{"id":122,"date":"2025-09-16T17:18:14","date_gmt":"2025-09-16T11:48:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/psir\/?p=122"},"modified":"2026-08-11T20:49:37","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T15:19:37","slug":"upsc-psir-optional-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/psir\/upsc-psir-optional-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"UPSC PSIR Optional 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"
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UPSC Civil Services · Mains · PSIR Optional<\/span><\/p>\n

UPSC PSIR Optional 2025 — Question Paper<\/h1>\n

The complete paper as UPSC set it, Paper I and Paper II. Tap a question to open its own page — the flow snapshot showing how the answer moves, and the handwritten answer.<\/p>\n

56<\/b> questions<\/span>Paper I & Paper II<\/span><\/div>\n
2025<\/span>2024<\/a>2023<\/a>2022<\/a>2021<\/a>2020<\/a>2019<\/a>2018<\/a>2017<\/a>2016<\/a>2015<\/a>PYQ Finder →<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Paper<\/span>I<\/b><\/div>\n
Section A<\/div>\n
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1<\/span><\/p>\n

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: 10\u00d75=50<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

a<\/span>Explain the Philosophical approach to the study of Political theory.<\/span>10 marks<\/span><\/div>\n

b<\/span>Write a note on the relation between equality and liberty from the multi-cultural perspective.<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>c<\/span>Explain Macpherson\u2019s view on power.<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>d<\/span>Mention the difference between Italian and German brands of fascism.<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>e<\/span>Explain briefly the elite theory of democracy.<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

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2<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

a<\/span>What is the Marxist and liberal approach towards the state? On what grounds are the theoretical differences between them premised? Explain.<\/span>20 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>b<\/span>Karl Popper presents a defence of the open society against its enemies. Elaborate.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>c<\/span>Explain how Rawls used the liberal and egalitarian perspective to develop his theory of justice.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

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3<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

a<\/span>Provide a comparative analysis of behavioural and institutional approach to the study of Political theory.<\/span>20 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>b<\/span>\u201cState \u2026\u2026\u2026. does the greatest harm to mankind by destroying individuality, which lies at the root of all progress.\u201d \u2014 Mahatma Gandhi. Elucidate.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>c<\/span>Explain how the slogan \u2018the personal is political\u2019 addresses the issue of women\u2019s oppression and discrimination.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

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4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

a<\/span>The foundational base of Western democracy has been shaped by Locke\u2019s ideas of constitutionalism, freedom and property. Elucidate.<\/span>20 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>b<\/span>Hannah Arendt analysed a few categories of vita activa. Explain.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>c<\/span>Do you think that legitimacy acquired by consent or manufactured by indoctrination is an essential element in maintenance of political rule? Justify your answer with relevant examples.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

Section B<\/div>\n
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5<\/span><\/p>\n

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: 10\u00d75=50<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

a<\/span>Explain briefly the role of Peasant Movements after 1857 and before independence.<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>b<\/span>Write a note on the Dalit perspective of the Indian National Movement.<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>c<\/span>Land reforms programmes led to some constitutional amendments. Comment.<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>d<\/span>Delineate the key factors that have shaped the evolving political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir post-2019.<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>e<\/span>How far has the National Human Rights Commission been successful in achieving its objectives? Comment.<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

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6<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

a<\/span>Parliamentary Committees are a strong tool of Parliamentary Democracy. They provide an opportunity for cross-pollination of ideas among Members of Parliament. Discuss.<\/span>20 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>b<\/span>Examine the constitutional provisions and nature of advisory jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of India. Evaluate your answer with relevant examples.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>c<\/span>The recent developments in Indian politics have not eroded the true spirit of federalism in India. Critically examine this statement with the help of appropriate illustrations.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

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7<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

a<\/span>Enunciate the impediments to women\u2019s participation in local governance in the process of political decentralisation.<\/span>20 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>b<\/span>Caste remains a vital axis for political mobilisation in India. How would the caste census address the aspirations of people? Discuss.<\/span>20 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

c<\/span>There is a debate on the procedure for appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners to the Election Commission of India. Analyse its various aspects.<\/span>15 marks<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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8<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

a<\/span>The decision to conduct Population Census-2027 has reopened the debate on consultation in India. Discuss its various aspects.<\/span>20 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

b<\/span>With reference to the Peruvian experience of planning and economic development, examine how the early phase of economic planning in India laid the foundation for future development.<\/span>15 marks<\/span><\/div>\n

c<\/span>Illustrate with examples how regional parties in India have played a crucial role in drawing historically disadvantaged groups into the mainstream political system.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Paper<\/span>II<\/b><\/div>\n
Section A<\/div>\n
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1<\/span><\/p>\n

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: 10\u00d75=50<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

a<\/span>Discuss the psychological approach to the study of comparative politics.<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>b<\/span>Neo-liberalism lightened neo-realism\u2019s dark view of international politics. Comment.<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>c<\/span>Explain the non-traditional security threats in the context of food and environmental crises.<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>d<\/span>Discuss the political socialization of open and closed societies.<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>e<\/span>Comment on the Red Lipstick Movement in the context of feminist rights.<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

