PSIR Optional · Paper I · Section A: Political Theory and Indian Political Thought
Justice Notes · PYQs · Solved Answers
Free notes, every previous year question and the solved answers for Justice (Paper I, Section A: Political Theory and Indian Political Thought), arranged so you can read a topic and immediately see how UPSC has asked it. Syllabus: Conceptions of justice, Rawls' theory of justice and its communitarian critics.
18
Solved answers
1994–2025
Years covered
18
Questions listed
2
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Free notes Previous year questions Solved answers All PSIR Optional units
Paper I · Unit 03
Justice notes
Topic-wise notes for this unit in syllabus order. Read a topic, then open its previous year questions below.
Free notes
Free practice
Previous year questions: Justice
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: Justice
Model answers to the previous year questions of this unit, newest exam year first.
PYQ Solutions
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Explain how Rawls used the liberal and egalitarian perspective to develop his theory of justice.
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Rawls’ idea of ‘liberal self’ is too individualistic. Explain, in this context, the communitarian critique of Rawls’ theory of justice.
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Examine the entitlement theory of justice.
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Dr. Ambedkar’s idea of social justice leads to ‘egalitarian justice’ as compared to Rawls’ ‘justice as fairness’ which aims at the notion of ‘pure procedural justice’. Comment.
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How has Rawls enriched the idea of justice in liberalism?
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Make a comparative assessment of Greek perspective of Justice with Rawlsian concept of Justice.
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Examine communitarian perspective on justice.
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Comment in 150 words: Distributive Justice.
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Analyse John Rawls justification of discrimination to achieve the goals of justice.
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Rawls’ theory of justice is both contractual and distributive. Examine.
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Critically examine John Rawl’s Argument for democratic equality.
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Comment in 150 words·: ‘Difference Principle’ in Rawls’ Theory of Justice.
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Explicate the conception of justice in the critiques of communitarian theorists.
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Comment in 150 words : “Original position”
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Comment: ‘Veil of ignorance.
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To what extent does the Rawlsian goal of achieving social justice depend on an overarching consensus among cultural, religious and ideological groups?
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Consider: “…………We believe that as a matter of principle each -number of society has an inviolability founded on justice.” (Rawls)
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What is the concept of justice in modern political theory? How is it related to Liberty and Equality?
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 |
Other units in Paper I · Section A: Political Theory and Indian Political Thought
- Political Theory: Meaning and Approaches
- Theories of the State
- Equality and Liberty
- Rights
- Democracy
- Concept of Power, Hegemony, Ideology and Legitimacy
- Political Ideologies
- Indian Political Thought
- Western Political Thought
Paper I · Section A: Political Theory and Indian Political Thought — section overview · All PSIR Optional units