Year 2017

Farming has lost the ability to be a source of subsistence for majority of farmers in India.

How do you justify the view that the level of excellence of the Gupta numismatic art is not at all noticeable in later times?

"The local self government system in India has not proved to be effective instrument of governance." Critically examine the statement and give your views to improve the situation.

Among several factors for India's potential growth, savings rate is the most effective one. Do you agree? What are the other factors available for growth potential?

Conflict of interest in the public sector arises when (a) official duties, (b) public interest, and (c) personal interest are taking priority one above the other. How can this conflict in administration be resolved? Describe with an example.

Write notes on the following in about 150 words each : (10 marks, 150 words each)

(a) Bilineal and bilateral descents

(b) Difference between religion and magic

(c) Basic tenets of structural-functionalism

(d) Non-verbal communication

(e) Questionnaire

Write short notes on the following in about 150 words each : (10x5=50 marks, 150 words each)

(a) Neolithic cultures of South India. (10 marks, 150 words)

(b) Austro-asiatic linguistic groups in India. (10 marks, 150 words)

(c) Varnashram and the concept of Rina. (10 marks, 150 words)

(d) Ethno-archaeology. (10 marks, 150 words)

(e) Nature-man-spirit complex. (10 marks, 150 words)

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:

(a) Write a note on pseudovolcanic features. (10 marks, 150 words)

(b) Distinguish between low energy coasts and coral coasts. (10 marks, 150 words)

(c) Discuss the impacts of ocean currents on air mass behaviour. (10 marks, 150 words)

(d) Describe the characteristics of biological deserts. (10 marks, 150 words)

(e) Explain the concept of micro carbon sink and its relevance. (10 marks, 150 words)

(a) On the outline map of India provided to you, mark the location of all of the following. Write in your QCA Booklet the significance of these locations, whether physical/commercial/economic/ecological/environmental/cultural, in not more than 30 words for each entry : (20 marks, 30 words for each entry)

(i) Thumba

(ii) Nayachar Island

(iii) Doddabetta

(iv) Devasthal

(v) Pangong Lake

(vi) Hampi

(vii) Havelock Island

(viii) Luni River

(ix) Daringbadi

(x) Dudhsagar Waterfalls

(b) Give a reasoned account of unusual pattern of distribution of monsoonal rainfall in India in 2017. (10 marks)

(c) Explain the inter-State issues involved in implementation of the Satluj-Yamuna Link Canal project. (10 marks)

(d) Small towns in India have problems and prospects of their own. Elaborate. (10 marks)

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) A Prehistoric cave-paintings' site (2.5 marks, 30 words)

(ii) A Neolithic-Chalcolithic site (2.5 marks, 30 words)

(iii) An Early Harappan site (2.5 marks, 30 words)

(iv) A Harappan site (2.5 marks, 30 words)

(v) An ancient capital city (2.5 marks, 30 words)

(vi) A Painted grey ware site (2.5 marks, 30 words)

(vii) A Neolithic site (2.5 marks, 30 words)

(viii) A site of Ashokan inscriptions (2.5 marks, 30 words)

(ix) An ancient port and trade centre (2.5 marks, 30 words)

(x) A Harappan site (2.5 marks, 30 words)

(xi) A Chalcolithic site (2.5 marks, 30 words)

(xii) An ancient capital city (2.5 marks, 30 words)

(xiii) A Rock-cut cave site (2.5 marks, 30 words)

(xiv) An early fortified city (2.5 marks, 30 words)

(xv) A Rock-cut temple site (2.5 marks, 30 words)

(xvi) An ancient temple site (2.5 marks, 30 words)

(xvii) An ancient capital city (2.5 marks, 30 words)

(xviii) An ancient temple site (2.5 marks, 30 words)

(xix) A Palaeolithic site (2.5 marks, 30 words)

(xx) An ancient capital city (2.5 marks, 30 words)

Critically examine the following statements in about 150 words each (10 marks, 150 words):

(a) “The Maratha polity disintegrated through internal stress.”

(b) “The chief value of Raja’s (Raja Rammohan Roy) labours seems to lie in his fight against the forces of medievalism in India.”

(c) “The British railway construction policy in India benefitted British economy in the nineteenth century.”

(d) “The Arya Samaj may quite logically be pronounced as the outcome of conditions imported into India from the West.”

(e) “Sri Narayana Guru’s was a major intervention in the social reform movement from a subaltern perspective.”

