13 Sep Best PSIR Books For Optional Subject In UPSC CSE Exam
The UPSC CSE ( Civil Services Examination ) exam is not easy. With three stages for the exam, it selects the candidates with closest possible fit to the qualities required for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). The Mains exam of the UPSC CSE exam is very crucial. Consisting of a total of 9 papers, among which 2 papers are for optional subjects. If you have chosen PSIR as your optional subject for UPSC Mains exam, this booklist for the best PSIR books for UPSC is what you must check.
In this blog, we will discuss the best PSIR books for optional subject in UPSC CSE mains exam. PSIR is a scoring subject provided you prepare for the exam well. Many aspirants choose PSIR as their optional subject for UPSC CSE mains paper because of its overlapping and resonating topics with other UPSC papers. Here is a list of best political science books for UPSC.
Fundamental Books For PSIR Optional Subject In UPSC
The UPSC syllabus is vast but definite. If you want to score well, this booklist for PSIR optional subject will do. The PSIR optional has two papers and each paper consists of two sections – Section A and Section B. Here, we will discuss the booklist for each section for PSIR Optional papers 1 & 2.
Plutus IAS takes pride in its faculty team. Dr. Bijendra Jha, a PhD holder from JNU who has published multiple research papers in the same field, teaches at Plutus IAS. He teaches paper 1 of the PSIR optional paper. PSIR optional paper 2 is taken by Mr. Vikas Gupta. He is yet another gem of Plutus IAS and a famous name among the UPSC CSE aspirants.
Books For PSIR Optional Paper 1
Paper 1 of the PSIR optional subject consists of two sections: Section A and Section B. The first question from both these sections is mandatory to attempt, whereas you get the option to choose any three questions from either section, provided that you choose at least one question from both sections. Here is a list of the best political science books for UPSC. You can also download the best UPSC PSIR PDF notes to better prepare for the mains exam.
Dr. Bijendra Jha, a Ph.D. scholar from JNU University, India’s top college, and an esteemed faculty member of Plutus IAS has compiled notes for PSIR optional paper – Plutus IAS PSIR Optional UPSC Printed Notes BY DR. Bijendra Jha. This is an all-in-one book for the PSIR optional subject.
Booklist For PSIR Optional Paper 1 Section A
This section of the paper covers topics like – Political Theory, Indian Political Thought, Western Political Thought, and Political Ideologies.
To cover topics from Political Concept, you must read:
- Political Theory: An Introduction by Rajeev Bhargava and Ashok Acharya – Price: ₹310, Publisher: Pearson Education India
- Political Theory by O P Gauba – Price: ₹257, Publisher: Lauren Asher
- Ideas & Concepts Political Theory: by Sushila Ramaswami – Price: ₹530, Publisher: PHI Learning Pvt Ltd
You must read the following to cover subjects from Western Political Thought:
- Western Political Thought by O P Gauba – Price: ₹344, Publisher: Mayur Paperback
- Western Political Thought: From Socrates to the Age of Ideology by Brian R Nelson – Price: ₹538, Publisher: Pearson
- A HISTORY OF POLITICAL THOUGHT: PLATO TO MARX by Subrata Mukherjee and Sushila Ramaswamy – Price: ₹371, Publisher: Prentice Hall India Learning Private Limited
To cover topics from Indian Political Thought, you must read:
- IGNOU Books
- Foundations of Indian Political Thought: An Interpretation: From Manu to the Present Day by Vrajendra Raj Mehta – Price: ₹313, Publisher: TAYLOR & FRANCIS
- Indian Political Thought: Themes and Thinkers by Himanshu Roy – Price: ₹250, Publisher: Pearson Education India
Booklist For PSIR Optional Paper 1 Section B
This section mostly deals with topics of Indian Government and politics. Along with the below mentioned booklist for PSIR optional subject, you can also get yourself the best UPSC PSIR PDF notes for a better score.
- Indian Government and Politics by B L Fadia – Price: ₹850, Publisher: Sahitya Bhawan
- The Oxford Companion to Politics in India by Pratap Bhanu Mehta – Price: ₹587, Publisher: Oxford
- Indian Politics by Rekha Saxena & M P Singh – Price: ₹745, Publisher: PHI Learning
Books For PSIR Optional Paper 2
The PSIR optional paper 2 is divided into two sections, Section A and Section B, following the same format as paper 1. Both sections’ opening questions must be answered. You must select three questions from each of the two sections, with at least one question from each side.
Coming to the booklist for PSIR paper 2 optional subject, you must know this paper primarily focuses on India’s foreign affairs and ties in the broadest sense.
