PSIR Optional 2025 Question Paper Analysis

Before we discuss the analysis of PSIR 2025 paper, have a look at paper itself.

PSIR Optional 2025 – Paper 1

PSIR 2025- Paper 1 Section A

Que 1.

1. Explain the Philosophical approach to the study of Political theory.
2. Write a note on the relation between equality and liberty from the multi-cultural perspective.
3. Explain the Macpherson’s view on power.
4. Mention the difference between Italian and German brands of facism.
5. Explain briefly the elite theory of democracy.

Que 2.

1. What is the Marxist and liberal approach towards the state? On what grounds the theoretical differences between them are premised? Explain.
2. Karl Popper presents a defence of the open society against its enemies. Elaborate.
3. Explain how Rawls used the liberal and egalitarian perspective to develop his concept of distributive justice.

Que 3.

1. Provide a comparative analysis of behavioural and institutional approach to the study of political theory.
2. “State ………. does the greatest harm to mankind by destroying individuality, which lies at the root of all progress.” – Mahatma Gandhi. Elucidate.
3. Explain how the slogan ‘the personal is political’ addresses the issue of women’s oppression and discrimination ?

Que 4.

1. The foundational base of western democracy has been shaped by Locke’s ideas of constitutionalism, freedom and property. Elucidate.
2. Hannah Arendt analysed a few categories of vita activa. Explain.
3. 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.

PSIR 2025- Paper 1 Section B

Que 5.

1. Explain briefly the role of Peasant Movements after 1857 and before independence.
2. Write a note on the Dalit perspective of Indian National Movement.
3. Land reforms programmes led to some constitutional amendments. Comment.
4. Delineate the key factors that have shaped the evolving political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir post 2019.
5. How far has been the National Human Rights Commission successful in achieving its objectives? Comment.

Que 6.

1. Parliamentary committees are indispensable to the legislative process. It provides for the opportunity for cross-pollination between the two chambers of the Parliament. Discuss.
2. Examine the constitutional provisions and nature of advisory jurisdiction of Supreme Court of India. Evaluate your answer with relevant examples.
3. The recent developments in Indian Politics has not eroded the true spirit of federalism in India. Critically examine this statement with the help of appropriate examples.

Que 7.

1. Enunciate the impediments to women’s participation in local governance in the process of political decentralisation.
2. Caste remains a vital axis for political mobilisation in India. How would the caste census address the aspirations of people? Discuss.
3. There is a debate on the procedure for appointment of the Chief Commissioner and Election Commissioners to the Election Commission of India. Analyse its various aspects.

Que 8.

1. The decision to conduct Population Census-2027 has reopened the debate on delimitation in India. Discuss its various aspects.
2. With reference to Nehruvian perspective of planning and economic development, examine how the early phase of economic planning in India has laid the foundation of modern India’s economic growth.
3. Illustrate with examples how political parties in India have played a crucial role in drawing the historically disadvantaged groups into the mainstream political system.

PSIR Optional 2025 – Paper 2

PSIR 2025- Paper 2 Section A

Que 1.

1. Discuss the psychological approach to the study of comparative politics.
2. Neo-liberalism lightened neo-realism’s dark view of international politics. Comment.
3. Explain the non-traditional security threats in the context of food and environmental crises.
4. Discuss the political socialization of open and closed societies.
5. Comment on the Red Lipstick Movement in the context of feminist rights.

Que 2.

1. The world currently has been in the throes of a twin process of ‘democratic backsliding’ and ‘democratic backlash’. How would you explain this paradox?
2. 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.
3. Transnational actors have qualitatively transformed the world by the way of their fresh insights and actions. Illustrate your answer with suitable examples.

Que 3.

1. Of late, centrist and centre-left political parties have been facing setbacks while centre-right parties have been in ascendency the world over. Comment.
2. Collective security and responsibility to protect (R2P) are similar but different in scope, goals and methods. Explain.
3. Global South-sensitive model of globalization would prevent the danger emanating from overcentralized globalization. Discuss.

Que 4.

