French Revolution, evolved through different phases:
- Phase One: The early doctrine tied liberty to equality, embodied in the French Revolution’s ideals of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity and reflected in the American Declaration of Independence.
- Aristocratic claims based on birth or heredity were rejected.
- Phase Two: Later in the 19th century, thinkers like JS Mill and TH Green modified liberalism.
- They linked individual interests to social interests, emphasizing equal opportunity and the role of society in achieving individual freedom and fulfillment.
- This phase advocated for state intervention in economic life to address distribution issues.
- Phase Three: A resurgence of libertarian doctrines emerged, emphasizing human dignity and autonomy.
- This trend led liberalism toward 19th-century individualism and a redefined concept of justice.
Socialism
- Socialism, encompassing various doctrines such as anarchism, syndicalism, and democratic socialism, emerged in response to the rise and consequences of capitalism.
- Karl Marx outlined the features of socialism, emphasizing:
- Egalitarian Society: Socialism seeks human fellowship, rejects distinctions of class, caste, or color, and aims for reasonable equality in society.
- Satisfaction of Basic Needs: Socialists argue for replacing the profit motive with a motive of service, ensuring the satisfaction of basic needs for all members of society.
- Ownership and control of means of production, such as land, power, and banks, are collectively shared in the ideal of Service Socialism, which emphasizes the responsibility of all citizens towards the common good and general welfare.
Marxism
- Marxism, a socio-economic analytical method rooted in historical materialism, understands class relations and social conflict through a materialist interpretation of historical development.
- Originating from the works of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in the 19th century, Marxism has evolved into various branches over time.
- While agreeing with Hegel that history is a process, Marx differed in interpreting it based on the primacy of material forces, specifically means and mode of production.
Fascism
- Fascism, born out of forces unleashed by World War I, asserts that the state is synonymous with the nation and society.
- It views the state as an organism, considering individuals as mere cells within it.
Gandhism
- Gandhiji’s views, known as Gandhism, have had a significant influence on various individuals. He criticized Western civilization for being based on rational self-interest, favoring Indian civilization for its more satisfactory perspective on man’s place in the cosmos. Gandhiji dismissed liberal democracy as a competition for self-interest in a metaphorical fish market.
Humanism
- Humanism, rooted in the autonomy of the individual, emerged as a result of the Renaissance and Enlightenment in Europe, finding full expression during the American and French Revolutions.
- Defined as a viewpoint or ideological system focused on human beings rather than divine or supernatural entities, humanism emphasizes freedom as the supreme value, reflecting the essence of human existence.
Foreign Policy of India
- India’s foreign policy aims to maintain international peace and security, foster peaceful coexistence, remain non-aligned, and support the unity and solidarity of developing nations.
- Objectives include preserving national interests, achieving world peace, promoting disarmament, and advocating for the independence of Afro-Asian nations.
- Guiding principles such as Panchsheel and participation in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) contribute to the realization of these objectives.
- Constitutional principles under Article 51 of the Indian Constitution, specifically Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP), emphasize the promotion of international peace and security.
- According to Article 51, the State shall strive to:
- Promote international peace and security.
- Maintain just and honorable relations between nations.
- Foster respect for international law and treaty obligations in the dealings of organized people with one another.
- Encourage the settlement of international disputes through arbitration.
Panchsheel Agreement
- The Panchsheel, or the five principles of peaceful coexistence, was officially signed on April 29, 1954, between India and China. The agreement was formalized between India’s then Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, and China’s first Prime Minister, Chou En-Lai.
- The key points of the Panchsheel Agreement were:
- Peaceful co-existence.
- Mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
- Mutual non-interference.
- Mutual non-aggression.
- Equality and mutual benefits.
- The Panchsheel pact significantly alleviated tensions between India and China, strengthening trade and confidence-building measures between the two countries. It served as a thoughtful initiative to repair economic and political relations.
India and its Neighboring Countries
- India, considered the pole star of the South Asian region, faces challenges in its relatively unstable neighborhood.
- As the central player in South Asia, India’s growth and development hinge on peace and stability in the region.
- Neighboring countries include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, China, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar.
- The historical, political, economic, and cultural relations with these neighbors are discussed below.
