{"id":242,"date":"2026-02-18T16:32:48","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T11:02:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/psir\/?p=242"},"modified":"2026-08-11T08:36:00","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T03:06:00","slug":"upsc-psir-optional-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/psir\/upsc-psir-optional-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"UPSC PSIR Optional 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
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UPSC Civil Services · Mains · PSIR Optional<\/span><\/p>\n

UPSC PSIR Optional 2019 — 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<\/a>2020<\/a>2019<\/span>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
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1<\/span><\/p>\n

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

a<\/span>Resurgence of political theory.<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>b<\/span>Pluralist theory of the State.<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>c<\/span>End of Ideology debate<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>d<\/span>Deliberative democracy.<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>e<\/span>K. Gandhi\u2019s concept of Swaraj.<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

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

a<\/span>Explain Aristotle\u2019s critique of Plato\u2019s Idealism.<\/span>20 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>b<\/span>Examine communitarian perspectives on justice.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>c<\/span>Compare negative and positive concepts of liberty.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

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

a<\/span>According to Gramsci, \u2018hegemony is primarily based on the organisation of consent.\u2019 Comment.<\/span>20 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>b<\/span>Kautilya\u2019s views on the elements of the State.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>c<\/span>Distinguish between liberal feminism and radical feminism.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

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

a<\/span>Critically examine Hannah Arendt\u2019s conceptual triad of labour, work and action.<\/span>20 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>b<\/span>Discuss the doctrine of \u2018rights as trumps\u2019.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>c<\/span>What is the contemporary relevance of Marxism?<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

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

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

a<\/span>Unity and integrity of India was perhaps the single uppermost factor in the minds of the Constitution makers. Comment.<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>b<\/span>Dalit perspective on Indian national movement. Discuss.<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>c<\/span>Despite constitutional mandate the Inter-State Council has not come of age. Discuss.<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>d<\/span>Political decentralization has not been matched by administrative decentralization at the grass roots level. Explain<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>e<\/span>Write short note on the significance of Chipko Movement.<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

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

a<\/span>National movement in India was anti-imperialist and increasingly radical in its socio-economic and political programmes. Discuss.<\/span>20 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

b<\/span>What has been the political fallout of the Green Revolution in India? Explain.<\/span>15 marks<\/span><\/div>\n

c<\/span>The changing socio-economic profile of our legislators does not augur well for the health of Indian democracy. Comment.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

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

a<\/span>Development has overshadowed the influence of caste in electoral behaviour in recent elections. Discuss.<\/span>20 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>b<\/span>The Comptroller and Auditor-General of India enhances the accountability of the Government and serves as the watchdog of the finances of the Government. Explain.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>c<\/span>Discuss, in brief, the role of the National Commission for women. Do you think it is a toothless organization?<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

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8<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
a<\/span>\u201cThe basic structure doctrine is implicit in the Indian Constitution; the Supreme Court has only given it an explicit form.\u201d Comment.<\/span>20 marks<\/span><\/div>\n

b<\/span>Prime Minister\u2019s Office (PMO) has emerged as the most powerful institution in India. Discuss.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>c<\/span>Comment on the relevance of the Directive Principles of State Policy in an era of liberalization and globalization.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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

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

a<\/span>Discuss the utility of Nuclear Deterrence Theory in the context of the recent standoff between India and Pakistan.<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

b<\/span>Write a brief note on the 17th NAM Summit in Venezuela.<\/span>10 marks<\/span><\/div>\n

c<\/span>In what way does the predominance of the USA in the UN funding affect its decision-making?<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>d<\/span>Evaluate the role of BIMSTEC in multi-sectoral technical and economic cooperation.?<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

e<\/span>Do you think that sustainable development goals are really attainable by 2030?<\/span>10 marks<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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2<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

a<\/span>Examine the significance of the comparative method in political analysis. Discuss its limitations.<\/span>20 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>b<\/span>Explain the reasons for low voter turnout in democratic countries with suitable examples.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>c<\/span>Evaluate the role of the International Court of Justice in inter-State disputes.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

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

a<\/span>Explain the relevance of the Marxist approach in the context of globalization.<\/span>20 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

b<\/span>Identify the benefits of a multi-polar world.<\/span>15 marks<\/span><\/div>\n

c<\/span>Discuss the importance of personal data protection in the context of human rights.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

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

a<\/span>How are the rising powers challenging the USA and Western dominance in the IMF and the World Bank?<\/span>20 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>b<\/span>Write an essay on \u2018New Social Movements\u2019 in developing countries.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>c<\/span>Is democracy promotion in developing countries a feasible idea?<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

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

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

a<\/span>Examine the role of \u2018parliamentary diplomacy\u2019 in India\u2019s foreign policy.<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>b<\/span>Compare and contrast Non-alignment 1.0 with Non-alignment 2.0.<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

c<\/span>How is India pursuing her foreign policy objectives through the IBSA Dialogue Forum (India, Brazil and South Africa)?<\/span>10 marks<\/span><\/div>\n

d<\/span>How is India responding to the idea of Indo-Pacific?<\/span>10 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

e<\/span>The growing closeness between India and Israel will strengthen the cause of Palestine.\u201d Comment.<\/span>10 marks<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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6<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

a<\/span>Describe briefly China\u2019s \u2018One Belt One Road (OBOR)\u2019 Initiative and analyze India\u2019s major concerns.<\/span>20 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

b<\/span>What are the current issues in Brahmaputra River water sharing between India and China?<\/span>15 marks<\/span><\/div>\n

c<\/span>Analyze the recent trends in India\u2019s role in the UN peacekeeping operations.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

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

a<\/span>Examine the increasing significance of maritime security in India\u2019s foreign policy.<\/span>20 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a>b<\/span>Write a brief note on India\u2019s interests in West Asia.<\/span>15 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

c<\/span>How is the current standoff between the USA and Iran affecting India\u2019s energy security?<\/span>15 marks<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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8<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

a<\/span>Evaluate India\u2019s vision of a new world order.<\/span>20 marks<\/span>Answer →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

b<\/span>Critically examine India\u2019s position on South China Sea Dispute.<\/span>15 marks<\/span><\/div>\n

c<\/span>Given the recent developments in the region, do you think that there is a need to change India\u2019s \u2018No First Use (NFU)\u2019 nuclear policy?<\/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 2019 — 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-242","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\/242","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=242"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/psir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/242\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3427,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/psir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/242\/revisions\/3427"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/psir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=242"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/psir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=242"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/psir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=242"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}