1. Latin America has made moderate success in countering US-led global economic order by framing various organizations emphasizing regional sovereignty, economic integration and alternative development. Discuss.
2. How successful has the ‘ASEAN Plus Three’ been in addressing regional problems? Support your answer with specific examples.
3. “Trump’s return to the White House is a jolt to push the European Union to invest in its own defence and economic and technological revival.” Comment.

PSIR 2025- Paper 2 Section B

Que 5.

1. China’s growing footprint and a tangible shift in power dynamics in Bangladesh has weakened India’s leverage in Dhaka. Comment.
2. Would you agree with the contention that India’s inclination to lean on a ‘more aggressive hyper-realist posture’ has gained a new momentum in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terrorist strike? Comment.
3. For India, a multipolar world order would also mean a multipolar Asia. Comment.
4. Does the Non-Aligned Movement have any future in the wake of India’s growing indifference towards it?
5. Historical ties between India and Japan grew into a ‘special strategic and global partnership’. Comment.

Que 6.

1. Critically analyze the different phases of India’s foreign policy since independence. How justified, do you think, is S. Jaishankar’s classification of the current phase as the phase of ‘energetic diplomacy’?
2. India maintains strong ties with countries that will assure a free and open Indo-Pacific and guarantee greater connectivity with rest of the world. Analyze.
3. The tariff threats have pushed India and the European Union closer. Evaluate the India-EU partnership.

Que 7.

1. India continues to invoke its time-tested policy of strategic autonomy vis-à-vis both the United States of America and Russia by rejecting US’ offer of mediation on Kashmir issue and by refusing to criticize Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine. Comment.
2. Trump’s unilateral imposition of reciprocal tariffs on scores of countries poses impending threat to the future of the rule-based multilateral global trading system under the WTO. What options do the WTO members have to salvage the organization?
3. NonAlignment 2·0 underscores India’s unique aspiration to emerge as a site for an alternative universality. Comment

Que 8.

1. India’s reluctance to perceive any ‘existential threat’ inevitably made the multilateral path to nuclear security a ‘default option’ until it decided to cross nuclear Rubicon in 1998. Identify and analyze some of the major reasons behind this shift in India’s position on the nuclear question.
2. Discuss some of the key drivers of India’s new interests in Africa which might help in developing long-term comparative advantage over China.
3. Discuss the potential role India can play in initiating a possible phase of trilateral economic engagement among India, China and Nepal

PSIR 2025 Analysis in Numbers

PSIR PYQ Based Questions

Section	1A	1B	2A	2B	Total
Questions directly asked before	6	3	0	6	16
Questions loosely based on PYQs	7	4	4	2	17
Altogether new questions	1	7	10	6	23
Total Questions	14	14	14	14	56

PSIR Syllabus / Current Affairs Based Analysis

Section	1A	1B	2A	2B	Total
Questions from Static Part of Syllabus	14	10	9	9	41
Questions from recent happening (last 10 years) and part of syllabus	–	0	3	3	6
Question strictly from current affairs	–	4	0	2	6
Out of syllabus / unexpected Question	0	0	2	0	2
Total Questions	14	14	14	14	56

Analysis on Basis of Politics for India (PFI) PSIR Notes

Section	1A	1B	2A	2B	Total
DIRECTLY / INDIRECTLY answerable from PFI notes	13	10	8	13	44
Static Question – part of syllabus – Not answerable from Notes	1	0	1	0	2
Static Question – Out of Syllabus	0	0	2	0	2
CA Baed Question	0	4	3	1	8
Total Questions	14	14	14	14	56

PSIR Optional 2025 Overall Analysis

As you can see in above tables,

Section 1A was completely based on PYQs. No surprises at all. One surprise – difference between Italian and German fascism – we believe you could have answered that using knowledge of world history.

Section 1B was also in line of PYQs. Although they asked few questions based on current affairs (J&K, Caste Census, ECI appointment), they were not big surprises. Paper was manageable. If you studied our notes and did current affairs nicely.

