Political Science Notes By ARVIND SINGH

Chapter 4: India’s Foreign Policy notes and Q&A: Chapter-4: India’s Foreign Policy Summary: India’s foreign policy after independence was shaped under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru, based on peace, coexistence, and non-alignment. Its goals were to safeguard national interests, promote global peace, and support the independence of colonized nations. Enrichment: Nehru called it “India’s voice on the global stage.” Key Points: Non-Aligned Movement (NAM): India distanced itself from USA and USSR blocs during the Cold War. The 1955 Bandung Conference and the 1961 founding of NAM (Nehru, Nasser, Tito) strengthened it. Interesting: Today, NAM has 120+ members. Panchsheel Principles: In the 1954 India-China agreement, five principles were established: (1) territorial integrity, (2) non-aggression, (3) non-interference in internal affairs, (4) equality and cooperation, (5) peaceful coexistence. Enrichment: Inspired by the UN Charter. Relations with China: India recogniz...

Chapter 3: Politics of Planned Development notes, including the Q&A: Chapter-3: Politics of Planned Development Summary: Planning means organizing resources for social and economic goals to achieve maximum benefit. In India, the goal of planned development was to ensure economic progress along with social and economic justice. The government played the central role in this. Enrichment: Nehru called it the "Commanding Heights." Key Points: Planning Commission (1950): After independence, inspired by the Soviet model, the Planning Commission was set up in 1950 (original mentions 1951, but the correct year is 1950). Its aim was to formulate long-term development policies. First Five-Year Plan (1951-56): Focused on poverty alleviation and agriculture; investment in dams (Bhakra Nangal) and irrigation. Interesting: Bhakra dam was called a “modern temple.” Second Five-Year Plan (1956-61): Based on P.C. Mahalanobis model, emphasized heavy industries (steel, machine...

Chapter-1: Challenges of Nation-Building Summary: India gained independence on 15 August 1947 (Note: The original mentions 14 August, but the correct date is 15 August—midnight independence). Jawaharlal Nehru delivered the famous “Tryst with Destiny” speech in the Constituent Assembly, pledging to remove poverty, inequality, and ignorance through freedom and empowerment, and to build a democratic and progressive India. Interesting fact: This speech was broadcast on radio and today has millions of views on YouTube. Major Challenges for Independent India: Nation-Building: To integrate 500+ princely states into one nation, accommodating diversity. Example: Like assembling a jigsaw puzzle. Establishing Democracy: Implementing the Constitution (took 2 years, 11 months, 18 days to draft) and setting up a democratic system. Socio-Economic Development: Uplifting the poor and marginalized (Dalits, Adivasis). Note: Reservation continues to be debated today. Partition Challenges...

Chapter-2: The Era of One-Party Dominance Summary: Many post-colonial countries experienced non-democratic regimes after independence, but in India, the leaders of the freedom struggle were deeply committed to democracy. The Constitution of India was adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into force on 26 January 1950. Enrichment: It is the world’s longest written constitution, with 395 Articles and 8 Schedules. The first general elections of 1952 posed a huge challenge for the Election Commission. Yet, 170 million voters enthusiastically participated, and the elections were considered “free and fair.” The results showed a sweeping victory for the Congress, surprising many. Jawaharlal Nehru, as expected, became the first Prime Minister. Interesting fact: With a 53% turnout, it was the world’s largest democratic experiment, where ballot boxes were flown by aircraft to remote areas. Like many countries, India too witnessed one-party dominance, but Congress dominance was unique becaus...

India’s political landscape has undergone significant transformations since the late 1980s, marking the decline of single-party dominance and the rise of coalition governments, economic reforms, caste-based mobilization, and religious-political movements. This period has shaped the country's democratic processes, influencing governance, electoral trends, and policy decisions. This essay explores the major political developments from the late 1980s to the present, highlighting key changes in party politics, coalition governments, caste and communal issues, economic policies, and electoral trends. 1. Context of the 1990s: A Turning Point in Indian Politics The late 1980s and early 1990s saw a series of crucial developments that fundamentally changed India’s political dynamics. The period witnessed the weakening of the Congress Party’s dominance, the rise of caste-based and regional parties, economic liberalization, and religious-political movements. 1.1 Decline of Congress Dominance ...

  Description:  This article provides a comprehensive analysis of India-China relations, covering their historical evolution, key conflicts, areas of cooperation, and future possibilities. It delves into the border disputes, including the 1962 war, the Doklam standoff (2017), and the Galwan Valley clash (2020), highlighting ongoing geopolitical tensions. Additionally, the article examines China's economic ties with India, its support for Pakistan, the Brahmaputra water dispute, and the ‘String of Pearls’ strategy aimed at encircling India in the Indian Ocean. Despite these challenges, it also explores areas of collaboration, such as trade, cultural exchanges, and international forums like BRICS and SCO. Finally, the article presents recommendations for resolving conflicts, improving diplomatic relations, and fostering mutual cooperation, emphasizing that the future of India-China relations will depend on strategic dialogue, economic balance, and respect for each other’s sovere...

This article provides a comprehensive overview of India-Soviet Union relations during the Cold War, highlighting key events that shaped their strong and strategic partnership. It discusses how India's policy of non-alignment initially caused skepticism in both the US and the USSR but eventually led to a deep-rooted friendship, especially after India's stance in the Korean War. The article outlines Soviet support in India's economic development, particularly in the establishment of steel plants under the Five-Year Plans. It also details Soviet diplomatic and military assistance during major conflicts, including the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pakistan Wars, emphasizing how the USSR mediated the Tashkent Agreement (1966) and countered US intervention during the Bangladesh Liberation War. The article further explores Soviet backing on the Kashmir issue, its positive stance on India's nuclear tests (Pokhran-I and II), and crucial defense collaborations, such as the S-400 missile sys...