IGNOU BPSM-162 Solved Question Paper PDF Download

IGNOU BPSM-162 Previous Year Solved Question Paper in Hindi

IGNOU BPSM-162 Previous Year Solved Question Paper in English

Q1. Explain the liberal approach to the study of Indian politics.

Ans. The liberal approach is one of the most prominent and influential frameworks for studying Indian politics. This approach primarily focuses on institutional structures, constitutional provisions, individual freedoms, and democratic processes . It assumes that politics is an autonomous sphere that can be understood through its formal rules and institutions. The core tenets of the liberal approach are as follows:

• Institutional Focus: This approach emphasizes the study of formal governmental institutions such as the legislature, executive, judiciary, and the Election Commission. Scholars like W.H. Morris-Jones and Rajni Kothari (in his early works) used this framework to analyse the Indian political system, seeking to understand how these institutions function according to the Constitution.
• Pluralism: The liberal approach views Indian society as composed of various interest groups that compete with one another to promote their interests. The state is seen as a neutral arbiter among these competing groups.
• Constitutionalism: According to this perspective, the Indian Constitution is the bedrock of the political system. It limits the powers of the government and protects the rights of citizens. The rule of law and judicial independence are its key pillars.
• Individualism: The individual is considered the primary unit of politics. The study centres on individual rights, freedoms, and political participation (such as voting).

Initially, the liberal approach played a crucial role in explaining the success of democracy in India and the functioning of the ‘Congress System’ (as described by Rajni Kothari). It also focused on the developmental and nation-building agenda of the Indian state.

However, this approach has also faced criticism. Scholars from

Marxist and Subaltern

perspectives argue that the liberal approach overlooks the deep structural inequalities inherent in Indian society, such as

caste and class

. They contend that the state is not neutral but often serves the interests of dominant classes and castes. This approach can be inadequate in fully explaining the informal aspects of politics, such as violence, corruption, and the complexities of identity politics.

In conclusion, the liberal approach provides an essential foundation for understanding the formal ‘rules of the game’ of Indian politics, but it needs to be supplemented with other approaches to grasp the deeper social conflicts and power structures at play.

Q2. Discuss the essential features of the Indian Constitution.

Ans. The Constitution of India, which came into effect on 26th January 1950, is a unique and comprehensive legal document. It provides a broad framework for the political system, the structure of the government, and the rights and duties of citizens. Its essential features are as follows:

• Lengthiest Written Constitution: The Indian Constitution is the longest written constitution in the world. It contains detailed provisions for both the Centre and the states, administrative details, and mentions of various commissions. Its bulky size reflects the need to accommodate the country’s vast geographical and cultural diversity.
• Drawn from Various Sources: The framers of the Constitution drew inspiration from several constitutions around the world. The parliamentary system was borrowed from the UK, Fundamental Rights and judicial review from the USA, Directive Principles of State Policy from Ireland, and the federal system with a strong centre from Canada. Its largest source is the Government of India Act, 1935.
• Blend of Rigidity and Flexibility: The Indian Constitution is neither entirely flexible like Britain’s nor entirely rigid like that of the USA. Under Article 368, it has three amendment procedures: some provisions can be amended by a simple majority, some by a special majority, and some by a special majority along with the ratification of half the states.
• Federal System with Unitary Bias: The Constitution declares India as a “Union of States.” It has a clear division of powers between the Centre and states (Union List, State List, Concurrent List). However, features like a strong Centre, single citizenship, an integrated judiciary, and emergency provisions make it unitary or quasi-federal in nature.
• Parliamentary Form of Government: India has a parliamentary system, similar to Britain’s, where the executive (Council of Ministers) is collectively responsible to the legislature (Lok Sabha) for its policies and actions. The President is the formal head of state, while the real executive power lies with the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.
• Fundamental Rights: Part III (Articles 12-35) of the Constitution guarantees six fundamental rights to citizens, including the Right to Equality, Right to Freedom, Right against Exploitation, Right to Freedom of Religion, Cultural and Educational Rights, and the Right to Constitutional Remedies.
• Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP): Described in Part IV, these are guidelines for the state to establish social and economic democracy. They are not enforceable by courts but are considered fundamental in the governance of the country.
• Secular State: The Preamble declares India to be a secular state. The state has no official religion and treats all religions equally, granting religious freedom to all citizens.