Booklist For PSIR Optional Paper 2 Section A
This section contains topics that revolve around Comparative Politics & International Relations. The best books to complete this section of PSIR optional paper are:
- Comparative Political Thought by Subrata Mukherjee and Sushila Ramaswamy – Price: ₹279, Publisher: AB Book
- Globalization of World Politics – Baylis & Smith – Price: ₹1,150, Publisher: Oxford
Booklist For PSIR Optional Paper 2 Section B
This part of the paper contains topics that revolve around India and the World. Books that will best cover this section are:
- Oxford Handbook of Indian Foreign Policy by David Malone, Raja Mohan and S. Raghavan – Price: ₹1,274, Publisher: Oxford
- India, Neighbors & Major Powers by Aneek Chatterjee – Price: ₹309, Publisher: Orient Blackswan Pvt Ltd
- Does Elephant Dance by David Malone – Price: ₹638, Publisher: Oxford University Press
- India’s Foreign Policy by Harsh V Pant – Price: ₹875, Publisher: Orient Blackswan
- Politics and Geopolitics by Harsh V Pant – Price: ₹433, Publisher: Rupa Publications India Pvt Ltd.
PSIR Optional Best Recommended Books By Toppers
NCERT books – NCERT books are the best source of knowledge to get static information about topics. NCERT books helps to build the foundation of topics in order to have a strong understanding when you move to the more dynamic aspect of topics.
Plutus IAS PSIR Optional UPSC Printed Notes BY DR. Bijendra Jha – Dr. Bijendra Jha is one of the famous names among the UPSC CSE aspirants. These UPSC PSIR handwritten notes by him have helped many with their UPSC pdf notes.
Price: ₹199
Publisher: OnlineKhanMarket
IGNOU Books – IGNOU books have a very lucid language and it is easier to understand. For aspirants who take up PSIR without having any background in this, IGNOU books are much recommended.
An Introduction to Political Theory by O.P. Gauba – This is for both PAPER 1 and PAPER 2 of the PSIR optional subject. This book covers a wide range of topics. From building static knowledge about the subject to even touching on the complexities of certain topics. You will also find excellent notes for thinkers like – Plato, Aristotle, etc.
Price: ₹257
Publisher: LAUREN ASHER
India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipin Chandra – This book is more suitable for Paper 1, as it covers the Indian independence movement in detail. However, it also covers some topics that are relevant to Paper 2, such as the history of the Indian Constitution. You will also find many topics here that are relevant in the CSE exam like; Peasant movement, National movement, Freedom struggle, etc.
Price: ₹277
Publisher: Penguin India
Introduction to the Constitution of India by D.D. Basu – This book is essential for Paper 1, as it covers the Indian Constitution in detail. It can also be used for Paper 2, but it is not as comprehensive as some of the other books on international relations.
Price: ₹459
Publisher: Lexis Nexis
Indian Government and Politics by M.P. Singh and Himanshu Roy – This book is essential for Paper 1, as it covers the Indian government and political system in detail. It can also be used for Paper 2, but it is not as comprehensive as some of the other books on international relations.
Price: ₹569
Publisher: Pearson Education
International Relations by Vinay Kumar Malhotra – This book is more suitable for Paper 2, as it covers international relations in detail. However, it also covers some topics that are relevant to Paper 1, such as the role of the United Nations.
Price: ₹510
Publisher: Surjeet Publications
Best Political Science Book For UPSC PSIR Optional In Hindi
Some of the best books for UPSC PSIR optional subject in Hindi are:
- अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय संबंध- विविध आयाम, मुद्दे और चुनौतियाँ by Udaybhan Singh
- पाश्चात्य राजनीतिक विचारक या पाश्चात्य राजनीतिक चिंतन by Prabhudutt Sharma
- समकालीन राजनीतिक सिद्धांत by Sri L Fadia
- हमारी संसद by Subhash Kashyup
- भारत की राजव्यवस्था by M Laxmikanth
Conclusion
With these books, you are sure to score well in your PSIR optional subject. Since a lot of PSIR topics overlap with the GS papers, it will help you cover the UPSC CSE syllabus in a great extent.
Though PSIR is a very interesting and scoring subject you must choose UPSC optional papers wisely. Keep in mind your strengths and weaknesses when selecting PSIR optional paper.
Hopefully, you found this PSIR optional books for UPSC helpful. Plutus IAS is a renowned and the best IAS coaching in Delhi. We provide the best of coaching to all IAS aspirants. If you too dream to become an IAS officer, enroll to Plutus IAS now!
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