Course Content / Syllabus

Important Current Affairs Topics for Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) Optional.

Understanding the FollowingnTopic list: "Topic Name: Where in PSIR Syllabus, Why in News, Related Thinkers"

Political Theory and Indian Politics

1. Human Rights and LGBTQ+ Rights: Rights: Meaning and Theories

   • Why in News: Supreme Court's recent observations on same-sex marriage and broader implications for LGBTQ+ rights.
   • Related Thinkers: John Locke (natural rights), Judith Butler (queer theory on identity and rights).

2. Affirmative Action Policies: Equality: Social, Political, and Economic

   • Why in News: Supreme Court's decision on the EWS quota and debates over caste-based versus economic-based reservations.
   • Related Thinkers: John Rawls (justice as fairness), B.R. Ambedkar (social justice and equality).

3. Democracy and Deliberative Models: Different Models of Democracy

   • Why in News: Recent protests and public consultations on contentious laws reflect the role of participatory democracy.
   • Related Thinkers: Jürgen Habermas (deliberative democracy), Rousseau (general will).

4. Rawlsian Justice in India: Justice with Reference to Rawls

   • Why in News: The debate on income inequality and redistribution policies in India invokes Rawls’ theory.
   • Related Thinkers: John Rawls (difference principle), Amartya Sen (capabilities approach).

5. Rise of Feminist Movements: Feminism as Political Ideology

   • Why in News: Increasing protests for women's rights and representation, highlighted by the Women's Reservation Bill.
   • Related Thinkers: Simone de Beauvoir (gender inequality), Bell Hooks (intersectionality).

6. Rise of Authoritarian Populism: Hegemony, Ideology, and Legitimacy

   • Why in News: Growth of populist leaders and weakening of democratic institutions globally.
   • Related Thinkers: Antonio Gramsci (cultural hegemony), Carl Schmitt (authoritarian legality).

7. Marxist and Socialist Thought in India: Indian Political Thought

   • Why in News: Relevance of Marxist thought amid critiques of capitalism and neoliberal policies in India.
   • Related Thinkers: Karl Marx (class struggle), M.N. Roy (Indian socialism and humanism).

8. Constitutional Morality: Rights and Democratic Values

   • Why in News: Judiciary invoking constitutional morality in judgments on contentious issues like UCC and LGBTQ+ rights.
   • Related Thinkers: B.R. Ambedkar (constitutional morality), Aristotle (rule of law and ethics).

9. Basic Structure Doctrine: Judicial Review

   • Why in News: Ongoing debates on the Basic Structure doctrine in context of constitutional amendments.
   • Related Thinkers: Kelsen (judicial review), Granville Austin (Indian Constitution as a social document).

10. Role of Governor in Federalism: Principal Organs of State Government

    • Why in News: Conflicts between state governments and governors over constitutional provisions and discretionary powers.
    • Related Thinkers: B.R. Ambedkar (centralized federalism), Montesquieu (separation of powers).

Indian Government and Politics

11. Caste Census: Caste in Indian Politics

    • Why in News: Bihar's caste survey and its implications on reservations and social justice policies.
    • Related Thinkers: Ambedkar (caste abolition), Louis Dumont (caste as a social hierarchy).

12. Tribals and Forest Rights: National Commission for Scheduled Tribes

    • Why in News: Protests against amendments to the Forest Conservation Act and lack of proper implementation of the FRA.
    • Related Thinkers: Gandhi (tribal empowerment), Elinor Ostrom (community resource management).

13. Uniform Civil Code (UCC): Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles

    • Why in News: Renewed push for UCC implementation, with debates on its impact on secularism and diversity.
    • Related Thinkers: John Locke (liberalism and rights), Rajeev Bhargava (Indian secularism).

14. 73rd and 74th Amendments: Grassroots Democracy

    • Why in News: Reflections on 30 years of the Panchayati Raj system and challenges in urban governance.
    • Related Thinkers: Gandhi (village republics), B.R. Ambedkar (reservations at grassroots).

15. Election Reforms: Election Commission

    • Why in News: Push for reforms like simultaneous elections, electoral funding, and strengthening EC autonomy.
    • Related Thinkers: J.S. Mill (representative government), Robert Dahl (polyarchy).

