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UPSC Optional Subject Syllabus: Political Science and International Relations | PSIR Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

The Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) optional subject for the UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination is a popular choice among aspirants due to its overlap with the General Studies papers, its analytical nature, and its relevance to current affairs. The PSIR syllabus is divided into two papers, Paper I and Paper II, each carrying 250 marks, for a total of 500 marks. Below is the detailed syllabus for PSIR as prescribed by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

UPSC Optional Subject Syllabus: Political Science and International Relations | PSIR Optional for UPSC (Notes)

Why Choose PSIR as an Optional?

  • Overlap with General Studies: Significant portions of Paper I (Indian Politics) and Paper II (International Relations) overlap with GS Paper II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, International Relations).
  • Scoring Potential: PSIR is considered scoring due to its objective and analytical nature, provided answers are well-structured and backed by current examples.
  • Interest and Relevance: The subject is dynamic and appeals to candidates interested in political systems, governance, and global affairs.
  • Resource Availability: Abundant study materials, coaching, and online resources are available, making preparation manageable.

Paper - I

Political Theory and Indian Politics

  • Political Theory: meaning and approaches.
  • Theories of the State: Liberal, Neoliberal, Marxist, Pluralist, Post-colonial and feminist.
  • Justice: Conceptions of justice with special reference to Rawl’s theory of justice 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; different models of democracy – representative, participatory and deliberative.
  • Concept of power, hegemony, ideology and legitimacy.
  • Political Ideologies: Liberalism, Socialism, Marxism, Fascism, Gandhism and Feminism.
  • Indian Political Thought: Dharamshastra, Arthashastra and Buddhist traditions; Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Sri Aurobindo, M.K. Gandhi, B.R. Ambedkar, M.N. Roy.
  • Western Political Thought: Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, John S. Mill, Marx, Gramsci, Hannah Arendt.

Indian Government and Politics

Paper - II

Comparative Politics and International Relations Comparative Political Analysis and International

India and the World

Preparation Tips for PSIR Optional

1. Understand the Syllabus: Thoroughly familiarize yourself with the syllabus to create a structured study plan.
2. Standard Books and Resources:

  • Political Theory: "An Introduction to Political Theory" by O.P. Gauba.
  • Indian Government and Politics: "Indian Polity" by M. Laxmikanth.
  • Comparative Politics: "Comparative Politics Today" by Gabriel Almond.
  • International Relations: "International Relations" by V.N. Khanna, "Theories of International Relations" by Scott Burchill.
  • Indian Foreign Policy: "India’s Foreign Policy" by Rajiv Sikri.

3. Current Affairs Integration: Regularly read newspapers (e.g., The Hindu, Indian Express) and magazines (e.g., Frontline, Yojana) to connect theoretical concepts with contemporary events.
4. Answer Writing Practice: Practice writing answers for previous years’ questions to improve articulation and time management.
5. Map-Based Questions: For Paper II, practice questions related to geopolitical events and India’s relations with other countries.
6. Revision and Mock Tests: Regularly revise notes and take mock tests to assess preparation and identify weaknesses.
7. Toppers’ Strategy: Refer to strategies by toppers like Vaibhav Rawat (AIR 25, 2020) for integrating current affairs and scholarly arguments into answers.

The document UPSC Optional Subject Syllabus: Political Science and International Relations | PSIR Optional for UPSC (Notes) is a part of the UPSC Course PSIR Optional for UPSC (Notes).
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FAQs on UPSC Optional Subject Syllabus: Political Science and International Relations - PSIR Optional for UPSC (Notes)

1. What is the syllabus for the Political Science and International Relations optional subject in the UPSC exam?
Ans. The syllabus for the Political Science and International Relations optional subject in the UPSC exam includes topics such as Political Theory and Indian Politics, Comparative Politics and International Relations, Indian Government and Politics, and International Relations.
2. How many papers are there for the Political Science and International Relations optional subject in the UPSC exam?
Ans. There are two papers for the Political Science and International Relations optional subject in the UPSC exam. Paper-I covers Political Theory and Indian Politics, while Paper-II covers Comparative Politics and International Relations.
3. What are the key topics covered in Paper-I of the Political Science and International Relations optional subject in the UPSC exam?
Ans. Paper-I of the Political Science and International Relations optional subject in the UPSC exam covers topics such as Political Theory, Theories of the State, Rights, Citizenship, and Sovereignty, Indian Political Thought, and Western Political Thought.
4. What are the key topics covered in Paper-II of the Political Science and International Relations optional subject in the UPSC exam?
Ans. Paper-II of the Political Science and International Relations optional subject in the UPSC exam covers topics such as Comparative Politics and Political Analysis, Indian Government and Politics, International Relations, and Global Politics.
5. Can I choose the Political Science and International Relations optional subject even if I don't have a background in political science?
Ans. Yes, you can choose the Political Science and International Relations optional subject in the UPSC exam even if you don't have a background in political science. However, it is recommended to have a basic understanding of the subject to better comprehend and analyze the topics covered in the exam.
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