UPSC Mains 2019 PSIR Optional Paper I questions

26 questions from the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2019. Official UPSC paper (PDF) · All PSIR Optional PYQs

1. Resurgence of political theory.

   10 marks

2. Pluralist theory of the State.

   10 marks

3. End of Ideology debate.

   10 marks

4. Explain Aristotle's critique of Plato's Idealism.

   20 marks

5. Examine communitarian perspectives on justice.

   15 marks

6. Compare negative and positive concepts of liberty.

   15 marks

7. According to Gramsci, 'hegemony is primarily based on the organisation of consent.' Comment.

   20 marks

8. Discuss Kautilya's views on the elements of the State.

   15 marks

9. Distinguish between liberal feminism and radical feminism.

   15 marks

10. Critically examine Hannah Arendt's conceptual triad of labour, work and action.

11. Discuss the doctrine of 'rights as trumps'.

    15 marks

12. What is the contemporary relevance of Marxism?

    15 marks

13. Unity and integrity of India was perhaps the single uppermost factor in the minds of the Constitution makers. Comment.

    10 marks

14. Dalit perspective on Indian national movement. Discuss.

    10 marks

15. Despite constitutional mandate the Inter-State Council has not come of age. Discuss.

16. Political decentralization has not been matched by administrative decentralization 3 at the grass roots level. Explain

    10 marks

17. Write short note on the significance of Chipko Movement.

    10 marks

18. National movement in India was anti-imperialist and increasingly radical in its: socio-economic and political programmes. Discuss.

    20 marks

19. What has been the political fallout of the Green Revolution in India? Explain.

20. The changing socio-economic profile of our legislators does not augur well for the health of Indian democracy. Comment.

    15 marks

21. Development has overshadowed the influence of caste in electoral behaviour in recent elections. Discuss.

    20 marks

22. 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.

23. fad dem %? Discuss, in brief, the role of the National Commission for women. Do you think it is a toothless organization?

    15 marks

24. "The basic structure doctrine is implicit in the Indian Constitution; the Supreme: Court has only given it an explicit form." Comment.

25. Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has emerged as the most powerful institution in India. Discuss.

    15 marks

26. Comment on the relevance of the Directive Principles of State Policy in an era of liberalization and globalization.

    15 marks