Political Science and International Relations Optional Syllabus

Overview of Political Science and International Relations Optional Subject

Political Science and International Relations Optional Syllabus (PSIR) :The PSIR is one of the most popular optional subjects in the UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination. It attracts candidates from diverse academic backgrounds due to its relevance to the General Studies papers, particularly in governance, international affairs, and political theories. The subject offers a comprehensive understanding of political systems, theories, and international relations, making it a strategic choice for aspirants interested in public administration, diplomacy, or policymaking.

Why Choose Political Science and International Relations as an Optional?

  • Overlap with General Studies: A significant portion of the PSIR syllabus overlaps with topics in General Studies Papers II and III, making it easier to prepare for both the optional and GS papers simultaneously.

  • Relevance to Current Affairs: The subject is highly relevant to current affairs, helping candidates develop a nuanced understanding of global and national issues, which is crucial for both the Mains and the Interview stages.

  • Scoring Potential: PSIR is considered a scoring subject due to its well-defined syllabus and the availability of ample resources. The analytical nature of the subject also allows for well-structured answers.

Who Should Take Political Science and International Relations Optional?

  • Candidates with a Background in Political Science: If you have studied political science in your graduation, PSIR will be a natural extension of your academic knowledge.

  • Aspirants Interested in Governance and International Affairs: If you have a keen interest in understanding political systems, governance, and international relations, this subject will engage you deeply.

  • Candidates Looking for Overlap with General Studies: If you want an optional that complements your GS preparation, PSIR is an excellent choice due to its overlap with various GS topics.

Political Science and International Relations Optional Syllabus Paper-I

This paper is focused on Political Theory and Indian Government and Politics. It includes topics such as the theories of the state, political ideologies, democracy, and justice, as well as the Constitution of India, political institutions, and processes.

Topic Details
Political Theory and Indian Politics 1. Political Theory: meaning and approaches.
2. Theories of state: Liberal, Neo-liberal, Marxist, Pluralist, post-colonial and Feminist.
3. Justice: Conceptions of justice with special reference to Rawl’s theory of justice and its communitarian critiques.
4. Equality: Social, political and economic; relationship between equality and freedom; Affirmative action.
5. Rights: Meaning and theories; different kinds of rights; Concept of Human Rights.
6. Democracy: Classical and contemporary theories; different models of democracy—representative, participatory and deliberative.
7. Concept of power: hegemony, ideology and legitimacy.
8. Political Ideologies: Liberalism, Socialism, Marxism, Fascism, Gandhism and Feminism.
9. Indian Political Thought: Dharamshastra, Arthashastra and Buddhist Traditions; Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Sri Aurobindo, M. K. Gandhi, B. R. Ambedkar, M. N. Roy.
10. Western Political Thought: Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, John S. Mill, Marx, Gramsci, Hannah Arendt.
Indian Government and Politics 1. Indian Nationalism:
(a) Political Strategies of India's Freedom Struggle: Constitutionalism to mass Satyagraha, Non-cooperation, Civil Disobedience; Militant and Revolutionary Movements, Peasant and Workers Movements.
(b) Perspectives on Indian National Movement; Liberal, Socialist and Marxist; Radical Humanist and Dalit.
2. Making of the Indian Constitution: Legacies of the British rule; different social and political perspectives.
3. Salient Features of the Indian Constitution: The Preamble, Fundamental Rights and Duties, Directive Principles; Parliamentary System and Amendment Procedures; Judicial Review and Basic Structure doctrine.
4. (a) Principal Organs of the Union Government: Envisaged role and actual working of the Executive, Legislature and Supreme Court.
(b) Principal Organs of the State Government: Envisaged role and actual working of the Executive, Legislature and High Courts.
5. Grassroots Democracy: Panchayati Raj and Municipal Government; Significance of 73rd and 74th Amendments; Grassroot movements.
6. 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, National Commission for Women; National Human Rights Commission, National Commission for Minorities, National Backward Classes Commission.
7. Federalism: Constitutional provisions; changing nature of centre-state relations; integrationist tendencies and regional aspirations; inter-state disputes.
8. Planning and Economic development: Nehruvian and Gandhian perspectives; Role of planning and public sector; Green Revolution, land reforms and agrarian relations; liberalization and economic reforms.
9. Caste, Religion and Ethnicity in Indian Politics.
10. Party System: National and regional political parties, ideological and social bases of parties; Patterns of coalition politics; Pressure groups, trends in electoral behaviour; changing socio-economic profile of Legislators.
11. Social Movement: Civil liberties and human rights movements; women’s movements; environmentalist movements.

PSIR Syllabus Paper-II

This paper covers Comparative Politics and International Relations. Key areas include theories of international relations, comparative politics, India’s foreign policy, and global issues such as terrorism, nuclear proliferation, and environmental concerns.

Topic Details
Comparative Political Analysis and International Politics
  • Comparative Politics: Nature and major approaches; Political economy and political sociology perspectives; Limitations of the comparative method.
  • 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 globalisation.
Changing International Political Order
  • Rise of super powers; Strategic and ideological Bipolarity, arms race and cold war; Nuclear threat;
  • Non-aligned Movement: Aims and achievements.
  • Collapse of the Soviet Union; Unipolarity and American hegemony; Relevance of non-alignment in the contemporary world.
Evolution of the International Economic System
  • From Brettonwoods to WTO; Socialist economies and the CMEA (Council for Mutual Economic Assistance); Third World demand for new international economic order; Globalisation 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, AARC, NAFTA.
Contemporary Global Concerns
  • Democracy, human rights, environment, gender justice terrorism, nuclear proliferation.
India and the World
  • Indian Foreign Policy: Determinants of foreign policy; the institutions of policy-making; Continuity and change.
  • India’s Contribution to the Non-Alignment Movement: Different phases; Current role.
  • India and South Asia:
    • Regional Co-operation: SAARC—past performance and future prospects.
    • 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 WTO negotiations.
  • 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 West Asia, growing relations with US and Isreal; Vision of a new world order.