Write short answers to the following in about 150 words each :

(a) Elaborate Hegel's dictum : "All identity is identity and difference." (10 marks, 150 words)

(b) Explain Husserl's reasons for advocating phenomenological reductionism. (10 marks, 150 words)

(c) How is the statement, 'I met a man', semantically problematic for Russell ? How does he account for the meaningfulness of this statement ? (10 marks, 150 words)

(d) In what sense can ideas be both immanent and transcendent ? Discuss in this context Plato's theory of universals and particulars. (10 marks, 150 words)

(e) Show how Hume's analysis of experience leaves no ground for belief in any permanent reality either physical or mental. (10 marks, 150 words)

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each : (10x5=50 marks)

(a) Discuss in the context of anarchy whether the freedom of an individual is consistent with the sovereignty of the State. (10 marks, 150 words)

(b) Discuss whether a blending of monarchy with democracy is conceivable to avoid their undesirable defects for making the governance better for citizens and State. (10 marks, 150 words)

(c) Is caste discrimination a result of the superiority complex of a privileged class of the society or of religious rituals ? Discuss with reference to the views propounded by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. (10 marks, 150 words)

(d) Out of rights and duties, which one is prior to the other ? Discuss in the context of accountability. (10 marks, 150 words)

(e) Discuss the different aspects of the fundamental distinction between democratic equality and the Marxian notion of equality. (10 marks, 150 words)

Comment on the following in about 150 words each : (10 marks, 150 words)

(a) According to Sri Aurobindo, Swaraj is a necessary condition for India to accomplish its destined goal

(b) Neo-liberal perspective of State

(c) Post-modernism

(d) Eco-feminism

(e) Hobbesian notion of Political Obligation

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each :

(a) Explain the Political-Sociological Approach in the field of comparative politics and discuss its limitations. (10 marks, 150 words)

(b) Critically examine the Globalisation in the past 25 years from the perspectives of the Western world. (10 marks, 150 words)

(c) Examine the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) movement in developed societies and how it is affecting the political participation in developing societies. (10 marks, 150 words)

(d) American President Donald Trump's proposal to withdraw from the 'NAFTA' would bring unforeseen consequences to the regionalisation of world politics. Elaborate. (10 marks, 150 words)

(e) Give an assessment of the Feminist critique of contemporary global issues. (10 marks, 150 words)

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each : (10 marks, 150 words)

(a) “Even after 130 years of its publication, Woodrow Wilson's essay 'The Study of Administration' continues to have great relevance even today.” Comment.

(b) “What is distinctive about the Classical and Human Relations schools of administration is their complementarity to each other.” Analyse.

(c) “Conflict is the appearance of differences — differences of opinions and of interests”— (Mary Parker Follett). Comment.

(d) “Leaders do the right things; managers do them rightly” — (Warren Bennis). Is this distinction by him valid ? Explain.

(e) “Administrative law is recognised by its substance rather than its form.” Discuss.

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:

(a) “Constitutionalism is the foundation of the administrative edifice in India.” Discuss. (150 words)

(b) “The status and functioning of the Cabinet Secretariat face a stiff challenge from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).” Argue both in favour and against the contention. (150 words)

(c) “Effectiveness of local self-government institutions is hampered due to the lack of capacity building of the elected representatives.” Elaborate. (150 words)

(d) “Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) in India face tough competition from the private enterprises and Multi-National Corporations (MNCs).” Explain. (150 words)

(e) Do you think that ‘All India Judicial Service (AIJS)’ would contribute to timely delivery of justice to the citizens? Argue your case. (150 words)

(a) Explain how sociology has emerged as a distinct discipline based on rationality and scientific temper. (10)

(b) Examine ethnomethodological and phenomenological perspectives as critique of positivism. (10)

(c) Illustrate with example the significance of variables in sociological research. (10)

(d) Critically analyse Talcott Parsons’ conception of ‘Pattern Variables’. (10)

(e) Can we equate ‘poverty’ with ‘poor living’? Elaborate your answer. (10)

Write short answers with a sociological perspective on the following, in about 150 words each: (10×5=50)

(a) Write a critique of the structural and functional perspective used by M.N. Srinivas in the understanding of Indian society. (10)

(b) Which is more significant, the principle of ‘hierarchy’ or the principle of ‘difference’, in intercaste relations in the present day? (10)

(c) What are the distinct features of Islam as practised in India, and how have they changed over time? (10)

(d) How have the struggles against untouchability changed their forms and perspectives from Gandhian to Ambedkarite positions? (10)

(e) Write a short note on ‘changing means of production and increased rural poverty.’ (10)

Directions for the following 8 (eight) items:

Read the following eight passages and answer the items that follow the passages. Your answers to these items should be based on the passages only.

Passage-1

What climate change will undeniably do is cause or amplify events that hasten the reduction of resources. Competition over these diminishing resources would ensue in the form of political or even violent conflict. Resource-based conflicts have rarely been overt and are thus difficult to isolate. Instead, they take on veneers that appear more politically palatable. Conflicts over resources like water are often cloaked in the guise of identity or ideology.

What does the above passage imply?

(A) Resource-based conflicts are always politically motivated.

(B) There are no political solutions to resolve environmental and resource-based conflicts.

(C) Environmental issues contribute to resource stresses and political conflict.

(D) Political conflict based on identity or ideology cannot be resolved.

With reference to the Parliament of India, consider the following statements:

1. A private member’s bill is a bill presented by a Member of Parliament who is not elected but only nominated by the President of India.

2. Recently, a private member’s bill has been passed in the Parliament of India for the first time in its history. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(A) 1 only

(B) 2 only

(C) Both 1 and 2

(D) Neither 1 nor 2