How to study Political Science & IR OptionalShow

What UPSC asks most

Optional Papers I and II (250 marks each): political theory and thinkers, Indian government and politics, comparative politics, international relations and India's foreign policy.

Traps to avoid

Writing GS-style answers without thinkers, concepts and debates.
Quoting thinkers loosely or attributing ideas to the wrong thinker.

How to study it here

Read one chapter, then write two of its past questions under time and compare with the model answers.
Link every theory to an Indian example (Paper I) and every IR concept to a current event (Paper II).

Mains: Optional: open with a thinker or concept, argue both sides with examples, and conclude with your own assessment.

Political Science & IR Optional

UPSC Political Science and International Relations Optional: Papers I and II

Political Science & IR Optional: chapter-wise UPSC notes

Read any chapter as a full page in English or Hindi. 16 chapters · 102 topics.

1. Exam Pattern, Syllabus and Strategy हिंदी
2. Political Theory and Theories of the State हिंदी
3. Justice, Equality and Rights हिंदी
4. Democracy, Power and Political Ideologies हिंदी
5. Indian Political Thought हिंदी
6. Western Political Thought हिंदी
7. Indian Nationalism and the Making of the Constitution हिंदी
8. The Constitution and the Organs of Government हिंदी
9. Grassroots Democracy, Statutory Institutions and Federalism हिंदी
10. Planning, Social Cleavages, Party System and Social Movements हिंदी
11. Comparative Politics हिंदी
12. Approaches and Key Concepts in International Relations हिंदी
13. The Changing International Order and the International Economic System हिंदी
14. The United Nations, Regionalism and Global Concerns हिंदी
15. Indian Foreign Policy, Non-Alignment and South Asia हिंदी
16. India and the World हिंदी

Political Science and International Relations Optional — UPSC Notes

Political Science & IR Optional: chapter-wise UPSC notes