Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: (a) "India must strive to become a semi-permanent member of the UNSC…

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: (a) "India must strive to become a semi-permanent member of the UNSC, rather than a permanent member without the right to veto." Comment. (10 marks) (b) Bhutan has historically been an ally of India, but the China-Bhutan border related issues have become a security issue for India. Discuss. (10 marks) (c) "Nothing is going to move within the WTO negotiations unless India is on board." Discuss the main reasons behind India's increased clout in the WTO. (10 marks) (d) Discuss the rationale behind replacing the "Asia-Pacific" strategy with the new term "Indo-Pacific" strategy. (10 marks) (e) Despite deep ties, India's relations with Sri Lanka have seen strains due to China's growing influence in Sri Lanka through investments and economic dominance. Analyse. (10 marks)

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

निम्नलिखित प्रत्येक प्रश्न का उत्तर लगभग 150 शब्दों में दीजिए : (a) "वीटो के अधिकार के बिना स्थायी सदस्य बनने के स्थान पर भारत को संयुक्त राष्ट्र सुरक्षा परिषद् का अर्ध-स्थायी सदस्य बनने का प्रयास करना चाहिए।" टिप्पणी कीजिए। (10 अंक) (b) ऐतिहासिक रूप से भूटान भारत का मित्र रहा है, परंतु चीन-भूटान के सीमा संबंधी मुद्दे भारत के लिए सुरक्षा के मुद्दे बन गए हैं। चर्चा कीजिए। (10 अंक) (c) "जब तक भारत डब्ल्यू.टी.ओ. की वार्ताओं में सक्रिय भागीदारी नहीं करता, तब तक कोई प्रगति नहीं होगी।" डब्ल्यू.टी.ओ. में भारत के बढ़ते दबदबे के प्रमुख कारणों पर चर्चा कीजिए। (10 अंक) (d) "एशिया-प्रशांत" रणनीति को नई शब्दावली "भारत-प्रशांत" रणनीति से प्रतिस्थापित करने के पीछे के तर्क पर चर्चा कीजिए। (10 अंक) (e) गहरे संबंधों के बावजूद, चीन द्वारा श्रीलंका में निवेश एवं आर्थिक प्रभुत्व के बढ़ते प्रभाव के कारण भारत और श्रीलंका के संबंधों में तनाव देखा गया है। विश्लेषण कीजिए। (10 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 balanced examination of multiple perspectives across all five sub-parts. Allocate approximately 30 words/2 minutes per sub-part (150 words each, 10 marks each). Structure each part with: brief context (1 sentence), main arguments/causes (2-3 sentences), and critical assessment (1-2 sentences). For (a) and (c), weigh pros-cons; for (b), (d), (e), emphasize geopolitical implications.

Key points expected

(a) UNSC reform: Evaluates G4 vs. semi-permanent membership debate; cites India's claim based on population, economy, peacekeeping contributions; weighs veto power utility vs. guaranteed seat
(b) Bhutan-China-India triangle: Explains Doklam 2017 standoff, Chinese territorial claims in western Bhutan (Sakteng), India's security umbrella under 2007 treaty revision
(c) WTO clout: Identifies G-33 leadership, food security concerns (public stockholding), Doha Round blocking power, pharmaceutical patent flexibilities, developing country coalition building
(d) Indo-Pacific shift: Contrasts Asia-Pacific (US-centric, excludes India) with Indo-Pacific (inclusive, maritime focus); links to Quad, FOIP, countering BRI, Indian Ocean strategic weight
(e) Sri Lanka-China-India: Analyses Hambantota port debt trap, Colombo Port City, 99-year lease concerns; Indian response through currency swap, infrastructure investments, Tamil issue sensitivity

Evaluation rubric

Dimension	Weight	Max marks	Excellent	Average	Poor
Demand-directive understanding	20%	10	Correctly interprets 'discuss' for (c), (d) and 'comment' for (a) as requiring balanced examination; for (b) and (e) 'discuss'/'analyse' demands cause-effect analysis; maintains appropriate critical distance without advocacy in (a)	Treats all sub-parts identically without adjusting to specific directives; presents descriptive rather than analytical responses	Misreads directives as requiring only description or one-sided argument; fails to distinguish between 'comment' and 'discuss' requirements
Content depth & accuracy	20%	10	Demonstrates precise knowledge: for (a) cites 2005 UNSC reform document; for (b) references 1949, 2007 India-Bhutan treaties; for (c) names Bali Ministerial 2013; for (d) credits Abe 2007 speech; for (e) cites 2022 Sri Lanka economic crisis timing	Covers basic factual content but with gaps or dated information; conflates timelines or misattributes policy initiatives	Contains significant factual errors (e.g., claiming Bhutan has diplomatic relations with China, misstating WTO veto power, confusing Indo-Pacific with Asia-Pacific origins)
Structure & flow	20%	10	Each 150-word segment follows distinct internal logic: (a) thesis-antithesis-synthesis; (b) historical-present-future; (c) claim-evidence-implications; (d) conceptual-geopolitical-strategic; (e) bilateral-triangular-Indian response; clear visual separation between parts	Readable structure but inconsistent across parts; some segments lack clear progression or conclusion; transitions between historical and contemporary analysis abrupt	Undifferentiated wall of text; no paragraph breaks between sub-parts; chronological confusion within individual segments; word count severely imbalanced across parts
Examples / case-law / data	20%	10	Deploys specific evidence: (a) mentions 2011-12 Inter-Governmental Negotiations text; (b) cites Doklam dates (June-August 2017), PLA road construction specifics; (c) references 10% de minimis, Special Safeguard Mechanism; (d) notes 2018 US Indo-Pacific strategy document; (e) quantifies Chinese debt ($7.4 billion), Indian Line of Credit ($4 billion)	Uses generic references without specificity; mentions 'border standoff' or 'debt trap' without dates, locations, or figures; examples not directly tied to argument	No concrete examples; relies on assertions ('China is expanding') without evidence; invents data or misattributes events to wrong countries/time periods
Conclusion & analytical edge	20%	10	Each sub-part ends with forward-looking assessment: (a) pragmatic assessment of reform timeline; (b) Bhutan's strategic autonomy concerns; (c) WTO reform necessity vs. status quo defense; (d) India's role as 'net security provider'; (e) 'India First' vs. 'China First' Sri Lanka policy tension; demonstrates policy prescription capability	Summarizes points without adding analytical value; conclusions merely restate arguments; no projection of future trends or policy recommendations	Missing conclusions for multiple parts; or ends with unsupported opinion; fails to address 'so what' question for India's foreign policy

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