UGC NET Political Science Political Processes in India Syllabus

Who was the foremost leader of the Dalit movement and what did he champion?

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who fought for annihilation of caste, separate political safeguards/reservations, and led mass conversion to Buddhism (1956) as emancipation from caste Hinduism.

What is the constitutional and policy framework protecting tribal (Adivasi) communities?

Fifth and Sixth Schedules (tribal area administration/autonomous councils), Article 244, PESA Act 1996 (self-governance in scheduled areas) and the Forest Rights Act 2006.

Name two landmark legislative gains of the women's movement in India.

Examples include the 73rd/74th Amendments reserving one-third seats for women in local bodies (1992-93), the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2006, and the 106th Amendment (Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023) reserving one-third Lok Sabha/Assembly seats.

What are the broad phases or strands of the Indian women's movement?

Nineteenth-century social reform (against sati, for widow remarriage and education), nationalist-era participation, and the post-1970s autonomous feminist movement focusing on violence, dowry, equality and rights.

What is the chief organisational and political demand of the farmers' (kisan) movements in India?

Remunerative prices and a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP), loan waivers, lower input costs, and against the three farm laws of 2020 (repealed 2021).

Name a major peasant/farmer movement of post-independence India.

Examples: the Telangana movement, Naxalbari uprising (1967), the BKU-led agitations under Mahendra Singh Tikait, the Shetkari Sanghatana (Sharad Joshi), and the 2020-21 farmers' protest.

What distinguishes the organised and unorganised (informal) labour sectors in India?

Organised labour is in registered enterprises with job security, social security and unionisation; the unorganised/informal sector (over 90% of the workforce) lacks formal contracts, security and benefits.

What are the four labour codes consolidating India's labour laws?

The Code on Wages (2019), the Industrial Relations Code, the Code on Social Security, and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code (all 2020).

What are 'non-party political/social formations' in Indian politics?

Voluntary action groups, social movements and citizens' initiatives operating outside party and electoral structures to address issues of marginalised groups, often called 'non-party political process' (term associated with Rajni Kothari).

What is a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) and its political role in India?

A voluntary, non-profit, non-state organisation undertaking developmental, advocacy or service work; politically it fills governance gaps, mobilises civil society, and influences policy, though regulated under the FCRA.

What are Social Action Groups (SAGs)?

Grassroots, issue-based voluntary groups (on environment, displacement, civil liberties, gender, etc.) that empower the marginalised through mobilisation, advocacy and rights-based action outside party politics.

Name two prominent social action movements/groups in India.

Examples: Chipko movement (forests), Narmada Bachao Andolan (anti-dam displacement), Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (RTI), and the National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM).

Which commission's report led to the linguistic reorganisation of states in 1956?

The States Reorganisation Commission (Fazl Ali Commission, 1953), with members H.N. Kunzru and K.M. Panikkar.

What earlier committees examined the linguistic states question before 1956?

The Dhar Commission (Linguistic Provinces Commission, 1948) which advised against linguistic states, and the JVP Committee (Nehru, Patel, Pattabhi Sitaramayya, 1948-49).

Which agitation and event led directly to the creation of Andhra State in 1953?

The fast-unto-death and death of Potti Sriramulu, demanding a separate Telugu-speaking state, which created Andhra State (first linguistic state).

What does it mean to treat states as 'political and economic units' of the federation?

States are constituent political units with their own governments and as economic units they plan and compete for investment and central resources; this dual role drives federal bargaining, fiscal devolution and inter-state competition.

What is a 'sub-state region' and why does it matter politically?

A distinct area within a state (e.g., Vidarbha in Maharashtra, Saurashtra, Bundelkhand) marked by neglect or distinct identity, which generates intra-state regional disparity and statehood demands.

What are regional disparities in India?

Uneven levels of development across and within states (income, infrastructure, HDI), often described as the rich 'forward' states/regions versus backward ones (e.g., BIMARU states), driving demands for special status and balanced development.

On what new criterion (beyond language) were the three states created in 2000 carved out?

On developmental neglect, ethnic/tribal identity and administrative viability rather than pure language: Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand and Jharkhand.

Which was the 29th state of India and when was it formed?

Telangana, formed on 2 June 2014 by bifurcating Andhra Pradesh after a prolonged statehood movement.

Name two ongoing or notable demands for new states in India.

Examples: Gorkhaland (West Bengal), Vidarbha (Maharashtra), Bodoland (Assam), Bundelkhand (UP/MP), and Harit Pradesh/Purvanchal (UP).

What constitutional provision empowers Parliament to form new states or alter boundaries?

Article 3, which lets Parliament create new states, alter areas, boundaries or names of existing states by a simple majority (after the President refers the bill to the affected state legislature).

What are the core 'issues of equality and representation' in Indian democracy?

Ensuring that historically marginalised groups (SCs, STs, OBCs, women, minorities) have effective political voice through reservations, descriptive vs substantive representation, and equal participation despite social inequality.

What is the difference between descriptive and substantive representation?

Descriptive representation means the representative shares the social identity/characteristics of the group; substantive representation means the representative actually advances the group's interests and policy concerns.

How does the Election Commission classify parties as 'National' and 'State' parties?

On vote share and seats: e.g., a National party meets thresholds in four or more states (6% votes + seats, or 2% Lok Sabha seats from 3 states, or recognition as a state party in four states); a State party meets the state-level vote/seat thresholds within one state.

Give examples of National parties and State (regional) parties in India.

National: BJP, INC, BSP, CPI(M), AAP, NPP. State parties: DMK/AIADMK (Tamil Nadu), TMC (West Bengal), TDP/YSRCP (Andhra), Shiv Sena, SP, RJD, JD(U), BJD, TRS/BRS.

What benefits does recognition as a National or State party confer?

A reserved common election symbol, free broadcast time on state media, fewer required proposers for nominations, and access to electoral rolls — institutionalising the party's status.

What major transformation has the Indian party system undergone since 1989?

A shift from the 'Congress system' (one-party dominance) to a multi-party, coalition era with the rise of regional and caste/identity-based parties, followed by renewed single-party (BJP) dominance after 2014.

What do the dimensions of participation, contestation and representation mean in democratic politics?

Robert Dahl's polyarchy criteria: participation (inclusiveness — the right of citizens to vote/take part), contestation (public competition/opposition for power), and representation (translating votes into seats/voice in decision-making).

Identify two emerging trends in India's political processes.

Examples: presidentialisation/personalisation of leadership, dominance of identity (caste/religion) politics, rise of welfare 'freebie' and digital-driven campaigning, growing role of money/criminalisation, and assertion of regional aspirations within a centralising polity.