Section 2A was relatively tougher, starting with question no. 1a (psychological approach). Then 1e – red lipstick movement – both unexpected. In overall 2A, although questions were from syllabus, it used difficult technical words and therefore made it bit confusing.  As you can see in the first table, none of the question was same as PYQ. And as much as 10 questions were on relatively new concept (although from syllabus).

In Section 2B, no surprises. All questions from syllabus, with reference to current affaairs at times.

Overall, commening on PSIR 2025

Section 2A felt bit difficult. Other 3 sections were in line with syllabus. We’re also glad that 4 direct questions were indeed asked from only 15 articles that we wrote on current affairs this year. And many of you also suggested the topics for current affairs which also helped.

For those who’re preparing for next year, continue as usual. Perhaps in paper 2A, you’ll need to pay more attention to vocabulary of political science, try to get to root of things, have fundamental understanding – don’t take things for granted. Other than that, ensure that you do notes nicely, and then perhaps after 2 readings, use model answers book for value addition. Also, do current affairs at your end in addition to notes. This is more than enough.

Comparing Politics for India Notes with PSIR 2025 Paper

As you can see question by question analysis – and the table given above,

1. Out of total 56 questions, only 2 questions were kind of ‘out of syllabus’ – psychological approach & red lipstick movement.
2. Of the remaining 54 questions, 8 were current affairs based. 3 of them were answerable on the basis of 15 current affairs articles we wrote for this year Mains. 5 were not. Next year, we intend to write around 30-40 articles. That should cover more than half of such questions. Know that this dynamic aspect will always remain & you should be to manage remaining such questions based on your overall understanding of subject.
3. So, from the static, in syllabus part – there were 46 questions. Our notes covered 44 of them. We missed 2 – fascism (italian & german) and the ASEAN plus 3 question. As said before, the first question i.e. fascism was managable on basis of world history knowledge. The 2nd question – ASEAN plus 3 was not compulsory [4(b)] and was avoidable.
4. To sum up, we missed two question from our notes. One of which was avoidable and the other one managable. Kudos! Now we’ve scientificaly established that our notes indeed can be a full stop to your preparation! Hope we continue to serve you like this year after year.

Commentary on Individual Questions and Topicwise Classification – PSIR 2025

PSIR Optional 2025 – Section 1A – Topicwise Classification & Analysis

Topic 1: Political Theory: meaning and approaches.

Que 1(a) Explain the Philosophical approach to the study of Political theory. [Often repeated. They asked about normative approach in 2023, significance of normative approach in 2020, and difference between normative and empirical approach in 2012.] [Can be DIRECTLY on basis of our notes – Philosophical approach ]

Que 3(a) Provide a comparative analysis of behavioural and institutional approach to the study of political theory. [They’ve asked about behavioural approach separately. (2024, 2021, 2011) Institutional approach is to be learnt from Comparative Politics. As such they’ve not asked on institutional approach before. However, it’s main topic that’s studied in Comparative Politics, so should not come as surprise.] [Can be INDIIRECTLY answered on basis of notes. Notes cover behavioural and institution approach separately. You need to do comparison in exam. Link for behaviouralism. Link for traditional/ institutional approach. ]

Topic 2: Theories of State

Que 2(a) What is the Marxist and liberal approach towards the state? On what grounds the theoretical differences between them are premised? Explain. [They’ve asked about Liberal Theory of state in 2022, neoliberal in 2017, 18. Marxist approach separately in 2013, 12, and 2010. First time they’ve asked comparison between the two. But again, Marxism is often quoted as criticism to liberalism, so this question should not come as surprise.] [INDIRECTLY answerable through our notes. Notes cover Marxist and liberal theory of state separately. Link to liberal theory of state. Link to marxist theory of state. ]

Topic 3: Justice

Que 2(c) Explain how Rawls used the liberal and egalitarian perspective to develop his concept of distributive justice. [Exact question have not been asked before. They’ve asked Rawls’s theory from different angle different years. This was not a straiforward question, but not out of syllabus either. We’ve to discuss how Rawls incorporates both liberalism and socialism (egalitarian) in his theory.] [INDIRECTLY answerable on basis of notes. You need to draw out liberal and social aspects of Rawls’ theory. Link to article]

Topic 4: Equality

Que 1(b) Write a note on the relation between equality and liberty from the multi-cultural perspective. [They’ve asked the connection between liberty and equality in general in 2022 and 2014. This time, it’s specifically from a multi-cultural perspective. Separately, multicultaralism has been asked in 2023, 2017 and 2012] [INDIRECTLY answerable through notes. Notes cover multiculralism in detail. Multiculturalism.]

