Political Science and International Relations Optional Syllabus Overview
The UPSC PSIR optional syllabus is divided into two papers- Paper 1 and Paper 2. Each paper is of 250 marks and is descriptive in nature.
UPSC PSIR Optional Syllabus | Sub-Topics |
UPSC IAS Political Science Optional Paper 1 |
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UPSC IAS Political Science Optional Paper 2 |
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The PSIR optional syllabus is extremely beneficial even after passing the IAS test since a significant number of topics may be applied to your government job.
Many people think the UPSC political science optional syllabus is vast and boring, however, it is one of the most educational and important subjects for any prospective government servant. The IAS PSIR covers the law of the land, ideas and concepts that underpin any government or state, as well as Indian nationalism and international order. Due to its non-technical character, GS Polity may readily be included in the preparation.
Download UPSC Political Science Syllabus PDF
Download the UPSC political science syllabus PDF in both English and Hindi using the direct link mentioned below.
- UPSC Political Science Optional Syllabus in Hindi
- UPSC Political Science Optional syllabus in English
UPSC Political Science Syllabus For Paper 1
UPSC PSIR Paper 1 - Section A
UPSC PSIR Paper 1 - Section B
UPSC Political Science Syllabus For Paper 2
UPSC PSIR Paper 1 - Section A - Comparative Political Analysis and International Politics
UPSC PSIR Paper 1 - Section B - India and the World
How to Prepare UPSC Political Science Optional Syllabus?
As you may have seen, the political science optional syllabus is divided into two parts. And each section has two parts. Understand how to prepare for each of the following:
Paper 1 Part A:
- Focus on completing the static part of the program.
- Then, review it several times to solidify your understanding of this section.
You can refer to the following resources to complete this section:
- Political Thoughts of O.P. Gauba
- Political Thoughts of India: V R Mehta
- Western Political Thought:
- Brian Nelson (excellent book)
This section shows that the program overlaps significantly with GS I and II, but should be read with a taste of the option.
Good command over current affairs is also needed to crack this section.
You can refer to the following resources:
- Indian National Movement – Bipin Chandra + Spectrum
- Indian Polity – B. L. Fadia (Very selective) + Laxmikanth
Paper 2 Section A
This part is a combination of dynamic and static topics
For static topics, you can refer to the IGNOU Notes. However, be extremely selective while reading IGNOU notes. You do not need to read cover to cover. Read as per the demand of the syllabus.
Paper 2 Section B
This part is heavily dependent on current affairs. Questions are generally asked on the current topics. Therefore, make sure you are familiar with current affairs.
PSIR Optional Syllabus - Best Books
Refer to the UPSC PSIR booklist mentioned below to ensure that you complete the syllabus in a comprehensive manner.
Sections | Book Name |
Political Theory | Brian Nelson, Western Political Thought by Subrata Mukherjee and Sushila Ramaswamy |
Section B: Indian Government and Politics | A Brief History of Modern India Spectrum Book |
Indian Constitution | Indian Constitution- DD Basu |
Indian Politics | The Oxford Companion to Politics in India by Bhanu Mehta |
Indian Thinkers | V.R. Mehta |
Comparative Politics | Comparative Politics Book by J. C. Johari |
Theory of International Politics | The Globalization of World Politics Book by John Baylis, Patricia Owens, and Steve Smith |
World Political Issues | Global Politics by Andrew Heywood |
India and the World | The Oxford Handbook of Indian Foreign Policy edited by C.Rajamohan |
The international relations UPSC syllabus requires continuous preparation of current affairs along with the books. It is essential to understand and correlate current events with theories. It is advisable to look at PSEIR previous year's papers from at least the last 3 years to understand the nature of the issues and the depth of the topic to be read. This will help you determine how much and how long you need to invest in the option.
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