Political Science and International Relations - PSIR Syllabus for UPSC
March 24, 2024
9 Minutes
Introduction
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Exam is one of the top and most challenging examinations in India. This exam acts as the entry gate for the most decorated services in the country, including Indian Administrative Service, Indian Police Service, Indian Foreign Service etc. Every year, hundreds of thousands of students appear for the exam and yet a handful of them get selected. It is conducted in three parts. First, you take the Preliminary exam. If you pass, you move on to the Mains exam, where you choose a special subject to focus on. This choice is very important for your final score. If you pass the Mains exam, the last step is an interview.
Among the optional subjects, Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) stands out as a preferred choice for many candidates because of its direct connection to the general studies curriculum and its usefulness during the Interview stage. PSIR explores a wide array of subjects, from the foundations of political theory and the workings of Indian politics to the complexities of international relationships and global affairs. This segment of the article provides an overview of the PSIR optional syllabus, underscoring its value for the UPSC examination.
Why Pick PSIR Optional for UPSC?
Selecting an optional subject for the UPSC Civil Services Exam is a pivotal decision that can significantly make a big difference in your overall performance. Among the myriad choices of optional subjects available, Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) stands out as the best choices for many good reasons. Here, we distil the advantages of choosing PSIR into key points with explanations to provide clear insights into its value as an optional subject.
Overlap with General Studies
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PSIR's syllabus covers a broad array of topics that significantly overlap with the General Studies papers, particularly in areas such as Indian polity, governance, international relations, and current affairs. This overlap not only lightens the overall study burden but also deepens the aspirants' comprehension of these critical subjects, which is advantageous for both the Mains examination and the Interview stage.
High Scoring Potential
Known for its scoring potential, PSIR enables aspirants to secure high marks with the appropriate strategy and understanding. The subject's engaging nature, dealing with political philosophies, governance models, and international politics, makes the learning process intriguing and less tedious, potentially leading to better performance in the examination.
Interesting Subject Matter
PSIR is intrinsically fascinating, covering the dynamics of political theories, governance structures across the world, policy-making processes, and global political scenarios. This breadth of content keeps the preparation journey engaging and intellectually stimulating, avoiding the monotony that can sometimes accompany the study of other subjects.
Career Relevance and Skill Development
Beyond the examination, PSIR equips candidates with a deep understanding of the political and administrative frameworks of India and the international community. It fosters skills essential for addressing governance challenges, policy formulation, and managing diplomatic relations, which are invaluable in a civil service career.
Strategic Advantage in UPSC Examination
PSIR (Political Science and International Relations) offers deep insights into important topics for the UPSC exam, covering areas like international relations, how governments work, the history of politics, and the current political environment. Choosing PSIR gives students a big advantage, helping them stand out in the UPSC Civil Services Exam. For example, studying how India’s foreign policy has shaped its relations with neighboring countries not only enriches the aspirant’s knowledge but also sharpens their analytical skills, critical for acing the exam. This knowledge builds a strong base, making UPSC preparation more effective.
Also read: Anthropology Optional for UPSC: Syllabus, Trends, Optional Selection and Books
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PSIR Optional Syllabus for UPSC Examination
The Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) syllabus for the UPSC Civil Services Examination is comprehensive, covering various dimensions of political theories, Indian politics, international relations, and comparative politics. Understanding the syllabus is the first step towards effective preparation. The syllabus is divided into two papers, each designed to test the candidates' understanding and analytical abilities in political science and international relations. The official syllabus of the subject is provided in the UPSC notification 2024, which can be downloaded from our detailed blog on UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024: Notification, Admit Card, Results and Important Dates.
Dissecting PSIR Optional Syllabus for UPSC Civil Services Exam
The PSIR Optional syllabus is meticulously crafted and includes a wide range of topics essential for a deep understanding of the subject. Here, we dissect the syllabus, presenting it in a structured manner for easy comprehension.
Paper I: Political Theory and Indian Politics
Part- A- Political Theory
Section | Subtopics |
|---|---|
Political Theory: Meaning and Approaches | - Theories of the state: Liberal, Neoliberal, Marxist, Pluralist, Post-colonial, and feminist. |
Democracy | - Concepts of power, hegemony, ideology, and legitimacy. |
Human Rights | - Theories of Justice: Rawls' theory of justice and its communitarian critiques. |
Equality | - Rights |
Justice | - Democracy |
Concept of power | - Political ideologies: Marxism, Liberalism, Socialism, Fascism, Gandhism. |
Political Ideologies | - Nationalism, feminism, environmentalism, and Dalitism. |
Indian Political Thought | - Dharamshastra, Arthashastra, Buddhist traditions, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Aurobindo Ghosh, M.N. Roy. |
Part B: Indian Government and Politics
Section | Subsection |
|---|---|
Indian Nationalism | - Political strategies of India’s freedom struggle: constitutionalism to mass Satyagraha, Non-cooperation, Civil Disobedience; militant and revolutionary movements, Peasant and workers’ movements. |
Making of the Indian Constitution | - Legacies of the British rule. |
Salient Features of the Indian Constitution | - Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, Parliamentary System, and Amendment Procedures. |
Principal Organs of the Union Government | - Envisaged role and actual working of the Executive, Legislature, and Supreme Judiciary. |
Principal Organs of the State Government | - Envisaged role and actual working of the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary. |
Grassroots Democracy | - Panchayati Raj and Municipal Government; significance of 73rd and 74th Amendments; Grassroot movements. |
Statutory Institutions/Commissions | Election Commission, Comptroller and Auditor General, Finance Commission, Union Public Service Commission, National Commission for Scheduled Castes, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, and National Human Rights Commission. |
Federalism | - Constitutional provisions; changing nature of centre-state relations; integrationist tendencies and regional aspirations; inter-state disputes. |
Planning and Development | - Nehruvian and Gandhian perspectives; role of planning and public sector; Green Revolution, land reforms and agrarian relations; liberalization and economic reforms. |
Caste, Religion, and Ethnicity in Indian Politics | - Party system and electoral politics in India; reformist, conservative, and communal movements. |
Indian Political Movements | - Civil liberties and human rights movements; women's movements; environmentalist movements. |
Paper II: International Relations and Comparative Politics
The detailed breakdown of Paper II will follow the same structure, dividing the syllabus into various topics and subtopics, focusing on international relations and comparative politics. Given the length and detail of the syllabus, I will continue with this section in the next response to ensure clarity and comprehensive coverage.
