[Strategy] POLITICAL SCIENCE OPTIONAL ( PSIR SCORE-308)

HELLO FRINDS, I am glad to share with you the strategy that I have followed and resources I have used for political science. This year I have secured 308 marks in PSIR and 294 marks in last mains. My strategy may not be as it is useful to you but may give some insights for the preparation.

SOME BASIC THINGS IN PSIR- 

Perception about PSIR is that it gives good score and helps in GS-1,G.S-2,ESSAY. However its syllabus is diverse , as well as preparation needs the dynamic nature of study and linking with the current affairs, specially Paper1 part b and entire Paper-2 . Regular reading of THE HINDU, EDITORIALS of INDIAN EXPRESS, THE DIPLOMAT,INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS SECTION OF THE DIPLOMAT, BIG PICTURE OF RAJYA SABHA TV . These helps a lot in dealing with dynamic questions  of PSIR.

Answer writing

Answer writing is most crucial thing in getting the marks. While writing PSIR answers it should include interlinking , suitable introduction, Body and Conclusion. Practice as many as questions ,join good test series for political science. I have joined two test series for practice. Shubhra Ranjan ma’am test series as well as The Unique Academy’s test series by Tukaram Jadhav Sir.  Avoid Flowchart in Political Science answer writing. Underline Scholars name , quotes.

Suggested read also: upsc preparation strategy

What is interlinking? Suppose you are answering the question on Plato’s education it is not sufficient to wSrite only about Plato’s view. We can  write about Rousseau’s view about Plato’ education. Aristotle’s criticism of Plato’s Communism if  question is about Plato’s Communism.

Introduction

While writing any answer Introduction should be catchy one. Approach for PSIR answers intro is different than GS that’s what I believe. For e.g If there is question on Multiculturalism in GS we can directly start by writing what is Multiculturalism in PSIR, you can start by Writing Human Rights first. As multiculturalism is sub part Human Rights. It shows the depth of knowledge. Similarly while writing about Neo Liberalism one can start by giving short information about What is Liberalism, Schools in liberalism like Classical school, Neo liberalism ,Neo Classical liberalism etc.

BODY

In Social Sciences Answer writing in  Paragraph is more preferable than point wise writing. Paragraph many a times breaks the continuity. In subjects like PSIR paragraph helps In expressing the thoughts without braks. Carefully read the question if it is critically analyze then at least last  1 to 2 paragraph before the conclusion should be dedicated to criticism of the statement. If it is explain then also you can put one paragraph about its criticism(I am talking only about PSIR answers.

CONCLUSION

In PSIR conclusion is depend upon which section you are writing. If It is Part a of Paper 1 then  conclusion may be from the perspective of any  scholars. For eg- If question is about Feminism one can conclude with Feminist Scholars . Where as if it is Part B of Paper 2  and question is about India-China relation then Conclusion can be What Should be India’s strategy to deal with China, recent initiative by the two Countries. Like SCO summit etc.

Section wise resources

PAPER 1,  PART A.

1. Shubra Ranjan  ma’am class notes (main source for this section)
2. O.P.GAUBA (For selected topics only-Theories of state, Concept of Power, Hegemony, Legitimacy)
3. Rajeev Bhargav ( Selected topics like Equality)
4. Western Political Thought (read only Karl Marx & JS Mill otherwise all the thinkers covered from Shubra ma’am notes)

For this section Except few topics like Rights, Democracy, Equality. Most of the portion is static in nature. So very less scope in bringing current events. For eg if question is on Multiculturalism then we can put example of India. However most of the question are static in nature from this section.

The key to get marks in this section is remembering Thinkers from each topic, Statements of thinkers like No law No liberty by JS Mill. Flow in answer writing, interlinking of topics. This section needs more remembering than other section. As far as this section is concern very less scope for incorporating the current events so keep it static.  If possible make short notes for this section. Notes should include Name of thinkers, scholars of that topic, Statements,   short description of that topic

• For eg If making notes in Liberalism it should include,
• Major Schools of liberalism ,like Classical , Neo, Neo classical.
• Scholars of each school.
• Important statement of scholars of each of this school.
• For convenience you can make flowchart while making notes.