Topic 5: Rights

[No explicit question on this topic this year. Although the previous question on equality has connnection with this topic i.e. multicularlism]

Topic 6: Democracy

Que 1(c) Explain the Macpherson’s view on power. [In 2018 they asked about MacPherson’s views on democracy. The content of answer to that question will be same as this. So repeated question.] [DIRECTLY answerable on basis of notes. Link to MacPherson’s theory of democracy.]

Que 1(e) Explain briefly the elite theory of democracy. [Previously asked in 2022. Also a prominent topic that cannot be missed.] [DIRECTLY answerable from notes. Link to the article]

Topic 7: Power

Que 4(c) 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. [Question on almost same concept i.e. necessity of legitimacy, was aksed last year- 2024. The concept of legitimacy is too often repeated i.e. 2024, 2021, 2018, 2015, 2014, 2012] [INDIRECTLY answerable on basis of notes. However, it also needed some original thinking, linking of concept of hegemony with legitimacy (manufactured legitimacy) etc. Notes talk about legitimacy in detail – link here]

Topic 8: Ideologies

Que 1(d) Mention the difference between Italian and German brands of facism. [This was interesting and a new question. They’ve asked about fascism in general (2023, 2018, 2014), but not about the minute differences between its two variants] [NOT explicilty mentioned in notes. You could have managed a good answer by incoporating your knowledge of world history with that of fascism in notes. Link to fascism. ]

Que 3(c) Explain how the slogan ‘the personal is political’ addresses the issue of women’s oppression and discrimination ? [Asked in 2013 and 2010. A prominent point in the topic of feminism.] [DIRECTLY answerable on basis of notes. – link here]

Topic 9: Indian Political Thought

Que 3(b) “State ………. does the greatest harm to mankind by destroying individuality, which lies at the root of all progress.” – Mahatma Gandhi. Elucidate. [Basically they’re asking Gandhi’s views on state. They’ve asked this before in 2015 and 2006] [DIRECTLY answerable on basis of our PSIR notes. link here]

Topic 10: Western Political Thought

Que 2(b) Karl Popper presents a defence of the open society against its enemies. Elaborate. [This question can be answerd on the basis of Popper’s criticism of Plato as enemy of open society. They had asked that in 2015.] [DIRECTLY answerable from notes – link here]

Que 4(a) The foundational base of western democracy has been shaped by Locke’s ideas of constitutionalism, freedom and property. Elucidate. [Basically they’re asking Locke’s vies on – social contract, liberty and property. Separately on these concepts, they’ve asked in 2022 (social contract), 2008 (right to property) ] [DIRECTLY / INDIRECTLY answerable from notes. Link here.]

Que 4(b) Hannah Arendt analysed a few categories of vita activa. Explain. [A similar question was asked in 2019, asking about Arendt’s theory of action.] [DIRECTLY answerable on basis of notes – Arendt’s theory of action]

PSIR Optional 2025 – Section 1B – Topicwise Classification & Analysis

Topic 1: Indian Nationalism :

Que 5(a) Explain briefly the role of Peasant Movements after 1857 and before independence. [Similar question was asked in 2014. Also they’be asking about role of different sections in Indian National Movement i.e. workers movement (2022), militant and revolutionary movement (2022).] [DIRECTLY answerable on basis of notes. Link here]

Que 5(b) Write a note on the Dalit perspective of Indian National Movement. [Exactly same question was asked in 2019 and 2011.] [DIRECTLY answerable on basis of notes – link here]

