Year 2024

Forests precede civilisations and deserts follow them.

Underline the changes in the field of society and economy from the Rig Vedic to the later Vedic period. (10 marks, 150 words)

Examine the need for electoral reforms as suggested by various committees with particular reference to "one nation – one election" principle. (10 marks, 150 words)

Examine the pattern and trend of public expenditure on social services in the post-reforms period in India. To what extent this has been in consonance with achieving the objective of inclusive growth? (10 marks, 150 words)

(a) The application of Artificial Intelligence as a dependable source of input for administrative rational decision-making is a debatable issue. Critically examine the statement from the ethical point of view.

(b) “Ethics encompasses several key dimensions that are crucial in guiding individuals and organizations towards morally responsible behaviour.”

Explain the key dimensions of ethics that influence human actions.

Discuss how these dimensions shape ethical decision-making in the professional context.

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

(a) Attributes of culture

(b) Harappan maritime trade

(c) Critical perspective on avoidance and joking relationship

(d) Lethal and sublethal genes

(e) Hemoglobin in health and disease

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

(a) Digitisation of rural economy (10 marks, 150 words)

(b) Origin of State Societies (10 marks, 150 words)

(c) Syro-Malabar Christians (10 marks, 150 words)

(d) Artisan tribes of Jharkhand (10 marks, 150 words)

(e) Causes of stunting and wasting among tribal children (10 marks, 150 words)

Answer the following in about 150 words each:

(a) What are ‘truncated spurs’? Where and how are they formed? (10 marks, 150 words)

(b) Formation of temperate cyclone depends on the condition of axis of dilation. Elucidate. (10 marks, 150 words)

(c) With suitable examples explain the factors causing sea level changes. (10 marks, 150 words)

(d) Examine the impacts of social forestry in socio-economic transformation of rural areas. (10 marks, 150 words)

(e) Mountain regions are more fragile to ecological changes. Elucidate. (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) Lunkaransar

(ii) Gua

(iii) Raidak River

(iv) Ekta Nagar

(v) Chandanwari

(vi) Babina

(vii) Tatipaka

(viii) Along Airport

(ix) Karaikal

(x) Panna

(b) Discuss the basis of various explanations for the formation of Shiwalik. (10 marks)

(c) Conservation and breeding centres are important components of the Action Plan for Vulture Conservation, 2020-2025. Why? (10 marks)

(d) North-Eastern States of India are geopolitically sensitive and strategically significant. Explain. (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 : (50 marks, 30 words per item)

(i) Prehistoric site

(ii) Area of petroglyphs

(iii) Neolithic site

(iv) Harappan site

(v) Buddhist monastery

(vi) Chalcolithic site

(vii) Neo-Chalcolithic site

(viii) Megalithic site with rock art

(ix) One of the Mahajanapadas' capital and associated with Buddha's miracle

(x) Hominid fossil find site

(xi) Major rock edict of Ashoka

(xii) Ancient trade centre

(xiii) Stone inscription recording land grants with tax exemptions

(xiv) Shiva temples named after family relationships

(xv) Place of art-related inscription

(xvi) Place of inscription of three languages

(xvii) Temple site where three styles of temple architecture are found

(xviii) Jain pilgrimage site

(xix) Shiva temple of Gupta period

(xx) Megalithic monumental site

Critically examine the following statements in about 150 words each: (10×5=50 marks, 150 words)

(a) After the battle of Plassey, the mercenary became the Kingmaker. (10 marks)

(b) The values of utilitarianism prompted the Company administration to attempt reform of Indian society. (10 marks)

(c) In course of the 19th century, the agenda of social reform was gradually replaced by revivalism. (10 marks)

(d) The federal provisions of the Government of India Act of 1935 foundered on the rock of princely intransigence. (10 marks)

(e) The strength of the Pakistan programme was its vagueness. It meant everything to everyone. (10 marks)

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

(a) Differentiate between Plato's and Aristotle's conceptions of form. (10 marks, 150 words)

(b) How does Kant respond to Hume's skepticism with regard to a priori judgments ? Discuss. (10 marks, 150 words)

(c) What arguments are offered by Moore to prove that there are certain truisms, knowledge of which is a matter of common sense ? Critically discuss. (10 marks, 150 words)

(d) Why does later Wittgenstein think that there cannot be a language that only one person can speak — a language that is essentially private ? Discuss. (10 marks, 150 words)

(e) How does Kierkegaard define truth in terms of subjectivity ? Critically discuss. (10 marks, 150 words)

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

(a) Briefly discuss Plato's concept of justice. (10 marks, 150 words)

(b) Present a brief account of origin and development of Social Contract Theory. (10 marks, 150 words)

