Political Science & International Relations (PSIR) has consistently been one of UPSC Mains’ most strategic optionals, with a total of 500 marks across Papers I and II out of the 1750 marks ascribed to the UPSC Mains Exam. UPSC Topper 2024, Shakti Dubey secured AIR 1 with PSIR Optional, obtaining 279 out of 500 marks for Optional Paper 1 & 2 in Mains. In 2022, Ishita Kishore secured AIR 1 with PSIR, scoring a combined 313/500 in the optional; this underlines the potential of PSIR Optional to boost final score in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Aspiring candidates often exploit the synergy of PSIR Optional Syllabus with General Studies, thereby mastering both static concepts and current affairs. 

As per the official UPSC Political Science & International Relations Syllabus, there are two optional papers – Paper 1 & 2 as shown below – 

• Paper 1 – Political Theory, Indian Government and Politics
• Paper 2 – Comparative Politics and International Relations

The PSIR syllabus remains sharply defined, where Paper I deep dives into political theory, Indian political thought and governance; Paper II emphasizes comparative politics, international relations, and India’s foreign policy framework. While Paper 1 is generally conceptual and static, Paper 2 requires candidates to be up-to-date with contemporary political issues, government policies and international relations. In this article, let us go through the detailed PSIR optional syllabus, important topics to be covered, suggested readings and more!

UPSC PSIR Optional Syllabus 2025: Highlights

The Political Science and International Relations UPSC syllabus has been designed so that students will have a hands-on approach in understanding the basics of political science theories as applied to international relations. Paper 1 would include the basics of political theory and perspectives on Indian politics and the Indian Constitution. Paper 2 would go into comparative politics, theories of international relations, India's foreign policy, and global institutions. With such an approach to the syllabus, candidates can further analyze and interpret political phenomena from both the Indian perspective and globally.

There will be 2 papers for the syllabus of PSIR for UPSC. Each paper of the PSIR syllabus UPSC would comprise 250 marks, which makes it 500 marks in total. The time duration to attempt the UPSC PSIR paper is 3 hours. Each paper would have objective answer-type questions. There is no negative marking.

Also check – UPSC IAS Exam Pattern

There have been two categories created in the PSIR syllabus for UPSC – Paper 1 and Paper 2. Paper 1 of PSIR syllabus UPSC focuses on the topics of Political Theory, Indian Government and Politics, and Indian Political Thought. In contrast, Paper 2 of the PSIR UPSC Syllabus involves topics such as Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Indian Foreign Policy, thereby enabling candidates to specialize in the theoretical as well as practical aspects of political science and international relations. Download the official syllabus PDF for PSIR optional for Mains using the direct link provided below –

Download UPSC PSIR Optional Syllabus PDF 2025!

Check the detailed UPSC IAS Mains Syllabus here.

UPSC PSIR Optional Syllabus for Paper 1

The Political Science and International Relations UPSC syllabus for Paper 1 is more or less static! It involves a deep dive into the core areas of political theory and the Indian political system. Topics include the evolution of political theory, key political ideologies, the Indian Constitution, federalism, and the functioning of major political institutions in India. This paper lays the groundwork for understanding the broader aspects of politics and governance. In the below table, get a detailed overview of Political Science UPSC optional Syllabus for Mains Paper 1 –

UPSC PSIR Optional Syllabus for Paper 2

The Political Science and International Relations UPSC syllabus for Paper 2 focuses on comparative politics and international relations. It would include the theories and practice that describe international politics, the role of major global institutions, India's foreign policy, and contemporary global issues. The paper thus goes to equipping candidates with analytical skills, so they can be equipped to address and engage with global political dynamics.

The table below highlights the key topics of the PSIR Optional UPSC syllabus for Paper 2:

Also read – UPSC Optional Subject Preparation Strategy

Why Choose PSIR Optional for UPSC Mains 2025?

Choosing PSIR offers aspirants a clear edge—its structured syllabus, rich overlap with GS papers, and proven payoff in past results make it a strategic pick for UPSC Mains 2025. The following are 5 compelling reasons to opt for Political Science & International Relations as your optional paper for Mains – 

1. High success rate (~7–10%) among optional subjects in recent cycles.
2. AIR‑1 Ishita Kishore (2022) and AIR‑1 Shakti Dubey (2024) both aced Mains with PSIR.
3. Over 50–60% syllabus aligns with GS‑II and Ethics (Polity, IR, ideologies), saving study effort.
4. Concepts like sovereignty, realism, caste‑communalism relationships allow crisp, analytical answers backed by current affairs and commissions.
5. Balanced static + dynamic content. Theory-heavy groundwork merged with current events strengthens essays, interviews, and mains papers.

