(a) How does India-Israel bilateral ties reflect the autonomy of India's foreign policy choices? (20 marks) (b) Discuss the…

(a) How does India-Israel bilateral ties reflect the autonomy of India's foreign policy choices? (20 marks) (b) Discuss the consequences of illegal cross-border migration in India's north-eastern region. (15 marks) (c) Discuss India's vision of a New World order in the 21st century. (15 marks)

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

(a) भारत-इजरायल का द्विपक्षीय संबंध किस प्रकार से भारत की विदेश नीति रुचियों की स्वायत्तता को परिलक्षित करता है? (20 अंक) (b) भारत के उत्तर पूर्व क्षेत्र में गैरकानूनी सीमा पार प्रवासन के परिणामों का विवेचन कीजिये। (15 अंक) (c) इक्कीसवीं शताब्दी में नवीन विश्व-व्यवस्था के बारे में भारत के दृष्टिकोण की विवेचना कीजिये। (15 अंक)

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Directive word: Discuss

This question asks you to discuss. The directive word signals the depth of analysis expected, the structure of your answer, and the weight of evidence you must bring.

See our UPSC directive words guide for a full breakdown of how to respond to each command word.

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

The directive 'discuss' requires a balanced, analytical treatment across all three parts. Allocate approximately 40% of word budget (~400-450 words) to part (a) given its 20 marks; ~30% each (~300-350 words) to parts (b) and (c). Structure with a brief composite introduction, three distinct body sections with clear sub-headings, and a unified conclusion that synthesizes India's evolving strategic autonomy across bilateral, regional, and global domains.

Key points expected

Part (a): Evolution from NAM-era recognition (1950) to de-hyphenation from Palestine policy; defence cooperation (Barak missiles, UAVs, LORA missiles), agriculture (Indo-Israel Agricultural Project), water management, and post-1992 normalization under Rao
Part (a): Strategic autonomy demonstrated through balancing Israel ties with Iran relations, abstentions at UNHRC, yet maintaining Arab world engagement; 'de-hyphenation' as policy innovation
Part (b): Demographic distortion in Assam (illegal Bangladeshi migration), erosion of indigenous political representation, implementation of Assam Accord (1985) and NRC/CAA controversies
Part (b): Security implications (insurgency nexus, porous borders), socio-economic pressures (land alienation, wage depression), environmental stress (encroachment in Kaziranga, riverine changes)
Part (c): India's vision through G-4 demand for UNSC reform, multipolarity advocacy, Global South leadership (Voice of Global South Summit), rejection of unilateralism
Part (c): Institutional preferences (multilateralism via UN, WTO reforms), normative positioning (Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, SDG leadership), strategic partnerships without alliance entrapment

Evaluation rubric

Dimension	Weight	Max marks	Excellent	Average	Poor
Demand-directive understanding	20%	10	For (a), treats 'how' as requiring causal explanation of autonomy mechanisms, not mere description; for (b), 'discuss consequences' covers political, security, socio-economic, environmental dimensions systematically; for (c), distinguishes vision from policy, covering normative and institutional elements	Addresses all three parts but treats (a) descriptively without analytical framework on autonomy; (b) lists consequences without inter-linkages; (c) conflates vision with current foreign policy without projecting 21st century architecture	Misreads directive—narrates India-Israel history without autonomy analysis; treats (b) as causes of migration not consequences; (c) becomes generic praise of India's global role without structural vision
Content depth & accuracy	20%	10	Precise on diplomatic milestones (1992 normalization, 2017 Modi visit, 2020 Abraham Accords relevance); accurate on Assam Accord clauses, Foreigners Tribunal data, IMDT Act 1983; cites specific Indian positions on UNSC reform (2023 G-4 ministerial), IBSA, BRICS expansion	Broadly accurate but vague on dates (e.g., 'recent years' for Israel ties); conflates illegal migration with refugee status; mentions multipolarity without specific institutional proposals for world order	Factual errors (claims India recognized Israel in 1948; misstates CAA provisions; confuses New World Order with Cold War usage); omits critical developments like 2017 strategic partnership upgrade
Structure & flow	20%	10	Clear tripartite division with internal coherence; part (a) progresses from historical constraints to autonomy demonstration; (b) moves from immediate to structural consequences; (c) distinguishes principles from mechanisms; smooth transitions between parts showing thematic unity on Indian strategic autonomy	All three parts present but uneven development; (a) over-detailed at expense of (c); or (b) merged with general Northeast problems; some repetition between demographic and security consequences	Disorganized amalgamation without part labels; jumps between topics mid-paragraph; missing one part entirely or severely underdeveloped; conclusion absent or merely restates introduction
Examples / case-law / data	20%	10	For (a): specific defence deals (Phalcon AWACS, Spike missile procurement), Kisan Tapas app, specific UNHRC abstention votes; for (b): Sarbananda Sonowal vs Union of India (2005), Assam NRC final draft figures, IMDT Act repeal impact; for (c): India's 2021-2022 UNSC tenure specifics, COVAX/ vaccine diplomacy quantification, Voice of Global South participation numbers	Some examples but imprecise (mentions 'agriculture cooperation' without IIAP; 'border tension' without specific incidents; 'UNSC reform' without G-4 specifics); no judicial citations for (b)	No concrete examples or data; relies on generalities ('many defence deals', 'lots of migrants', 'India wants permanent seat'); no awareness of Sarbananda Sonowal judgment or recent diplomatic milestones
Conclusion & analytical edge	20%	10	Synthesizes three parts into coherent thesis on India's evolving strategic autonomy—bilateral de-hyphenation, regional sovereignty assertion, global institutional reform advocacy; critically evaluates limits (Gaza crisis pressures, CAA implementation challenges, UNSC reform stagnation); projects future trajectory	Separate conclusions for each part without integration; or generic statement on India's rising power; limited self-critical element, mostly celebratory tone	No conclusion or abrupt ending; mere summary of points made; or unrelated grandstanding on India's greatness without analytical grounding in the three specific domains examined

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