In conclusion, the Indian Constitution is a living document that has evolved over time while providing a stable framework for governance.

Q3. Analyse the parliamentary devices to control the executive.

Ans. In India’s parliamentary system, the executive (the government) is a part of the legislature (Parliament) and is collectively responsible to it, especially to the Lok Sabha. To ensure this accountability, Parliament uses several devices or tools to maintain control over the executive and prevent it from becoming arbitrary. An analysis of these devices is as follows: 1. Procedural or Daily Control Devices:

• Question Hour: The first hour of a parliamentary sitting is the Question Hour. During this time, Members of Parliament (MPs) ask questions to ministers regarding the functioning of their ministries. Through Starred Questions (oral answers), Unstarred Questions (written answers), and Short Notice Questions , information is sought, and the government is held accountable for its policies and actions.
• Zero Hour: This period immediately follows the Question Hour and is an Indian innovation in parliamentary procedure. In it, MPs can raise matters of urgent public importance without any prior notice. It is a powerful informal tool to put pressure on the government.
• Discussions: MPs can demand a detailed debate on a specific matter of public importance through a Half-an-Hour Discussion or a Short Duration Discussion, compelling the government to respond in the House.

2. Financial Control:

• Budgetary Control: The government requires Parliament’s approval to levy any tax or spend any money. During the budget debate, MPs can criticise the government’s financial policies.
• Cut Motions: MPs can move cut motions to express their disapproval of a specific demand for a grant in the budget. These are of three types: Policy Cut, Economy Cut, and Token Cut . The passage of a cut motion is tantamount to a vote of no-confidence.
• Parliamentary Committees: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) , the Estimates Committee, and the Committee on Public Undertakings scrutinise government expenditure in detail. They examine the reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India and expose financial irregularities.

3. Substantive or Major Motions:

• No-Confidence Motion: This is the most potent weapon of executive control. According to Article 75 of the Constitution, the Council of Ministers is responsible to the Lok Sabha. If a no-confidence motion moved by the opposition is passed in the Lok Sabha, the government must resign.
• Adjournment Motion: Its purpose is to draw the attention of the House to a definite matter of urgent public importance. If accepted, the regular business of the House is set aside to discuss the matter. It is considered a serious censure of the government.
• Censure Motion: This is moved to censure a specific policy or action of a single minister, a group of ministers, or the entire government. Its passage does not require the government to resign but is a strong rebuke.

In conclusion, these parliamentary devices are crucial for ensuring accountability and transparency in a democracy. In the presence of a vigilant opposition and an impartial Speaker, these tools prevent the executive from becoming despotic.

Q4. Write short notes on the following in about 200 words each : (a) Communalism and the State (b) Gender and Development

Ans. (a) Communalism and the State Communalism is an ideology which holds that people of the same religion have common interests that are different from, and often antagonistic to, those of other religious communities. It uses religious identity for political gain and creates divisions in society. The relationship between communalism and the state in India has been complex and multifaceted. Constitutionally, the Indian state is a secular entity, duty-bound to protect all its citizens and treat them equally, regardless of their religious identity. In this ideal position, the state should act as a neutral arbiter against communal forces. However, in practice, the role of the state has often been questioned. At times, especially during communal riots, the state machinery (like the police and administration) has been accused of being passive or even biased towards the majority community. This is seen as state complicity or prejudice. Furthermore, when the political party in power promotes the interests of the majority community through its policies and rhetoric, it leads to majoritarianism and marginalises minorities. The politicisation of state institutions can further fuel communalism. While the state has enacted laws to curb communal violence, their implementation is often weak, raising doubts about the state’s impartiality. (b) Gender and Development Gender and Development (GAD) is an approach that moves beyond focusing solely on women (Women in Development – WID) to understanding ‘gender’ as a social construct. It shapes power relations, roles, and access to resources for men, women, and other genders in society. The goal of GAD is not just to integrate women into development processes but to challenge the unequal power structures that create gender inequality. In the Indian context, the analysis of gender and development can be seen across several areas. Economically, women face challenges like the gender pay gap , lack of property rights, and over-representation in the informal sector. Politically, the 33% reservation in local bodies has increased women’s participation, and the recently passed Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is a significant step towards enhancing their representation in Parliament and assemblies. To improve social indicators like the sex ratio, female literacy rate, and maternal mortality, the government has launched several schemes like ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ and ‘Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana’. The GAD approach emphasizes that sustainable development is not possible until a gender perspective is mainstreamed into all development policies and programs to ensure equitable outcomes for all.

