Political Science Questions for UPSC Mains (100 Questions)

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I. Indian Constitution & Constitutional Framework

1. Discuss the philosophical underpinnings of the Indian Constitution.
2. Evaluate the role of the Constituent Assembly in shaping India’s democracy.
3. Discuss the significance of the Preamble as a part of the Constitution.
4. Compare the Indian Constitution with the US Constitution in terms of federalism.
5. Examine the concept of constitutional morality in India.
6. Discuss the relevance of the Basic Structure Doctrine in contemporary India.
7. Analyse the significance of Fundamental Rights in strengthening democracy.
8. Critically assess the scope and limitations of Directive Principles of State Policy.
9. Discuss the relationship between Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties.
10. Examine the nature of India’s parliamentary democracy.

II. Federalism & Centre-State Relations

11. Analyse the features of cooperative federalism in India.
12. Discuss the challenges to federalism arising from fiscal centralisation.
13. Examine the role of the Inter-State Council in resolving disputes.
14. Evaluate the impact of GST on Centre-State relations.
15. Discuss the provisions related to inter-state water disputes.
16. Examine the role of the Governor in the federal framework.
17. Critically assess the role of the Finance Commission in India’s fiscal federalism.
18. Discuss asymmetric federalism in the Indian context.
19. Analyse the challenges posed by regionalism to Indian unity.
20. Evaluate the impact of the 73rd and 74th Amendments on local governance.

III. Parliament & Legislative Processes

21. Discuss the role of Parliament in ensuring executive accountability.
22. Evaluate the effectiveness of parliamentary committees in India.
23. Examine the role of the Speaker in ensuring legislative discipline.
24. Discuss the significance of the Anti-Defection Law.
25. Analyse the challenges of frequent disruptions in Parliament.
26. Discuss the implications of the Ordinance-making power of the Executive.
27. Examine the process and limitations of amending the Constitution.
28. Evaluate the role of Rajya Sabha as a revising chamber.
29. Discuss the relevance of Private Members’ Bills in Indian democracy.
30. Analyse the impact of party whips on legislative independence.

IV. Executive & Judiciary

31. Discuss the powers and functions of the President of India.
32. Evaluate the role of the Prime Minister in India’s parliamentary system.
33. Examine the collective responsibility of the Council of Ministers.
34. Analyse the independence of the judiciary in India.
35. Discuss the evolution of the collegium system of judicial appointments.
36. Evaluate the concept of judicial activism in India.
37. Discuss the significance of Public Interest Litigation (PIL).
38. Examine the role of tribunals in India’s judicial system.
39. Critically analyse the concept of judicial review.
40. Discuss the challenges of judicial overreach in India.

V. Rights, Freedoms & Social Justice

41. Discuss the constitutional safeguards for minorities in India.
42. Evaluate the role of reservations in promoting social justice.
43. Analyse the Right to Education as a fundamental right.
44. Discuss the constitutional provisions for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
45. Examine the impact of the Right to Information Act on transparency.
46. Discuss the scope of freedom of speech and expression in India.
47. Evaluate the balance between national security and individual freedoms.
48. Analyse the role of the National Human Rights Commission.
49. Discuss the challenges of implementing gender equality in India.
50. Examine the concept of secularism as practised in India.

VI. Governance & Public Policy

51. Evaluate the role of civil services in policy implementation.
52. Discuss the significance of good governance in democratic systems.
53. Examine the challenges of e-governance in India.
54. Discuss the importance of citizen charters in public administration.
55. Analyse the role of NITI Aayog in policy formulation.
56. Evaluate the effectiveness of social audit in ensuring accountability.
57. Discuss the role of NGOs in governance.
58. Examine the importance of ethical governance in public service.
59. Analyse the challenges of policy implementation in rural areas.
60. Discuss the significance of transparency in governance.

VII. Political Theory & Comparative Politics

61. Discuss the concept of sovereignty in the 21st century.
62. Evaluate the differences between liberal and socialist political thought.
63. Analyse the relevance of Marxism in contemporary politics.
64. Discuss the principles of utilitarianism and their critique.
65. Examine the concept of justice in political philosophy.
66. Discuss the relationship between democracy and development.
67. Evaluate the features of totalitarian and authoritarian regimes.
68. Analyse the concept of civil society in democratic governance.
69. Discuss the idea of multiculturalism in political theory.
70. Evaluate the feminist critique of traditional political thought.

VIII. International Relations & India’s Foreign Policy

71. Discuss the principles of India’s Non-Aligned Movement.
72. Evaluate India’s role in the UN peacekeeping missions.
73. Examine the impact of globalisation on India’s foreign policy.
74. Analyse India’s Act East Policy.
75. Discuss the challenges in India-Pakistan relations.
76. Evaluate the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific for India.
77. Discuss India’s relations with ASEAN countries.
78. Examine the impact of India-US relations on global politics.
79. Analyse the significance of BRICS for India.
80. Discuss the role of SAARC in regional cooperation.

IX. Security & Strategic Issues

81. Discuss the role of internal security in national integration.
82. Analyse the impact of terrorism on India’s national security.
83. Evaluate India’s nuclear policy.
84. Discuss the challenges of cyber security in India.
85. Examine the role of intelligence agencies in national security.
86. Analyse the implications of border disputes on India’s foreign policy.
87. Discuss the challenges of left-wing extremism in India.
88. Evaluate the role of the Armed Forces in disaster management.
89. Discuss India’s maritime security strategy.
90. Examine the role of defence diplomacy in India’s strategic interests.

X. Contemporary Political Issues & Reforms

91. Discuss the challenges of electoral reforms in India.
92. Evaluate the impact of criminalisation of politics on democracy.
93. Analyse the functioning of the Election Commission of India.
94. Discuss the role of media in shaping public opinion.
95. Examine the impact of social media on electoral politics.
96. Discuss the importance of political funding reforms.
97. Evaluate the challenges of coalition politics in India.
98. Analyse the role of political parties in deepening democracy.
99. Discuss the implications of simultaneous elections in India.
100. Examine the need for reforms in India’s parliamentary system.