PSIR OPTIONAL
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PSIR (Political Science & International Relations)
When taking into account many variables, studying political science and international relations may prove to be a wise decision.
- Nearly the full GENERAL STUDIES curriculum is covered by it.
- Additionally, it has seen a lot of successful applicants.
- It is simple to find study materials.
- helpful in the preliminary exam because the section on Indian politics and government almost often includes 15 to 20 questions.
- Preliminary and major exam preparation are integrated in political science. so freeing up time for other subjects.
- The articulation of the essay is enriched by political intellectuals’ philosophical viewpoints.
- The majority of the Civil Services GS paper II themes The primary exams themselves are covered by the political science optional.
WHO MIGHT SELECT POLITICAL SCIENCE AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS?
- When choosing an optional subject, one should prioritise their area of interest above everything else. You can pursue it if political science is something you are interested in.
You must choose political science and international relations as an optional subject if you lack a technical education background and want to choose a non-technical field. Numerous topics will also be covered that are on your GS syllabus for the civil services test.
You would also need to read a significant number of PSIR chapters on Indian politics, ethics, history, current events, etc. if you choose any other optional subject.
It is recommended to choose PSIR if you have less time. Your workload will be lighter, and you’ll have more time.
Why choose Political Science Optional ?
- Political Science and International Relations (PSIR), as an optional subject in the UPSC Mains, has emerged as the most dependable subject for qualifying the UPSC with a high rank.
- Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) includes both static and dynamic components, such as political thought and theories of international relations.
- Aspirants are scoring more than 170 marks in the International Relations section, which is very important in qualifying the exam.
- PSIR, which is available as an optional subject in the UPSC mains, covers the entire syllabus of General Studies Paper 2.
- Also covered in General Studies Paper 1 are critical topics such as Post-Independence Consolidation, Ideologies, and Social Issues.
- Furthermore, topics such as internal security and environmental issues in IR from General Studies Paper-3 are already covered in the PSIR curriculum.
- Finally, PSIR is useful in General Studies Paper-4 because major philosophical thinkers and leaders such as Plato, Aristotle, Kautilya, Gandhi, and Ambedkar are covered in PSIR paper-1.
- Every year, the essay topics are related to political science.
- PSIR is one of the most useful subjects during the interview stage because it allows candidates to easily answer deep understanding-based questions from Politics and International Relations in a short period of time.
Why Chose VIMARSHA IAS for Political Science Optional?
We are proud to guide the candidates through our Four-Layered Strategy which includes
- In detail coverage of the SyllabusÂ
- Daily answer writing practice and evaluation by the FacultyÂ
- Teaching in tandem with the Current Affairs
- Personalized Mentorship.
- Detailed coverage of both Political Science papers I & II for UPSC mains exam
- Explanation of the interlinks between PSIR and GS papers
- Personalized attention.
- Comprehensively updated classroom lectures
- Special lecture series on answer writing practice
- Printed material as well as the dictation of class notes
- Extensive answer writing practice
- Mock tests
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WHY POLITICAL SCIENCE? (PSIR) - 10 REASONS
- It covers the entire second paper of the GS, which is Polity, Constitution, Social Justice, and International Relations.
- Â Section B (Indian Government and Politics) of Paper II of PSIR covers World History and the Indian National Movement from Paper I of GS.Â
- The papers of GS cover political economy topics such as fiscal policy, IMF, World Bank, WTO, and neoliberal reforms. Furthermore, Paper IV of the GS, Ethics, is directly linked with moral political thinkers such as Plato, Gandhi, Lincoln, Woodrow Wilson, Manu, and others.
- Â In summary, no other optional comes close to P.S.I.R. in terms of convergence with GS.
2. The Essay Paper completely covers the PSIR topics of Democracy, Corruption, Globalization, Women Empowerment, Reservation, Regionalism, Castism, Communalism, Panchayati Raj, International Governance, Disarmament, and so on. The essay’s 250 points are important in selection because many aspirants overlook it.
3. The majority of the interview questions concern political economy. Knowledge of political theories and ideologies aids in moderating and balancing the candidates’ verbal expressions of personality.
4. PSIR is very interesting because there are so many stimuli in our environment such as TV, newspapers, magazines, social media, normal conversations and discussions, and so on. It is argued that argumentative Indians are predisposed to political issues, whether domestic or international.
