SYLLABUS AREA

NO. OF QUES.

QUESTIONS ASKED

1. Comparative Politics

1

1(a) Criticism of the institutional approach in comparative political analysis has come up in successive waves. Comment. (10M),

2. State in Comparative Perspective

2

1(b) Extractive capitalism (10M)

2(a) Discuss the factors responsible for the changing nature of states in contemporary industrial societies and explain its impact. (20M)

3. Politics of Representation & Participation

1

1(d) Clientelism (10M)

4. Globalisation

0

—

5. Approaches to the Study of IR

2

1(e) What role does identity and technology play in the conceptualisation of Defensive realism? (10M),

3(b) Theories of international relations which claim objectivity inevitably harbour subjective biases. Elucidate. (15M)

6. Key Concepts in IR

2

1(c) Discuss various methods of Balance of Power.(10M),

3(c) Does mutual deterrence theory explain the dynamics of US-China relations? (15M),

7. Changing International Political Order

1

3(a) NATO, the oldest surviving collective security system, is facing challenge of transactional coercion from its own biggest member. What future does NATO have amidst such developments? (20M)

8. Evolution of International Economic System

1

4(b) How did the Council of Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA) reflect geo-political division of the world during the cold war? (15M)

9. United Nations

2

2(b) International Human Rights frameworks are hostage to politics among nations. Comment. (15M)

4.(c) What is UNCLOS? Explain its salient features. (15M)

10. Regionalisation of World Politics

1

4(a) QUAD requires more robust architecture than the summit driven mode to tide over the current challenges. Elaborate. (20M)

11. Contemporary Global Concerns

0

-

OUT OF SYLLABUS (FOREIGN POLICY OVERLAP)

1

2.(c) Diplomacy has always rested on two pillars: Institutional memory and individual craft. Elaborate. (15M)

Question

Current Affairs Requirement

What the aspirant needed to know

1(a) Institutional approach

🔵 Low

Primarily a conceptual/theoretical question; current examples were not essential.

1(b) Extractive capitalism

🔵 Low

Required conceptual understanding of comparative political economy; contemporary examples could enrich the answer.

1(c) Balance of Power

🔵 Low–Moderate

Mainly static IR theory, though contemporary examples of balancing could strengthen the answer.

1(d) Clientelism

🔵 Low

Primarily conceptual, with comparative examples useful for illustration.

1(e) Defensive Realism

🟡 Moderate

Strong conceptual understanding was essential, but knowledge of how identity and technology shape contemporary security calculations would improve the answer.

2(a) Changing nature of the State

🟡 Moderate

Required theoretical understanding of the changing state, supported by contemporary developments in advanced industrial societies.

2(b) Human Rights frameworks

🟡 Moderate–High

Needed awareness of how geopolitics, great-power rivalry and national interests affect contemporary human-rights institutions and their implementation.

2(c) Diplomacy

🔵 Low–Moderate

Primarily theoretical; knowledge of contemporary debates could be used but was not indispensable.

3(a) NATO

🟢 High

Strong current-affairs knowledge was required—recent developments within NATO, tensions involving its largest member, burden-sharing/transactional pressures and the future direction of the alliance.

3(b) Objectivity in IR theory

🔵 Low–Moderate

Primarily theoretical; knowledge of contemporary debates could be used but was not indispensable.

3(c) US–China & deterrence

🟢 High

Required familiarity with the evolving US–China strategic relationship, military competition, technology, Taiwan/Indo-Pacific dynamics and the applicability/limits of mutual deterrence.

4(a) QUAD

🟢 High

Required recent knowledge of QUAD's evolution, institutional architecture, strategic objectives and contemporary challenges beyond merely knowing its four members.

4(b) CMEA

🔵 Low

A predominantly historical/static question on the Cold War international economic order.

4(c) UNCLOS

🟢 High

The basic provisions are static, but a strong answer required awareness of contemporary maritime disputes and the practical relevance of UNCLOS in today's international politics.

UPSC QUESTION

CURRENT AFFAIRS MATCH

WHAT WAS COVERED IN PSIR ONLINE?

2(b) International Human Rights frameworks are hostage to politics among nations

🟢 DIRECT connection

The IR Bulletin covered the politicisation of human rights institutions, geopolitical divisions within the UNHRC, and how major-power politics affects international human-rights responses. The February and March coverage specifically discussed the HRC, geopolitical pressure and the inability to secure action against major powers.

