Structure of Paper II for the PSIR Optional Subject in the UPSC Exam

Introduction:
Paper II of the Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) optional subject in the UPSC exam is designed to test the candidate's understanding and knowledge of various aspects related to political science and international relations. It aims to assess the candidate's ability to critically analyze and evaluate different political theories, concepts, and debates.

Section-wise Breakdown:
The Paper II of the PSIR optional subject is divided into three sections:

Section A: Comparative Politics and International Relations
This section focuses on the comparative analysis of political systems and the study of international relations. It covers topics such as political theories, ideologies, institutions, and processes. The section is further divided into two parts:

1. Political Theory and Thought: This part tests the candidate's understanding of various political theories and concepts, such as liberalism, socialism, feminism, etc. It also includes the study of important political philosophers and their ideas.

2. Comparative Politics: This part examines the comparative analysis of political systems, including the study of different forms of government, electoral systems, political parties, and pressure groups. It also covers topics like democratization, political development, and political economy.

Section B: Indian Government and Politics
This section focuses on the study of Indian government and politics, including the constitutional framework, political institutions, and processes. It covers topics such as the Indian Constitution, federalism, Parliament, judiciary, bureaucracy, and electoral systems. The section is further divided into two parts:

1. Indian Political Thought: This part tests the candidate's knowledge of Indian political thought, including the ideas of prominent Indian thinkers and their contributions to political theory.

2. Indian Government and Politics: This part examines the functioning of the Indian political system, including the study of constitutional provisions, political parties, pressure groups, social movements, and public policy.

Section C: International Relations
This section focuses on the study of international relations, including theories, concepts, and issues related to global politics. It covers topics such as state sovereignty, power, conflict, cooperation, international organizations, and global governance. The section is further divided into two parts:

1. International Relations Theory: This part tests the candidate's understanding of different theories of international relations, such as realism, liberalism, constructivism, etc. It also includes the study of important international relations theorists and their ideas.

2. International Politics: This part examines various aspects of international politics, including the study of international security, international political economy, global governance, and regional organizations.

Conclusion:
The Paper II of the PSIR optional subject in the UPSC exam covers a wide range of topics related to comparative politics, Indian government and politics, and international relations. It requires a comprehensive understanding of political theories, concepts, and debates. By following the above structure and preparing well across all sections, candidates can effectively demonstrate their knowledge and analytical skills in the exam.