PSIR PYQs

Every question UPSC has set in PSIR since 2013, 784 in all. Open one to see how to tackle it, or write an answer and have it checked.

784 questions

202656 questions

Paper I10 marks

Resurgence of political theory

Write an answer

Paper I10 marks

Post-colonial theory of State

Write an answer

Paper I10 marks

The freedom of the pike is death to the minnows.

Write an answer

Paper I10 marks

Legitimacy is always a ‘social construct’.

Write an answer

Paper I10 marks

Herbert Marcuse turned Freudianism on its head in his critical theory.

Write an answer

Paper I20 marks

“Rights of the man are separate and independent of the State.” Critically analyze the perspective of Laski.

Write an answer

Paper I15 marks

“Fortune favours the brave.” In the light of this statement, discuss Machiavelli’s concepts of ‘virtue’ and ‘fortune’.

Write an answer

Paper I15 marks

Discuss B. R. Ambedkar’s views on democracy and State socialism.

Write an answer

Paper I20 marks

Mill’s work was crucial to the development of liberalism, because it straddled the divide between classical and modern theories. Analyze.

Write an answer

Paper I15 marks

Wollstonecraft developed first systematic feminist critique. Discuss her main ideas.

Write an answer

Paper I15 marks

Discuss Gandhi’s approach to property in relation to trusteeship.

Write an answer

Paper I20 marks

“Representative democracy is not an absolute principle, rather a question of time, place and circumstances.” Analyze the statement. Mention the major challenges to representative democracy.

Write an answer

Paper I15 marks

What is capability approach? Elaborate the distinctive features of the capability theory of equality.

Write an answer

Paper I15 marks

Analyze Kautilya’s Saptanga theory. How do you explain its significance in present-day politics?

Write an answer

Paper I10 marks

How did Swadeshi grow into a demand for Swaraj?

Write an answer

Paper I10 marks

The Constitution of India was secular even before the word was included in the Preamble. Comment.

Write an answer

Paper I10 marks

Identity has become an important phenomenon in the modern politics in India. Discuss.

Write an answer

Paper I10 marks

Ending proxy leadership in Panchayati Raj is a necessary step towards true grassroots democracy. Comment.

Write an answer

Paper I10 marks

Discuss the impact of liberalization on agriculture sector in India.

Write an answer

Paper I20 marks

From passive resistors to armed revolutionaries, the Indian Freedom Struggle has a strong imprint of women freedom fighters. Elucidate.

Write an answer

Paper I15 marks

When there are multiple stakeholders of power, conversation and consensus become the natural ingredients of governance. Analyze with respect to coalition politics.

Write an answer

Paper I15 marks

Evaluate the Centre-State relation with reference to Article 293 and analyze its implications for the Indian federal structure.

Write an answer

Paper I20 marks

Elucidate the prominent trends in voting behaviour in contemporary India, and discuss how astroturfing affects the scenario.

Write an answer

Paper I15 marks

Highlight any five constitutional provisions that restrain the powers of the executive, and evaluate their effectiveness in current times.

Write an answer

Paper I15 marks

Map the different types of ethnic conflicts that have emerged in 21st century India.

Write an answer

Paper I20 marks

Discuss the causes and consequences of inter-State water disputes in India.

Write an answer

Paper I15 marks

Critically comment on the shifts in the functioning of the Indian Parliament in the last two decades.

Write an answer

Paper I15 marks

“The lack of political will in preventing environmental degradation is one of the major challenges that India is experiencing.” Comment.

Write an answer

Paper II10 marks

Criticism of the institutional approach in comparative political analysis has come up in successive waves. Comment.

Write an answer

Paper II10 marks

Extractive capitalism

Write an answer

Paper II10 marks

Discuss various methods of Balance of Power.

Write an answer

Paper II10 marks

Clientilism

Write an answer

Paper II10 marks

What role does identity and technology play in the conceptualisation of Defensive realism?

Write an answer

Paper II20 marks

Discuss the factors responsible for the changing nature of states in contemporary industrial societies and explain its impact.

Write an answer

Paper II15 marks

International Human Rights frameworks are hostage to politics among nations. Comment.

Write an answer

Paper II15 marks

Diplomacy has always rested on two pillars: Institutional memory and individual craft. Elaborate.

Write an answer

Paper II20 marks

NATO, the oldest surviving collective security system, is facing challenge of transactional coercion from its own biggest member. What future does NATO have amidst such developments?

Write an answer

Paper II15 marks

Theories of international relations which claim objectivity inevitably harbour subjective biases. Elucidate.

Write an answer

Paper II15 marks

Does power transition theory reflect the dynamics of US-China relations?

Write an answer

Paper II20 marks

QUAD requires more robust architecture than the summit driven mode to tide over the current challenges. Elaborate.

Write an answer