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UPSC CSE Mains 2019 — PSIR Questions with Answers
All 56 PSIR previous-year questions from UPSC CSE Mains 2019, each with the correct answer and a full explanation. Practise them as a free, timed mock test with instant scoring.
Practice PSIR as a timed test →- Q1.Western Political Thought & Theory
Resurgence of political theory.
- Q2.Political Concepts & Ideologies
Pluralist theory of the State.
- Q3.Political Concepts & Ideologies
End of Ideology debate.
- Q4.Political Concepts & Ideologies
Deliberative democracy.
- Q5.Indian Political Thought
M. K. Gandhi's concept of Swaraj.
- Q6.Western Political Thought & Theory
Explain Aristotle's critique of Plato's idealism.
- Q7.Political Concepts & Ideologies
Examine communitarian perspectives on justice.
- Q8.Political Concepts & Ideologies
Compare the negative and positive concepts of liberty.
- Q9.Western Political Thought & Theory
According to Gramsci, 'hegemony is primarily based on the organisation of consent.' Comment.
- Q10.Indian Political Thought
Discuss Kautilya's views on the elements of the State.
- Q11.Political Concepts & Ideologies
Distinguish between liberal feminism and radical feminism.
- Q12.Western Political Thought & Theory
Critically examine Hannah Arendt's conceptual triad of labour, work and action.
- Q13.Political Concepts & Ideologies
Discuss the doctrine of 'rights as trumps'.
- Q14.Western Political Thought & Theory
What is the contemporary relevance of Marxism?
- Q15.Indian Constitution & National Movement
"Unity and integrity of India was perhaps the single uppermost factor in the minds of the Constitution makers." Comment.
- Q16.Indian Constitution & National Movement
Discuss the Dalit perspective on the Indian national movement.
- Q17.Indian Constitution & National Movement
"Despite the constitutional mandate, the Inter-State Council has not come of age." Discuss.
- Q18.Indian Government, Institutions & Politics
"Political decentralization has not been matched by administrative decentralization at the grass roots level." Explain.
- Q19.General PSIR
Write a short note on the significance of the Chipko Movement.
- Q20.Indian Constitution & National Movement
"The national movement in India was anti-imperialist and increasingly radical in its socio-economic and political programmes." Discuss.
- Q21.Indian Government, Institutions & Politics
What has been the political fallout of the Green Revolution in India? Explain.
- Q22.Indian Government, Institutions & Politics
"The changing socio-economic profile of our legislators does not augur well for the health of Indian democracy." Comment.
- Q23.Indian Government, Institutions & Politics
"Development has overshadowed the influence of caste in electoral behaviour in recent elections." Discuss.
- Q24.Indian Government, Institutions & Politics
"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.
- Q25.Indian Government, Institutions & Politics
Discuss, in brief, the role of the National Commission for Women. Do you think it is a toothless organization?
- Q26.Indian Constitution & National Movement
"The basic structure doctrine is implicit in the Indian Constitution; the Supreme Court has only given it an explicit form." Comment.
- Q27.Political Concepts & Ideologies
"The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has emerged as the most powerful institution in India." Discuss.
- Q28.Indian Constitution & National Movement
Comment on the relevance of the Directive Principles of State Policy in an era of liberalization and globalization.
- Q29.International Relations Theory & Approaches
Discuss the utility of Nuclear Deterrence Theory in the context of the recent standoff between India and Pakistan.
- Q30.International Organizations & Global Issues
Write a brief note on the 17th NAM Summit in Venezuela.
- Q31.International Organizations & Global Issues
In what way does the predominance of the USA in the UN funding affect its decision-making?
- Q32.International Organizations & Global Issues
Evaluate the role of BIMSTEC in multi-sectoral technical and economic cooperation.
- Q33.International Organizations & Global Issues
Do you think that the Sustainable Development Goals are really attainable by 2030?
- Q34.Comparative Politics
Examine the significance of the comparative method in political analysis. Discuss its limitations.
- Q35.General PSIR
Explain the reasons for low voter turnout in democratic countries with suitable examples.
- Q36.International Organizations & Global Issues
Evaluate the role of the International Court of Justice in inter-State disputes.
- Q37.International Relations Theory & Approaches
Explain the relevance of the Marxist approach in the context of globalization.
- Q38.International Relations Theory & Approaches
Identify the benefits of a multi-polar world.
- Q39.General PSIR
Discuss the importance of personal data protection in the context of human rights.
- Q40.International Organizations & Global Issues
How are the rising powers challenging the USA and Western dominance in the IMF and the World Bank?
- Q41.Comparative Politics
Write an essay on 'New Social Movements in developing countries.'
- Q42.General PSIR
Is democracy promotion in developing countries a feasible idea?
- Q43.India's Foreign Policy & India and the World
Examine the role of 'parliamentary diplomacy' in India's foreign policy.
- Q44.International Organizations & Global Issues
Compare and contrast Non-alignment 1.0 with Non-alignment 2.0.
- Q45.India's Foreign Policy & India and the World
How is India pursuing her foreign policy objectives through the IBSA Dialogue Forum (India, Brazil and South Africa)?
- Q46.India's Foreign Policy & India and the World
How is India responding to the idea of the Indo-Pacific?
- Q47.India's Foreign Policy & India and the World
"The growing closeness between India and Israel will strengthen the cause of Palestine." Comment.
- Q48.India's Foreign Policy & India and the World
Describe briefly China's 'One Belt One Road (OBOR)' Initiative and analyze India's major concerns.
- Q49.India's Foreign Policy & India and the World
What are the current issues in Brahmaputra River water sharing between India and China?
- Q50.International Organizations & Global Issues
Analyze the recent trends in India's role in UN peacekeeping operations.
- Q51.India's Foreign Policy & India and the World
Examine the increasing significance of maritime security in India's foreign policy.
- Q52.India's Foreign Policy & India and the World
Write a brief note on India's interests in West Asia.
- Q53.India's Foreign Policy & India and the World
How is the current standoff between the USA and Iran affecting India's energy security?
- Q54.India's Foreign Policy & India and the World
Evaluate India's vision of a new world order.
- Q55.India's Foreign Policy & India and the World
Critically examine India's position on the South China Sea Dispute.
- Q56.India's Foreign Policy & India and the World
Given the recent developments in the region, do you think that there is a need to change India's 'No First Use (NFU)' nuclear policy?
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