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2<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

a<\/span>The world currently has been in the throes of a twin process of \u2018democratic backsliding\u2019 and \u2018democratic backlash\u2019. How would you explain this paradox?<\/span>20 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>b<\/span>The withdrawal of the United States of America from the World Health Organization is set to have far-reaching impacts on global health. Reimagining the existing WHO is vital for the global health agenda. Discuss.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>c<\/span>Transnational actors have qualitatively transformed the world by way of their fresh insights and actions. Illustrate your answer with suitable examples.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

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3<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

a<\/span>Of late, centrist and centre-left political parties have been facing setbacks while centre-right parties have been in ascendency the world over. Comment.<\/span>20 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

b<\/span>Collective security and Responsibility to Protect (R2P) are uniform neither in scope, goals nor methods. Explain.<\/span>15 marks<\/span><\/div>\n

c<\/span>A Global South-sensitive model of globalization would prevent the danger emanating from over-centralized globalization. Discuss.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

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4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

a<\/span>Latin America has made moderate success in countering the US-led global economic order by framing various organizations emphasizing regional sovereignty, economic integration and alternative development. Discuss.<\/span>20 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>b<\/span>How successful has the \u2018ASEAN Plus Three\u2019 been in addressing regional problems? Support your answer with specific examples.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>c<\/span>\u201cTrump\u2019s return to the White House is a jolt to push the European Union to invest in its own defence and economic and technological revival.\u201d Comment.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

Section B<\/div>\n
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5<\/span><\/p>\n

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: 10\u00d75=50<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

a<\/span>China\u2019s growing footprint and a tangible shift in power dynamics in Bangladesh has weakened India\u2019s leverage in Dhaka. Comment.<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>b<\/span>Would you agree with the contention that India\u2019s inclination to lean on a \u2018more aggressive hyper-realist posture\u2019 has gained a new momentum in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terrorist strike? Comment.<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>c<\/span>For India, a multipolar world order would also mean a multipolar Asia. Comment.<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>d<\/span>Does the Non-Aligned Movement have any future in the wake of India\u2019s growing indifference towards it?<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>e<\/span>Historical ties between India and Japan grew into a \u2018special strategic and global partnership\u2019. Comment.<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

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6<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

a<\/span>Critically analyze the different phases of India\u2019s foreign policy since independence. How justified, do you think, is S. Jaishankar\u2019s classification of the current phase as the phase of \u2018energetic diplomacy\u2019?<\/span>20 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>b<\/span>India maintains strong ties with countries that will assure a free and open Indo-Pacific and guarantee greater connectivity with the rest of the world. Analyze.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>c<\/span>The tariff threats have pushed India and the European Union closer. Evaluate the India\u2013EU partnership.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

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7<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

a<\/span>India continues to invoke its time-tested policy of strategic autonomy vis-\u00e0-vis both the United States of America and Russia by rejecting the US offer of mediation on the Kashmir issue and by refusing to criticize Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine. Comment.<\/span>20 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

b<\/span>Trump\u2019s unilateral imposition of reciprocal tariffs on scores of countries poses an impending threat to the future of the rule-based multilateral global trading system under the World Trade Organization (WTO). What options do the WTO members have to salvage the organization?<\/span>15 marks<\/span><\/div>\n

c<\/span>Nonalignment 2\u00b70 underscores India\u2019s unique aspiration to emerge as a site for an alternative universality. Comment.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

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8<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

a<\/span>India\u2019s reluctance to perceive any \u2018existential threat\u2019 inevitably made the multilateral path to nuclear security a \u2018default option\u2019 until it decided to cross the nuclear Rubicon in 1998. Identify and analyze some of the major reasons behind this shift in India\u2019s position on the nuclear question.<\/span>20 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>b<\/span>Discuss some of the key drivers of India\u2019s new interests in Africa which might help in developing long-term comparative advantage over China.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>c<\/span>Discuss the potential role India can play in initiating a possible phase of trilateral economic engagement among India, China and Nepal.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

Every linked question opens its own page in the PSIR PYQ Vault<\/a> — a flow snapshot showing how the answer moves, and the handwritten answer itself. To search across all ten years by year, marks or syllabus topic, use the PYQ Finder<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

UPSC Civil Services · Mains · PSIR Optional UPSC PSIR Optional 2025 — Question Paper The complete paper as UPSC set it, Paper I and Paper II. Tap a question to open its own page — the flow snapshot showing how the answer moves, and the handwritten answer. 56 questionsPaper I & Paper II 20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015PYQ […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":149,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"fx_brief_v2":"","fx_brief_issue":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-122","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pyqs"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/psir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2025-pic.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/psir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/122","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/psir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/psir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/psir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/psir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=122"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/psir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/122\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3421,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/psir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/122\/revisions\/3421"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/psir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/149"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/psir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=122"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/psir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=122"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/psir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=122"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}