UPSC Optional Courses

Political Science & International Relations

PSIR

Political theory, Indian politics and international relations. Start with the two papers and their connections to current events.

From sources to interpretation

History

Ancient, medieval, modern and world history. Compare the syllabus with your interest in sources, chronology and historical argument.

Theory and Indian society

Sociology

Sociological thinkers, institutions and Indian society. Explore how concepts become explanations of social change.

Human beings, biology and culture

Anthropology

Biological and social anthropology, evolution and Indian anthropology. Look at the terminology and diagrams before deciding.

Principles, cases and legal argument

Law

Constitutional and administrative law, international law and the core areas of Paper II. Begin with the demands of legal reasoning.

Read the actual syllabus

Mark topics you already understand and topics you would be willing to study repeatedly. Familiarity and sustained interest both matter.

Try a question, not just a booklist

Read a previous-year question and outline an answer. Check whether you enjoy the kind of explanation the subject requires.

Compare the programme details

Confirm the teacher, language, mode, syllabus coverage, evaluation, access period and total fee for the specific batch.

Discuss your shortlist

Share your background, available study time and two preferred subjects. A course discussion should help you decide, not substitute for reading the syllabus.