UPSC Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) Syllabus 2021

Paper I: Political Theory and Indian Politics

Paper I is divided into two sections, focusing on theoretical foundations and the practical application within the Indian context.

Section A: Political Theory and Indian Politics

• Political Theory: Meaning and approaches, theories of the state, justice, equality, rights, democracy, and political ideologies like Liberalism, Socialism, Marxism, and Feminism.
• Indian Nationalism: Historical perspectives, the Indian freedom struggle, and the ideologies of key figures like Gandhi and Ambedkar.

Section B: Indian Government and Politics

• Indian Constitution: Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, and the amendment process.
• Institutions: The Parliament, Supreme Court, Executive, and the federal structure of India.
• Grassroots Democracy: Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies.
• Social Movements: Caste, religion, and ethnicity in Indian politics.

Paper II: Comparative Politics and International Relations

Paper II tests the candidate's understanding of global power structures and the comparison between different political systems.

Section A: Comparative Political Analysis and International Politics

• Comparative Politics: Nature, major approaches, and the political economy of development.
• International Relations: Key theories like Realism, Liberalism, and Social Constructivism.
• Global Actors: The role of the United Nations, European Union, and other regional organizations.
• Global Issues: Climate change, human rights, terrorism, and nuclear proliferation.

Section B: India and the World

• Foreign Policy: Determinants of Indias foreign policy, non-alignment, and the evolution of strategic autonomy.
• Indias Relations: India's engagement with the USA, Russia, China, and the European Union.
• Regional Cooperation: Indias role in SAARC, ASEAN, and the Indian Ocean Region.
• Contemporary Challenges: Border disputes, maritime security, and India's aspirations for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council.

Preparation Strategy Tips

To master the 2021 PSIR syllabus, candidates should focus on the following:

• Conceptual Clarity: Understand the thinkers like Plato, Aristotle, and Marx thoroughly, as they form the bedrock of the subject.
• Current Affairs: Link International Relations topics with daily newspaper editorials regarding India's recent diplomatic engagements.
• Answer Writing: Regularly practice answering questions by integrating political theory with current political events.
• Constitutional Understanding: Refer to the bare act of the Constitution for accuracy in Paper I.

The PSIR optional offers a significant advantage for the General Studies Paper II (Governance and IR), making it a highly efficient choice for aspirants.