{"id":240,"date":"2026-02-18T16:31:12","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T11:01:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/psir\/?p=240"},"modified":"2026-08-11T08:36:01","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T03:06:01","slug":"upsc-psir-optional-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/psir\/upsc-psir-optional-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"UPSC PSIR Optional 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
UPSC Civil Services · Mains · PSIR Optional<\/span><\/p>\n

UPSC PSIR Optional 2021 — 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<\/a>2024<\/a>2023<\/a>2022<\/a>2021<\/span>2020<\/a>2019<\/a>2018<\/a>2017<\/a>2016<\/a>2015<\/a>PYQ Finder →<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Paper<\/span>I<\/b><\/div>\n
\n
1<\/span><\/p>\n

Comment on the following in about 150 words: (50 marks)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

a<\/span>Feminist critique of the State<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>b<\/span>Affirmative action<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>c<\/span>Equality of outcome as a political idea<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>d<\/span>Tools of legitimation of the State<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>e<\/span>S. Mill\u2019s ideas on women suffrage<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

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

a<\/span>How has Rawls enriched the idea of justice in liberalism?<\/span>20 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>b<\/span>Examine the importance of behavioural approach in political theory. What led to its decline?<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>c<\/span>Can there be universal conception of human rights? Give your arguments.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

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

a<\/span>Explain the Aristotelian view of politics. To what extent do you think it has contributed to the development of modern-day constitutional democracies?<\/span>20 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>b<\/span>\u201cWhen a nation becomes devoid of arts and learning, it invites poverty.\u201d (Sir Syed Ahmad Khan). In the light of this statement, assess the role of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan as a reformer in modern India.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>c<\/span>\u201cPolitical ideology is primarily concerned with the allocation and utilization of power.\u201d Comment.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

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

a<\/span>Do you think that the Buddhist traditions have lent greater ethical foundation to the ancient Indian political thought? Give your arguments.<\/span>20 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>b<\/span>Marx\u2019s concept of \u2018alienation\u2019 is an essential part of the reality in capitalism. Explain.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>c<\/span>\u201cFree and fair deliberation is key to the foundation of democracy.\u201d Explain.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

\n
5<\/span><\/p>\n

Answer the following in about 150 words: (50 marks)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

a<\/span>\u201cThe Constitution of India is a product of a historical process, rich with constitutional antecedents.\u201d Comment.<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>b<\/span>\u201cThe Constitution makers faced the great task of forging a common national identity in the face of unparalleled social and cultural diversity in India.\u201d Comment.<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>c<\/span>Mention the founding principles that define India\u2019s Constitution.<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>d<\/span>Analyze the Marxist perspective of the nature of Indian National Movement.<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>e<\/span>Underline the significance of the first constitutional amendment.<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

\n
6<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
a<\/span>\u201cConstitutionally reconciling the Fundamental Rights with the Directive Principles of State Policy has led to frequent amendments of the Constitution and judicial interventions.\u201d Comment.<\/span>20 marks<\/span><\/div>\n

b<\/span>The role of the President of India becomes more significant during a minority government and a coalition government. Explain.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>c<\/span>Do you think that despite having significant limitations the Panchayati Raj Institutions have strengthened the process of democratic decentralization? Give your views.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

\n
7<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
a<\/span>\u201cThe Indian party system is shaped by a complex interaction of the country\u2019s federal structure, electoral system and social cleavages.\u201d Explain.<\/span>20 marks<\/span><\/div>\n

b<\/span>Do you think that there has been a gradual shift in the basis on which the demands for the creation of new States have been raised in different regions of India? Explain.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

c<\/span>What explains India\u2019s modest improvements in social development outcomes even as the rate of growth has accelerated since the initiation of economic reforms?<\/span>15 marks<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
8<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

a<\/span>\u201cThe success of electoral democracy can partly be attributed to the status and role of the Election Commission of India.\u201d Explain.<\/span>20 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>b<\/span>Examine the evolution of the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of India as a constitutional court.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>c<\/span>Explain how caste as a social category is also becoming a political category in the democratic politics of India.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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

