PSIR Optional Strategy for UPSC 2025
PSIR Optional Strategy for UPSC 2025
- Overview of Strategy
- Introduction to PSIR Optional
- Pros and Cons Of PSIR as an Optional
- 14 point Stage-wise strategy
Overview of PSIR Strategy For UPSC 2025
The optional can be your best buddy or worst enemy. Your subject should be something you love to read for long hours and work hard on. As the optional fetches very high marks so it cannot be ignored if you are aiming for a better rank. Therefore, it is crucial that you put a lot of effort and hard work into this subject.
If you belong to the UPSC aspirants who dream for civil services have keen interest in politics & international affairs? Are you committed to clear the Civil Services Examination and have a substantial effect on Indian Governance? If you are an UPSC aspirant and have opted Political Science as your optional subject, this post will helpful for you.
Welcome to Legacy IAS Academy If you are searching for leading coaching classes which grooms the toppers in Political Science & International Relations subject part of UPSC, Then great!
Discover a methodical performance assessment technique tailored to meet UPSC criteria. Gain valuable insights from our thorough performance analysis to pinpoint areas for enhancement and track your progress effectively.
Introduction to PSIR Optional
PSIR optional has two papers i.e. Paper 1 and Paper 2. Each paper consists 250 marks. Both the papers are the divided into 2 sections. Paper 1 Section A talks about the evolution of Political Science as discipline and Theories in Political Science like Theories of State, Equality, Freedom, Rights, etc. Topic Western Political Thoughts talks about the philosophical discussion of political ideas.
Paper 1 Section B talks about the Indian government and politics. This sections mentions the theoretical background as well as Applied background of Indian Politics. Paper 2 describes the importance of Comparative politics and International relations. In this paper Section A is purely Theoretical in nature which discusses the theories of comparative politics, international relations, different schools of thoughts and concepts of international politics.
Paper 2 Section B is totally applied in nature as it talks about India and the world. It mentions the foreign Policy of India with global institutions, bilateral relationships , etc.
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Pros and cons
Over the past 7 years, there has been a notable increase in the number of candidates opting for Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) as an optional subject during selections. The achievements of top scorers in PSIR further illustrate the subject’s strong performance record. Many students have been able to secure over 300 marks in PSIR, underscoring the potential for excellent scores through dedicated and methodical preparation.
PSIR as an optional subject shares significant overlap with all General Studies Paper in mains. For the Mains examination, topics from General Studies Paper I ( Modern History, World History, Post Independence and Social issues), General Studies Paper II (almost the entire syllabus Polity, Constitution and International Relations ), General Studies Paper III (Internal Security, Border Management and International Political Economy ), and
General Studies Paper IV (Moral Thinkers and Philosophers, Ethical Dimension of International Relations, and International Institutions) can be covered by studying the PSIR optional subject. It also helps in Essay and Answer Writing Abilities
Integrating the preparation of PSIR with the overall General Studies preparation can result in substantial time and effort savings for aspirants.
Having a solid grasp of the workings of our political system and the nuances of international relations is essential for any public servant. Opting for Political Science and International Relations as an elective subject provides a valuable blend of knowledge that equips you to understand the intricacies of governance, diplomacy, and global affairs.
The UPSC syllabus for PSIR covers a broad spectrum of subjects, ranging from political theories and governance systems to international institutions and geopolitics. With the world becoming increasingly interconnected, there is a growing demand for civil servants who are well-versed in international relations.
The subject is unlike many other optionals includes vast syllabus and Extensive Reading Required. So candidates have to updated with the changing and Dynamic Nature of International Relations. There is limited Availability of High-Quality Study Material.
14 Point Stage Wise Strategy
Stage 1: Syllabus Familiarisation: Breakdown the syllabus then read and understand the detailed syllabus for both Paper I and Paper II. Break down the syllabus into smaller, manageable sections.
Stage 2: Study the NCERTs for Class 11 Political Theory and Indian Constitution at work and Class 12 Politics after Independence and contemporary world politics. It is recommended to thoroughly cover these books as they provide a foundational understanding of various topics in Paper 1 and Paper 2.
Stage 3: Attend the Legacy IAS classes and study comprehensive Class Notes. Engaging in this activity will simplify the subject matter and significantly reduce the time needed to study Optional subjects. The class lectures will offer valuable insights and focus on key elements of the syllabus to help students channel their efforts effectively.
Stage 4: Make sure you revise the notes and write concise summaries at the end of each topic. These should include key concepts, definitions, and significant thinkers. Use bullet points for quick recall during revisions.
Stage 5: During initial reading understand the content first before making notes, read the textbook or reference material thoroughly to understand the content. Then focus on identifying and understanding the core concepts, theories, and key points.
Stage 6: By this stage you should have completed all the NCERTs mentioned above and Western Political Thought by Brion . R Nelson along with class notes.
Stage 7: Integrating With Current Affairs: Since Indian politics and international relations are now synonymous with the global environment anything that revolves around this will not only keep you updated in general but also help strengthen your answer writing skills. This compulsive paper holds much scope for improvement and Legacy IAS Academy conducts regular sessions on contemporary issues to this end.
Stage 8:It is essential to have a well-rounded strategy that encompasses both PSIR optional and GS Paper preparation to enhance efficiency in your overall exam preparation
Stage 9: In order to secure additional marks in the exam, it is imperative to practice writing answers that integrate various sections of the syllabus and include contemporary examples from current affairs. Additionally, practicing map skills for International Relations can further enhance the quality of your responses.
Stage 10: Time management is a key aspect of answer writing. Developing a strategy for managing time effectively during the exam is crucial. Creating study notes for important keywords can aid in recalling essential concepts when writing answers in the actual exam.
Stage 11: After every lecture you will be provided with PSIR mind maps, that helps you in revision and the potential of diagrams can be utilised in mains answer writing for better presentation.
Stage 12: PYQs in PSIR holds much importance in mains examinations every year. 70% of PSIR paper comes directly or indirectly from PYQs. After every lecture write previous years questions topic wise and getting them reviewed.
Stage 13: By creating a well-organised study schedule and rigorous thematic answer writing, you can gain a significant advantage.
Stage 14: PSIR is such a subject where you have to be updated with current affairs. Here newspaper and different article reading becomes integral part.
To excel in PSIR optional, concentrate on understanding fundamental concepts, influential scholars, and current topics. Enhance your analytical and writing abilities by regularly practicing and composing essays. Employ detailed study resources and previous question papers to fully comprehend the exam’s structure and criteria for the most effective preparation, and this top PSIR strategy will guarantee your success in the exam.
Preparation for any Optional subject should start with the recognition of the fact that ‘One cannot be good at it unless one prepares notes for it”. This adage is very much true for Psychology optional as well. If you are to strategize your preparation with Psychology as an optional, you should have chosen it out of sheer interest and nothing else.
A decent score in an optional subject is a must to make it to the final merit list in the Civil Services Exam. The decent score can hover anywhere between 310 and 355 out of 500. The strategy to get this decent score requires some disciplined effort too. The effort which is channeled in the right direction with the right set of books and organized study.