HPPSC HAS Mains 2020 Paper-2

Good Governance: A Multifaceted Concept Introduction: Good governance is a complex and multifaceted concept encompassing the processes and institutions through which citizens and groups articulate their interests, mediate their differences, and exercise their legal rights and obligations. It’s not simply about efficient administration; it’s about ensuring that power is exercised legitimately, transparently, and accountably for … Read more

Critically Examining the Basic Structure Doctrine of the Indian Constitution Introduction: The Indian Constitution, adopted in 1950, is a living document, constantly evolving to meet the changing needs of a diverse nation. Its longevity and adaptability are partly due to the judicially evolved doctrine of “basic structure,” a concept that safeguards the core principles of … Read more

A Critical Analysis of the Indian Presidential Election Process Introduction: The Indian President, the head of state, is elected indirectly through an electoral college, a system distinct from the direct elections used for the Prime Minister and Members of Parliament. This indirect election is enshrined in Article 54 of the Indian Constitution. The process is … Read more

The Impact of Cultural Divide on the Politics of Himachal Pradesh Introduction: Himachal Pradesh, a state in North India, boasts a rich tapestry of cultures, languages, and socio-economic conditions. While often perceived as a homogenous entity, significant cultural divides exist, primarily along regional and caste lines. These divisions significantly influence the state’s political landscape, shaping … Read more

The Struggle for Democratization in Colonial Himachal Pradesh: The Role of the Indian National Congress Introduction: Himachal Pradesh, a mountainous region in northern India, experienced a unique trajectory under British colonial rule. Unlike many other parts of India, its administration remained largely decentralized, with a system of princely states and British political agents wielding significant … Read more

The Role of the Dujjan Movement in Himachal Pradesh’s Freedom Struggle Introduction: The Indian freedom struggle was a multifaceted movement, with regional variations significantly shaping its character. Himachal Pradesh, a geographically challenging and historically fragmented region, witnessed a unique form of resistance through the Dujjan movement. Unlike the large-scale, organized movements seen in other parts … Read more

The Impact of Punjab’s Linguistic Organization on Himachal Pradesh’s Politics Introduction: Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, while geographically proximate, have distinct linguistic and political histories. While Himachal Pradesh’s linguistic landscape is predominantly Pahari, with significant variations across districts, Punjab’s identity is strongly rooted in Punjabi. Understanding the impact of Punjab’s linguistic organization on Himachal Pradesh’s politics … Read more

Cap Politics as Identity Politics in Himachal Pradesh: A Discussion Introduction: Himachal Pradesh, a state in northern India, has a unique socio-political landscape shaped by its diverse geography, caste structures, and a relatively strong sense of regional identity. “Cap politics,” a colloquial term referring to the political influence wielded by individuals from specific castes and … Read more

Analysis of India’s Strategic Partnership Policy Introduction: India’s “Strategic Partnership” (SP) policy, initiated in the early 2000s, represents a significant shift in its defense procurement strategy. Moving away from a largely fragmented and often inefficient system of acquiring defense equipment, the SP policy aims to foster long-term, collaborative relationships with select private sector defense companies, … Read more

India-Afghanistan Relations After the Taliban’s Return: A Complex Landscape Introduction: India and Afghanistan share a long history of cultural and religious ties, punctuated by periods of cooperation and conflict. Post-9/11, India significantly invested in Afghanistan’s reconstruction and development, focusing on infrastructure projects, education, and healthcare. However, the Taliban’s swift takeover in August 2021 drastically altered … Read more