Every UPSC aspirant faces the same dilemma at some point in their preparation—which optional subject should I choose? And for many, Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) emerges as a strong contender. But should you pick it? Will it help you score well? How does it compare to other subjects? And most importantly, how should you prepare it?
This article breaks down everything you need to know about choosing PSIR as your UPSC optional—drawing from the experience of top mentors at Anantam IAS, including Rahul Puri Sir and Vaibhav Mishra Sir, who have guided toppers like Meghna Chakravarthy and Kashish Kalra through this very journey.
Table of Contents
Why Optional Subject Matters So Much
The optional subject carries 500 marks in the Mains exam—one of the highest weightages in determining your final rank. A good score here can change your result from being a qualified candidate to a top-100 rank holder.
Unlike GS papers, optional papers are subject-specific. They allow you to develop mastery and present depth of knowledge, structured thinking, and original analysis.
So, the optional isn’t just another decision. It’s a strategic one.
When Should You Choose PSIR?
You should consider choosing PSIR if:
- You have a genuine interest in politics, governance, global affairs, or philosophy.
- You enjoy reading newspapers, editorials, and political commentary.
- You want an optional that overlaps significantly with GS Paper 2, GS Paper 4 (Ethics), Essay, and even parts of Prelims.
- You are comfortable with reading theoretical content—political ideologies, thinkers, comparative politics.
- You want access to experienced mentors and proven resources like Anantam IAS’s PSIR faculty team.
On the other hand, if you struggle with abstract reasoning, or find long theoretical readings difficult to retain, you may need structured mentorship and additional practice to make PSIR work for you.
Why PSIR is a Popular and Strategic Optional
Here’s what makes PSIR one of the most chosen optionals by serious aspirants:
Strong GS Overlap
- Indian Polity (GS Paper 2) covers a lot of PSIR Paper 1
- IR sections in GS2 mirror Paper 2 of PSIR
- Thinkers from Paper 1 help in Ethics and Essay
Scoring Potential
Well-prepared students regularly score 280 to 320+ out of 500
With the right writing structure, you can differentiate easily
Relevance in Interview
Having a strong grip on political and international issues improves your discussion in personality tests
Abundant Resources
Toppers’ notes, previous year papers, structured coaching, and peer groups are easily available
At Anantam, we provide hand-curated notes, mentor sessions, answer writing practice, and test series tailored to PSIR
Logical and Analytical Nature
It rewards clarity of thought and structured presentation, more than memorization
Structure of PSIR Optional: What You’ll Study
Paper 1: Political Theory and Indian Politics
- Political ideologies: Liberalism, Marxism, Feminism
- Thinkers: Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Mill
- Indian Constitution, federalism, secularism, party system
- Important Indian political thinkers: Gandhi, Ambedkar, Savarkar, Nehru
Paper 2: Comparative Politics and International Relations
- Comparative political systems and theories
- India’s relations with major powers
- Global organizations: UN, WTO, IMF
- International security, diplomacy, nuclear issues
- Current global trends: multipolarity, climate politics, soft power
Each paper is for 250 marks. With regular guidance and theme-based preparation, students can manage both breadth and depth effectively.
How to Prepare PSIR the Right Way
Follow this preparation plan if you want to build your PSIR strategy on a solid foundation.
Start with NCERTs
Read class 11 and 12 Political Science NCERTs to build your base. These books are simple and help with concept clarity.
Choose the Right Sources
Avoid overloading yourself with ten different books. Stick to a well-curated list and revise it multiple times. Your core materials may include:
For Paper 1:
- OP Gauba (Political Theory)
- Andrew Heywood (Selective Reading)
- IGNOU notes (supplement for thinkers)
For Indian Politics:
- Laxmikanth (for basic structure)
- Rajni Kothari, Granville Austin (selected readings)
For Paper 2:
- Global Politics by Andrew Heywood
- Indian Foreign Policy by Rajiv Sikri
- C Raja Mohan’s columns, ORF and IDSA articles for current affairs
Use Anantam IAS Notes
Our hand-written and class-based notes by Rahul Puri Sir and Vaibhav Mishra Sir are designed to reduce the clutter and help you focus on what UPSC actually asks.
Build Answer Writing Skills
This is where most students lose marks. PSIR answers must be:
- Structured: intro, body with arguments, thinkers, conclusion
- Analytical: not summaries, but viewpoints
- Multi-perspective: both Indian and Western views
- Balanced: avoid excessive idealism or bias
Practice through test series regularly. Start with previous year questions and thematic tests. Our test series includes model answers, peer reviews, and faculty feedback to ensure consistent improvement.
Integrate Current Affairs
Paper 2 especially benefits from current examples in international relations, diplomacy, and regional conflicts. Create a separate notebook to log:
- India’s relations with key countries
- International summits and outcomes
- UN reforms, global financial institutions
- Changing power dynamics (US-China, Indo-Pacific, etc.)
Revision Strategy
Once you’ve completed the syllabus, aim for three focused revisions:
First revision: build mind maps and note interlinkages
Second revision: focus on answer writing with time constraints
Third revision: use short notes, definitions, thinkers, and previous year questions
Consistency in revision and writing is the key to crossing the 300-mark benchmark.
Common Challenges with PSIR and How to Tackle Them
Struggling with Paper 1 Theory
Solution: Begin early and supplement with live class discussions. Focus more on thinkers’ key ideas and their modern-day application.
Low Writing Confidence
Solution: Start small. Write one answer a day. Take feedback. Join a structured writing program.
Overlapping Content with GS
Solution: Create parallel GS-Optional notes. Avoid duplication by highlighting only optional-specific depth.
Difficulty in Linkages
Solution: Use comparative charts and mind maps. For example, map how Gandhi’s views connect across political thought, freedom struggle, and ethics.
Too Much Material
Solution: Trust a single source. At Anantam IAS, our PSIR notes are designed to remove redundancy and highlight only exam-focused content.
Should Everyone Take PSIR?
No optional is one-size-fits-all. PSIR suits aspirants who:
- Are comfortable reading conceptual and philosophical texts
- Like discussing current events and international news
- Want overlap with GS and Essay papers
- Prefer analytical writing over factual recall
It may not suit those who:
- Struggle with abstract concepts
- Prefer memory-based subjects like Anthropology or Geography
- Are looking for purely scientific or numerical content
The best time to finalize your optional is once you’ve sampled 2–3 topics and assessed your comfort level. Reach out to mentors or take a demo class to evaluate your fit.
Final Thoughts
PSIR is more than just a scoring optional. It shapes your worldview. It helps you understand the Constitution, governance, diplomacy, and global relations—not just as exam topics, but as tools of public service.
With guidance from expert faculty like Rahul Puri Sir and Vaibhav Sir, a structured study plan, and consistent writing practice, PSIR can become your strength in the Mains exam.
If you’re preparing for 2025 or 2026 and want mentorship, notes, or test series for PSIR, Anantam IAS has dedicated programs that combine syllabus coverage with real-world application.
