PSIR Optional · Previous year questions
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State in comparative perspective: Characteristics and changing nature of the State in capitalist and socialist economies, and, advanced industrial and developing societies.
- How far has interdependence among states undermined sovereignty? (1991)
- Comment: Military Industrial Complex. (1992)
- ‘Despite a number of trends to the contrary, the State has been and remains the primary actor in the global system. Elucidate the statement by analysing the factors which helped create State and the reasons for the primacy of States as actors in International Relations. (1992)
- “Although transnationalism is an important force in contemporary world politics, it is premature to speak of the demise of the nation-state, given the continued attachment to nationalism felt throughout the world.” In the light of this statement, discuss the role of nation-state as an actor in international relations. (1996)
- “Nations and States have become virtually synonymous.” Elucidate. (200 words) (2012)
- ‘A minimal State ensures maximum of Individual Liberty.’ Examine the concept of Minimal State. (250 words) (2013)
- Do you subscribe to the view that the modern constructs of the State and politics are preeminently Eurocentric and not indigenous and appropriate for the analysis of non-western societies? (2015)
- “A combination of internal pressures (Ethnic and regional forces) and external threats (EU, UN, TNC, Global market, etc.) has produced what is commonly referred to as a ‘crisis of the nation-state’.” Elaborate. (2016)
- Describe the changing nature of the State in the developing societies in the context of inclusive growth in the 21“century. (2018)
- The modernization thesis asserts that affluence breeds stable democracy. How do you explain the success of India being the world’s largest democracy as an exceptional case? (2021)
- What are the difficulties faced by a political theorist in comparing the States? (2023)
- What are the distinctive features of the post-modern state in the advanced capitalist economies? Analyse. (2024)
- Discuss the factors responsible for the changing nature of states in contemporary industrial societies and explain its impact. (2026) [20 marks]
Syllabus unit: State in Comparative Perspective
Solved PYQs for every PSIR topic
Notes tell you what a thinker said. PSIR Optional PYQ Solutions shows you how UPSC asks it and how a strong answer is written, on every question since 1991.
- 1,394 solved PYQs (1991–2026), Paper-1 and Paper-2
- Topic-wise across all 40 syllabus units, newest exam year first
- A full model answer for each question, with thinkers and current examples
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PSIR Optional study material from LotusArise IAS
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| What you get | PSIR Mains Master Kit 2027 | PSIR Complete Notes (Store) |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 notes — Political Theory + Indian Government and Politics | Included | Included — Section A and Section B |
| Paper 2 notes — Comparative Politics and India and the World | Included | Included — Section A and Section B |
| Topic-wise PYQ bank | 1986–2026, with trend analysis and probables by Dec 2026 | 1991–2025 question papers, free with every notes pack |
| Practice question set for timed answer writing | ✅ Available now | ❌ |
| Answer toolkit — intros, conclusions, frameworks, thinker and example banks | By Dec 2026 | ❌ |
| Revision booklets for the last 60 days | ✅ Available now | ❌ |
| Format | Online articles + PDF | PDF download |
| Access | Valid until UPSC CSE Mains 2027 | Instant download after payment |
| Price | ₹1,770 (regular ₹5,000) | ₹1,180 for all four sections · ₹599 a paper · ₹354 a section |
| Best for | Aspirants who want the whole system in one place | Aspirants who want the notes now, in the parts they need |
