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What is the significance of optional papers in UPSC CSE Mains?
The UPSC CSE Mains examination has total of 9 papers including 7 Papers of 250 marks each, which are counted in the marks tally. Out of these 7 Papers, 2 papers are from Optional Subject. The optional papers require special attention because:
1. They contribute 500 marks.
2. These papers require specialised, in-depth conceptual understanding of level higher
than the post-graduation level.
3. It is possible to cross 300 marks cumulatively in two optional papers.

How to select your optional subject paper?
The optional paper should be carefully selected after considering following factors:
1. Interest in the subject. Go through the syllabus to know the scope of the subject and your interest.
2. Availability of good guidance/teacher/institute to facilitate a result oriented preparation.
3. Overlap with GS & Essay papers. More the overlap, better integration can be ensured.
4. The performance of the subject – See the number of selections from the subject in last couple of years.

Why should you select PSIR as your Optional paper?

PSIR optional is one of the favourite among students. It can be analysed on the basis of parameters mentioned above:
1. The syllabus is quite interesting, wherein one has to study about the Western Political Thought and ideology, Indian political thought, Indian Government & Politics in Paper 1. In paper 2 , comparative politics, Theory of International relations, Bilateral relations and institutions are to be studied.
2. Shubhra Ranjan IAS has been providing a focussed and result oriented guidance to the students. Detailed explanations, proper doubt solving and comprehensive notes help the students in grasping the concepts and lucidly expressing themselves through their answers.
3. PSIR optional has one of the highest overlap with essay paper, GS Papers and the scope of the Personality Tests. The overlap between PSIR and Essay & GS can be traced under following heads:
a. Essay Paper – The knowledge of political philosophers and ideologies helps tremendously in unravelling the Philosophical essays
b. GS Paper 1- National Movement, Post independence India, Cold war phase of world history, Indian Society and beyond;
c. GS Paper 2 - Except Governance topic other sections like Polity and International Relations is having overlap;
d. GS Paper 3 - Political economy, planning and economic development, land reforms, Liberalisation etc and;
e. GS Paper 4 - Philosophical section i.e. Non case studies section, can be answered in better way through the knowledge of political science.
f. At the Interview stage , the questions are definitely asked from economy section, DAF, International relations and Indian politics. With the help of PSIR, the questions on last two topics can be answered satisfactorily.

Needless to say, after the selection as well, the knowledge acquired in Indian
government & politics and International Relations sections is extremely useful.

4. The PSIR optional has been giving one of the highest selections. For the UPSC CSE Exam 2022 itself, there were 101 selections in PSIR from Shubhra Ranjan IAS (SRIAS), including Rank 1 Ishita Kishore. Unlike some of the optionals like History, Public Administration, PSIR has been a consistent performer.

What is the significance and nature of each section of PSIR?

The PSIR is having Four Sections in total:
1. Paper 1 Section A – This section mostly philosophical in nature. It can be considered as the base of the optional . Therefore, special focus and greater time is allotted to the section in the course design. This part includes Approaches to study political science , Western Political Thought, Political Ideologies, Theories of state, equality, rights, democracy etc. It also includes Indian Political Thought.
2. Paper 1 Section B – This Section is known as Indian Government & Politics. Here one needs to study the Indian National Movement, Indian constitution, Party system, Social movements etc. It has huge overlap with GS Paper 2 [Polity Section]
3. Paper 2 Section A – This section includes mainly the comparative politics, Theory of International Relations, International institutions , Concepts in IR etc. This section should be studied in integrated manner with Paper 2 Section B.
4. Paper 2 Section B – This section is the most dynamic part of the PSIR syllabus. It includes topics like bilateral relations. However, this completely covers IR section in GS Paper 2.

What toppers say on PSIR optional?
In the 2022 CSE Exam , 101 selections were there. Rank 1 Ishita Kishore, a foundation course and Answer Writing Module student, scored marvellous 313 in PSIR. In 2021 CSE Exam Rank
05 Utkarsh Dwivedi scored 314 in PSIR.
Most of the toppers suggest that there is no need to go beyond the class . Their strategy can be read from following blog link. You can refer to the blogs of our students, where they have
articulated their strategies :

• Utkarsh Dwivedi, Rank 5 - https://utkarshjdwivedi.blogspot.com/2022/06/psir-strategy-notes-and-my-answer-copies.html
• Ananya Das, Rank 16 - https://unravellingcse.wordpress.com/tag/political-science-and-international-relations/
• Petal Gehlot , Rank 96 - https://thescorpionsopinion.wordpress.com/category/civil-services-exam/

What is included in the PSIR foundation course?
• The course includes comprehensive coverage of the PSIR syllabus through Lectures.
• The PSIR topics shall be explained in the class followed by notes dictation so that you have comprehensive notes to refer from , before the exam..
• The students can ask their doubts in the class or on zoom session , if they are from Tablet batch.
• The course duration is [tentatively] for 7 months.
• The lectures shall usually be 6 days a week.
• The lecture duration is of 2.5 hours.

What should be the approach for preparing PSIR?
At SRIAS, the preparation for PSIR optional is done through modules:
1. PSIR Foundation course, which includes lectures.
2. PSIR Answer Writing Modules, which includes 25 Tests and PSIR Crash Course. In this course , students practise questions and update their notes through the Crash
Course .