Q5. Analyse the relationship between caste, class and politics.

Ans. In India, caste, class, and politics share a deep, complex, and dynamic relationship that shapes the nature of Indian society and polity. Traditionally, Indian society was a hierarchical structure based primarily on caste, but economic changes during the colonial period and post-independence have also established class as a significant social category. Both these identities have become powerful tools for mobilisation in Indian politics. Caste and Politics: The role of caste in politics can be seen in two ways. First is the “caste-ization of politics,” where political parties select candidates based on the caste arithmetic of constituencies, and voters often vote along caste lines. The second is the “politicization of caste,” where various caste groups organize themselves as political entities to protect their interests, demand resources, and gain political power. For instance, Dalits and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) have raised their voice and demanded social justice through political mobilisation. Parties like the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Samajwadi Party (SP) are products of this process. The policy of reservations also keeps caste politically relevant. Class and Politics: Traditionally, class-based politics was associated with left-wing parties, which claimed to represent the interests of industrial workers and landless peasants. However, after the economic liberalisation of 1991, new classes have emerged in India, such as a growing middle class, a new corporate elite, and a vast unorganised sector workforce. Middle-class politics often focuses on issues like governance, corruption, and development . Meanwhile, the corporate class has a profound influence on economic policies. The Interplay of Caste and Class: There is a strong overlap between caste and class hierarchies in India. Historically, upper castes have been economically affluent and land-owning, while Dalits and Adivasis have largely been landless and poor. However, this relationship is no longer as straightforward. Policies like the Green Revolution and reservations have led to the emergence of an affluent section even among lower castes, often termed the ‘Dalit middle class’. Similarly, poverty exists among the upper castes as well. Political mobilisation often uses both caste and class identities. A leader might appeal to their caste members while also raising economic issues that affect them as a class. Farmer movements often unite farmers from different castes under a common class interest. In conclusion, Indian politics cannot be understood through the lens of either caste or class alone. It is a ‘caste-class nexus’ where both identities influence each other and determine the direction of Indian politics.

Q6. Discuss the nature of rich peasants and farmers’ movements in India.

Ans. Since independence, farmers’ movements have been a significant part of Indian politics. A major shift in the nature of these movements occurred in the 1970s and 80s, with the rise of new movements led by ‘rich peasants’ or ‘bullock capitalists’, replacing the traditional peasant struggles led by the Left. Rise and Nature of the ‘New Farmers’ Movements’: The rise of these movements was primarily a result of the Green Revolution . The Green Revolution created a prosperous class of market-oriented farmers in states like Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra. These farmers were heavily dependent on modern agricultural inputs (seeds, fertilisers, electricity) and state support (Minimum Support Price, subsidies). When they felt that government policies favoured the urban-industrial sector and agriculture was becoming unprofitable, they began to organise. Key Characteristics:

• Class Character: These movements were led and primarily represented by middle and rich peasants who owned land and produced for the market. Landless labourers and small marginal farmers were largely outside the ambit of these movements.
• Demands: Their demands were mainly economic, aimed at improving the terms of trade for agriculture vis-à-vis industry. These included:
  • Remunerative prices for agricultural produce (MSP).
  • Subsidies on inputs like electricity, water, and fertilisers.
  • Waiver of farmers’ loans.
  • Better infrastructure in rural areas.
• Ideology and Methodology: These movements were non-ideological in the traditional left-right sense. They often created a discourse of ‘Bharat’ (rural) versus ‘India’ (urban) . They used non-partisan methods to get their demands met, such as massive rallies, ‘rasta roko’ (road and rail blockades), and gherao of government offices. Their leaders, like Mahendra Singh Tikait (Bharatiya Kisan Union) and Sharad Joshi (Shetkari Sanghatana), were charismatic figures.

Recent Developments:

The farmers’ protest of 2020-21 against the three farm laws demonstrated the continuation of these movements. It showcased their immense mobilisation capacity and ability to sustain long-term protests. Although its leadership was in the hands of landowning farmers from Punjab, Haryana, and Western UP, it created a broad coalition.

In conclusion, farmers’ movements led by rich peasants are a powerful pressure group in India. They are not revolutionary movements seeking to change the system but are interest-group movements bargaining for a better deal within the existing capitalist framework.