5. This optional focuses on observable and verifiable phenomena rather than logical speculations.Â
- Students in the science stream understand and perform well in this area. Furthermore, the enthusiasm and aggression with which engineers’ doctors, CA, and other professional course candidates learn is more visible.
- This is a blessing in disguise for students who do not have a background in PSIR because they can learn this subject in a lucid format without the hangover of an academic approach.
6. PSIR is a high-scoring subject, as evidenced by the mark sheets of successful candidates.
- In most cases, the percentage score in this optional is disproportionally higher than the percentage score in GS.Â
- The static component of PSIR, namely thinkers, theories, and ideologies, provides a solid foundation for understanding (beyond knowledge) the dynamic component.
7. The availability of NCERT books, NBT books, and IGNOU booklets, combined with our time-tested materials, instils in aspirants a sense of security and completeness. This gives PSIR an advantage over many other optionals (without naming anyone)
8. PSIR’s syllabus is quite concise because many topics are repeated in different contexts, for example, Idealist and Realist theories are present in both Paper I and Paper II.Â
- Marxian theory, Marxism (Ideology), and dependency theory of I.R., Cold War, Regional Organizations, NAM, International Organizations, and so on are mentioned in both comparative politics (Section A of Paper II) and India & World (Section B of Paper II).
9. PSIR is the safest optional in the wake of UPSC rumors about eliminating optional.
- Academicians are under tremendous pressure to oppose this, so it is unlikely.
- Even in the worst-case scenario, knowledge and understanding of PSIR would never be wasted in the context of a civil service exam.
- Â Bureaucrats must work in the political system as government servants, so there is resonance and synchronization in the nature of the job and the PSIR syllabus.
10. To simplify the learning process, we have developed many innovative techniques such as coding (based on Pneumonic), frame-working, classification, and co-relation.
- Â These techniques at your disposal would allow you to pass the exam with clinical accuracy, retention, and lucid presentation on time.
- These time-tested techniques would relieve the aspirants’ burdens and empower them to do smart work (not only hard work).Â
- The harmonious combination of concept, core, current, innovative techniques, writing practice, and experienced guidance would ensure your success.
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Why to Opt Poltical Science
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About Kumar Ujjwal Sir
Ujjwal Sir has been teaching for the last 20 yrs with marvelous results in UPSC CSE.
His pedagogy involves innovative methods based upon pnemonics (coding),frame-working(both case study and answer writing), classification(perspective studies),co-relation (shrinking syllabus),brainstorming (thinking & intellectual churning),applications(applying theory & concepts,solving current issues)to crack the exam.
Class Notes
The class notes would be full of graphs, charts, diagrams, flow charts, and pictorial presentations.
 ClassesÂ
The first four classes are called ABCD of PSIR to start the studies with a clean slate.Â
Ujjwal sir has developed scientific methods which are trusted & time tested in the last 20 years.Â
Classes of PSIR would be full of real & current examples to ensure holistic understanding for accurate answer writing skills.
GS, Essay & Interview as well as the Quality Enrichment Program would raise the bar along with value addition & upgradation.Â
The class lectures would be given user id & passwords to see the lecture repeatedly as per their choice of timings and convenience.
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Kumar Ujjwal Sir would help students in getting 300+ marks in 2023 by holding special answer writing sessions. This would include not only solving the previous year’s questions but discussing twisted questions that have been prepared by faculty.
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 Answer sheets of students would be checked by Ujjwal Sir himself(*not outsourced to any team).
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Command in PSIR itself would reinforce your preparations for potential blunders(nipping the bud at an early stage so that it doesn’t escalate )
Easy access with simplicity accelerates learning to get results in a time-bound manner.
 There would be complete coverage of the syllabus to ensure a sense of completeness which would instill confidence.
PSIR Clinic and Mentorship Programme
- We strongly believe that learning should be a two-way process with the proactive participation of students.
- To institutionalize this objective, ample time is devoted to clearing doubts and queries in both bilateral and multilateral frameworks.
The mentorship program goes beyond traditional course completion that inculcates the art of fetching marks in PSIR.
DEMONSTRATION OF PNEMONICS(CODING)
A-Against communism of wives and property
R-Rule of Law(based on reason)
I–Ideal state i.e., Golden mean
S-Slavery was supported
T-Theory of revolution
O-Oligarchy + Democracy/2=Golden mean
T-Teleology the school of natural destiny
L-Leissured class rule.