PSIR Full Form

The full form of PSIR is Political Science and International Relations, which is one of the 48 Optional Subjects for UPSC Mains Examination. This interdisciplinary subject involves the study of political theories, governance structures, diplomacy, and global interactions. Ideal for aspirants aiming for roles like IAS, IFS, or IPS, it seamlessly aligns with General Studies, especially Polity and International Relations. With a balanced mix of static theory and dynamic current affairs, PSIR not only enriches analytical understanding but also offers a strategic edge in writing well‑structured, conceptually robust answers.

How to Prepare PSIR Optional Syllabus for UPSC?

A strategic and sustained effort is key—PSIR not only aligns closely with GS-II and essay papers but also gives you a scoring edge through its mix of theory and dynamic content. Many UPSC Toppers, like Shakti Dubey (AIR-1, 2024) and Ishita Kishore (AIR‑1, 2022) have opted for the Political Science & International Relations option; they ascribe a disciplined routine, sharp note‑making, and regular answer‑practice for their success in this optional paper. Below are a few preparation tips to prepare PSIR Optional Syllanus for UPSC Mains strategically – 

• Syllabus-first mapping: Break down Paper I (Political Theory + Indian Politics) and Paper II (Comparative & IR), aligning each topic with GS/Paper-II overlap—e.g., cover governance in PSIR and GS-II together.
• Thinker-based depth: For Section A, summarize key ideologies of Plato, Marx, Gandhi, etc., with one analytical example (e.g. Marx’s critique of capitalism) to sharpen conceptual clarity.
• Justice & equality answers: Use definitions (e.g., Rawlsian justice), compare theories, then apply them to a recent policy (like social justice schemes) for an illustrative answer.
• Current affairs integration: Link Section B topics (e.g., land reforms, state reorganisation) with recent court cases or commission reports to add contemporary relevance.
• Dynamic IR via sources: Study international relations using The Diplomat, Economist, BBC and highlight actors’ motivations—e.g. China’s Belt & Road as strategic imperialism.
• Toppers’ discipline: Follow Ishita’s example—6 AM editorial reading, daily revision, concise self-made PSIR notes, and 40–45 hrs/week focused optional prep.
• Answer writing structure: Write intros, bodies, conclusions in pre-planned formats; embed keywords/scholars; craft interlinked answers (e.g., casteism-communalism linkage, supported with commission reports).

Preparing the Political Science and International Relations Syllabus for UPSC offers long-term advantages, particularly for IAS, IFS, and IPS roles, by enhancing understanding of governance and international relations.

Also check – PSIR Notes PDF for UPSC

Download UPSC PSIR Previous Year Question Papers PDF

Practicing with UPSC PSIR optional previous year question papers is crucial for understanding the exam pattern and frequency of questions. It helps identify important topics and enhances time management skills during the exam. Regular practice with these papers will also aid in evaluating your preparation level and improving answer writing techniques. Download UPSC PSIR Question Paper PDFs for Optional Paper 1 & 2 from the table below –

Elevate your preparation with UPSC Previous Year Question Papers for Prelims & Mains! Also download more UPSC PSIR Previous Year Papers for practice!

List of Books for PSIR UPSC Optional Syllabus

Choosing the right books for covering the UPSC PSIR Optional Syllabus is the first important step to effective preparation. Aspirants can refer to NCERT Books as well as UPSC Political Science Books by standard authors to set the foundation for their preparation. Refer to the expert-recommended readings to cover the static and dynamic aspects of Political Science Syllabus for UPSC below –

1. “A History of Political Thought: Plato to Marx” by Subrata Mukherjee & Sushila Ramaswamy
2. “Western Political Thought” by OP Gauba
3. “Political Ideologies” by Andrew Heywood
4. “Political Theory - An Introduction to Political Science” by Rajeev Bhargav & Ashok Acharya
5. “Foundation of Indian Political Thought” by VR Mehta
6. “India's Struggle for Independence” by Bipan Chandra
7. “Indian Government and Politics” by BL Fadia
8. “The Oxford Companion to Politics in India” by Pratap Bhanu Mehta
9. “Comparative Politics” by J.C. Johari
10. “Global Politics” by Andrew Heywood
11. “Globalization of World Politics” by John Baylis, Steve Smith, Patricia Owens
12. “The Oxford Handbook of Indian Foreign Policy” by David M. Malone, C. Raja Mohan, and Srinath Raghavan

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