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Choosing the right optional subject is one of the most crucial decisions for any aspirant preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE). Among the list of 48 optional subjects, Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) has consistently ranked as one of the top choices, not just for its overlap with the General Studies papers, but also for its logical structure and scoring nature.
Why is PSIR a Popular Optional for UPSC?
PSIR is a highly preferred optional subject among aspirants from both humanities and non-humanities backgrounds. It is popular for the following reasons:
- Overlap with GS Papers: PSIR has significant overlap with GS Paper II (Polity, Governance, International Relations), GS Paper IV (Ethics), and Essay paper.
- Helpful in Prelims and Mains: A strong understanding of political concepts and current international developments benefits both the Prelims and Mains stages.
- Relevant and Interesting: The subject connects deeply with current events, diplomatic issues, and Indian polity, making it engaging and dynamic to prepare.
Also read How is sociology as optional for UPSC CSE students
Structure of the PSIR Syllabus
The PSIR optional is divided into two papers – Paper I and Paper II.
Paper I – Political Theory and Indian Politics
- Political Ideologies (Liberalism, Marxism, Feminism, etc.)
- Indian Political Thought (Kautilya, Gandhi, Ambedkar, etc.)
- Indian Constitution and Governance
Paper II – Comparative Politics and International Relations
- Comparative Political Analysis
- Major Political Systems – USA, UK, China, etc.
- India’s Foreign Policy
- Global Issues, Organizations (UN, WTO, IMF, etc.)
which optional is better Anthropology or PSIR
Advantages of Choosing PSIR Optional
1. Rich Resource Availability: A vast number of books, toppers’ notes, and coaching materials are available for PSIR, making it easy to access quality content.
2. Improves Answer Writing: Since PSIR includes theory, concepts, and application-based analysis, students develop strong answer writing skills — essential for UPSC Mains.
3. Suitable for Interview: Understanding political systems and foreign policy builds a solid base for the personality test/interview round.
4. Non-technical and Logical: PSIR does not require prior background. Students from engineering, science, or commerce streams can perform well with interest and smart strategy.
Challenges with PSIR Optional
Despite its benefits, PSIR also poses some challenges:
- Paper II (International Relations) is dynamic and requires regular updates through newspapers and current affairs magazines.
- Theoretical portions in Paper I can be abstract for some aspirants.
- Answers need to be analytical, well-structured, and supported with current examples or thinker references.
Scoring Potential of PSIR
PSIR has proven to be a scoring optional. Many toppers like Tina Dabi (AIR 1 – 2015), Junaid Ahmad (AIR 3 – 2018), and many others have taken PSIR and scored 300+ marks. With consistent answer writing practice and mentor feedback, scoring high in this optional is definitely achievable.
Ideal Profile for PSIR
If you enjoy reading about politics, governance, international relations, and have an analytical bent of mind, PSIR is ideal for you. It’s especially helpful for students who regularly follow newspapers like The Hindu or Indian Express and enjoy understanding global affairs.
Expert Guidance Makes a Difference
Institutes like Plutus IAS offer a structured mentorship program for PSIR optional, guided by experienced teachers likeKumar ujjwal sir and Dr. Vivek Raj for GS of PSIR (appeared in multiple UPSC interviews). The program includes:
- Detailed coverage of both static and dynamic parts
- 1-on-1 mentorship and doubt resolution
- Answer writing practice and evaluation
- Current affairs integration in Paper II
- Best PSIR optional teacher
Final Verdict
To conclude, PSIR as an optional subject for UPSC CSE is one of the most balanced choices. It offers a strong mix of theoretical foundation and real-world relevance, high overlap with GS, and helps build a solid foundation for Mains and Interview stages.
If you are analytical, interested in politics and global affairs, and are ready to stay updated with current events, PSIR could very well be your ticket to a top rank in UPSC CSE.
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Tushar Kumar
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