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UPSC Mains 2026 Political Science and International Relations Paper I

Explore the complete UPSC Mains PSIR Paper I question paper from 2026, with every question clearly presented alongside its marks and word limit. Read online or download either PDF edition free.

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Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2026Time Allowed: Three HoursMaximum Marks: 250

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Set aside three hours, start the clock and write your answers on paper, just as you would in the examination. Nothing needs to be uploaded.

Question Paper Specific Instructions

There are EIGHT questions divided in TWO SECTIONS.
Candidate has to attempt FIVE questions in all.
Question Nos. 1 and 5 are compulsory and out of the remaining, THREE are to be attempted choosing at least ONE question from each Section.
The number of marks carried by a question/part is indicated against it.
Word limit in questions, wherever specified, should be adhered to.

Section A

1
Write on the following in about 150 words each:
50marks
1. 1(a)
  Resurgence of political theory
  10marks
2. 1(b)
  Post-colonial theory of State
  10marks
3. 1(c)
  The freedom of the pike is death to the minnows.
  10marks
4. 1(d)
  Legitimacy is always a 'social construct'.
  10marks
5. 1(e)
  Herbert Marcuse turned Freudianism on its head in his critical theory.
  10marks
2
Question 2
50marks
1. 2(a)
  "Rights of the man are separate and independent of the State." Critically analyze the perspective of Laski.
  20marks
2. 2(b)
  "Fortune favours the brave." In the light of this statement, discuss Machiavelli's concepts of 'virtue' and 'fortune'.
  15marks
3. 2(c)
  Discuss B. R. Ambedkar's views on democracy and State socialism.
  15marks
3
Question 3
50marks
1. 3(a)
  Mill's work was crucial to the development of liberalism, because it straddled the divide between classical and modern theories. Analyze.
  20marks
2. 3(b)
  Wollstonecraft developed first systematic feminist critique. Discuss her main ideas.
  15marks
3. 3(c)
  Discuss Gandhi's approach to property in relation to trusteeship.
  15marks
4
Question 4
50marks
1. 4(a)
  "Representative democracy is not an absolute principle, rather a question of time, place and circumstances." Analyze the statement. Mention the major challenges to representative democracy.
  20marks
2. 4(b)
  What is capability approach? Elaborate the distinctive features of the capability theory of equality.
  15marks
3. 4(c)
  Analyze Kautilya's Saptanga theory. How do you explain its significance in present-day politics?
  15marks

Section B

5
Answer the following in about 150 words each:
50marks
1. 5(a)
  How did Swadeshi grow into a demand for Swaraj?
  10marks
2. 5(b)
  The Constitution of India was secular even before the word was included in the Preamble. Comment.
  10marks
3. 5(c)
  Identity has become an important phenomenon in the modern politics in India. Discuss.
  10marks
4. 5(d)
  Ending proxy leadership in Panchayati Raj is a necessary step towards true grassroots democracy. Comment.
  10marks
5. 5(e)
  Discuss the impact of liberalization on agriculture sector in India.
  10marks
6
Question 6
50marks
1. 6(a)
  From passive resistors to armed revolutionaries, the Indian Freedom Struggle has a strong imprint of women freedom fighters. Elucidate.
  20marks
2. 6(b)
  When there are multiple stakeholders of power, conversation and consensus become the natural ingredients of governance. Analyze with respect to coalition politics.
  15marks
3. 6(c)
  Evaluate the Centre-State relation with reference to Article 293 and analyze its implications for the Indian federal structure.
  15marks
7
Question 7
50marks
1. 7(a)
  Elucidate the prominent trends in voting behaviour in contemporary India, and discuss how astroturfing affects the scenario.
  20marks
2. 7(b)
  Highlight any five constitutional provisions that restrain the powers of the executive, and evaluate their effectiveness in current times.
  15marks
3. 7(c)
  Map the different types of ethnic conflicts that have emerged in 21st century India.
  15marks
8
Question 8
50marks
1. 8(a)
  Discuss the causes and consequences of inter-State water disputes in India.
  20marks
2. 8(b)
  Critically comment on the shifts in the functioning of the Indian Parliament in the last two decades.
  15marks
3. 8(c)
  "The lack of political will in preventing environmental degradation is one of the major challenges that India is experiencing." Comment.
  15marks

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