Topic 2: Making of the Indian Constitution

[No question on this topic. Bit of surprise although it has happened before (2013 to 2018)]

Topic 3: Salient Features of the Indian Constitution

[No question, but a BIG surprise. They’ve always asked something from this topic (except 2018)]

Topic 4: Principal Organs of the Government

Que 6(a) Parliamentary committees are indispensable to the legislative process. It provides for the opportunity for cross-pollination between the two chambers of the Parliament. Discuss. [They had asked question on same topic in 2004. However, this is also a prominent topic in general] [INDIRECTLY answerable on basis of notes. Our notes cover the limitations of committee system, they’re asking about merits. Link here.]

Que 6(b) Examine the constitutional provisions and nature of advisory jurisdiction of Supreme Court of India. Evaluate your answer with relevant examples. [They’ve asked for the first time. This was clearly inspired from current affairs (although not a current affairs question per se) – President asking SC for advice on the powers of Governor regarding bills] [Current affairs based question – NOT covered in notes. Unfortunately, we missed it in current affairs articles.]

Topic 5: Grassroots Democracy

Que 7(a) Enunciate the impediments to women’s participation in local governance in the process of political decentralisation. [Women and local governance – asked in 2020, 2018, 2017, 2014] [DIRECTLY answerable on basis of notes. Notes talk about it in bried, you need to expand in exam. Link here]

Topic 6: Statutory Institutions/Commissions

Que 5(e) How far has been the National Human Rights Commission successful in achieving its objectives? Comment. [Same question have not been asked before. However, under this topic i.e. topic 6, there are 10 bodies, and for all them we should do their role, powers, successes, failures, etc. ] [DIRECTLY answerable on basis of notes. Notes talk about state of HRs in India under same topic. You can relate it with NHRC achievements / failures. Link here]

Que 7(c) There is a debate on the procedure for appointment of the Chief Commissioner and Election Commissioners to the Election Commission of India. Analyse its various aspects. [Not asked before. Inspired from recent happening when govt. changed the appointment process of ECs] [NOT covered in notes. Current affairs based question largely.]

Que 8(a) The decision to conduct Population Census-2027 has reopened the debate on delimitation in India. Discuss its various aspects. [Purely current affairs baed question – WE DID COVER it in one of the 15 current affairs article – link here] [As said, part of our current affairs, not in notes]

Topic 7: Federalism Que 6(c) The recent developments in Indian Politics has not eroded the true spirit of federalism in India. Critically examine this statement with the help of appropriate examples. [They’ve asked on federalism before. 2023, 20, 18, 17, 15, 13 etc. This time, they’re asking the same on backdrop of current affairs – probably SC restricting powers of Governor wrt passing of bills. Not a fully current affairs based quetion though. ] [INDIRECTLY answerable on notes. Notes talk about federalism in detail. You need to add current angle from current affairs. Link here]

Que 5(d) Delineate the key factors that have shaped the evolving political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir post 2019. [Purely current affairs based question. However, its current affairs over a long time, not an immediate one.] [NOT covered in notes, current affairs based question]

Topic 8: Planning and Economic development

Que 5(c) Land reforms programmes led to some constitutional amendments. Comment. [Although land reforms is a prominent topic, they only asked question on it in 2016 – that time they asked about failure of land reforms. This time they’re asking efforts from state in terms of amendments for sake of land reforms. Bit technical questions that’ll need amendments, their clauses, SC verdicts etc.] [PARTLY answerable from notes. By combining the study of 1st Constitutional Amendment & SC judgement on that (link here) with constitutional provisions for land reforms (link here)]

Que 8(b) With reference to Nehruvian perspective of planning and economic development, examine how the early phase of economic planning in India has laid the foundation of modern India’s economic growth. [Basically they’re asking us to comment on post-independence economic policy. This was not asked before. But one of the basic topics in Indian Economy.] [DIRECTLY answerable on basis of notes – link here]