(c) Discuss the main factors responsible for caste discrimination. (10 marks, 150 words)

(d) Present an exposition of the concept of alienation as propounded by Marx. (10 marks, 150 words)

(e) Compare socialism and communism as two distinct political ideologies. (10 marks, 150 words)

Write approximately 150 words on each one of the following :

(a) Behavioural approach to Political Science (10 marks, 150 words)

(b) Pluralist theory of State (10 marks, 150 words)

(c) Locke's views on Revolution (10 marks, 150 words)

(d) Decline of Liberalism (10 marks, 150 words)

(e) Linkage between Power and Hegemony (10 marks, 150 words)

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

(a) Discuss the interpretive approach to the study of comparative politics. (10)

(b) Explain the central tenets of the World-Systems Theory. (10)

(c) The expansionist tendencies of the current Russian regime indicate its intentions for the realisation of a Greater Russia on the lines of the Soviet era. Comment. (10)

(d) Explain the various facets of the idealist approach to the study of international relations. Comment on its contemporary relevance. (10)

(e) The changing global order and ongoing regional conflicts, with the global powers taking sides, have jeopardised the progress made towards disarmament in the past. Comment. (10)

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each :

(a) "Politics-administration dichotomy debate is still alive." Comment. (10 marks, 150 words)

(b) "Formal organisations are made up of informal groups." Discuss. (10 marks, 150 words)

(c) "Grapevine is a necessary evil." Examine. (10 marks, 150 words)

(d) "Healthy Headquarters and Field Agencies relationship thrives on effective communication." Comment. (10 marks, 150 words)

(e) "Media has become more of a societal lens than institutional lens." Analyse. (10 marks, 150 words)

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

(a) “Ethics in Public services has been the main concern of Kautilya’s Arthashastra.” Examine the statement. (10)

(b) “The Mughal Administration was by nature centralised.” Analyse. (10)

(c) “Autonomy to Public Undertakings is a myth.” Analyse. (10)

(d) “It should be people’s Prime Minister Office (PMO), it can’t be Prime Minister’s PMO.” Comment. (10)

(e) “Implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) has led to a Paradigm shift in the centre-state relations, both financially and politically.” Analyse. (10)

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each :

(a) Discuss the nature of Sociology. Highlight its relationship with Social Anthropology. (10 marks, about 150 words)

(b) Analyse the changing nature of caste as a status group. (10 marks, about 150 words)

(c) Marriage as an institution has undergone a radical transformation from ‘ritual’ to ‘commercial’ in its outlook. Explain the factors behind this change. (10 marks, about 150 words)

(d) Democracy needs a vibrant culture of civil society in order to strengthen its foundation of citizenship. Comment. (10 marks, about 150 words)

(e) What are the ‘basic and irreducible’ functions of the family as proposed by Talcott Parsons ? Explain. (10 marks, about 150 words)

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

(a) What, according to you, are the factors responsible for the continuance of caste system in India? Explain. (10 marks, 150 words)

(b) Discuss the changes taking place in the industrial class structure in India. (10 marks, 150 words)

(c) Is patriarchy a key to understanding different forms of inequalities in Indian society? Elaborate. (10 marks, 150 words)

(d) Do you think that family bondings are being affected by the changing kinship patterns in India? Comment. (10 marks, 150 words)

(e) Despite the efforts of the government, bonded labour still continues in India. Discuss. (10 marks, 150 words)

Passage-1

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, one-third of food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted globally. Food is lost or wasted throughout the supply chain, from initial agricultural production to final household consumption. The increasing wastage also results in land degradation by about 45%, mainly due to deforestation, unsustainable agricultural practices, and excessive groundwater extraction. The energy spent over wasted food results in about 3.5 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide production every year. Decay also leads to harmful emissions of other gases in the atmosphere. Addressing the loss and wastage of food in all forms is critical to complete the cycle of food efficiency and food sustainability.

Which of the following statements best reflect the most logical and rational inferences that can be made from the passage?

1. The current methods of food distribution are solely responsible for the loss and wastage of food.

2. Land productivity is adversely affected by the prevailing trend of food loss and wastage.

3. Reduction in the loss and wastage of food results in lesser carbon footprint.

4. Post-harvest technologies to prevent or reduce the loss and wastage of food are not available.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

(A) 1, 2 and 3

(B) 2 and 3 only

(C) 1, 3 and 4

(D) 1, 2 and 4

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: The atmosphere is heated more by incoming solar radiation than by terrestrial radiation.

Statement-II: Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are good absorbers of long wave radiation.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

(A) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are

correct and Statement-II explains

Statement-I

(B) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are

correct, but Statement-II does not

explain Statement-I

(C) Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II

is incorrect

(D) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II

is correct