E-Extremities to be avoided with larger middle-classÂ
Demonstration of Classification
Demonstration of Classification
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KAUTILYAÂ | MACHIAVELLI | MAO TSE TUNGÂ |
Realist | More Realist | Hard core realist |
Sama, dama, danda, bheda | Deceit, and cruelty also | Guerilla war |
Economic determinism | Economic determinism | Economic structure is base |
King-quality of 22 animals | Prince>>1. LION 2. FOX | Cultural revolution |
Hereditary army | National army | Peasants in uniform |
Divine theory of State | No theory of state but, a manual for Prince | Dictatorship of the communist party and perpetual revolution. |
         PSIR SCHEDULE AND LECTURE PLANS
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LECTURE NUMBER | TOPICS | SUB-TOPICS |
1 | Basic Terminologies-1 | Politics, polity, state, Government, laws & constitution |
2 | Basic Terminologies-2 | Liberty, Equality, Justice, Power, Authority, Legitimacy |
3 | Basic Terminologies-3 | Governance, Civil Society Morality, Rights & Duties Democracy |
4 | Western political thinkers (W.P.T) | Classification, Organic Theory, Mechanistic Class Theory, Divine Theory. |
5 | W.P.T-Plato (Western Political Thinkers) | Plato -Justice Education, Philosophy, King, Communism |
6 | W.P.T- Aristotle | Aristotle- Polity, Slavery, Private property, Justice , Ideal State |
7 | W.P.T-Hobbes, Locke, Rosseau | Hobbes, Locke Rosseau, Social Contract Individualism |
8 | W.P.T-4-Karl Marx | Karl Marx , Dialectic Process, capitalism, Theory of Alienation Revolution, Communism. |
9 | Neo-Marxists, Gramsci | Francfurt School, Hegemony, Legitimacy |
10 | Hannah Arendt | Empowerment, Labor, Work Action, Criticism of Modernity |
11 | Political Ideologies Liberalism | Liberalism- Capitalism, Individualism, Welfare State, Libertarian, Communitarian. |
12 | Socialism | Evolutionary, Revolutionary, Neo-Marxism |
13 | Fascism | Totalitarian, Social Movement, Counter-Revolutionary. |
14 | Feminism | Liberal, Radical, Post-Feminism. |
15 | Nationalism | Indian context, Imperialism, Cultural Nationalism. |
16 | Multi-culturalism | Melting pot, glorious mosaic, Postmodernism, Cultural Relativism. |
17 | Identity politics | Casteism ,Communalism& Regionalism. |
18 | Political theories | Organic theory of State, Mechanistic Devine, Civil Society, Max Weber. |
19 | Political theory of sovereignty | Monistic, Pluralist, Globalization. |
20 | Liberty, equality & justice | Civil, Political, Community, Legal, Numerical, Proportional Rawls, Amartya sen. |
21 | power, authority, legitimacy | Legitimacy, Credibility, Effectiveness, rational-legal. |
22 | Democracy-1 | Classical, Historical Evolution, principles, and institutions. |
23 | Democracy-2 | contemporary theories, participatory and deliberative |
24 | Rights and duties | Theories of rights, human rights, Loski |
25 | Approaches-1 | Traditional, behavioral, post behavioral |
        26 | Approaches-2 | System, decision making, communication. |
 27 | Approaches-3 | Political sociology, political economy, political |
 28 |  Indian Thinkers | Manu, Kautilya, Buddhism |
29 | Gandhi | Ideology, state, decentralization, Swaraj, education, justice, Ram Rajya, Sarvodaya. |
30 | B.R.Ambedkar | Annihilation of caste, Varna, social justice, comparison. |
31 | Â M.N.Roy | Leftist movement in India, Radical humanism, new humanism, organized democracy. |
32 |  Aurbindo | Nationalism, Spiritualism, World Govt |
33 | Sir Sayyed Ahmed Khan | As a liberal thinker, Educationist, reforms. |
34 | National Movement-1 | Liberal, socilaist, Feminist and Dalit Perspective. |
35 | National Movement-2 | Constitutional agitation to mass satyagraha, Independence. |
36 | Making of Constitution | British legacies, Evolution, Salient features. |
37 | Preamble | Philosophy, the basic structure of the constitution. |
38 | Fundamental rights | Ammendebility , case laws. |
39 | D.P.S.P | Governance, Implementation, case laws, Judicial Review. |