Topic 9: Caste, Religion and Ethnicity in Indian Politics

Que 7(b) Caste remains a vital axis for political mobilisation in India. How would the caste census address the aspirations of people? Discuss. [A mix of static and current affairs. On static part i.e. role of caste in Indian politics, they’ve asked multiple times 2023, 2021, 2019, 2016 etc. As said before, we did write an article of Caste Census before Mains this year – link here] [DIRECTLY answerable on basis of our notes & our current affairs compilation. link for topic under notes. Link for CA article]

Topic 10: Party System Que 8(c) Illustrate with examples how political parties in India have played a crucial role in drawing the historically disadvantaged groups into the mainstream political system. [Basically they’re asking about a particular utility of political parties i.e increasing political participation of marginalized. This in particular they’ve not asked before. However, the utility of political parties in general was asked in 2022. Also in 2010, they asked about the political participation of the marginalized.] [DIRECTLY answerable. Notes cover the topic with Caste as focus. Question is asking to keep political parties as focus. You can use same arguments. Link here]

Topic 11: Social Movement

No quetion this year.

PSIR Optional 2025 – Section 2A – Topicwise Classification & Analysis

Topic 1: Comparative Politics

Que (1a) Discuss the psychological approach to the study of comparative politics. [A new and surprising question. Nobody seems to have had clue about it. Some answer could have been managed by writing about normative approach and linking it with ‘psychological’] [As said, new question, NOT covered in notes. Though we feel that some answer could have been written if you have good understanding of notes.]

Topic 2: State in Comparative Perspective

[No question on this topic. But happens frequently, so no surprise.]

Topic 3: Politics of Representation and Participation

Que 1(d) Discuss the political socialization of open and closed societies. [New question. They’re asking about political socialization / participation in liberal democracies vs. other politcal systems like China, middle east etc.] [NOT covered in notes explicitly. Though with study of notes, you should be able to write some points.]

Que (2a) The world currently has been in the throes of a twin process of ‘democratic backsliding’ and ‘democratic backlash’. How would you explain this paradox? [Not asked before. However, the concepts are not new. Backsliding denotes a more organic turn away from democracy this trend can be observed in 3rd world countries which are slipping to authoritarianism from democracy. The ‘backlash’ is in western part of the world where they’re fed up with openness of liberalism. This 2nd part was covered in our Current Affairs article – rise of right in west.] [INDIRECTLY answerable on basis of notes and current affairs. You can combine the emergence of right wing and the situation of democracy in various developing countries. All covered in notes & CA compilation. ]

Que 3(a) Of late, centrist and centre-left political parties have been facing setbacks while centre-right parties have been in ascendency the world over. Comment. [Current affairs based question. Quiet expected. In fact, this was our first article of 2025 Current Affairs – link here] [As said, COVERED in CA article]

Topic 4: Globalisation

Que 3(c) Global South-sensitive model of globalization would prevent the danger emanating from overcentralized globalization. Discuss. [Basically, they’re asking about ensuring benefits of globalization reach global south and its benefits. Similar question was asked in 2022, 2020] [INDIRETLY answerable from notes. You should get enough points from our article on Globalization]

Topic 5: Approaches to the Study of International Relations

Que 1(b) Neo-liberalism lightened neo-realism’s dark view of international politics. Comment. [They’re just asking neoliberal critique of neorealism. They’ve asked about neorealism before 2021, 2018, 2015. Neoliberalism in IR – the’ve asked for first time, but can be managed by having basic understanding of neoliberalims in general. (from section 1A – theories of state/ideologies) ] [INDIRECTLY answerable on basis of notes. You need to combine neorealism and neoliberalism.]

Topic 6: Key Concepts in International Relations

Que 2(c) Transnational actors have qualitatively transformed the world by the way of their fresh insights and actions. Illustrate your answer with suitable examples. [They’re asking to comment on transnational actors. They’ve asked it in 2017 and 2013] [DIRECTLY answerable on basis of notes. Link here.]

