UPSC CARE Mains Practice 26th December 2025
Mains Practice Questions for the Day
- Trace the historical evolution of the Communist movement in India and examine its role in the anti-imperialist struggle and post-Independence politics.” (GS – Paper I – Modern Indian History)
- What is the Bureau of Port Security (BoPS)? Discuss the key coastal security challenges faced by India and examine how BoPS seeks to address them.” (GS Paper III: Internal security, coastal security, maritime security, infrastructure security, cybersecurity of critical infrastructure)
Trace the historical evolution of the Communist movement in India and examine its role in the anti-imperialist struggle and post-Independence politics.” (GS – Paper I – Modern Indian History)
Introduction:
The Communist movement in India emerged in the early 20th century as part of a global ideological current shaped by Marxism and the Russian Revolution (1917). Its evolution reflects the interaction between international socialist ideas and indigenous anti-colonial conditions.
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Historical Evolution:
The global roots of Indian Communism lay in the spread of Marxist thought following the French Revolution’s legacy of equality and the Bolshevik Revolution, which demonstrated the possibility of overthrowing imperialism and capitalism in a backward colonial society. In India, three strands converged. First were diasporic revolutionaries such as M.N. Roy, who engaged with the Communist International (Comintern) and helped establish an émigré Communist Party in Tashkent in 1920. Second were indigenous Left groups operating independently in Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, and Lahore, led by figures like S.A. Dange and Muzaffar Ahmad. Third were workers’ and peasants’ organisations, notably the All-India Trade Union Congress (1920), which provided a mass base.
The Kanpur Conference of 1925 marked the first organised attempt on Indian soil to form an all-India Communist Party, setting the goal of a workers’ and peasants’ republic. While debates persist over whether Tashkent (1920) or Kanpur (1925) constitutes the true foundation, the latter symbolises the indigenisation of Indian Communism.
Role in the Anti-Imperialist Struggle:
Communists played a significant role in mobilising workers and peasants through trade unions, peasant movements, and united fronts with other anti-imperialist forces. Despite setbacks such as the Meerut Conspiracy Case (1929) and periods of repression, they led major mass movements like the Tebhaga movement in Bengal and the Telangana peasant struggle.
Post-Independence Trajectory:
After 1947, the movement split between revolutionary and parliamentary paths, eventually leading to electoral successes in states such as Kerala, West Bengal, and Tripura. Despite ideological splits and criticisms, Communism has remained relevant by consistently articulating the concerns of the marginalised.
Conclusion:
The Communist movement in India represents a vital strand of the freedom struggle and post-colonial politics, blending global ideology with local realities and contributing enduringly to debates on social justice and equality.
What is the Bureau of Port Security (BoPS)? Discuss the key coastal security challenges faced by India and examine how BoPS seeks to address them.” (GS Paper III: Internal security, coastal security, maritime security, infrastructure security, cybersecurity of critical infrastructure)
Introduction:
The Bureau of Port Security (BoPS) is a statutory body established under Section 13 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025, functioning under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. Modelled on the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, it has been created to provide unified regulatory oversight for the security of ships and port facilities in India, in line with international maritime security standards.
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India’s coastal security environment is marked by multiple and evolving challenges. The country has a long and complex coastline with 12 major ports and over 200 non-major ports, many of which are fishing ports with limited surveillance capacity. Rapid growth in maritime trade, coastal shipping and inland waterways has increased vulnerabilities to maritime terrorism, smuggling of arms and narcotics, human trafficking, illegal migration, piracy and poaching. Additionally, the digitisation of port operations has exposed critical infrastructure to cybersecurity threats. Earlier, coastal security responsibilities were shared among several agencies such as the Navy, Coast Guard, CISF and State maritime police, often resulting in coordination gaps and uneven security standards.
BoPS seeks to address these challenges by acting as a single nodal regulatory authority for port security. It enforces compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, standardises security protocols across major and non-major ports, and strengthens coordination among security agencies. Under BoPS, the CISF has been designated as a recognised security organisation to conduct security assessments, prepare plans and train personnel. A dedicated focus on cybersecurity of port IT systems and intelligence sharing further enhances preparedness against emerging threats.
Conclusion:
By integrating physical, institutional and digital security measures, the Bureau of Port Security strengthens India’s coastal security architecture. While concerns relating to federal balance and procedural safeguards remain, effective implementation of BoPS can ensure that India’s expanding maritime sector grows in a secure, resilient and globally compliant manner.