India-China Relations
- India-China relations have a history dating back over 2000 years, with the modern relationship beginning in 1950. India was one of the first countries to break formal ties with the Republic of China (Taiwan) and recognize the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as the legitimate government of mainland China.
- Diplomatic and economic influence between India and China has grown, marking the significance of their bilateral relationship.
Relations after 1947
- Post-1947, India-China relations faced border disputes leading to three military conflicts—the Sino-Indian War of 1962, the Cho La Incident in 1967, and the 1987 Sino-Indian Skirmish.
- Since the late 1980s, both countries successfully rebuilt diplomatic and economic ties. In 2008, China became India’s largest trading partner, and the two nations extended their strategic and military relations.
India-China Disputes
- After 1957, territorial disputes over Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh strained India-China relations.
- The issue of Tibet further fueled disputes.
Tibet
- In 1950, China took control of Tibet, leading to opposition from a significant portion of the Tibetan population.
- India attempted to persuade China to recognize Tibet’s claims for independence.
- In 1959, the Dalai Lama sought asylum in India, sparking strong protests from the Chinese Government.
Border Disputes
- The India-China border is not demarcated, with no mutually agreed Line of Actual Control (LAC).
- The LAC serves as the separation between Indian-controlled and Chinese-controlled territories.
- The McMahon Line, established in 1914, became a point of contention between India and China, particularly with the takeover of the Twang tract claimed by China by India in 1951.
- Both Asian giants experienced conflicts in the Eastern and Western sectors, including the 1962 war and the 1967 conflict.
New Approach Towards China
- India has adopted a three-pronged policy in dealing with China, viewing the development of their relationship as an opportunity.
- This approach involves engaging in bilateral and multilateral forums such as BRICS, SCO, and the Russia-India-China trilateral to maintain overall stability, deepen economic ties, and foster diplomatic cooperation on regional and international issues.
India-Pakistan Relation
- Despite seven decades of independence and partition, Pakistan remains a significant challenge to India’s foreign policy.
- The historical engagement and disengagement between India and Pakistan have been marked by four wars in 1948, 1965, 1971, and 1999, making Pakistan the most substantial security threat to India.
Conflicts between India and Pakistan
- The division of India and the creation of Pakistan led to numerous disputes, with Kashmir being a longstanding unresolved boundary issue.
- A significant decision was made by the government to revoke Article 370, separating Ladakh from Jammu and Kashmir and making them Union Territories, altering the dynamics of the India-Pakistan dialogue on Kashmir.
The Indus Waters Treaty
- The Indus Waters Treaty, facilitated by the World Bank and signed in 1960 between Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru of India and President Ayub Khan of Pakistan, governs water-sharing between the two countries.
- The treaty allocates the Eastern and Western rivers differently, with stipulations for development projects on these rivers in India.
War of 1965 and Tashkent Agreement
- In 1965, Pakistan initiated an armed attack in the Rann of Kutch area of Gujarat, followed by a more extensive offensive in Jammu and Kashmir in August.
- UN intervention led to the Tashkent Agreement in January 1966, signed by Indian Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri and Pakistani President Ayub Khan, putting an end to hostilities.
Shimla Agreement
- After a full-scale war in December 1971, India declared a unilateral ceasefire with the creation of Bangladesh as a free country.
- The Shimla Agreement, signed in July 1972 by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi of India and Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto of Pakistan, aimed at restoring peace and was seen by many in India as a moment of glory, showcasing India’s growing military capabilities.
Gujral Doctrine
- The Gujral Doctrine comprises five principles guiding India’s foreign relations with its immediate neighbors, particularly Pakistan, as articulated by IK Gujral.
- Atal Bihari Vajpayee initiated peace processes with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and later with General Pervez Musharraf, leading to the Lahore Summit in 1999, disrupted unexpectedly by the Kargil conflict.
India-Nepal Relations
- India and Nepal share a unique relationship marked by friendship, cooperation, and open borders with deep-rooted people-to-people contacts.
- The India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950 has been instrumental in shaping this relationship, offering unparalleled advantages to Nepalese citizens in India.
Features of the 1950 Treaty
- The treaty granted preferential economic treatment to Nepal, providing Nepalese citizens the same opportunities as Indian citizens in economic and educational aspects.
