PSIR Optional · Paper I · Section A: Political Theory and Indian Political Thought
Theories of the State Notes · PYQs · Solved Answers
Free notes, every previous year question and the solved answers for Theories of the State (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: Liberal, neo-liberal, Marxist, pluralist, post-colonial and feminist theories of the state.
28
Solved answers
1993–2026
Years covered
31
Questions listed
10
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Free notes Previous year questions Solved answers All PSIR Optional units
Paper I · Unit 02
Theories of the State 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: Theories of the State
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: Theories of the State
Model answers to the previous year questions of this unit, newest exam year first.
PYQ Solutions
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Write on the following in about 150 words: Post-colonial theory of State.
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What is the Marxist and liberal approach towards the state? On what grounds the theoretical differences between them are premised? Explain.
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Write approximately 150 words on Pluralist theory of State.
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Eurocentrism is both the target and the motive force of the post-colonial political theory. Discuss.
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Examine the liberal theory of State in contemporary politics.
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Comment in about 150 words: Feminist critique of the State.
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What is the contemporary relevance of Marxism?
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Critically examine the neo-liberal -theory of State.
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Comment on Neo-liberal perspective of State (150 words)
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Discuss Feminist theory of the State.
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Examine the challenges to sovereignty of the State in the contemporary world.
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Discuss in what sense Marx’s understanding of state can be considered as materialistic.
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What is meant by ‘relative autonomy of State in Marxist analysis?
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Make all assessment of the post-colonial understanding of State.
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Evaluate Marx’s instrumentalist approach to the State.
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Do you think that the modern nation-state has been declining in the wake of globalization? Justify your answer.
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Critically examine Hamza Alavi’s formulation of the overdeveloped State.
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Comment: “State is the result of the irreconcilability of class antagonism”. (Lenin)
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Comment: “Because the society is federal, the authority must also be federal”. (Laski)
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Comment: Impact of Globalisation on State Sovereignty.
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Comment: “The discovery of Sovereign in a federal state is an impossible adventure.” (Laski)
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Comment: “The reason why men enter into civil society is the preservation of their property.” (Locke)
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Comment: “Will, not force, is the basis of the state.” (T. H. Green)
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Critically examine Marxist theory of the state with reference to the dictatorship of the proletariat.
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Comment: “I give the name to every state that is governed by laws, no matter what the form of its administration.” (Rousseau)
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Comment: “As soon as a nation appoints representatives, it is no longer free, it no longer exists.” (Rousseau)
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Examine critically the pluralist arguments against the theory of sovereignty.
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Examine the main issues involved in the Church- State controversy. What were its consequences?
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 |
| 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
- Justice
- 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