UPSC Political Science and International Relations Optional Previous Year Question Papers

Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) is a highly preferred optional subject for UPSC Mains Exam 2025 by aspirants from diverse academic backgrounds. Known for its General Studies papers and relevance in essay writing and interview rounds, PSIR remains a strategic choice for many candidates.

To excel in this subject, it is essential to practice UPSC Political Science and International Relations Optional Previous Year Question Papers, which not only familiarize aspirants with the exam pattern but also enhance their answer writing techniques. This article provides a comprehensive list of UPSC Political Science and International Relations Previous Year Papers, along with key benefits and exam pattern insights.

UPSC Political Science and International Relations Optional Previous Year Question Papers

In the UPSC Mains Exam 2025, Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) is one of the 48 optional subjects available. It consists of two papers, Paper I and Paper II, each carrying 250 marks, making a total of 500 marks. These papers assess a candidate’s knowledge, conceptual clarity, and analytical ability in political theory, Indian politics, comparative politics, and international relations. This optional is a popular choice due to its overlap with General Studies and relevance to current affairs.

‹ ›

UPSC PSIR Previous Year Question Papers PDF

Practicing the UPSC PSIR Previous Year Question Papers PDF helps streamline your preparation. Below, we have compiled UPSC Political Science and International Relations Previous Year Question Papers for Paper I and Paper II of Political Science optional from 2009 to 2022.

UPSC PSIR Optional Exam Pattern 2025

Before diving into preparation strategies, it’s important to understand the structure of the UPSC CSE Exam 2025. The Mains stage consists of a total of 9 papers:

UPSC PSIR Optional Previous Year Question Papers Benefits

1. Analyzing UPSC PSIR Previous Year Question Papers helps you understand which topics are frequently asked and which areas require in-depth conceptual clarity.
2. Repeated practice of previous year papers will help you grasp the structure of Paper I and Paper II, the weightage of sections, and the nature of questions (analytical, theoretical, or applied).
3. UPSC evolves its pattern and emphasis over time. PSIR papers help you understand the shift in focus, whether it’s toward contemporary international issues or classical political theories.
4. Attempting questions from UPSC PSIR Previous Year Question Papers in a time-bound manner enhances your speed and accuracy key factors during the actual exam.
5. Model your responses in a crisp, structured, and analytical manner by studying how past questions demand a balanced and insightful approach.