- It established security cooperation and gave India primacy in Nepal’s industrial and natural resource endeavors.
Areas of Cooperation
- The rivers originating in Nepal contribute to India’s river systems, and both countries have cooperated on power exchange agreements since 1971.
- Agreements on electric power trade, cross-border transmission, interconnection, and grid connectivity further strengthen their cooperation.
Major Differences in Indo-Nepal Relationship
- Despite the strong ties, there are irritants in the Indo-Nepal relationship.
- Criticisms of the Treaty of Friendship (1950) for perceived sovereignty compromises and territorial disputes over Kalapani and Susta strain the relationship.
- Additionally, Nepal’s constitutional crisis and suspicions regarding India’s involvement in its domestic affairs contribute to anti-India resentment.
India-Bangladesh Relations
- India and Bangladesh share a common heritage, cultural ties, and linguistic connections. India was the first country to recognize Bangladesh’s independence, fostering diplomatic relations.
- The geographical proximity of India and Bangladesh presents opportunities for enhanced connectivity and economic development for both nations.
- Economic factors have significantly shaped the bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh, encompassing trade, credit arrangements, joint ventures, transit facilities, and transport development.
- Bangladesh heavily relies on India as its largest single source of imports, leading to occasional political discontent.
- Border disputes extend beyond demarcation problems, involving issues like illegal migration, cross-border criminal activities, and goods smuggling.
- In 2011, the demarcation of land boundaries occurred based on the 1974 agreement, but the real exchange of territories required constitutional amendment due to changes in the First Schedule.
- Water sharing, particularly the Teesta River dispute and the proposed Tipaimukh Dam construction, remains a critical element in India-Bangladesh ties.
- The 1983 Teesta River Agreement allocates 75% of the river water, with India and Bangladesh sharing it on a 39% and 36% basis.
Developments in Indo Bangladesh Relations after 1990
- Post-1990 developments in Indo-Bangladesh relations include agreements to supply gas to Tripura, use Chattogram and Mongla ports for North-East states, opening a skill development center in Bangladesh, Agartala-Akhaura rail connectivity, joint Indo-Russian atomic energy projects, the launch of the South Asian Satellite, and extending the National Knowledge Project for human resource development and education in Bangladesh.
The relationship between India and Sri Lanka
- The relationship between India and Sri Lanka spans more than 2500 years, marked by intellectual, cultural, religious, and linguistic interactions.
- The Cultural Cooperation Agreement signed in 1977 forms the basis for periodic cultural exchange programs.
- Both countries adopted a policy of Non-Alignment after independence, emphasizing friendship with all countries, peaceful co-existence, regional cooperation, independent decision-making, cooperation with newly independent nations, and support for disarmament.
The ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka
- The ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka, particularly with the formation of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in 1976, led to the Indo-Sri Lankan accord in 1987. India deployed the Indian
- Peacekeeping Force in Sri Lanka under Operation Pawan to disarm different militant groups.
Bilateral Relations
- Bilateral relations involve Sri Lanka being India’s second-largest trade partner in South Asia, and India is Sri Lanka’s largest trade partner globally.
- Incidents of straying fishermen in the territorial waters, especially around Katchchativu, continue to be a common issue between the two countries.
- Both nations have established practical arrangements to address the matter of genuine fishermen from either side crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line.
- Sri Lanka has consistently been a priority for direct investment from India and is among India’s largest trading partners in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
- Trade between the two countries experienced rapid growth, particularly after the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement came into effect in March 2000.
- Positioned strategically in the Indian Ocean Region, Sri Lanka engages proactively with India, a major regional power, with a history of cooperation that includes training Sri Lankan defense forces and enhanced military collaboration.
Non-Aligned Movement (NAM):
- The inaugural Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, along with leaders from Ghana, Egypt, Indonesia, and Yugoslavia (now Serbia), initiated the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) during a meeting in New York (USA) in October 1960.
- These leaders formed the core leadership of NAM. India’s foreign policy after independence reflected concerns about respecting the sovereignty of all nations and achieving security through peace, aligned with the Directive Principles of State Policy.
