BPSE-142 IGNOU Guess Paper 2026-27

BPSE-142 Guess Paper: India’s Foreign Policy in a Globalising World (Term-End Exam Focus)

This structured guess paper aligns with IGNOU’s official curriculum for BPSE-142, covering Blocks 1–5 with a 3-hour exam time strategy. Prioritize solved papers from 2019–2024 (June/December sessions) for question patterns, including short answer (10 marks), medium answer (20 marks), and long essay (30 marks) formats.

Block 1: Introduction

Key focus areas: Evolution of India’s foreign policy post-independence (1947–1991 vs. post-liberalization), Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) legacy, and realism vs. idealism debates. Expect 2–3 short questions on Nehruvian principles or Vajpayee’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy.

• Short Answer (10 marks): Compare Nehru’s foreign policy with Deve Gowda’s approach to SAARC.
• Medium Answer (20 marks): Assess the impact of globalization on India’s foreign policy objectives (2000–present).

Block 2: India’s Policy Towards Major Powers

Weightage: 25–30% of exam. Prioritize US-India strategic partnership (2005–2024), China-India border disputes (2020 Galwan clash), and Russia’s role in India’s energy security. Long essays often require case studies (e.g., NSG waiver, Quad alliance).

• Long Essay (30 marks): Evaluate the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) as a counterbalance to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
• Medium Answer (20 marks): Critically analyze India’s Look East Policy and its evolution into Act East Policy.

Block 3: India’s South Asia Policy

Focus on SAARC stagnation, Bangladesh-India relations (Rohingya crisis), and Pakistan’s role in cross-border terrorism. Short questions often test knowledge of India-Pakistan peace processes (e.g., 2004 Ceasefire Agreement).

• Short Answer (10 marks): Why did SAARC fail to achieve its objectives? Discuss.
• Medium Answer (20 marks): Assess India’s Neighbourhood First Policy in the context of Bangladesh’s Rohingya refugee crisis.

Block 4: India and Its Regions

Regional focus: Africa (India-Africa Forum Summit), Middle East (oil diplomacy), and Latin America (BRICS expansion). Expect 2–3 short questions on India’s economic ties with Africa or the IBSA Dialogue.

• Short Answer (10 marks): Highlight India’s strategic interests in the Middle East.
• Medium Answer (20 marks): Analyze India’s Act East Policy in Southeast Asia (focus on ASEAN).

Block 5: India’s Concerns in the Globalising World

Global issues: Terrorism (26/11 Mumbai attacks, Jaish-e-Mohammed), climate change (Paris Agreement), and UN reforms. Long essays often require multilateral diplomacy analysis (e.g., India’s stance on UNSC permanent membership).

• Long Essay (30 marks): How has terrorism shaped India’s foreign policy since 1999?
• Medium Answer (20 marks): Critically evaluate India’s climate diplomacy in global forums.

Exam Time Management Tips (3 Hours)

• Allocate 40 minutes for reading the question paper and planning answers.
• For short answers (10 marks), answer in 3–4 bullet points with 1–2 examples (e.g., cite a treaty or event).
• For medium answers (20 marks), structure in 3 paragraphs: Introduction (1 paragraph), Body (1–2 paragraphs with analysis), Conclusion (1 paragraph).
• Leave 15 minutes for reviewing long essays (check for logical flow and fact accuracy).

Subject-Specific FAQs

• Q: Are case studies mandatory for long essays?: Yes. For example, in Block 2, always include Galwan clashes (2020) or NSG waiver (2008) as case studies for full marks.
• Q: How to score in short answer questions?: Use acronyms (e.g., NAM, SAARC) and key dates (e.g., 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War) without elaboration. Avoid lengthy explanations.