UPSC PSIR Optional Syllabus – Complete Breakdown of Paper I and Paper II
Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) is one of the most dynamic and popular optional subjects in the UPSC Civil Services Mains examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission. Unlike many other optionals, PSIR directly connects with current affairs, governance, international relations, and political developments around the world.
If you are someone who regularly follows newspapers, debates, government policies, and global events, PSIR can be a powerful optional choice.
In this article, we will break down the UPSC PSIR Optional Syllabus in a structured and easy-to-understand manner, covering both Paper I and Paper II topic-wise.
Why Optional Subject Matters in UPSC Mains
In UPSC Mains, the optional subject consists of:
- Paper I – 250 marks
- Paper II – 250 marks
That means your optional contributes 500 marks, which can significantly influence your final rank.
Therefore, selecting PSIR should be based on:
- Interest in political theory and global affairs
- Comfort with reading theoretical concepts
- Ability to write analytical and balanced answers
Now let us understand the syllabus in detail.
Structure of UPSC PSIR Optional
The PSIR optional consists of:
- Paper I – Political Theory and Indian Politics
- Paper II – Comparative Politics and International Relations
Paper I builds theoretical foundations and covers Indian political thought and government.
Paper II focuses on global politics, international relations, and India’s foreign policy.
This makes PSIR both theoretical and contemporary.
Paper I – Political Theory and Indian Politics
Paper I is divided into two major sections:
- Political Theory and Thinkers
- Indian Government and Politics
Section A – Political Theory
This section deals with the foundational concepts of politics.
- Political Theory: Meaning and Approaches
Official Topics:
- What is political theory?
- Normative vs empirical theory
- Behaviouralism
- Post-behaviouralism
In simple terms, this section explains:
- How political ideas are studied
- Different approaches to understanding politics
👉 This is conceptual and requires clarity.
- Concepts of Political Theory
Important Concepts:
- Justice
- Liberty
- Equality
- Rights
- Democracy
- Power
- Sovereignty
You must understand definitions, debates, and thinkers associated with each concept.
👉 Questions are frequently asked from justice, liberty, and democracy.
- Western Political Thought
Major Thinkers:
- Plato
- Aristotle
- Machiavelli
- Hobbes
- Locke
- Rousseau
- Marx
- Mill
You should study:
- Their ideas
- Core arguments
- Criticisms
- Relevance today
This is one of the most scoring areas if prepared well.
- Indian Political Thought
Major Thinkers:
- Kautilya
- Mahatma Gandhi
- B.R. Ambedkar
- Jawaharlal Nehru
- M.N. Roy
Understand their views on:
- State
- Democracy
- Social justice
- Nationalism
Section B – Indian Government and Politics
This part overlaps significantly with GS Paper II.
- Indian Constitution
- Making of the Constitution
- Features
- Amendments
- Federalism
- Union Government
- Parliament
- Executive
- Judiciary
- State Government and Local Government
- State executive and legislature
- Panchayati Raj
- Urban local bodies
- Political Processes
- Party system
- Electoral reforms
- Pressure groups
- Social movements
- Governance and Public Policy
- Role of civil services
- Planning and development
- Public policy
👉 Strong overlap with GS Paper II.
Key Scoring Areas in Paper I
- Political theory concepts
- Western and Indian thinkers
- Linking theory with Indian examples
- Answer structure and clarity
Students who integrate thinkers into answers usually score higher.
Paper II – Comparative Politics and International Relations
Paper II is more contemporary and dynamic.
Section A – Comparative Political Analysis
- Comparative Politics
- Nature and scope
- Approaches to comparative politics
- State in Comparative Perspective
- Capitalist state
- Socialist state
- Welfare state
- Political Economy
- Globalization
- Development
- Dependency theory
- Political Systems
Study political systems of:
- UK
- USA
- China
- Russia
You must compare these systems analytically.
Section B – International Relations
This is the most dynamic and high-weightage area.
- Theories of International Relations
- Realism
- Liberalism
- Marxism
- Constructivism
Understanding these theories is essential to analyze global events.
- Key Global Issues
- Cold War
- Post-Cold War politics
- Globalization
- Terrorism
- Nuclear proliferation
- International Organizations
- United Nations
- World Bank
- IMF
- WTO
- India’s Foreign Policy
- India-US relations
- India-China relations
- India-Russia relations
- India and neighbors
- India’s role in international forums
👉 This section overlaps strongly with GS Paper II.
Overlap with General Studies
One major advantage of PSIR optional is its overlap:
- GS Paper II: Constitution, governance, IR
- Essay Paper: Democracy, global politics
- Interview: Foreign policy and political issues
However, optional answers require deeper theoretical understanding than GS.
Common Mistakes Aspirants Make in PSIR
Before choosing PSIR, avoid these mistakes:
- Treating It Like GS Polity
Optional requires theoretical depth and thinkers.
- Ignoring Political Theory
Many focus only on IR and neglect theory.
- Not Linking Theory with Current Affairs
You must apply realism or liberalism to global events.
- Writing Opinion-Based Answers
Answers must be analytical and balanced.
- Ignoring Answer Writing Practice
PSIR requires structured, argument-based answers.
Is PSIR Optional Right for You?
PSIR is suitable if:
- You are interested in politics and global affairs
- You read newspapers regularly
- You enjoy theoretical discussions
- You want strong GS overlap
It may not suit you if:
- You dislike abstract theory
- You avoid reading analytical content
Preparation Strategy in Brief
- Build basics of political theory
- Study thinkers thoroughly
- Follow current affairs daily
- Integrate examples into answers
- Practice answer writing regularly
- Revise consistently
Final Thoughts
The UPSC PSIR Optional Syllabus is intellectually rich and closely connected with contemporary political realities. Paper I builds strong theoretical foundations, while Paper II helps you analyze global politics and India’s foreign policy.
If you prepare strategically, integrate thinkers, and connect theory with current events, PSIR can become a highly rewarding optional subject.
Ultimately, success in PSIR depends on clarity of concepts, analytical writing, and consistent practice — not just reading.
