PSIR Optional · Paper II · Section A: Comparative Politics and International Relations
Comparative Politics Notes · PYQs · Solved Answers
Free notes, every previous year question and the solved answers for Comparative Politics (Paper II, Section A: Comparative Politics and International Relations), arranged so you can read a topic and immediately see how UPSC has asked it. Syllabus: Nature and major approaches; political economy and political sociology perspectives; limitations of the comparative method.
22
Solved answers
2004–2026
Years covered
22
Questions listed
8
Free notes
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Free notes Previous year questions Solved answers All PSIR Optional units
Paper II · Unit 01
Comparative Politics notes
Topic-wise notes for this unit in syllabus order. Read a topic, then open its previous year questions below.
Free notes
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Comparative Politics
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Comparative Politics: Nature, Scope and Evolution
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Interpretive, Psychological and New Institutional Approaches
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Political Development, Modernisation and Political Culture
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Political Economy Approach to Comparative Politics
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Political Sociology Approach to Comparative Politics
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Systems and Structural-Functional Approaches in Comparative Politics
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The Comparative Method and its Limitations
Free practice
Previous year questions: Comparative Politics
Every question UPSC has asked from this unit, year-wise, with a link to its solved answer.
Topic-wise question list
Year-wise question papers
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UPSC PSIR Optional Question Paper 2026
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2025
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2024
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2023
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2022
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2021
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2020
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2019
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2018
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2017
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2016
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2015
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2014
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2013
Solved answers
Solved PYQ answers: Comparative Politics
Model answers to the previous year questions of this unit, newest exam year first.
PYQ Solutions
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Answer in about 150 words: Criticism of the institutional approach in comparative political analysis has come up in successive waves. Comment.
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Discuss the psychological approach to the study of comparative politics.
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Discuss the political socialisation of open and closed societies.
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Discuss the interpretive approach to the study of comparative politics.
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What are the crucial functions of empirical political theory in Comparative Politics?
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Discuss the main limitations of the comparative method to the study of Political Science.
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Discuss the political economy approach to the comparative analysis of politics. (150 words)
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Discuss the subject matter of comparative politics. Outline the limitations of comparative political analysis.
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Examine the significance of the comparative method in political analysis. Discuss its limitations.
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Describe the changing nature of Comparative Politics. Briefly explain the Political Economy approach to the study of Comparative Politics.
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Explain the Political-Sociological Approach in the field of comparative politics and discuss its limitations.
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Critically examine the Marxist aspect of political economy approach to the study of comparative politics.
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Which are the major approaches of comparative politics? Explain in brief, the political economy approach to the study of comparative inquiry.
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“Examining political phenomena through a process of cross – global investigation has become the fundamental function of Comparative Politics.” Discuss. (150 words)
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Elucidate the transdisciplinary nature of modern comparative politics and identify the contributions of political sociologists towards this goal. (200 words)
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“Structural-functional approach to political analysis focuses more on status quoism, and less on change.” Elucidate.
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How is the modern comparative politics approach different from the traditional legal-institutional approach?
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How does comparative political sociology help in understanding of socio-political process of different countries of the world?
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Examine the relevance of the political economy approach to the study of comparative politics.
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Comment: Input-output functions of political system.
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Critically evaluate the nature of capitalist model of development and its usefulness and limitations for developing countries.
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Comment: The importance and limitations of the Political Economy Approach.
PSIR Optional study material from LotusArise IAS
Two ways to prepare with us — the full self-study system, or just the notes you need right now.
| 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 |
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| 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 |
Other units in Paper II · Section A: Comparative Politics and International Relations
- State in Comparative Perspective
- Politics of Representation and Participation
- Globalisation
- Approaches to the Study of International Relations
- Key Concepts in International Relations
- Changing International Political Order
- Evolution of the International Economic System
- United Nations
- Regionalisation of World Politics
- Contemporary Global Concerns