16. Women's Reservation Bill: Women's Movement

    • Why in News: Passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in Parliament, ensuring 33% representation in legislatures.
    • Related Thinkers: Simone de Beauvoir (gender equality), Amartya Sen (capabilities approach).

17. India's Economic Reforms: Planning and Economic Development

    • Why in News: India's continued liberalization policies and initiatives like "Make in India" and "Atmanirbhar Bharat."
    • Related Thinkers: Nehru (socialistic pattern), Adam Smith (free-market capitalism).

18. Climate Activism in India: Environmentalist Movements

    • Why in News: Youth-led climate strikes and India's commitments under COP28.
    • Related Thinkers: Aldo Leopold (environmental ethics), Gandhi (sustainable living).

19. Debates over Sedition Law: Civil Liberties Movements

    • Why in News: Supreme Court hearings on the validity of sedition laws and its misuse.
    • Related Thinkers: J.S. Mill (free speech), Noam Chomsky (state control over dissent).

Comparative Politics and International Relations

20. Global Refugee Crisis: Comparative Politics

    • Why in News: Rising numbers of displaced populations due to conflicts and climate change.
    • Related Thinkers: Arendt (statelessness and human rights), Morgenthau (realism).

21. BRICS Expansion: Regionalisation of World Politics

    • Why in News: Addition of new members like UAE and Saudi Arabia during the Johannesburg summit.
    • Related Thinkers: Robert Keohane (institutionalism), Immanuel Wallerstein (world-systems theory).

22. India and G20 Presidency: India and the Global Centres of Power

    • Why in News: India’s focus on the Global South and championing inclusive economic policies at the G20 Summit.
    • Related Thinkers: Joseph Nye (soft power), Nehru (non-alignment and global solidarity).

23. India-Israel Relations: India’s Growing Relations with Israel

    • Why in News: Strengthened defense and technology ties, particularly in cybersecurity and agriculture.
    • Related Thinkers: Kautilya (strategic alliances), Kissinger (realpolitik).

24. China-India Border Disputes: India and China Relations

    • Why in News: Recent developments in the Eastern Ladakh region and Arunachal Pradesh.
    • Related Thinkers: Mearsheimer (offensive realism), Morgenthau (national interest).

25. Russia-Ukraine War: Changing International Political Order

    • Why in News: India's neutral stance and its impact on energy security and defense.
    • Related Thinkers: Kenneth Waltz (neorealism), Zbigniew Brzezinski (geopolitics).

Comparative Politics and International Relations (continued)

26. India’s Role in UNSC Reforms: UN Reforms

• Why in News: India’s persistent demand for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council and calls for structural reforms.
• Related Thinkers: Amartya Sen (global justice), Kant (cosmopolitan order).

27. India-Sri Lanka Relations: India and South Asia

• Why in News: Economic assistance by India to Sri Lanka during its financial crisis and collaborative projects.
• Related Thinkers: Nehru (regional cooperation), Kenneth Waltz (realism in regional politics).

28. EU and Climate Agreements: Regionalisation of World Politics

• Why in News: EU’s leadership in green initiatives and partnerships with India under the Paris Agreement.
• Related Thinkers: Elinor Ostrom (commons management), Aldo Leopold (ecological ethics).

29. Quad and Indo-Pacific Strategy: India and Global Centres of Power

• Why in News: Increasing focus on maritime security and economic collaboration through Quad initiatives.
• Related Thinkers: Alfred Mahan (sea power theory), Kenneth Waltz (security dynamics).

30. India-Africa Summit: India and the Global South

• Why in News: Strengthening trade ties and developmental assistance through the recent India-Africa summit.
• Related Thinkers: Wallerstein (core-periphery dynamics), Nehru (South-South cooperation).

31. Debt Crisis in Global South: Globalisation and NIEO

• Why in News: Rising debt burdens in developing countries, particularly in Africa, and India's role in debt relief.
• Related Thinkers: Immanuel Wallerstein (dependency theory), Joseph Stiglitz (global economic inequality).

32. India-Middle East-Europe Corridor: India’s Foreign Policy 

• Why in News: Launch of the IMEC at the G20 Summit to enhance trade connectivity and counter China’s BRI.
• Related Thinkers: Kautilya (strategic alliances), Nye (soft power and economic diplomacy).