Topic 7: Changing International Political Order

Que 4(c) “Trump’s return to the White House is a jolt to push the European Union to invest in its own defence and economic and technological revival.” Comment. [Purely current affairs based question. But again, it’s not immediate current affairs but based on Trump’s previous regime actually when he pushed EU to increase defence expenditure. This was also covered in our Notes under the heading Challenges before NATO] [PARTLY answerable from notes. As said, the topic was covered in notes. You need to combine your CA knowledge with that.]

Topic 8: Evolution of the International Economic System

[No question this year. Happened before as well.]

Topic 9: United Nations

Que 2(b) 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. [Current affairs based question. Also, I think it is first time they’ve asked WHO based question in PSIR] [NOT covered in notes, current affairs based question.]

Que 3(b) Collective security and responsibility to protect (R2P) are similar but different in scope, goals and methods. Explain. [They’ve asked R2P for first time. However, collective security have been asked before – 2022, 2020, 2013 etc.] [DIRECTLY answerable from notes. Both concepts are covered – Collective Security, R2P]

Topic 10: Regionalisation of World Politics

Que 4(a) Latin America has made moderate success in countering US-led global economic order by framing various organizations emphasizing regional sovereignty, economic integration and alternative development. Discuss. [This is a question on regionalization in Latin America. They’ve just given the context of current affairs, but the question is on static part. This is first time they’ve asked question on this region under this topic.] [DIRECTLY answerable from notes. We did cover MERCOSUR and CARICOM in our updated PSIR Notes. ]

Que 4(b) How successful has the ‘ASEAN Plus Three’ been in addressing regional problems? Support your answer with specific examples. [ASEAN Plus Three – ASEAN, China, Japan & Korea – Not a current affairs based question, totally static. But being asked for the first time.] [NOT covered in notes.]

Topic 11: Contemporary Global Concerns

Que 1(c) Explain the non-traditional security threats in the context of food and environmental crises. [They’ve asked about environmental crisis before (2023, 2016). Food security explicity has been asked for the first time.] [PARTLY answerable from notes. Notes talk about enviornmental crisis but not much about food security. However, one can combine his GS knowledge of environemnt and easily answer the question. ]

Que (1e) Comment on the Red Lipstick Movement in the context of feminist rights. [A surprise question for almost everyone. Just like anti-arrack movement question last year. Also, this was not a so prominent current affairs issue either. The original red lipstick movements were in 1990s and it resurfaced recently. Reference However, it wasn’t so much in discussion.] [NOT covered in notes. We did cover 7 prominent social movements of recent past in the notes. As said, this was not a prominent current affars, but UPSC has still asked question on that.]

PSIR Optional 2025 – Section 2B – Topicwise Classification & Analysis

Topic 1: Indian Foreign Policy

Que (5b) Would you agree with the contention that India’s inclination to lean on a ‘more aggressive hyper-realist posture’ has gained a new momentum in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terrorist strike? Comment. [Current affairs based question in light of operation Sindoor. We totally expected this question – no exaggeration. This was COVERED in our Operation Sindoor article – changing Indian Foreign Policy. link here]

Que (6a) Critically analyze the different phases of India’s foreign policy since independence. How justified, do you think, is S. Jaishankar’s classification of the current phase as the phase of ‘energetic diplomacy’? [They’ve asked changing nature of IFP before (2024, 2023, 2022, 2018, 2013). The second part i.e. energetic diplomacy is bit current affairs based. However, it can also be managed with examples of pace of Ind Israel relationship, concept of fast power etc.] [DIRECTLY answerable from notes – evolution of Indian foreign policy – link here.]

Topic 2: India’s Contribution to the Non-Alignment Movement

Que (5d) Does the Non-Aligned Movement have any future in the wake of India’s growing indifference towards it? [Relevance of NAM – they’ve asked it umpteen times 😃. 2016, 2015, 2012 etc. ] [Oh yes, DIRECTLY answerable from notes. Link here]

Que (7c) NonAlignment 2·0 underscores India’s unique aspiration to emerge as a site for an alternative universality. Comment. [This is about current phase of non-alignment i.e. multi-alignment. They asked it in 2024 and in 2019] [DIRECTLY answerable from notes – link here]

