PSIR Optional Syllabus : Political Science Optional Syllabus 2023 | PSIR Syllabus PDF
By Balaji
Updated on: March 21st, 2023
PSIR Optional Syllabus is released by the commission on the official website along with the UPSC Notification. Political Science and International Relations or PSIR is one of the most popular UPSC optional because it overlaps with the GS syllabus. Candidates who plan to opt for PSIR Optional must go through the detailed PSIR Optional Syllabus for both Paper 1 and Paper 2 to understand the topics included in it. For a structured and planned preparation, candidates can also keep a copy of the PSIR Optional Syllabus PDF.
PSIR Syllabus largely covers topics related to political theory, international relations, Indian polity, comparative politics, and more. Here we are going to cover the Political Science Optional Syllabus for UPSC in detail, and we will also share some preparation tips, and books to cover the topics in a comprehensive manner.
Table of content
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1. PSIR Optional Syllabus Overview
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2. PSIR Optional Syllabus PDF
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3. PSIR Optional Syllabus Paper 1
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4. PSIR Optional Syllabus Paper 2
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5. How to Prepare Political Science Optional Syllabus for UPSC?
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6. Best Books for PSIR Optional Syllabus
PSIR Optional Syllabus Overview
Political Science Optional Syllabus for UPSC is divided into two papers – Paper 1 and Paper 2. As per the UPSC Exam Pattern, each paper is of 250 marks and is descriptive in nature.
| UPSC Political Science Optional Syllabus | Sub-Topics |
| UPSC PSIR Syllabus Paper 1 | Section A: Political Theory and Indian Politics, Section B: Indian Government and Politics |
| Political Science and International Relations UPSC Syllabus Paper 2 | Section A: Comparative Political Analysis and International Politics, Section B: India and the World |
The topics covered in the PSIR Optional Syllabus are extremely beneficial even after passing the IAS Exam since a significant number of topics may be applied to your job. 
PSIR Optional Syllabus PDF
Download the UPSC Political Science Optional Syllabus PDF in both English and Hindi using the direct link mentioned below. Candidates who are preparing for the UPSC Exam in Hindi can also download the UPSC Political Science Optional Syllabus in Hindi.
Political Science Optional Syllabus PDF
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.
PSIR Optional Syllabus Paper 1
Paper 1 of the PSIR Optional Syllabus includes all the political theories and ideologies. The second part of the Political Science Syllabus paper covers Indian polity and nationalism. PSIR Syllabus Paper 1 – Section A 
UPSC PSIR Syllabus Paper 1 – Section B 
PSIR Optional Syllabus Paper 2
The paper 2 of the PSIR Optionals must be covered along with current affairs as it includes topics such as international relations and politics. PSIR Syllabus Paper 2 – Section A – Comparative Political Analysis and International Politics 
PSIR Optional Syllabus Paper 2 – Section B – India and the World 
How to Prepare Political Science Optional Syllabus for UPSC?
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 topics for UPSC 2023: Paper 1 of PSIR Optional
- 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 of the UPSC PSIR Syllabus
- Political Thoughts of O.P. Gauba
- Political Thoughts of India: V R Mehta
- Western Political Thought:
- Brian Nelson (excellent book)
This section of the UPSC PSIR Syllabus overlaps significantly with GS I and II. 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
Preparation Strategy for PSIR Optional Syllabus Paper 2 Section A: This part is a combination of dynamic and static topics. Candidates can also refer to the detailed PSIR optional strategy for a better preparation plan. 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 PSIR syllabus.
PSIR Syllabus Strategy for 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.
Best Books for PSIR Optional Syllabus
Refer to the booklist mentioned below to ensure that you complete the Political Science Optional in a comprehensive manner. The international relations UPSC syllabus requires continuous preparation of current affairs and books. It is essential to understand and correlate current events with theories. It is advisable to look at UPSC Previous Year Question Papers from at least the last 5 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.
| Sections of the PSIR Syllabus | 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 | DD Basu’ Indian Constitution |
| Indian Politics | The Oxford Companion to Politics in India by Bhanu Mehta |
| Indian Thinkers | V.R. Mehta |
| Comparative Politics | J. C. Johari Book on Comparative Politics Book by |
| 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 |
