PSIR
Why PSIR?
Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) is a multifaceted discipline that encompasses an in-depth analysis of both domestic and international political landscapes. It delves into the core concepts of Polity, Political system, governance, democracy, human rights, and justice, shedding light on the evolution of modern political thought and ideologies.
In addition to exploring the foundational principles of political philosophy, PSIR ventures into the intricate dynamics of global politics. It examines the complexities of inter-state relations, ranging from cooperation to conflict, and addresses pressing issues such as terrorism, human rights violations, and environmental sustainability on a global scale.
Furthermore, PSIR provides a comprehensive understanding of India’s diplomatic strategies, foreign policy objectives, and its engagements with the international community. With its expansive scope spanning various disciplines, PSIR emerges as a captivating and intellectually stimulating field of study that offers valuable insights into the complexities of contemporary world affairs.
Download the PSIR Syllabus
What You Will Get In The PSIR Classes?
- Printed Materials
- Learning With Evaluators Perspective
- Completion Of Syllabus In 4-months
- Free Test Series With Evaluation
- Pre –class Answer Writing Sessions
- One To One Mentorship
- Guest Lectures ( By Officers & Academicians)
Features
- 60-70% OF SYLLABUS OVERLAPPING WITH G.S
- Relate to Essay topics
- Highest success ratio among other optional subject
- AIR-1, in UPSC CSE
- Logical understanding rather than memorizing
- Most scoring in recent years
- Easily available & access to resources
Who can opt for Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) Optional?
Any student with a keen interest in understanding Polity, political systems, global affairs, and societal dynamics.
Students from diverse academic backgrounds such as BA, BSc, BCom, LLB, BTech, Medicine, etc., are eligible to choose PSIR. It does not mandate prior knowledge of the subject.
Individuals with strong analytical and critical thinking abilities are well-suited for PSIR.
Candidates who are prepared to invest time and effort into studying and analyzing political theories, ideologies, and international relations.
Those comfortable with extensive reading and writing on complex political concepts and theories will find PSIR beneficial for their academic and intellectual growth.
PAPER – I
Political Theory and Indian Politics :
- Political Theory: meaning and approaches.
- Theories of state : Liberal, Neo-liberal, Marxist, Pluiralist, post-colonial and Feminist.
- Justice : Conceptions of justice with special reference to Rawl’s theory of justice and itscommunitarian critiques.
- Equality : Social, political and economic; relationship between equality and freedom;Affirmative action.
- Rights : Meaning and theories; different kinds of rights; Concept of Human Rights.
- Democracy : Classical and contemporary theories; different models of democracy—representative, participatory and deliberative.
- Concept of power : hegemony, ideology and legitimacy.
- Political Ideologies : Liberalism, Socialism, Marxism, Fascism, Gandhism and Feminism.
- Indian Political Thought: Dharamshastra, Arthashastra and Buddhist Traditions; SirSyed Ahmed Khan, Sri Aurobindo, M. K. Gandhi, B. R. Ambedkar, M. N. Roy.
- Western Political Thought : Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, John S. Mill,Marx, Gramsci, Hannah Arendt.
Indian Government and Politics
1. Indian Nationalism :
(a) Political Strategies of India’s Freedom Struggle : Constitutionalism to mass Satyagraha, Non-cooperation, Civil Disobedience; Militant and Revolutionary Movements, Peasant and Workers Movements.
(b) Perspectives on Indian National Movement; Liberal, Socialist and Marxist; Radical Humanist and Dalit.
2. Making of the Indian Constitution : Legacies of the British rule; different social and political perspectives.
3. Salient Features of the Indian Constitution : The Preamble, Fundamental Rights and Duties, Directive Principles; Parliamentary System and Amendment Procedures; Judicial Review and Basic Structure doctrine.
4. (a) Principal Organs of the Union Government : Envisaged role and actual working of the Executive, Legislature and Supreme Court.
(b) Principal Organs of the State Government : Envisaged role and actual working of the Executive, Legislature and High Courts.
