06 Aug IS PSIR a good optional for UPSC exam

Is PSIR a Good Optional for UPSC? A Complete Guide for Aspirants

Choosing the right optional subject in the UPSC Civil Services Examination is a critical decision that can influence your final rank. Among the wide range of optional subjects, Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) has emerged as a popular and scoring choice. But is PSIR the right optional for you? In this blog, we will analyze all aspects of PSIR optional — including its pros, cons, syllabus coverage, relevance to General Studies, and success rate — to help you make an informed decision.

What is PSIR in UPSC?

PSIR stands for Political Science and International Relations, one of the optional subjects offered by UPSC in the Mains Examination. It consists of two papers:

• Paper I: Political Theory and Indian Politics
• Paper II: Comparative Politics and International Relations

Each paper carries 250 marks, making the total 500 marks for the optional subject. The subject is suitable for both humanities and non-humanities background students, especially those with an interest in politics, governance, philosophy, and international affairs. Best PSIR optional test series

Why PSIR is a Popular Optional Choice

• Overlap with GS Papers: PSIR has significant overlap with GS Paper II (Polity and Governance), GS Paper IV (Ethics), and GS Paper I (Modern Indian History and post-independence consolidation).
• Essay Paper Help: Many essay topics often revolve around political theories, governance, and international relations — all covered in PSIR.
• Dynamic and Current-Affairs Based: Especially in Paper II, current developments in international relations can fetch high scores if properly integrated.
• No Academic Background Required: You don’t need a degree in political science to understand or write good answers.
• Abundance of Resources: A lot of quality content, toppers’ notes, and coaching support are available for PSIR.

best PSIR optional teacher

Success Rate and Topper’s Choice

In recent years, PSIR has been a go-to optional for several UPSC toppers. Junaid Ahmad (AIR 3, 2018) and Tina Dabi (AIR 1, 2015) both opted for PSIR and scored well. According to the UPSC Annual Reports, the success rate of PSIR has consistently been higher than many other optionals.

Who Should Choose PSIR as Optional?

• If you have strong reading and writing skills
• If you enjoy reading about politics, governance, and world affairs
• If you are good at analyzing arguments and writing structured answers
• If you want GS, Essay, and Optional preparation to complement each other

Detailed PSIR Syllabus Breakdown

Paper I – Political Theory and Indian Politics:

• Political Theory – Justice, Rights, Equality, Liberty, Democracy, etc.
• Indian Political Thought – Kautilya, Gandhi, Ambedkar, Nehru, etc.
• Western Political Thought – Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Marx, etc.
• Indian Government and Politics – Constitution, federalism, electoral reforms, party systems, etc.

Paper II – Comparative Politics and International Relations:

• Comparative Politics – Political institutions, state theories, party systems
• International Relations – Realism, Liberalism, Foreign Policy, UN, Globalization
• India and the World – India’s relations with neighbors, US, China, Russia, etc.

Best PSIR Optional Teachers and Coaching

Having a reliable mentor can significantly enhance your preparation. Some of the top-rated teachers for PSIR optional in India include:

• Dr. Bijendra Jha Sir (well-educated and highly qualified teacher of PSIR Optional. He holds teaching experience in the PSIR Optional subject for a decade. Moreover, he holds the degree of M.Phil. and Ph.D. in Political Science from JNU’s Centre for Political Studies. Sir has also published numerous papers and reports focusing on Socio-Economic matters, Governance, and Political Studies.)
• Shubhra Ranjan (Highly popular among PSIR aspirants for her structured course)
• Dr. S. N. Singh (Specializes in comparative politics and Indian polity)
  Several online and offline platforms like Plutus IAS, Sriram IAS, and Shubhra Ranjan IAS offer high-quality mentorship programs for PSIR optional.

Challenges in PSIR Optional

• Subjective evaluation: Unlike Maths or Science, PSIR answers can be interpreted differently by different evaluators.
• Content overload: While the syllabus seems manageable, integrating current affairs and writing analytical answers requires maturity.
• Writing skills: If you’re not good at structuring long-form answers, this optional may be a bit tough initially.

Final Verdict: Is PSIR a Good Optional for UPSC?

Yes, PSIR is one of the best optional subjects for UPSC aspirants — especially those from humanities backgrounds or with a keen interest in politics and current affairs. It not only helps in scoring high in Mains but also builds a strong foundation for GS, Essay, and even the Interview stage.

However, it demands good writing skills, analytical thinking, and consistent integration of contemporary events with static concepts. With the right strategy and mentorship from experts like Dr. Bijendra Jha Sir, PSIR can be a powerful weapon in your UPSC arsenal.

Have more questions about PSIR optional? Drop your comments below and we’ll be happy to help! PSIR optional Paper 1 question paper 2024