BPSC-114 IGNOU Handwritten Assignment 2026-27

Course Scope and Academic Rigor in BPSC-114: Indian Political Thought-II

Under the IGNOU Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Political Science curriculum, BPSC-114: Indian Political Thought-II is designed to critically examine the evolution of political ideologies, philosophical debates, and theoretical frameworks that shaped modern India’s socio-political landscape. This course transcends traditional historiography by integrating primary texts, reformist discourses, and nationalist imaginaries, enabling students to analyze how tradition, modernity, and global influences converged in India’s political thought. Through structured assignments, students develop analytical skills to dissect the tensions between reformist movements, cultural revivalism, and the construction of national identity—preparing them for rigorous examination and scholarly engagement.

Key Syllabus Units and Theological Frameworks

• Block-1 Introduction to Modern Indian Political Thought: This unit traces the foundational shifts in Indian political discourse post-1857, examining the works of early reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, who critiqued caste, superstition, and colonial governance while advocating for constitutional reforms and women’s education.
• Block-2 Encounter with Modernity and the Question of Reforms: The syllabus dissects the debates surrounding Swadeshi, social legislation (e.g., the Widow Remarriage Act), and the role of institutions like the Indian Association and the Brahmo Samaj in navigating colonial modernity, emphasizing how these movements redefined citizenship and public morality.
• Block-3 Engagement with Tradition: This block explores the paradoxes of cultural revivalism, analyzing the contributions of figures like Swami Vivekananda and Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, who synthesized Vedantic philosophy with nationalist rhetoric to forge a distinctively Indian political ethos while confronting Western imperialism.
• Block-4 Imaginaries of the Nation and the World: Students engage with the theoretical underpinnings of nationalism, from the Anushilan Samiti’s revolutionary strategies to Rabindranath Tagore’s critique of violent nationalism, examining how global events (e.g., WWI) reshaped India’s political imagination and the discourse on self-rule.
• Block-5 Community and Nation: The final unit interrogates the interplay between communal identities and national integration, studying the debates surrounding Hindu-Muslim unity, the role of the Khilafat Movement, and the theoretical frameworks of Jawaharlal Nehru and Muhammad Iqbal in conceptualizing a pluralistic polity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the marking scheme for BPSC-114 assignments, and how do they contribute to the final grade?
A: Assignments in BPSC-114 carry 30% weightage toward the final grade, with each assignment graded out of 20 marks. The Study Centre coordinator evaluates coherence, analytical depth, and adherence to prescribed question formats, so clarity and critical engagement are prioritized over rote memorization.

Q: Are there specific pass marks for BPSC-114, and how does assignment performance affect overall eligibility?
A: The minimum pass mark for BPSC-114 is 40%, with assignments contributing 15% of the total score (30% of the 50% assignment component). Students must submit all assignments to qualify for internal assessment; missing assignments result in automatic failure unless approved via a special permission request.