- The post-World War II era saw the division of nations into two camps influenced by the United States and its Western allies and the Soviet Union. India’s foreign policy drew inspiration from the noble ideals of its freedom struggle, navigating a course between the powerful blocs of the Cold War.
Bandung Conference:
- The Afro-Asian conference in Bandung in 1955 marked the peak of India’s engagement with newly independent Asian and African nations, leading to the establishment of NAM. Jawaharlal Nehru was a co-founder, and the first NAM Summit was held in Belgrade in September 1961.
Look East Policy:
- In the 1990s, under Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao, India initiated the ‘Look East Policy.’
- This multifaceted approach encompassed improved connectivity, trade promotion, investment, and cultural exchanges, with a focus on South-East Asian nations. India’s interest in ASEAN grew due to economic capabilities and the need to counterbalance China’s regional emergence.
Act East Policy:
- Unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014 at the 12th ASEAN-India Summit in Myanmar, the ‘Act East Policy’ succeeded the ‘Look East Policy.’
- Initially an economic initiative, it has evolved to include political, strategic, and cultural dimensions.
- The policy emphasizes Indian-ASEAN cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing, trade, skills, urban renewal, smart cities, and regional integration.
- The Act East Policy aims to enhance economic cooperation, foster cultural ties, and develop strategic relationships with countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
India’s Nuclear Policy:
- In May 1974, India conducted its first nuclear explosion test as part of its industrialization plans, initiated in the late 1940s under the guidance of Homi J Bhabha.
- The objective was to generate atomic energy for peaceful purposes, but Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, opposing nuclear weapons, sought comprehensive nuclear disarmament from superpowers. Despite India’s plea, the global nuclear arsenal continued to grow.
- When China conducted nuclear tests in October 1964, the five nuclear weapon powers proposed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) of 1968. India opposed such treaties, considering them selectively applicable and legitimizing the monopoly of the five nuclear powers. In 1995, India opposed the indefinite extension of the NPT and refused to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).
- In May 1998, India conducted a series of nuclear tests, demonstrating the military use of nuclear energy. Pakistan followed suit, heightening the region’s vulnerability to a nuclear exchange.
- The international community criticized the tests, leading to sanctions on both India and Pakistan.
- India’s nuclear doctrine emphasizes credible minimum nuclear deterrence, with a No First Use policy and a commitment to global, verifiable, and non-discriminatory nuclear disarmament for a weapons-free world.
Disarmament:
- The concept of disarmament arises from the understanding that weapons are sources of tension and potential causes of wars. The call for disarmament stems from the belief that eliminating weapons, the root of conflicts, is essential to stopping wars and building trust between states.
- Disarmament is crucial for maintaining peace and promoting the progress of human civilization. The proliferation of arms, the expansion of armed forces, and increased investment in weapon technology pose threats to peace and global development.
- The fear of human annihilation in the event of another world war has heightened awareness about disarmament. The elimination of weapons is seen as a vital step to alleviate global tension and eliminate the potential for a worldwide holocaust.