Topic 3: India and South Asia

Que (5a) China’s growing footprint and a tangible shift in power dynamics in Bangladesh has weakened India’s leverage in Dhaka. Comment. [Current affairs based question. Was quite expected. We covered the issue (although we missed the China angle) in our updated PSIR Notes under India Bangladesh relations.] [PARTLY answerable on basis of notes. Link here. ]

Que (8c) Discuss the potential role India can play in initiating a possible phase of trilateral economic engagement among India, China and Nepal. [They asked a similar question in 2009. It was about Nepal & Bhutan and they asked about the role of US, EU and China. In general India’s relations with all its neighbour should be studied on backdrop of Chinese involvement.] [DIRECTLY answerable from notes. We’ve covered China Nepal axis in our notes. ]

Topic 4: India and the Global South

Que (7b) Trump’s unilateral imposition of reciprocal tariffs on scores of countries poses impending threat to the future of the rule-based multilateral global trading system under the WTO. What options do the WTO members have to salvage the organization? [Current affairs based question – partly immediate current affairs (tariffs), partly long term current affairs (WTO paralysis). We did cover it in our updated PSIR notes under topic of WTO. Link here] [INDIRECTLY answerable from notes. Notes talk about disfunctioning of WTO and its analysis.]

Que (8b) Discuss some of the key drivers of India’s new interests in Africa which might help in developing long-term comparative advantage over China. [India’s interest in Africa – they’ve asked before in 2023, 2021, 2020] [Oh yes.. DIRECTLY answerable from notes – link here]

Topic 5: India and the Global Centres of Power

Que (5e) Historical ties between India and Japan grew into a ‘special strategic and global partnership’. Comment. [Growing Indo Japan relations – 2022, 2018, 2017, 2014] [DIRECTLY answerable from notes – link here]

Que (6c) The tariff threats have pushed India and the European Union closer. Evaluate the India-EU partnership. [This is about Indo EU relations (the tarriffs is just a backdrop to the question) i.e. current state of India EU relations. They asked similar question in 2014, but the state of relations was different then. Now it’s different – we’re working towards FTA.] [DIRECTLY answerable from notes – link here]

Que (7a) India continues to invoke its time-tested policy of strategic autonomy vis-à-vis both the United States of America and Russia by rejecting US’ offer of mediation on Kashmir issue and by refusing to criticize Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine. Comment. [Basically issue of challenges in India pursuing strategic autonomy. They’ve asked about India’s strategic autonomy / multialignment before. But this specific angle explicilty is first time they’re asking.] [INDIRECTLY/ PARTLY answerable from notes. Notes talk about multi-alignment. The question is specific about challenges in pursuing multi-alignment.]

Topic 6: India and the UN System

[No question this year. A surprise. They’ve been asking at least one question every year. However, questions on this topic were quite repetitive i.e. mostly about UNSC seat & Peacekeeping. ]

Topic 7: India and the Nuclear Question

Que (8a) India’s reluctance to perceive any ‘existential threat’ inevitably made the multilateral path to nuclear security a ‘default option’ until it decided to cross nuclear Rubicon in 1998. Identify and analyze some of the major reasons behind this shift in India’s position on the nuclear question. [This was a good question on history of India’s nuclear development. They asked a similar question in 2021 on evolution of India’s position in global nuclear order. ] [DIRECTLY answerable from notes – covered as History of India’s nuclear Program]

Topic 8: Recent developments in Indian Foreign Policy

Que (5c) For India, a multipolar world order would also mean a multipolar Asia. Comment. [Not asked before. But they’ve asked about India’s vision of a new world order in 2022, 2019] [INDIRECTLY answerable from notes. Link here]

Que (6b) India maintains strong ties with countries that will assure a free and open Indo-Pacific and guarantee greater connectivity with rest of the world. Analyze. [This is a question on overall India’s relations in the region i.e. island countries, gulf, asean etc. they’ve asked separately India’s relations with these countries before. Now they’re asking about the big picture.] [INDIRECTLY answerable. As said, you need to combine points from India’s relations with various countries.]

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