Discover everything you need to know about PSIR optional for UPSC. Learn about the syllabus, books, notes, PYQs, topper strategies, and more in this comprehensive guide.
theIAShub | 10 Feb, 2025 | 10505 | 0 |
PSIR or Political Science and International Relations, is one of the most popular optional subjects for the UPSC Civil Services Examination. It is a subject that not only helps you understand the political systems and international relations but also overlaps with the General Studies papers, making it a strategic choice for many aspirants.
In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about PSIR optional, including its syllabus, books, notes, previous year’s question papers (PYQs), topper strategies, and more. Whether you are a beginner or someone looking to refine your preparation, this guide will help you navigate through the subject with ease.
PSIR stands for Political Science and International Relations. It is a subject that deals with the study of political systems, governments, political theories, and international relations. It helps you understand how governments function, how policies are made, and how countries interact with each other on the global stage.
PSIR is a highly relevant subject for the UPSC exam because it covers topics that are also part of the General Studies papers, such as Indian Polity, Governance, and International Relations. This makes it a strategic choice for aspirants who want to save time and effort while preparing for both the optional and GS papers.
Here are some reasons why PSIR is a great choice as an optional subject for the UPSC exam:
PSIR optional syllabus is divided into two papers, each covering different aspects of the subject. Here is a brief overview of the syllabus:
| PSIR Optional Syllabus Paper 1 | |
| Political Theory and Indian Politics | |
| Topic | Subtopics |
| Political Theory | Meaning and approaches |
| Theories of State | Liberal, Neo-liberal, Marxist, Pluralist, Post-colonial, Feminist |
| Justice | Conceptions of justice with reference to John Rawls’ theory and its communitarian critiques |
| Equality | Social, political, and economic; Relationship between equality and freedom; Affirmative action |
| Rights | Meaning and theories; Different kinds of rights; Concept of Human Rights |
| Democracy | Classical and contemporary theories; Models—representative, participatory, deliberative |
| Concept of Power | Hegemony, ideology, legitimacy |
| Political Ideologies | Liberalism, Socialism, Marxism, Fascism, Gandhism, Feminism |
| Indian Political Thought | Dharamshastra, Arthashastra, Buddhist traditions; Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Sri Aurobindo, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, Manabendra Nath Roy |
| Western Political Thought | Plato, Aristotle, Niccolò Machiavelli, Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, John Stuart Mill, Karl Marx, Antonio Gramsci, Hannah Arendt |
| Indian Government and Politics | |
| Indian Nationalism | (a) Political strategies—constitutionalism to mass Satyagraha, Non-cooperation, Civil Disobedience, Revolutionary movements, Peasant and Workers movements
(b) Perspectives—Liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Radical Humanist, Dalit |
| Making of the Indian Constitution | British rule legacies; Social and political perspectives |
| Salient Features of the Indian Constitution | Preamble, Fundamental Rights and Duties, Directive Principles of State Policy; Parliamentary System, Amendment Procedures; Judicial Review, Basic Structure doctrine |
| Principal Organs of Government | (a) Union: Executive, Legislature, Supreme Court
(b) State: Executive, Legislature, High Courts |
| Grassroots Democracy | Panchayati Raj, Municipal Government; Significance of 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments; Grassroot movements |
| Statutory Institutions/Commissions | Election Commission of India, Comptroller and Auditor General of India, Finance Commission of India, Union Public Service Commission, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, National Commission for Women, National Human Rights Commission, National Commission for Minorities, National Commission for Backward Classes |
| Federalism | Constitutional provisions; Centre-state relations; Integrationist tendencies, regional aspirations; Inter-state disputes |
| Planning and Economic Development | Jawaharlal Nehru and Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi’s perspectives; Role of planning, public sector; Green Revolution, land reforms, agrarian relations; Liberalization, economic reforms |
| Caste, Religion, Ethnicity | Role in Indian politics |
| Party System | National and regional parties; Ideological/social bases; Coalition politics; Pressure groups; Electoral behavior; Changing socio-economic profile of legislators |
| Social Movements | Civil liberties, human rights, women’s, environmental movements |
| PSIR Optional Syllabus Paper 2 | |
| Comparative Political Analysis and International Politics | |
| Topic | Subtopics |
| Comparative Politics | Nature, major approaches; Political economy and sociology perspectives; Limitations of comparative method |
| State in Comparative Perspective | Characteristics; Changing nature in capitalist/socialist economies; Advanced industrial and developing societies |
| Politics of Representation & Participation | Political parties, pressure groups, and social movements in industrial and developing societies |