Prelims Facts
- In which year ‘Jana Gana Mana ‘as the National Anthem of India has been adopted? – in the year 1950 [RAS/RTS 1996, JPSC (Pre) 2011]
- Indian National Calendar is based on – the Saka Era [UPPSC (Pre) 2019]
- Who is the topmost civilian officer in Government of India? – Cabinet Secretary [MPPSC (Pre) 1998]
- Where is UNICEF headquarters situated? – New York [UPPSC (Pre) 2022]
- Who has been the first person to deliver his speech in Hindi at UNO? – Atal Bihari Vajpayee [MPPSC (Pre) 2012]
- The primary authority to take initiative towards a responsible and accessible legal system – National Legal Service Authority IIAS (Pre) 2013]
- The Indian Foreign Policy of Non-Alignment was initiated by – Jawaharlal Nehru [UPPSC (Mains) 2014]
- Pivot to Asia is the strategy of the foreign policy of – USA [UPPSC (Pre) 2015]
- In India, which compiles information on industrial disputes closures retrenchment, and lay-offs in factories employing workers? – Labour Bureau [IAS (Pre) 2022]
- The first Interim National Government was announced on? – 25th August, 1946 [UPPSC (Pre) 2022]
- An Indian appointed as the chairman of the International Anti-war Organisation in 1988, was – Narayan Desai [UPPSC (Pre) 1994
- The Press Council of India is a – Statutory Quasi-Judicial Body [UP Lower 2004]
- Who called the District Collector an Institutional Charisma? – Rajni Kothari [RAS/RTS (Pre) 2012]
- When did the Supreme Court give the landmark decision on ‘Triple Talaq Law? – 2017 [BPSC (Pre) 2011]
- In which country was the Presidential form of Government first formed? – USA IMPPSC (Pre) 2006]
- The political leadership of which country is known as Princeling’? – China [RAS/RTS (Pre) 2013]
- How many types of bureaucracy are described by Mastin Marx? – Four IJPSC (Pre) 2016]
- Who was elected the President of India for the record time? – Rajendra Prasad [UPPSC (Pre) 2003]
- Department of Border Management is a department under which the Union Ministry? – Ministry of Home Affairs [IAS (Pre) 1996]
- The Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD) is organized in India to connect with a large number of Pravasis, this convention began in the year – 2003 [UPPSC (Pre) 2014]
- The first Indian Prime Minister who visited Afghanistan was – Jawaharlal Nehru [UPPSC (Pre) 2005]
- Which state has a record of the formation of maximum coalition Governments between 1967 to 1971? – Bihar [UPPSC (Pre) 2013]
- Scientific socialism is attributed to – Karl Marx IMPPSC (Pre) 2016]
- Who recommended to ending Indian Administrative Services and Indian Police Service? – Rajamannar Commission [IAS (Pre) 1993]
- Name the committee that has investigated and submitted the report on the nexus of politicians and criminals. – Vohra Committee [UPPSC (Pre) 1995, CGPSC (Pre) 2003]
- Who was the first chairman of the Backward Classes Commission? – Kaka Kalekar [BPSC (Pre) 2018]
- Which commission had recommended that the appointment of judges to Higher courts should be through the participation of the should be through the participation of the Executive Legislature and Chief Justice? – Law Commission of India [UPPSC (Pre) 2014]
- One common agreement between Gandhism and Marxism is -the final goal of a stateless society [IAS (Pre) 2020)
- It has emerged as one of the most compelling political creeds which has helped to shape history. – Nationalism [Nagaland PSC (Pre) 2008]
UPSC NCERT Practice Questions
1. Which of the following statements is not one of the features of democracy?
(a) In a democracy, the final decision-making power must rest with those elected by the people.
(b) A democracy must be based on a free and fair election where those currently in power have a fair chance of winning.
(c) In a democracy, each adult citizen must have one vote and each vote must have one value.
(d) A democratic government rules within limits set by constitutional law and citizens’ rights.
2. Which of the following statements is/are correct concerning secularism?
1. In the USA, the separation between state and religion means that neither the state nor religion can interfere in the affairs of one another.
2. In Indian secularism, though the state is not strictly separate from religion, it does maintain a principled distance vis-à-vis religion.
Codes
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
3. Which of the following is incorrect regarding Western Model of Secularism?
(a) No policy of the state can have an exclusively religious rationale.
(b) No religious classification can be the basis of any public policy.
(c) The state will not intervene in the affairs of religion and, in the same manner, religion will not interfere in the affairs of the state.
d) There is greater scope for community-based rights or minority rights.
4. Consider the following Assertion (A) and Reason (R) and choose the correct code.
Assertion (A) The concept of equality invokes the idea that all human beings have equal worth regardless of their colour, gender, race, or nationality.
Reason (R) Equality maintains that human beings deserve equal consideration and respect because of their common humanity.
Codes
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true.
5. “A just society is that society in which an ascending sense of reverence and descending sense of contempt are dissolved into the creation of a compassionate society.” Who gave this statement?