33. AUKUS Alliance: Collective Security

• Why in News: India’s cautious stance on the AUKUS alliance amid evolving Indo-Pacific security dynamics.
• Related Thinkers: Morgenthau (balance of power), Waltz (deterrence theory).

34. Taiwan Crisis: National Interest and Security

• Why in News: Rising Chinese aggression in Taiwan and global implications for trade and security.
• Related Thinkers: Machiavelli (national interest), Morgenthau (realism in power politics).

35. Terrorism and India: Global Concerns

• Why in News: India’s continued focus on counter-terrorism at global platforms like the UN and G20.
• Related Thinkers: Noam Chomsky (state terrorism), Huntington (clash of civilizations).

36. Iran Nuclear Deal: India and the Nuclear Question

• Why in News: The stalled nuclear deal between Iran and the US and its impact on India’s energy security.
• Related Thinkers: Bernard Brodie (nuclear deterrence), Waltz (proliferation stability).

37. India-Bangladesh Relations: Regional Co-operation - SAARC

• Why in News: Strengthening ties through connectivity projects and resolving border issues.
• Related Thinkers: Nehru (regionalism), Kenneth Waltz (realism in international relations).

38. Global Cybersecurity Frameworks: Contemporary Concerns - Technology

• Why in News: Calls for an international legal framework to address cybercrimes and cyberwarfare.
• Related Thinkers: Foucault (power and surveillance), Nye (cyber power).

39. India-Japan Ties: India and Global Centres of Power

• Why in News: Enhanced cooperation in technology, defense, and Quad initiatives.
• Related Thinkers: Alfred Mahan (maritime strategy), Kautilya (strategic partnerships).

40. WTO Reforms: Globalisation of the World Economy

• Why in News: India's push for reforms in WTO to address concerns of developing nations.
• Related Thinkers: Joseph Stiglitz (global trade inequalities), Karl Marx (exploitative capitalism).

41. India-Maldives Relations: India and South Asia

• Why in News: India’s support to the Maldives through infrastructure projects and defense cooperation.
• Related Thinkers: Nehru (regional cooperation), Morgenthau (realist diplomacy).

42. ASEAN and Indo-Pacific Strategy: Regionalisation of World Politics

• Why in News: India’s focus on Act East policy and deeper integration with ASEAN nations.
• Related Thinkers: Nye (soft power), Kenneth Waltz (regional security).

43. Paris Agreement Goals: Global Concerns - Environment

• Why in News: India’s progress on renewable energy and its net-zero goals by 2070.
• Related Thinkers: Gandhi (sustainability), Aldo Leopold (ecological ethics).

44. Digital Public Infrastructure: Globalisation and Technology

• Why in News: India’s global recognition for its digital payment systems and infrastructure like UPI.
• Related Thinkers: Amartya Sen (inclusive technology), Jeremy Bentham (utilitarianism in governance).

45. Space Diplomacy: India and the Global Centres of Power

• Why in News: ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 and Gaganyaan missions fostering global partnerships.
• Related Thinkers: Nye (soft power through science), Kautilya (strategic use of technology).

46. Pakistan Political Crisis: India and South Asia

• Why in News: Instability in Pakistan and its implications for India’s regional security.
• Related Thinkers: Morgenthau (realism), Waltz (state security and survival).

47. U.S.-India Defense Deals: India and the USA

• Why in News: Expansion of defense collaboration through critical technology transfers and joint exercises.
• Related Thinkers: Alfred Mahan (maritime power), Nye (smart power).

48. Food Security in Africa: India and the Global South

• Why in News: India’s initiatives in agricultural technology sharing and food aid programs in Africa.
• Related Thinkers: Amartya Sen (famine and food security), Wallerstein (dependency).

49. Non-Aligned Movement Relevance: Non-Alignment in the Contemporary World

• Why in News: India’s balancing strategy amid changing global dynamics raises questions about NAM’s relevance.
• Related Thinkers: Nehru (non-alignment), Nye (soft power in multipolarity).

50. Artificial Intelligence Governance: Contemporary Concerns - Technology

• Why in News: Growing global efforts for ethical AI governance and India’s framework for AI regulation.
• Related Thinkers: Foucault (power and surveillance), Harari (AI’s impact on humanity).

More topics shall be added, as and when they arise in news.