UPSC PSIR Optional Paper 1 2026 PYQ

Section a · Q1 · UPSC 2026 · PSIR GS 1 · 10 marks · Solution

Resurgence of political theory.

Political Theory

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Section b · Q1 · UPSC 2026 · PSIR GS 1 · 10 marks · Solution

Post-colonial theory of State.

Theories of the State

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Section c · Q1 · UPSC 2026 · PSIR GS 1 · 10 marks · Solution

The freedom of the pike is death to the minnows.

Political Theory

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Section d · Q1 · UPSC 2026 · PSIR GS 1 · 10 marks · Solution

Legitimacy is always a 'social construct'.

Political Theory

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Section e · Q1 · UPSC 2026 · PSIR GS 1 · 10 marks · Solution

Herbert Marcuse turned Freudianism on its head in his critical theory.

Political Theory

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Section a · Q2 · UPSC 2026 · PSIR GS 1 · 20 marks · Solution

"Rights of the man are separate and independent of the State." Critically analyze the perspective of Laski

Political Theory

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Section b · Q2 · UPSC 2026 · PSIR GS 1 · 15 marks · Solution

"Fortune favours the brave." In the light of this statement, discuss Machiavelli's concepts of 'virtue' and 'fortune'

Political Theory

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Section c · Q2 · UPSC 2026 · PSIR GS 1 · 15 marks · Solution

Discuss B. R. Ambedkar's views on democracy and State socialism

Political Theory

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Section a · Q3 · UPSC 2026 · PSIR GS 1 · 20 marks · Solution

Mill's work was crucial to the development of liberalism, because it straddled the divide between classical and modern theories. Analyze

Democracy: Classical and contemporary theories; different models of democracy

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Section b · Q3 · UPSC 2026 · PSIR GS 1 · 15 marks · Solution

Wollstonecraft developed first systematic feminist critique. Discuss her main ideas

Political Theory

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Section c · Q3 · UPSC 2026 · PSIR GS 1 · 15 marks · Solution

Discuss Gandhi's approach to property in relation to trusteeship

Political Theory

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Section a · Q4 · UPSC 2026 · PSIR GS 1 · 20 marks · Solution

"Representative democracy is not an absolute principle, rather a question of time, place and circumstances." Analyze the statement. Mention the major challenges to representative democracy

Democracy: Classical and contemporary theories; different models of democracy

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Section b · Q4 · UPSC 2026 · PSIR GS 1 · 15 marks · Solution

What is capability approach? Elaborate the distinctive features of the capability theory of equality

Equality

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Section c · Q4 · UPSC 2026 · PSIR GS 1 · 15 marks · Solution

Analyze Kautilya's Saptanga theory. How do you explain its significance in present-day politics?

Political Theory

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Section a · Q5 · UPSC 2026 · PSIR GS 1 · 10 marks · Solution

How did Swadeshi grow into a demand for Swaraj?

Political Theory

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Section b · Q5 · UPSC 2026 · PSIR GS 1 · 10 marks · Solution

The Constitution of India was secular even before the word was included in the Preamble. Comment.

Salient Features of the Indian Constitution

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Section c · Q5 · UPSC 2026 · PSIR GS 1 · 10 marks · Solution

Identity has become an important phenomenon in the modern politics in India. Discuss.

Political Theory

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Section d · Q5 · UPSC 2026 · PSIR GS 1 · 10 marks · Solution

Ending proxy leadership in Panchayati Raj is a necessary step towards true grassroots democracy. Comment.

Grassroots Democracy

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Section e · Q5 · UPSC 2026 · PSIR GS 1 · 10 marks · Solution

Discuss the impact of liberalization on agriculture sector in India.

Political Theory

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Section a · Q6 · UPSC 2026 · PSIR GS 1 · 20 marks · Solution

From passive resistors to armed revolutionaries, the Indian Freedom Struggle has a strong imprint of women freedom fighters. Elucidate

Equality

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Section b · Q6 · UPSC 2026 · PSIR GS 1 · 15 marks · Solution

When there are multiple stakeholders of power, conversation and consensus become the natural ingredients of governance. Analyze with respect to coalition politics

Concept of power, hegemony, ideology and legitimacy.

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Section c · Q6 · UPSC 2026 · PSIR GS 1 · 15 marks · Solution

Evaluate the Centre-State relation with reference to Article 293 and analyze its implications for the Indian federal structure

Federalism

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Section a · Q7 · UPSC 2026 · PSIR GS 1 · 20 marks · Solution

Elucidate the prominent trends in voting behaviour in contemporary India, and discuss how astroturfing affects the scenario

Political Theory

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Section b · Q7 · UPSC 2026 · PSIR GS 1 · 15 marks · Solution

Highlight any five constitutional provisions that restrain the powers of the executive, and evaluate their effectiveness in current times

Federalism

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Section c · Q7 · UPSC 2026 · PSIR GS 1 · 15 marks · Solution

Map the different types of ethnic conflicts that have emerged in 21st century India

Political Theory

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Section a · Q8 · UPSC 2026 · PSIR GS 1 · 20 marks · Solution

Discuss the causes and consequences of inter-State water disputes in India

Political Theory

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Section b · Q8 · UPSC 2026 · PSIR GS 1 · 15 marks · Solution

Critically comment on the shifts in the functioning of the Indian Parliament in the last two decades

Indian Nationalism

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Section c · Q8 · UPSC 2026 · PSIR GS 1 · 15 marks · Solution

"The lack of political will in preventing environmental degradation is one of the major challenges that India is experiencing." Comment

Political Theory

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