40 | Parliamentary system | Part v of the Indian Constitution, bills, budget, privileges. |
41Â | Institutions & state govt | Comparative analysis Part vi |
 42 | Federalism | Center-State Relations, Part xi, Part xii & Part xiii. |
43 | Grass root democracy | PRI, NRI, Part ix, Part ix (A) |
 44 | Constitutional bodies | EC, FC, CAG, UPSC, SCs, STs, OBC |
45 | Statutory bodies | Women ,Human Rights, Minorities |
46 | Planning and Economic Development | 5yrs Plans to NITI AYOG, Agrarian reforms, LPG. |
47 | Ethnicity in Indian Politics | caste, religion, language, race, culture. |
48 | Political Party | Party system,election coalition, interest aggregations. |
49 | Civil society (5th Pillar of Democracy) | Non-state groups, pressure groups, comparisions. |
50 | Social Movements | Old, new, role in democracy. |
51 | Introduction of Paper-2 | I.R & I.P Comparitive politics. |
52 | International History-1 | Renaissance to 21st century |
53 | International History | Balance of power to balance of terror, Supra-nationalism. |
54 | New World Order | US Hegemony International governance |
55 | Political Process-1 | Comparision between developed & 3rd world |
56 | Political process-2 | Political parties, presure groups, social movements |
57 | Hyper Globalisation | functionalism, neo-liberalism, assymetry |
58 | Key concepts of IR | National interest, national power ,balance of power, collective security. |
59 | Approaches -1Â | Idealist realist neo realists |
60 | Approaches-2Â | Functionalist, marxist system model, games theory, Karls Deusch |
61 | Cold War | Reasons phases arms race and treaties |
62 | NAM | Aim, achievement and relevance |
63 & 64 | UN(2 classes) | Principles, specialised wings, reforms |
65 & 66 | International Political Economy | OEEC, Commeocon, Breten wood twins |
67 & 68 | International Political Economy-2 | GATT to WTOÂ NIEOÂ |
69 | Regional Organisations-1 | EU,ASEAN |
70 | Regional Organisations-2 | APEC,SAARC,NAFTA |
71 | Regional Organisations-3 | Quad, BRICS, BIMSTEC,SCO. |
72 | Global Commons-1 | Democracy, human rights. |
73 | Global Commons-2 | Environment, gender justice,terrorism. |
74 | Nuclear Issues | Race and treaties, Proliferation |
75 | Conflicts and co-operation in the 21st Century | Rogue states, unilateralism, rise of Asia |
76 | India and World | Indian Foreign policy determinants. |
77 | Foreign policy | Contunity and changes Nehru to Modi |
78 | NAM | Origin, evolution, current role, NAM 2.0 |
79 | India and its Neighbours-1 | South Asia, Indo-Pak relations |
80 | India and its Neighbours-2 | Indo-Nepal, Indo-Sri Lanka |
81 | India and its Neighbours-3 | Relations with Afghanistan, Maldives, Bhutan. |
82 | Indo-China Relations | Past and present |
83 | Look East -1 | Indo ASEAN Indo-Bangladesh |
84 | Look East-2 | Indo Oceania,Indo-Far East |
85 | Act East | Developments in 2014 era |
86 | Conflicts in South Asia | Ethnicity religion, borders, rivers, insurgency, immigration |
87 | India and Global South-1Â | 3rd world,G-77 Africa. |
88 | India and Global South-2 | Latin America, Caribean Countries |
89 | India and Global South-3 | NIEO,IMF, World bank, WTO. |
90 | Indo-US Relations | Past, Present, Future prespective. |
91 | Indo-Japan Relations | Global, special and strategic relations |
92 | Indo-Russia Relations | Special privelege and strategic partnership S.P.S.P |
93 | India-EU Relations-1 | History and shared values |
94 | India-EU Relations-2 | UK, France, Germany |
95 | India & UN | Peace keeping roles, reforms, lobbying |
96 | India and Nuclear Issues  | Pokhran tests NPT ,CTBT,FMCT. |
97 | India’s Nuclear Policy | doctrine ,command |
98 | Our vision of World Order | Multi lateralism, North-South Divide |
99 | Recent Developments in Foreign Policy | Afghanistan crisis, Ukraine Russia war, Iran, Israel. |
100 | Current Issues | Tilt towards north, connectivity, realism net security provider,1st responder in wake of disasters. |