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    Political Science and International Relations Optional — UPSC Notes

    UPSC Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) Optional notes for Papers I and II: political theory, Indian and Western thinkers, Indian government and politics, comparative politics, international relations and India's foreign policy, with every previous-year question and model answers, in English and Hindi.

    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

    1. Read one chapter, then write two of its past questions under time and compare with the model answers.
    2. 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 Playlist

    16 chapters • 0 completed

    1

    Exam Pattern, Syllabus and Strategy

    3 topics

    2

    Political Theory and Theories of the State

    7 topics

    3

    Justice, Equality and Rights

    7 topics

    4

    Democracy, Power and Political Ideologies

    6 topics

    5

    Indian Political Thought

    7 topics

    6

    Western Political Thought

    7 topics

    7

    Indian Nationalism and the Making of the Constitution

    5 topics

    8

    The Constitution and the Organs of Government

    6 topics

    9

    Grassroots Democracy, Statutory Institutions and Federalism

    7 topics

    10

    Planning, Social Cleavages, Party System and Social Movements

    7 topics

    11

    Comparative Politics

    5 topics

    12

    Approaches and Key Concepts in International Relations

    7 topics

    13

    The Changing International Order and the International Economic System

    6 topics

    14

    The United Nations, Regionalism and Global Concerns

    6 topics

    15

    Indian Foreign Policy, Non-Alignment and South Asia

    6 topics

    16

    India and the World

    10 topics

    Progress (0%)
    0 / 16 complete

    Chapter 2: Political Theory and Theories of the State

    7 topics•Estimated reading: 21 minutes
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    Political Science & IR Optional: chapter-wise UPSC notes

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

    1. 1. Exam Pattern, Syllabus and Strategyहिंदी
    2. 2. Political Theory and Theories of the Stateहिंदी
    3. 3. Justice, Equality and Rightsहिंदी
    4. 4. Democracy, Power and Political Ideologiesहिंदी
    5. 5. Indian Political Thoughtहिंदी
    6. 6. Western Political Thoughtहिंदी
    7. 7. Indian Nationalism and the Making of the Constitutionहिंदी
    8. 8. The Constitution and the Organs of Governmentहिंदी
    9. 9. Grassroots Democracy, Statutory Institutions and Federalismहिंदी
    10. 10. Planning, Social Cleavages, Party System and Social Movementsहिंदी
    11. 11. Comparative Politicsहिंदी
    12. 12. Approaches and Key Concepts in International Relationsहिंदी
    13. 13. The Changing International Order and the International Economic Systemहिंदी
    14. 14. The United Nations, Regionalism and Global Concernsहिंदी
    15. 15. Indian Foreign Policy, Non-Alignment and South Asiaहिंदी
    16. 16. India and the Worldहिंदी