PAPER 1 ,SECTION B

1. Shubra Ranjan ma’am notes covers almost all topics
2. Unique Academy notes for topics like  Caste, Religion and Ethnicity in Indian Politics, Social Movements in India Grassroot Democracy,  Perspective of Indian Nationalism.
3. Selected topics Covered from Bipin Chandras India’s struggle for Independence , Introduction and Last chapter of the same book
4. THE HINDU, Big Picture of Rajya Sabha TV,  INDIANEXPRESS (MOSTLY EDITORIALS by Suhash Plashikar, Christophe Jafffrelot,Aushtosh Varhney, Surjit Bhalla, P.Chidambaram,  Meghnath Desai, Rajeshwari Deshpande,Bibek Debroy, Talveen Singh.Pratap Bhanu Mehta)

This section is dynamic in nature and gives a scope for incorporating current affairs. Rather than just reading the books lots of question can be answered from Current affairs. Use maximum indian Scholars in this section like Pratp Bhanu Mehta ,Suhas Palshikar, Rajeshwari Deshpande, Aushutosh Varshney,Talveen Singh etc.  It fetches more marks when you write answers in analysis rather than just writing views of scholars. Write you view first and support it by scholars. Incorporate the Supreme courts judgments wherever possible, Speeches of President, Prime minister specially in question on Federalism, Caste ,Religion etc.

Paper 2  Part-A

1. Shubra Ranjan ma’am notes. Key concept in IR is explained very well in Ma’am notes. It was my primary source for this section.
2. IGNOU notes for comparative politics.
3. Unique Academy notes by Tukaram Jadhav sir.  Specially for Comparative politics, Political parties, pressure groups and social movements in advanced industrial and developing societies.
4. The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations by Baylis and Smith Specially for topics like- Regionalisation of World Politics: EU, ASEAN, APEC, SAARC, NAFTA.

Contemporary Global Concerns: Democracy, human rights, environment, gender justice, terrorism, nuclear proliferation. United Nations: Envisaged role and actual record; specialized UN agencies-aims and functioning; need for UN reforms , World capitalist economy and globalisation.

5. The Hindu and INDIAN EXPRESS ARTICLES

This section is also a dynamic in nature. Use current examples in answer. For eg if Question is on globalization of world capitalist economy then put its impact on African Countries. If Question is on regionalization of world politics then Put examples of European Union or ASEAN etc. Make answer dynamic by giving current happenings .

Paper 2, Part-B

1. Rajiv Sikris book Challenge and Strategy: Rethinking India’s Foreign Policy
2. David Malones book Does Elephant Dance
3. Shubra Ranjan ma’am notes
4. THE HINDU, Big Picture of Rajya Sabha TV,  INDIANEXPRESS, The Diplomat. Focus on Articles of Suhsini Haidar,  C.RajaMohan, Rakesh Sood, S.D.Muni, Harsh.v.Pant, Brahma Chellaney, Meera Shankar, Pratap Bhanu Mehta, MJ Akbar, Rajiv Sikri. From Big picture views of Harsh Pant, Kanwal Sibbal, Ahok Sajjanhar,Vivek Katju, s.Jaishankar, Dhruv Jaishankar,

This section is most dynamic in nature as compared to others. Question in this section seems similar to GS paper2  Ir question. However answers should not look like as Gs answers. Put scholars name while writing bilateral relation between India and other countries. Wherever possible quote statement External minister, Foreign Secretary etc. Make notes of this section to take track of bilateral relation and current happening in IR. I have made a note book and made seprate sections like India and South Asia, India- Major Powers,  India-USA, and write as per current happening In that section. It Will help a lot in revision.

This is the general strategy I have followed in PSIR. This write-up may help in your PSIR preparation. All the best.