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UPSC CSE Mains 2022 — PSIR Questions with Answers

All 56 PSIR previous-year questions from UPSC CSE Mains 2022, each with the correct answer and a full explanation. Practise them as a free, timed mock test with instant scoring.

1. Q1.PSIR Optional — Paper I

   Systems Approach

2. Q2.PSIR Optional — Paper I

   Cultural Relativism

3. Q3.PSIR Optional — Paper I

   "Revolution in Permanence"

4. Q4.PSIR Optional — Paper I

   Bases of Power

5. Q5.PSIR Optional — Paper I

   Locke's Social Contract

6. Q6.PSIR Optional — Paper I

   Factors like community, culture, and nation weaken the hegemony of neo-liberalism today. Discuss.

7. Q7.PSIR Optional — Paper I

   "Equality of estates caused equality of power, and equality of power is liberty." Comment.

8. Q8.PSIR Optional — Paper I

   Elitist theory of democracy denies the possibility of democracy as the 'rule of the people'. Elucidate.

9. Q9.PSIR Optional — Paper I

   Examine the liberal theory of State in contemporary politics.

10. Q10.PSIR Optional — Paper I

    Human Rights are complex and contested social practice that organises relations between individuals, society, and the State. Comment.

11. Q11.PSIR Optional — Paper I

    Individualism is inherent in Hobbes' absolutist ideology. Comment.

12. Q12.PSIR Optional — Paper I

    Dr. Ambedkar's idea of social justice leads to 'egalitarian justice' as compared to Rawls' 'justice as fairness' which aims at the notion of 'pure procedural justice'. Comment.

13. Q13.PSIR Optional — Paper I

    "The Panchayats with gram Sabhas should be so organised as to identify the resources locally available for the development in agricultural and industrial sectors." Examine the statement in the context of Gram Swaraj.

14. Q14.PSIR Optional — Paper I

    Examine the entitlement theory of justice.

15. Q15.PSIR Optional — Paper I

    Analyse the workers' movement in India in the pre-Independence period.

16. Q16.PSIR Optional — Paper I

    The Preamble of the Indian Constitution reflects itself as a 'social contract'. Elucidate.

17. Q17.PSIR Optional — Paper I

    Legislative Council is a house without any effective powers. Comment.

18. Q18.PSIR Optional — Paper I

    How far is the National Commission for Backward Classes an empowered body? Assess its role in the context of the rising demand for backwardness among dominant communities.

19. Q19.PSIR Optional — Paper I

    High concentration of economic activities and consumption patterns in the post-liberalization period has led to the failure of environmental movements in India. Elucidate.

20. Q20.PSIR Optional — Paper I

    Electoral behaviour of voters is governed more by social and economic factors than political factors. Explain.

21. Q21.PSIR Optional — Paper I

    The Doctrine of Basic Structure of the Constitution has enhanced the power of judicial review of the Supreme Court. Examine.

22. Q22.PSIR Optional — Paper I

    Discuss the composition and functions of the Inter-State Council. To what extent has this body been successful in achieving its objectives?

23. Q23.PSIR Optional — Paper I

    Examine the unique features of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment. Do you think this Amendment would contribute in achieving the goal of empowerment of marginalised sections of society?

24. Q24.PSIR Optional — Paper I

    The Speaker represents the freedom and dignity of the House. Examine.

25. Q25.PSIR Optional — Paper I

    Discuss the policy initiatives of the Fourteenth Finance Commission aimed towards promoting and strengthening agricultural development in India.

26. Q26.PSIR Optional — Paper I

    Ethnicity is the underlying cause which poses a great challenge in the resolution of the problems in the North-East region of India. Comment.

27. Q27.PSIR Optional — Paper I

    The making of the Indian Constitution is described as an attempt towards a 'social revolution'. Comment.

28. Q28.PSIR Optional — Paper I

    How far is it correct that the regional parties have strengthened the Indian democracy and federal system? Substantiate your answer with suitable examples.

29. Q29.PSIR Optional — Paper II

    Discuss the main limitations of the comparative method to the study of Political Science.

30. Q30.PSIR Optional — Paper II

    What are the main challenges faced by the developing countries in the era of globalisation?

31. Q31.PSIR Optional — Paper II

    Discuss the commonalities between the Marxist and Realist approaches to the study of International Politics.

32. Q32.PSIR Optional — Paper II

    Bipolar structure of the world is more stable than the multipolar one. Comment.

33. Q33.PSIR Optional — Paper II

    National Interest is an essentially contested concept. Comment.

34. Q34.PSIR Optional — Paper II

    How has the electoral democracy augmented the participation of people in the democratic process?

35. Q35.PSIR Optional — Paper II

    Discuss the role of social movements in strengthening the democratic processes in developing societies.

36. Q36.PSIR Optional — Paper II

    Describe the composition of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Discuss its voluntary jurisdiction.

37. Q37.PSIR Optional — Paper II

    Critically examine the rise of the People's Republic of China (PRC) as a great power and its implications on Asian Political order.

38. Q38.PSIR Optional — Paper II

    Discuss the conceptual dimensions of collective security.

39. Q39.PSIR Optional — Paper II

    Discuss the efficacy of global conventions to combat international terrorism.

40. Q40.PSIR Optional — Paper II

    Identify and evaluate the reasons for deadlock in the WTO negotiations on fisheries between the developing and developed countries.

41. Q41.PSIR Optional — Paper II

    What is the realist prescription to the States to ensure their survival in an anarchical world?

42. Q42.PSIR Optional — Paper II

    The Russian-Ukraine crisis has cast a dark shadow on the energy needs of the member states of the European Union (EU). Comment.

43. Q43.PSIR Optional — Paper II

    Peaceful co-existence remains the cornerstone of India's foreign policy. Comment.

44. Q44.PSIR Optional — Paper II

    Discuss the ways and means to realize greater economic cooperation among the Member States of South Asia.

45. Q45.PSIR Optional — Paper II

    Discuss the steps required to realise 'hydro-co-operation' between India and Bangladesh.

46. Q46.PSIR Optional — Paper II

    Explain the significance of Basic Exchange and Co-operation Agreement (BECA) for Indo-US strategic relations.

47. Q47.PSIR Optional — Paper II

    Discuss the role of public diplomacy in the enhancement of India's global standing.

48. Q48.PSIR Optional — Paper II

    Discuss the relevance of the demand for a New International Economic Order (NIEO) in the present era of globalisation.

49. Q49.PSIR Optional — Paper II

    Critically examine the major factors responsible for a turnaround in the trajectory of India's foreign policy in the post-cold war period.

50. Q50.PSIR Optional — Paper II

    Discuss the reasons behind India's refusal to sign the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT).

51. Q51.PSIR Optional — Paper II

    What are the main drivers of India-Japan Strategic and Global Partnership?

52. Q52.PSIR Optional — Paper II

    What are the implications of the 'Look-East' Policy on the north-eastern region of India?

53. Q53.PSIR Optional — Paper II

    Explain the factors which justify India's claim for a permanent seat at the UN security council.

54. Q54.PSIR Optional — Paper II

    How does India-Israel bilateral ties reflect the autonomy of India's foreign policy choices?

55. Q55.PSIR Optional — Paper II

    Discuss the consequences of illegal cross-border migration in India's northeastern region.

56. Q56.PSIR Optional — Paper II

    Discuss India's vision of a New World order in the 21st century.