Paper II: International Relations and Comparative Politics
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Part A: Comparative Political Analysis and International Politics
Section | Subtopics |
|---|---|
Comparative Politics: Nature and major approaches | - Political economy and political sociology perspectives. |
State in comparative perspective | - Characteristics and changing nature of the State in capitalist and socialist economies, and advanced industrial and developing societies. |
Politics of Representation and Participation | - Political parties, pressure groups, and social movements in advanced industrial and developing societies. |
Globalisation | - Responses from developed and developing societies. |
Approaches to the Study of International Relations | - Idealist, Realist, Marxist, Functionalist, and Systems theory. |
Key concepts in International Relations | - National interest, security and power, balance of power and deterrence, transnational actors and collective security, world capitalist economy, and globalization. |
Changing International Political Order | - Rise of superpowers; strategic and ideological Bipolarity, arms race and Cold War; collapse of the Soviet Union; unipolarity and American hegemony; relevance of non-alignment in the contemporary world. |
Evolution of the International Economic System | - From Bretton Woods to WTO; socialist economies and the CMEA (Council for Mutual Economic Assistance); Third World demand for new international economic order; globalization of the world economy. |
United Nations | - Envisaged role and actual record; specialized UN agencies-aims and functioning; need for UN reforms. |
Regionalisation of World Politics | - EU, ASEAN, APEC, SAARC, NAFTA. |
Contemporary Global Concerns | - Democracy, human rights, environment, gender justice, terrorism, nuclear proliferation. |
Part B: India and the World
Section | Topics |
|---|---|
Indian Foreign Policy | - Determinants of foreign policy; institutions of policy-making; continuity and change. |
India's Contribution to the Non-Aligned Movement | - Different phases; current role. |
India and South Asia | - Regional Co-operation: SAARC; South Asia as a Free Trade Area; India’s “Look East” policy; Impediments to regional co-operation: river water disputes; illegal cross-border migration; ethnic conflicts and insurgencies; border disputes. |
India and the Global South | - Relations with Africa and Latin America; leadership role in the demand for NIEO and G-77. |
India and the Global Centres of Power | - USA, EU, Japan, China and Russia. |
India and the UN System | - Role in UN Peace-keeping; demand for Permanent Seat in the Security Council. |
India and the Nuclear Question | - Changing perceptions and policy. |
Recent developments in Indian Foreign policy | - India’s position on the recent crises in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria; vision of a new world order. |
Tips to Prepare PSIR Optional Syllabus for UPSC
Preparing for the PSIR optional subject can be a rewarding experience, given its dynamic and comprehensive syllabus. Here are some tips to effectively prepare for this optional:
- Understand the Syllabus: Start with a thorough understanding of the syllabus. Knowing the exact topics and subtopics will help you prioritize and organize your study plan.
- Refer to Standard Textbooks and Resources: Utilize standard textbooks for political science and international relations, such as "An Introduction to Political Theory" by O.P. Gauba and "Global Politics" by Andrew Heywood. Additionally, the IGNOU study material for political science can be very helpful.
- Stay Updated with Current Affairs: Given the dynamic nature of international relations, it's crucial to stay updated with current global events, treaties, and international relations dynamics. Newspapers, journals, and reputable news websites are excellent sources for this.
- Make Notes and Mind Maps: Create concise notes and mind maps for quick revision, especially for theorists, political concepts, and important international events. This will also help in quick recall during the exam.
- Answer Writing Practice: Regular answer writing practice is essential to structure your answers well and adhere to the word limit. Practicing previous years' question papers and taking mock tests will also help in time management.
- Review and Revise: Regular revision is crucial to retain the vast amount of information covered in the syllabus. Set aside regular intervals for revision in your study schedule.
- Peer Discussion and Group Study: Discussing topics with peers can provide new insights and help in better understanding complex concepts.
For a more comprehensive preparation, check out our blog on How to Prepare for UPSC.
Conclusion
Choosing PSIR as an optional for the UPSC examination can be a game-changer for aspirants. Its comprehensive syllabus not only prepares one for the UPSC examination but also lays a strong foundation for a career in civil services. By carefully dissecting the syllabus and following a structured preparation strategy, aspirants can navigate through the vast curriculum and maximise their scoring potential. Remember, perseverance, and consistency are key to mastering the PSIR optional and achieving success in the UPSC examination.
Also check out: Sociology Optional Syllabus for UPSC Civil Services Examination: A Complete Guide
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Table of Content
Introduction
Why Pick PSIR Optional for UPSC?
PSIR Optional Syllabus for UPSC Examination
Dissecting PSIR Optional Syllabus for UPSC Civil Services Exam
Tips to Prepare PSIR Optional Syllabus for UPSC
Conclusion
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