| Globalization | Responses from developed and developing societies |
| Approaches to International Relations | Idealist, Realist, Marxist, Functionalist, Systems theory |
| Key Concepts in International Relations | National interest, security, power; Balance of power, deterrence; Transnational actors, collective security; World capitalist economy, globalization |
| Changing International Political Order | (a) Rise of superpowers; Bipolarity, arms race, Cold War, nuclear threat
(b) Non-Aligned Movement: Aims, achievements (c) Collapse of Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR); Unipolarity, United States of America (USA) hegemony; Relevance of non-alignment |
| Evolution of the International Economic System | Bretton Woods system to World Trade Organization (WTO); Socialist economies, Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA); Third World demands for New International Economic Order (NIEO); Globalization of world economy |
| United Nations (UN) | Envisaged role, actual record; Specialized UN agencies—aims, functioning; UN reforms |
| Regionalization of World Politics | European Union (EU), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) |
| Contemporary Global Concerns | Democracy, human rights, environment, gender justice, terrorism, nuclear proliferation |
| India and the World | |
| Topic | Subtopics |
| Indian Foreign Policy | Determinants; Institutions of policy-making; Continuity and change |
| India and Non-Aligned Movement | Different phases; Current role |
| India and South Asia | (a) Regional cooperation—South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) performance, future
(b) South Asia as a Free Trade Area (c) India’s “Look East” policy (d) Impediments—river disputes, migration, ethnic conflicts, border disputes |
| India and Global South | Relations with Africa, and Latin America; Leadership in New International Economic Order (NIEO), World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations |
| India and Global Powers | Relations with United States of America (USA), European Union (EU), Japan, China, Russia |
| India and the United Nations (UN) System | Role in peacekeeping; Demand for permanent United Nations Security Council (UNSC) seat |
| India and the Nuclear Question | Changing perceptions and policy |
| Recent Developments in Foreign Policy | India’s stance on Afghanistan, Iraq, and West Asia; Relations with the United States of America (USA), Israel; Vision for New World order |
Choosing the right books is crucial for your preparation. Here are some recommended books for PSIR optional:
Preparing your own notes is one of the best ways to retain information. However, if you are short on time, you can refer to the notes provided by toppers or coaching institutes. Here are some tips for making effective notes:
Solving previous year question papers is one of the best ways to prepare for the exam. It helps you understand the pattern of the questions and the areas from which questions are frequently asked. Here are some tips for using PYQs effectively:
Here is a list of the last five years Public Administration Optional PYQ (Previous Year Question Papers) aspirant can download and use them in their preparation.
| UPSC PSIR Optional Syllabus
Optional Previous Year Question Papers |
|
| Year | Paper |
| 2024 | Download Paper 1 |
| Download Paper 2 | |
| 2023 | Download Paper 1 |
| Download Paper 2 | |
| 2022 | Download Paper 1 |
| Download Paper 2 | |
| 2021 | Download Paper 1 |
| Download Paper 2 | |
| 2020 | Download Paper 1 |
| Download Paper 2 | |
The PSIR optional question paper is divided into two papers, each carrying 250 marks. The questions are a mix of theoretical and analytical types. Here are some tips for attempting the question paper:
Topper copies are a great resource for understanding how to write effective answers. Here are some tips for using topper copies effectively:
Here are some tips for preparing for PSIR optional:
PSIR is a highly rewarding optional subject for the UPSC exam. With the right strategy, resources, and dedication, you can score well in this subject. Make sure to cover the entire syllabus, practice answer writing, and revise regularly. Use the recommended books, notes, and previous year’s question papers to enhance your preparation. By following these tips, you can master PSIR and increase your chances of success in the UPSC exam.
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Some of the best books for PSIR optional are "An Introduction to Political Theory by O.P. Gauba," "Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth," and "International Relations by Pavneet Singh."
To prepare for PSIR optional, understand the syllabus, make a study plan, practice answer writing, and revise regularly. Use recommended books and previous year's question papers.
The syllabus for PSIR optional is divided into two papers: Paper-I (Political Theory and Indian Politics) and Paper-II (Comparative Politics and International Relations).
To write effective answers, structure your answers well, use headings and subheadings, and support your answers with examples. Practice writing answers within the time limit.
Refine your answer writing skills and elevate your UPSC preparation with personalized support and expert feedback.
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