Political Science and International Relations Optional Syllabus Summary

The syllabus is divided into two papers, each comprising distinct topics.

Paper I: Political Theory and Indian Politics
Part A: Political Theory and Thought

1. Political Theory:

Meaning and approaches; the role of theory; the relevance of theory in Political Science; theories of the state; liberal, neoliberal, Marxist, pluralist, post-colonial, and feminist theories.

2. Justice

Conceptions of justice; principles of justice; justice as fairness; distributive justice.

3. Equality:

Social, economic, and political equality; the relationship between equality and freedom; equality of opportunity.

4. Rights:

Theories of rights; human rights; relationship between rights and duties.

5. Democracy:

Classical and contemporary theories; models of democracy; the concept of representation.

6. Power, Hegemony, and Ideology:

Theories of power; power and authority; political power; power in the context of globalization.

7. Political Ideologies:

Liberalism, socialism, Marxism, fascism, Gandhism, and feminism.

Part B: Indian Government and Politics

1. Indian Nationalism:

Historical background; Indian National Movement; perspectives on Indian nationalism.

2. Constitution of India:

Salient features; fundamental rights and duties; directive principles; constitutional amendments; emergency provisions.

3. Panchayati Raj and Municipalities:

Evolution and functioning; significance of 73rd and 74th Amendments.

4. Public Administration and Governance:

Bureaucracy and development; role of bureaucracy; corruption in administration.

5. Social Movements in India:

Environmental movements, women’s movements, caste-based movements, regionalism.

6. Indian Political System:

Parties and party systems; elections and electoral reforms; coalitions in Indian politics.

Paper II: Comparative Politics and International Relations
Part A: Comparative Politics and International Relations

1. Comparative Politics:

Nature and scope; comparative methods; state in comparative perspective.

2. Globalization:

Approaches to understanding globalization; economic, political, and cultural impact.

3. International Relations:

Key concepts like power, national interest, security; realism and liberalism; theories of international relations.

4. International Organizations:

United Nations; World Bank; IMF; WTO; regional organizations like EU, ASEAN, SAARC, BRICS.

5. Contemporary Global Concerns:

Issues like nuclear proliferation, climate change, terrorism, and migration.

Part B: India and the World

1. Indian Foreign Policy:

Determinants and features; evolution of Indian foreign policy; continuity and change.

2. India and South Asia:

Relations with neighboring countries; SAARC and its role.

3. India and the Global South:

Relations with Africa, Latin America; role in NAM.

4. India and the Global Economy:

India’s position in global trade; economic diplomacy; role in BRICS, G20.

5. India and Contemporary World:

India’s engagement with major global powers; role in international organizations.

Preparation Strategy for Political Science and International Relations Optional

  • Understand the Syllabus: Start by thoroughly reviewing the Political Science and International Relations Optional Syllabus. Break it down into manageable sections such as political theory, Indian politics, comparative politics, and international relations.

  • Focus on Key Theories and Thinkers: In Paper I, emphasize understanding key political theories, ideologies, and the contributions of major political thinkers. This foundational knowledge will be crucial for answering questions analytically.

  • Stay Updated with Current Affairs: Regularly follow international news and updates on Indian politics. Relate current events to the concepts you study to enrich your understanding and answer questions with contemporary relevance.

  • Practice Answer Writing: Political Science answers require clarity, structure, and coherence. Practice writing concise, well-argued essays to improve your presentation skills and the logical flow of your answers.

  • Refer to Standard Textbooks: Use standard textbooks and reference materials that cover the entire syllabus comprehensively. They provide detailed explanations and context for various topics.

  • Revise Regularly: Regular revision is essential to retain complex political theories and concepts. Create a revision schedule that allows you to revisit each topic multiple times before the exam.

  • Solve Previous Year Papers: Practice with previous years’ UPSC PSIR Optional question papers to understand the exam pattern, types of questions, and the expected depth of answers.

Recommended Books and Study Materials

  • Political Theory and Indian Government:

    • “An Introduction to Political Theory” by O.P. Gauba
    • “Indian Polity” by M. Laxmikanth
    • “Introduction to the Constitution of India” by D.D. Basu

  • Comparative Politics and International Relations:

    • “Global Politics” by Andrew Heywood
    • “International Relations” by V. N. Khanna
    • “India’s Foreign Policy” by Rajiv Sikri

  • Political Thinkers:

    • “A History of Political Thought: Plato to Marx” by Subrata Mukherjee and Sushila Ramaswamy

  • Current Affairs:

    • Regularly read newspapers like The Hindu or Indian Express.
    • Follow journals such as “Economic and Political Weekly” for in-depth analysis.

  • Previous Year Papers:

    • Solve previous years’ UPSC PSIR Optional question papers to get a feel for the exam format and types of questions.

Final Thoughts

Political Science and International Relations is a dynamic and rewarding optional subject that offers both depth and breadth in understanding political systems and global affairs. With a clear understanding of the Political Science and International Relations Optional Syllabus, effective use of resources, and consistent practice, you can excel in this subject and improve your overall performance in the UPSC Civil Services Examination.

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