(a) Mahatma Gandhi
(b) Jawaharlal Nehru
(c) C Rajagopalachari
(d) BR Ambedkar
6. Other than the Fundamental Rights, which of the following parts of the Constitution of India reflect/reflects the principles and provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)? IAS (Pre) 2020
1. Preamble
2. Directive Principle of State Policy
3. Fundamental Duties
Codes
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 Only
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3
7. Which of the following statements is not one of the characteristics of socialism?
(a) An egalitarian society
(b) Satisfaction of basic needs
(c) Ideal service
(d) Private ownership of vital instruments of production
8. Consider the following Assertion (A) and Reason (R) and choose the correct code.
Assertion (A) Marx declared “from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs”.
Reason (R) The burden should be distributed according to our capacity while benefits be distributed according to our needs.
Codes
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true
9. A country’s foreign policy is generally determined by an interplay of four factors. Which is not one of the factors?
(a) National Interest
(b) Nature, type, and relations with developed countries
(c) International environment
(d) Geographical location
10. Which of the following is not one of the objectives of India’s Foreign Policy?
(a) Maintenance of freedom in policy formulation
(b) Cooperation with World Bank Organisations
(c) Disarmament
(d) Opposition to colonialism, racism and imperialism
11. Which of the following statements is correct regarding Non-Aligned Movement?
(a) The roots of NAM go back to the friendship between Yugoslavia’s Josip Broz Tito, India’s Jawaharlal Nehru, and Egypt’s leader Gilani.
(b) The first Non-Aligned Summit was held in Bandung in 1961.
(c) The policy of staying away from alliances was based on isolationism or neutrality.
(d) None of the above
12. The famous Panchsheel Agreement between Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Chinese Prime Minister Zhou Enlai was signed in which year?
(a) 1952
(b) 1953
(c) 1954 (d) 1955
13. Consider the following statements concerning India’s Nuclear Policy.
1. India will keep the nuclear weapons as deterrence and will not be the first to use it.
2. India is committed to global disarmament and non-proliferation.
Which of the statement (s) given above is/are correct?
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
14. Concerning the ‘Look East Policy’ of India, consider the following statements.
1. India wants to establish itself as an important regional player in East Asian affairs.
2. India wants to plug the vacuum created by the termination of the Cold War.
3. India wants to restore the historical and cultural ties with its neighbors in South-East and East India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 Only
(b) 1 and 3
(c) 3 Only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Know Right Answer
1. (b)
2. (c)
3. (d)
4. (a)
5. (d)
6. (d)
7. (d)
8. (a)
9. (b)
10. (b)
11. (d)
12. (c)
13. (c)
14 (d)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the significance of the Panchsheel Agreement in Indian foreign policy?
A1: The Panchsheel Agreement, also known as the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, holds great significance in Indian foreign policy. It was established in 1954 between India and China and was later endorsed by several other countries. The principles include mutual respect’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, non-aggression, non-interference in internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. The Panchsheel Agreement reflects India’s commitment to peaceful diplomacy and the resolution of conflicts through dialogue, setting the foundation for India’s foreign policy approach of non-alignment and cooperation.
Q2: How does the concept of Non-Alignment shape India’s foreign policy?
A2: Non-alignment is a key element of India’s foreign policy, emphasizing independence and neutrality in international affairs. This concept, adopted during the Cold War era, implies that India does not align itself with any major power bloc but instead seeks to maintain autonomy and pursue its national interests. Non-alignment allows India to engage with countries irrespective of their political or ideological differences and promotes peaceful coexistence. It has been a guiding principle in India’s diplomatic engagements, allowing the country to build alliances and partnerships based on mutual interests rather than being bound by rigid alliances.
Q3: What are the major political theories and ideologies that influence Indian polity?
A3: Indian polity is shaped by a blend of political theories and ideologies that have evolved. Some key influences include:
- Gandhian Philosophy: Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of non-violence, truth, and decentralized governance have left a lasting impact on Indian political thought.
- Ambedkarite Ideology: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s emphasis on social justice, equality, and the importance of constitutionalism has significantly influenced India’s political landscape.
- Nehruvian Socialism: Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, advocated for a mixed economy and socialistic policies, influencing the early economic direction of the country.
- Secularism: The Indian Constitution enshrines the principles of secularism, emphasizing the separation of religion from the state and ensuring equal treatment of all religions.
- Federalism: The distribution of powers between the central and state governments, as enshrined in the Constitution, reflects federalist principles, providing for a balanced and cooperative form of governance.
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