Caste, Religion and Ethnicity in Indian Politics
| Year | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Answer in about 150 words: Identity has become an important phenomenon in the modern politics in India. Discuss. (10 marks) | View answer |
| 2026 | Map the different types of ethnic conflicts that have emerged in 21st century India. (15 marks) | View answer |
| 2025 | Caste remains a vital axis for political mobilisation in India. How would the caste census address the aspirations of people? Discuss. | View answer |
| 2024 | “Relative deprivation is a major source of ethnic conflict.” Elaborate the statement with relevant examples. | View answer |
| 2023 | The rise of caste politics is to be attributed to both regional aspirations and electoral manifestations. Comment. | View answer |
| 2022 | Ethnicity is the underlying cause which poses a great challenge in the resolution of the problems in the North-East region of India. Comment. | View answer |
| 2021 | Explain how caste as a social category is also becoming a political category in the democratic politics of India. | View answer |
| 2020 | Examine the role of religion in Indian Electoral Politics in the contemporary times. | View answer |
| 2019 | Development has overshadowed the influence of caste in electoral behaviour in recent elections. Discuss. | View answer |
| 2018 | Critically examine the ethnic conflicts in North-East India. | View answer |
| 2017 | Religion is still an important factor in Indian politics. Discuss. | View answer |
| 2016 | Comment: Cultural and Regional differences are the enduring bases on which politics is played out in India. | View answer |
| 2016 | Comment on the emergence of Backward classes in the Indian politics. | View answer |
| 2014 | Comment in 150 words: Relation between ethnicity and democracy in India. | View answer |
| 2013 | Explain the phenomenon of ethnic politics in India in recent times. | View answer |
| 2013 | Point out and comment on the historic importance of the document "Towards Equality (1974)", for women's movement in India. | View answer |
| 2011 | Critically examine and comment on the assertion in about 200 words: Indian politics has influenced caste and caste has influenced Indian politics. | View answer |
| 2009 | "The OBC politics has challenged the nature of dominant caste politics in the states." Critically examine this statement and bring out your conclusions. | View answer |
| 2008 | Examine the effect of caste and community in Indian politics. Do you foresee their continued relevance in the country's politics? | View answer |
| 2007 | Comment: The instability of national politics is due to rising influence of regional politics. | View answer |
| 2002 | Comment: Tribal peoples' movement in the North-East. | View answer |
| 2000 | Comment: Caste and religion as operative factors with Indian polity. | View answer |
| 1999 | "The electoral behaviour of Indian votes is more or less caste-ridden, including the selection process of party candidates." In the light of the above statements, critically examine the positive or the negative role of caste in the Indian political system. | View answer |
| 1998 | Discuss how far the politics of regionalism and communalism have affected nation building in India. | View answer |
| 1996 | Analyse the problems of nation building in India. | View answer |
| 1995 | Comment: Ethnic separatism. | View answer |
| 1995 | Comment: Creamy Layer and social justice. | View answer |
| 1995 | Illustrate from contemporary Indian experience the theory of circulation of elites. | View answer |
| 1994 | Comment: Cultural secularization. | View answer |
| 1994 | How far do regional groupings pose a threat to the stability of Indian political system? | View answer |
| 1993 | How do caste and class interact with each other in Indian politics? | View answer |
| 1992 | Comment: Theory of circulation of elites. | View answer |
| 1991 | 'Community and Caste still threaten social harmony and political peace in India.' Discuss. | View answer |
Syllabus unit: Caste, Religion and Ethnicity in Indian Politics
PSIR Optional study material from LotusArise IAS
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| What you get | PSIR Mains Master Kit 2027 | PSIR Complete Notes (Store) |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 notes — Political Theory + Indian Government and Politics | Included | Included — Section A and Section B |
| Paper 2 notes — Comparative Politics and India and the World | Included | Included — Section A and Section B |
| Topic-wise PYQ bank | 1986–2026, with trend analysis and probables by Dec 2026 | 1991–2025 question papers, free with every notes pack |
| Practice question set for timed answer writing | ✅ Available now | ❌ |
| Answer toolkit — intros, conclusions, frameworks, thinker and example banks | By Dec 2026 | ❌ |
| Revision booklets for the last 60 days | ✅ Available now | ❌ |
| Format | Online articles + PDF | PDF download |
| Access | Valid until UPSC CSE Mains 2027 | Instant download after payment |
| Price | ₹1,770 (regular ₹5,000) | ₹1,180 for all four sections · ₹599 a paper · ₹354 a section |
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