Answer the following in about 150 words: (50 marks)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

a<\/span>Discuss the political economy approach to the comparative analysis of politics.<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>b<\/span>\u201cPolitical parties and pressure groups are sine qua non of democracy.\u201d Comment.<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>c<\/span>\u201cMarxist approach to the study of international relations has lost its relevance in the post-cold war era.\u201d Comment.<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>d<\/span>What measures have been undertaken by the United Nations for its reforms?<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

e<\/span>Discuss the five proposals made by India in the recent COP-26 conference held in Glasgow.<\/span>10 marks<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
2<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

a<\/span>\u201cThe post-colonial state was thought of an entity that stood outside and above society as an autonomous agency.\u201d Explain.<\/span>20 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

b<\/span>Discuss the emergence of neo-realism and its basic tenets.<\/span>15 marks<\/span><\/div>\n
c<\/span>What is \u2018complex interdependence\u2019? Discuss the role of transnational actors in the international system.<\/span>15 marks<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
3<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

a<\/span>Explain the impact of electoral systems and cleavages in shaping party systems with reference to developing countries.<\/span>20 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>b<\/span>What is globalisation? Why is there an intense debate about globalisation and its consequences?<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>c<\/span>Critically examine the decline of the United States of America as a hegemon and its implications for the changing international political order.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

\n
4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
a<\/span>The modernization thesis asserts that affluence breeds stable democracy. How do you explain the success of India being the world\u2019s largest democracy as an exceptional case?<\/span>20 marks<\/span><\/div>\n
b<\/span>Explain the success of ASEAN as a regional organisation.<\/span>15 marks<\/span><\/div>\n

c<\/span>Explain India\u2019s relations with the European Union in the context of Brexit.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

\n
5<\/span><\/p>\n

Answer the following in about 150 words: (50 marks)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

a<\/span>Discuss the strategic implications of India\u2019s \u2018Look East Policy\u2019 transforming into \u2018Act East Policy\u2019.<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

b<\/span>Explain the philosophical foundations of India\u2019s foreign policy.<\/span>10 marks<\/span><\/div>\n
c<\/span>Explain India\u2019s position on the waiver of intellectual property rights on COVID-19 vaccines in WTO.<\/span>10 marks<\/span><\/div>\n

d<\/span>Write about the growing significance of QUAD.<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>e<\/span>How does the recent takeover of Afghanistan by Taliban impact India\u2019s strategic interests?<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

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

a<\/span>\u201cNon-alignment was little more than a rational strategy on the part of a materially weak India to maximise its interests with a bipolar distribution of global power.\u201d Comment.<\/span>20 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>b<\/span>Examine the Geo-strategic points of contention in the bilateral relationship between India and China.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>c<\/span>Write a brief analysis of the ethnic conflicts and cross-border migrations along India-Myanmar and India-Bangladesh borders.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

\n
7<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
a<\/span>Why South Asia is considered as the world\u2019s politically and economically least integrated region? Explain.<\/span>20 marks<\/span><\/div>\n
b<\/span>How do the constituent states influence the foreign policy making process in India?<\/span>15 marks<\/span><\/div>\n

c<\/span>Examine the evolution of India\u2019s role in the global nuclear order.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

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

a<\/span>\u2018Relations between India and Russia are rooted in history, mutual trust and mutually beneficial cooperation.\u2019 Discuss.<\/span>20 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>b<\/span>Discuss the \u2018Sustainable Development Goals\u2019 as set by the United Nations.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

c<\/span>Identify the drivers of India\u2019s new interest in Africa.<\/span>15 marks<\/span><\/div>\n<\/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 2021 — 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":0,"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-240","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-pyqs"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/psir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/240","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=240"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/psir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/240\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3425,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/psir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/240\/revisions\/3425"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/psir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=240"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/psir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=240"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/psir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=240"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}