UPSC Civil Services Main Exam 2024: Syllabus for PSIR as optional subject released, check details

Preparations have officially commenced for candidates shortlisted for the UPSC Civil Services Main Exam 2024. 

According to details on the official website, the Civil Services Mains Examination 2024 is scheduled for September 20, 2024. 

Alongside General Studies papers, candidates must also prepare for optional subjects and Language papers. 

Qualifying marks are required in Paper A (one Indian Language chosen from those in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution) and Paper B (English).

Candidates opting for Political Science and International Relations as their optional subject (Paper 1 and Paper 2, each worth 250 marks) can refer to the syllabus outlined below:

Political Science and International Relations Paper 1:

• Political Theory

• Theories of State

• Justice

• Equality

• Rights

• Democracy

• Concept of Power

• Political Ideologies

• Indian Political Thought

• Western Political Thought

• Indian Government and Politics

• Indian Nationalism

• Making of the Indian Constitution

• Salient Features of the Indian Constitution

• Principal Organs of the Union Government

• Principal Organs of the State Government

• Grassroots Democracy

• Statutory Institutions/Commissions

• Federalism

• Planning and Economic Development

• Caste, Religion, and Ethnicity in Indian Politics

• Party System

• Social Movement

Political Science and International Relations Paper 2:

Comparative Political Analysis

• State in Comparative Perspective

• Politics of Representation and Participation

• Globalisation

• Approaches to the Study of International Relations

• Key Concepts in International Relations

• Changing International Political Order

• Evolution of the International Economic System

• United Nations

• Regionalisation of World Politics

• Contemporary Global Concerns

India and the World

• Indian Foreign Policy

• India’s Contribution to the Non-Alignment Movement

• India and South Asia

• India and the Global South

• India and the Global Centres of Power

• India and the UN System

• India and the Nuclear Question

• Recent Developments in Indian Foreign Policy

Both Paper 1 and Paper 2 carry 250 marks each. The syllabus for optional subjects (Paper VI and Paper VII) is designed at the honours degree level, above bachelor's but below master's degree level, as per the official notification on the UPSC website. For further details, candidates are advised to refer to the official website for the most current information.