Q7. Explain the development of the multiparty system in India.

Ans. The evolution of India’s party system is a fascinating story of transition from an era of one-party dominance to a complex multiparty system. This change reflects the deep social, economic, and political transformations occurring in the country. This development can be understood in several phases: Phase 1: The Era of One-Party Dominance (1952-1967) For the first two decades after independence, Indian politics was dominated by the Indian National Congress. Congress had governments at the Centre and in most states. Political scientist Rajni Kothari called this the ‘Congress System’ . Congress was a large umbrella party that accommodated groups with different ideologies and interests. Opposition parties existed, but they were too weak and fragmented to challenge Congress. Phase 2: Decline of Congress Dominance (1967-1989) The 1967 general elections were a turning point. Congress lost elections in several states, and non-Congress governments (Samyukta Vidhayak Dal – SVD) were formed. This was the beginning of coalition politics in India. Regional parties like the DMK in Tamil Nadu emerged. At the national level, the formation of the Janata Party government in 1977 was the first non-Congress government. Although this government was short-lived, it clearly signalled the end of one-party dominance. Phase 3: The Era of Multiparty Coalitions (1989-2014) From 1989 to 2014, for 25 years, no single party secured a full majority in the Lok Sabha. This was the classic era of coalition governments at the Centre. During this period, the National Front (1989), the United Front (1996-98), the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) (1998-2004), and the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) (2004-2014) were in power. Several factors were behind this change:

• The weakening of Congress’s ‘umbrella’ character.
• The rise of regional parties based on ethnic and regional identities.
• The politicisation of caste and the rise of parties like the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).
• The emergence of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as a major national alternative.

Phase 4: Return to Dominance in a Multiparty Context (2014-Present)

In the 2014 and 2019 elections, the BJP won a full majority on its own, leading some analysts to call it the ‘BJP-dominant system’ or ‘One-Party Dominance 2.0’. However, this is different from the Congress system. The BJP, despite being dominant at the national level, governs through the NDA coalition. The political landscape is still multiparty, with strong regional parties in power in many states and playing a significant role in national politics. The opposition, however, is fragmented and weak.

In conclusion, the development of India’s party system has been towards fragmentation, regionalisation, and coalition-building, followed by a recent trend of re-centralisation of power under one dominant party.

Q8. Write short notes on the following in about 200 words each : (a) The notion of secularism (b) Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)

Ans. (a) The notion of secularism Secularism generally means the principle of separation between state and religion. However, the Indian notion of secularism differs from the Western model. In the Western model, there is a ‘strict wall’ between the state and the church (religion), where the state does not interfere in religious affairs, and religion does not interfere in state affairs. In contrast, the Indian model is based on the principle of ‘principled distance’ . The Indian state is not irreligious but is non-theocratic. It has no official state religion. The main features of Indian secularism are:

• The state treats all religions equally (Sarva Dharma Sama Bhava).
• The Constitution guarantees freedom of religion to all individuals and communities (Articles 25-28).
• The state is permitted to intervene in religious affairs for social reforms, such as temple entry for Dalits or the ban on triple talaq.
• The state can provide financial aid to religious minority institutions.

However, the notion of Indian secularism constantly faces challenges from communal politics, which seeks to prioritise one religion over others. Debates over a Uniform Civil Code, minority rights, and state intervention in religious practices reflect the ongoing struggle to define and implement secularism in India.

(b) Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)

The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) are mentioned in Part IV (Articles 36-51) of the Indian Constitution. They are inspired by the Constitution of Ireland. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar described them as the ‘novel feature’ of the Constitution. These principles are a set of ideals and instructions for the central and state governments to follow when formulating policies and laws.

Unlike Fundamental Rights, DPSPs are

non-justiciable

, meaning they cannot be enforced in a court of law. However, Article 37 states that they are “fundamental in the governance of the country” and it shall be the duty of the State to apply these principles in making laws.

These principles can be broadly classified into three categories:

socialist

(e.g., equal pay for equal work),

Gandhian

(e.g., organisation of village panchayats), and

liberal-intellectual

(e.g., Uniform Civil Code). These principles aim to establish a socio-economic democracy. They serve as a moral compass for the government and a yardstick for the public to measure the government’s performance. Many Directive Principles have been implemented over time through legislation, such as the Panchayati Raj system and the Minimum Wages Act.