5. Grassroots Democracy : Panchayati Raj and Municipal Government; Significance of 73rd and 74th Amendments; Grassroot movements.
6. Statutory Institutions/Commissions : Election Commission, Comptroller and Auditor General, Finance Commission, Union Public Service Commission, National Commission for Scheduled Castes, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, National Commission for Women; National Human Rights Commission, National Commission for Minorities, National Backward Classes Commission.
7. Federalism : Constitutional provisions; changing nature of centre-state relations; integrationist tendencies and regional aspirations; inter-state disputes.
8. Planning and Economic development : Nehruvian and Gandhian perspectives; Role of planning and public sector; Green Revolution, land reforms and agrarian relations; liberalization and economic reforms.
9. Caste, Religion and Ethnicity in Indian Politics.
10. Party System : National and regional political parties, ideological and social bases of parties; Patterns of coalition politics; Pressure groups, trends in electoral behaviour; changing socio-economic profile of Legislators.
11. Social Movement : Civil liberties and human rights movements; women’s movements; environmentalist movements.
PAPER – I
Comparative Politics and International Relations
Comparative Political Analysis and International
Politics :
- Comparative Politics : Nature and major approaches; Political economy and politicalsociology perspectives; Limitations of the comparative method.
- State in Comparative Perspective : Characteristics and changing nature of the State incapitalist and socialist economies, and advanced industrial and developing societies.
- Politics of Representation and Participation : Political parties, pressure groups and socialmovements in advanced industrial and developing societies.Â
- Globalisation : Responses from developed and developing societies.Â
- Approaches to the Study of International Relations : Idealist, Realist, Marxist,Functionalist and Systems theory.
- Key Concepts in International Relations : National interest, security and power; Balance of power and deterrence; Transational actors and collective security; World capitalist economy and globalisation.
- Changing International Political Order : (a) Rise of super powers; Strategic and ideological Bipolarity, arms race and cold war; Nuclear threat; (b) Non-aligned Movement : Aims and achievements. (c) Collapse of the Soviet Union; Unipolarity and American hegemony; Relevance of nonalignment in the contemporary world.
- Evolution of the International Economic System : From Brettonwoods to WTO; Socialist economies and the CMEA (Council for Mutual Economic Assistance); Third World demand for new international economic order; Globalisation of the world economy.Â
- United Nations : Envisaged role and actual record; Specialized UN agencies— aims and functioning; need for UN reforms.
- Regionalisation of World Politics : EU, ASEAN, APEC, AARC, NAFTA.Â
- Contemporary Global Concerns : Democracy, human rights, environment, PSIR 5 gender justice terrorism, nuclear proliferation.
India and the World
- Indian Foreign Policy : Determinants of foreign policy; the institutions of policymaking;Continuity and change.Â
- India’s Contribution to the Non-Alignment Movement Different phases; Current role.
- India and South Asia : (a) Regional Co-operation : SAARC-past performance and future prospects. (b) South Asia as a Free Trade Area. (c) India’s “Look East” policy. (d) Impediments to regional co-operation : River water disputes; illegal cross bordermigration; Ethnic conflicts and insurgencies; Border disputes.
- India and the Global South : Relations with Africa and Latin America; Leadership role inthe demand for NIEO and WTO negotiations.Â
- India and the Global Centres of Power : USA, EU, Japan, China and Russia.Â
- India and the UN System: Role in UN Peace-keeping; Demand for Permanent Seat in the Security Council.
- India and the Nuclear Question : Changing perceptions and policy.
- Recent developments in Indian Foreign Policy : India’s position on the recent crises in Afghanistan, Iraq and West Asia, growing relations with US and Isreal; Vision of a new world order.
Non-Refundable Policy
We want to ensure transparency and clarity in our services, which is why all purchases made for online and offline courses are non-refundable. Once a course is purchased, it cannot be refunded or exchanged under any circumstances. We urge our users to thoroughly review the course details and assess their needs before finalizing the purchase. Should you have any inquiries or require assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our dedicated support team prior to making a purchase. We value your patronage and cooperation in this matter.
