PSIR stands for Political Science and International Relations is a subject in the UPSC Exam. PSIR full form is Political Science and International Relations. It is one of the optional subjects offered in the UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination. PSIR is the study of political systems, governance, political theories, and international relations. In UPSC aspirants PSIR as an optional subject is popular due to its relevance to the General Studies papers, particularly Polity and International Relations. It helps candidates develop a strong understanding of political concepts, theories, and contemporary issues, which can be beneficial for both the optional and general studies sections of the exam. 

The PSIR optional is divided into two papers: 

Paper I: Political Theory and Indian Politics

Paper II: Comparative Politics and International Relations 

PSIR Full Form

psir full form is Political Science and International Relations. PSIR  is one of the optional subjects offered in the UPSC Civil Services Mains Exam. PSIR as optional subject carries 500 marks (250 marks each in Paper I and Paper II). 

PSIR is very helpful for UPSC aspirants because:

• It is connected with General Studies Paper II (Indian Polity, Governance, and International Relations).
• Current affairs also play a major role in this subject.
• PSIR syllabus is well-defined 
• PSIR syllabus is not too lengthy.
• PSIR resources are easily available for preparation.

Why Choose PSIR as Your Optional?

Here are some reasons why PSIR can be a smart choice:

• In PSIR Scoring Potential: Many candidates have scored well in this subject. 
• In PSIR Helps in Interview: The subject builds your understanding of political issues, which is useful in the personality test.
• In PSIR Overlap with GS: Helps a lot in General Studies Paper II (Polity & IR), Essay, and even in Ethics.
• In PSIR Easily Available Study Material: You will find plenty of books, notes, YouTube lectures, and coaching materials.
• In PSIR Current Affairs Link: Topics like India’s foreign policy, global politics, and democracy are always in the news.
• In PSIR Develops Logical Thinking: Political theory helps you think critically and write better answers.

PSIR  Optional Structure 

PSIR is divided into two papers:

• Paper I – Political Theory and Indian Politics

• Paper II – Comparative Politics and International Relations

Each paper carries 250 marks and is descriptive in nature.

Paper I: Political Theory and Indian Politics

PSIR is mostly static in nature, PSIR’s most of the topics are theory-based and not much changes over time. It is divided into two main sections:

Section A: Political Theory

• Political Theory: What is political theory, and how do we study it? Different methods and approaches.
• Theories of State: Liberal, Neo-liberal, Marxist, Pluralist, Post-colonial, and Feminist views on what a state is.
• Justice: Rawls’ theory of justice and critiques by communitarians.
• Equality: Social, political, and economic equality. How freedom and equality are related.
• Rights: What are rights? Different types of rights. Introduction to human rights.
• Democracy: Classical and modern theories; different models like participatory, deliberative, and representative democracy.
• Power: Concepts like Hegemony, Ideology, and Legitimacy.
• Political Ideologies: Liberalism, Socialism, Marxism, Fascism, Gandhism, Feminism.
• Indian Political Thought: Important thinkers like Dharamshastra, Arthashastra, Buddhist tradition, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Sri Aurobindo, M.K. Gandhi, B.R. Ambedkar, M.N. Roy.
• Western Political Thought: Thinkers like Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Mill, Marx, Gramsci, Hannah Arendt.

Section B: Indian Government and Politics

• Indian Nationalism: Strategies during the freedom struggle – Satyagraha, Non-cooperation, Civil Disobedience; Peasant and worker movements.
• Making of the Constitution: Influence of British rule; various viewpoints.
• Features of the Constitution: Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, Amendments, Parliamentary system, Basic Structure doctrine.
• Union and State Government: Roles and working of Executive, Legislature, Judiciary at both levels.
• Local Government: Panchayati Raj and Municipal bodies; 73rd and 74th Amendments.
• Statutory Bodies: UPSC, Election Commission, CAG, Finance Commission, National Commissions.
• Federalism: Centre-State relations, inter-state disputes, regional demands.
• Planning and Economic Development: Nehruvian and Gandhian perspectives, Green Revolution, Land reforms, LPG reforms.
• Caste, Religion, Ethnicity: Their role in politics.
• Party System: National and regional parties, electoral trends, coalition politics.
• Social Movements: Movements for civil liberties, environment, women’s rights, human rights.

Paper II: Comparative Politics and International Relations

This paper is more dynamic and requires good command over current affairs and analytical writing.

Section A: Comparative Politics

• Nature and Approaches: Different ways to study politics comparatively.
• Political Economy and Sociology: Their role in comparative studies.
• State in Comparative Perspective: State’s role in capitalist, socialist, and developing societies.
• Representation and Participation: Political parties, pressure groups, social movements.
• Globalisation: Impact on developed and developing countries.

Section B: International Relations

• • Approaches to Study IR: Idealism, Realism, Marxism, Functionalism, Systems theory.
  • Key Concepts: National interest, power, balance of power, deterrence, collective security, globalisation.

• International Political Order:

• • • Cold War, rise of superpowers, bipolarity.
    • Non-alignment movement.
    • Fall of USSR, unipolar world, US dominance.

• International Economic System:

• • • Bretton Woods to WTO.
    • Socialist economies and CMEA.
    • New International Economic Order.
    • Globalised economy.

• United Nations:

• • Its role, achievements, failures.
  • UN agencies.
  • Reforms needed.
• Regional Organizations: EU, ASEAN, APEC, NAFTA, etc.
• Global Concerns: Human rights, environment, gender justice, terrorism, nuclear issues.

India and World

This part focuses on India’s foreign policy and its relations with other countries.

• Foreign Policy: What affects India’s foreign policy and how it is made.
• India and NAM: Role in Non-alignment movement.
• India and South Asia:
  • SAARC and regional cooperation.
  • Free trade in South Asia.
  • Look East Policy.
  • Challenges: Water disputes, migration, insurgency, border issues.
• India and Global South:
  • Relations with Africa, Latin America.
  • India’s stand in WTO talks and NIEO.
• India and Global Powers:
  • Relations with the USA, EU, Russia, Japan, China.
• India and UN:
  • Role in peacekeeping.
  • Demand for UNSC permanent seats.
• Nuclear Policy:
  •  India’s views on nuclear weapons.
• Recent Developments:
  • India’s stand on global crises (Afghanistan, Iraq, Israel).
  • Relations with Israel and the US.
  • India’s vision for a new global order.

How to Prepare for PSIR Optional 

Here are some beginner-friendly tips:

Start with NCERT: Class 11 and 12 Political Science books are the best starting point.

• Read Basic Books:

• Laxmikanth for Polity (for overlap with GS).
• OP Gauba for Political Theory.
• Andrew Heywood for Political Ideologies and Global Politics.
• V.P. Verma for Indian Political Thought.

• Read Newspapers:

• The Hindu / Indian Express (editorials for Paper II).

• Make Short Notes:

• Make your own notes in simple language.
• Use bullet points and headings.

• Practice Answer Writing:

• Try writing 1-2 answers daily.
• Get them reviewed by teachers or friends.

• Join a Test Series:

• It helps to evaluate your preparation.

• Revise Regularly:

• Make a revision schedule.

Conclusion

Political Science and International Relations is not just an optional subject, but a subject that helps you understand the world better. It gives you insights into the working of political systems, global power dynamics, and India’s role in the international community.