PSIR Optional · Paper I · Section A: Political Theory and Indian Political Thought
Concept of Power, Hegemony, Ideology and Legitimacy Notes · PYQs · Solved Answers
Free notes, every previous year question and the solved answers for Concept of Power, Hegemony, Ideology and Legitimacy (Paper I, Section A: Political Theory and Indian Political Thought), arranged so you can read a topic and immediately see how UPSC has asked it. Syllabus: Power, hegemony, ideology and legitimacy.
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1996–2026
Years covered
30
Questions listed
5
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Paper I · Unit 07
Concept of Power, Hegemony, Ideology and Legitimacy notes
Topic-wise notes for this unit in syllabus order. Read a topic, then open its previous year questions below.
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Previous year questions: Concept of Power, Hegemony, Ideology and Legitimacy
Every question UPSC has asked from this unit, year-wise, with a link to its solved answer.
Topic-wise question list
Year-wise question papers
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UPSC PSIR Optional Question Paper 2026
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2025
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2024
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2023
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2022
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2021
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2020
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2019
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2018
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2017
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2016
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2015
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2014
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2013
Solved answers
Solved PYQ answers: Concept of Power, Hegemony, Ideology and Legitimacy
Model answers to the previous year questions of this unit, newest exam year first.
PYQ Solutions
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Write on the following in about 150 words: Legitimacy is always a ‘social construct’.
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Explain the Macpherson’s view on power.
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Do you think that legitimacy acquired by consent or manufactured by indoctrination is an essential element in maintenance of political rule? Justify your answer with relevant examples.
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Linkage between Power and Hegemony.
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Legitimacy adds positive value to political authority and obligation. Discuss.
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Comment on Foucault’s concept of power.
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Write on the Bases of Power.
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Comment in about 150 words: Tools of legitimation of the State.
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Examine the nature and meaning of power.
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According to Gramsci, ‘hegemony is primarily based on the organisation of consent’. Comment.
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Explain the relationship between power, authority and legitimacy.
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Comment: Gramsci’s concept of Hegemony.
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Discuss Hannah Arendt’s analysis of the role of ideology in modern totalitarian regimes.
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Distinguish between Power and Authority.
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Discuss the ‘crisis of legitimacy’ in capitalist societies. (Habermas)
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Discuss Gramsci’ s notion of ‘organic intellectuals’
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Examine the conditions that are required for the maintenance of legitimacy in modern societies.
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Comment in 150 words: “Power is never the property of an individual; it belongs to a group and remains in existence only so long as the group keeps together.” (Hannah Arendt)
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Explain, as per Gramsci, the distinction between hegemony and domination.
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Distinguish between the concepts of legitimacy and hegemony.
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Comment on Hannah Arendt’s conception of the ‘political’. (150 words)
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Attempt a comparative examination of the view of Marx and Weber on the ‘Power’.
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Comment: “Power flows throughout the system like blood in the capillaries of our body.” (Foucault)
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Comment: Politics as a power concept.
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Critically examine Gramsci’s concept of Hegemony.
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Is Gramsci a theoretician of super-structures? Give reasons in support of your answer.
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Discuss the political philosophy of Hannah Arendt.
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Comment: “In so far as national events are decided, the ‘power elite’ are those who decide them.”
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Comment: Views of Lenin, Mitchels and Duverger on political parties.
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Distinguish power from authority. How does reliance on authority affect the nature of power?
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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 | ❌ |
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| Price | ₹1,770 (regular ₹5,000) | ₹1,180 for all four sections · ₹599 a paper · ₹354 a section |
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Other units in Paper I · Section A: Political Theory and Indian Political Thought
- Political Theory: Meaning and Approaches
- Theories of the State
- Justice
- Equality and Liberty
- Rights
- Democracy
- Political Ideologies
- Indian Political Thought
- Western Political Thought
Paper I · Section A: Political Theory and Indian Political Thought — section overview · All PSIR Optional units