3(a) Future of NATO amidst transactional coercion from its biggest member

🟢 DIRECT connection

PSIR Online extensively covered the emergence of transactional US foreign policy, pressure on international institutions and allies, US disengagement, and the resulting strain on the existing multilateral/security order. The March coverage also noted mixed European/NATO responses to the Iran crisis.

3(c) Does mutual deterrence theory explain US–China relations?

🟢 DIRECT connection

Multiple entries dealt with US–China strategic competition, Taiwan, technology/export controls, military signalling, nuclear deterrence and the post–New START strategic environment. The February bulletin explicitly discussed US–China tensions and nuclear arms-control dynamics.

4(a) QUAD requires more robust architecture than the summit-driven mode

🟢 DIRECT connection

This is one of the clearest matches. The Minilateralism article explicitly identifies QUAD as a leading example of the shift from broad multilateralism towards smaller, functional groupings; the Foreign Policy Spotlight also tracked QUAD's institutional activity, including the absence of a leaders' summit and continued ministerial/working-level cooperation.

4(c) What is UNCLOS? Explain its salient features

🟢 DIRECT connection

The March IR Bulletin carried a dedicated article titled “UNCLOS, Naval Warfare, and Freedom of Navigation: Strait of Hormuz Crisis 2026.” It covered UNCLOS, maritime zones, freedom of navigation, transit passage, territorial seas, EEZs and contemporary maritime conflict—and even included PSIR practice questions on UNCLOS.

Q. NO.

AREA

TOUGHNESS

COMMENTS

1(a)

Comparative Politics – Institutional Approach

⭐⭐⭐

A theoretical question requiring knowledge of the evolution and criticisms of the institutional approach. Conceptual clarity is more important than current affairs.

1(b)

Comparative Politics – Extractive Capitalism

⭐⭐⭐

A short but conceptually demanding term. Requires familiarity with political economy and the relationship between institutions, extraction and capitalism.

1(c)

Key Concepts in IR – Balance of Power

⭐

A relatively direct conceptual question. A well-prepared student should be able to explain the different methods/forms of balancing with suitable examples.

1(d)

Representation & Participation – Clientelism

⭐⭐

A straightforward conceptual term, particularly for students with clear comparative-politics notes and examples.

1(e)

Approaches to IR – Defensive Realism

⭐⭐⭐

Requires a sound understanding of Defensive Realism and its assumptions, followed by application to the roles of identity and technology. More demanding than a conventional realism question.

2(a)

State in Comparative Perspective

⭐⭐

A familiar syllabus area, but the question demands both the factors behind the changing nature of the state and their consequences. Contemporary examples can substantially enrich the answer.

2(b)

United Nations – Human Rights

⭐⭐⭐

Conceptually manageable, but requires an analytical understanding of how state interests and geopolitics influence international human-rights frameworks. PSIR Online’s current-affairs coverage provides useful contemporary examples.

2(c)

Diplomacy – Institutional Memory & Individual Craft

⭐⭐⭐⭐

An unconventional formulation requiring the student to interpret the two “pillars” of diplomacy and build an argument around them. Contemporary diplomatic examples would be particularly useful.

3(a)

Changing International Political Order – NATO

⭐⭐⭐

Strong current-affairs dependence. Understanding NATO's contemporary challenges, tensions involving its largest member and the changing nature of alliance politics is important for a high-quality answer. PSIR Online coverage provides a significant advantage.

3(b)

Approaches to IR – Objectivity & Subjectivity

⭐⭐⭐⭐

A genuinely theoretical and analytical question. Requires understanding the epistemological assumptions and biases embedded in different IR theories; current affairs alone cannot substitute for conceptual preparation.

3(c)

Key Concepts in IR – Deterrence / US–China

⭐⭐⭐

Requires both deterrence theory and contemporary knowledge of US–China strategic competition. Recent developments involving military, technological and strategic rivalry become important for evaluating whether mutual deterrence adequately explains the relationship. Strong PSIR Online current-affairs connection.

4(a)

Regionalisation – QUAD

⭐⭐⭐

A highly contemporary and analytical question. Requires knowledge of QUAD's evolution, its summit-driven nature, minilateral architecture and present challenges. PSIR Online coverage gives a particularly strong advantage here.

4(b)

International Economic System – CMEA

⭐⭐

A relatively direct historical/conceptual question. Requires understanding CMEA and how it reflected the economic and geopolitical division of the Cold War.

4(c)

Contemporary Global Concerns – UNCLOS

⭐⭐⭐

The basic provisions are static and manageable, but the question becomes stronger with knowledge of contemporary maritime disputes and the practical relevance of UNCLOS. PSIR Online's current-affairs coverage is directly useful.