Decoding SC, ST, OBC Reservations in India, Ambedkar, Caste Census vs. Religion

Enrollment Link for General Studies (Prelims + Mains + Interviews) : https://rzp.io/rzp/ScYjRcU

For Optional Political Science and IR : https://rzp.io/l/j77C0OmX

For Optional Subject (Political Science & International Relations) :

Revised Strategy for Scoring *300+ Marks in PSIR Optional*

#### *PSIR Syllabus Overview*

The PSIR optional for UPSC consists of **two papers**:

**Paper I**: Political Theory and Indian Politics
**Paper II**: Comparative Politics and International Relations

Each paper is worth *250 marks**, making it a total of **500 marks**. Here's the syllabus breakdown and a tailored strategy using **Misfits IFS 7 Seasons* as your **primary resource**.

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*Paper I: Political Theory and Indian Politics*

#### *Section A: Political Theory and Thinkers*
**Core Themes**: Political ideologies, theories of the state, justice, rights, democracy, and power.
**Key Thinkers**: Marx, Gandhi, Ambedkar, Arendt, Tagore, Nehru, Sri Aurobindo.
**Key Topics**: Normative vs Behavioral approaches, Liberalism, Marxism, and Feminism.

#### *Section B: Indian Politics*
**Core Themes**: Constitution, federalism, judiciary, caste, religion, ethnicity, social movements.
**Key Topics**: Preamble, fundamental rights, Directive Principles, federal structure, parliamentary system, and development politics.

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*Paper II: Comparative Politics and International Relations*

#### *Section A: Comparative Politics*
**Core Themes**: Political systems, theories of state, globalization, political institutions.
**Key Topics**: State sovereignty, political culture, democratization, and development.

#### *Section B: International Relations*
**Core Themes**: Global governance, India’s foreign policy, global terrorism, climate change.
**Key Topics**: NAM, Cold War, multipolarity, nuclear diplomacy, WTO, IMF reforms.

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*Key Strategy to Score 300+*

#### *1. RELY ENTIRELY ON MISFITS IFS (7 SEASONS)*
*Focus Exclusively* on the 7 seasons of Misfits IFS, which comprehensively cover the syllabus in a structured manner.
*Revising Misfits Notes* multiple times will reduce over-dependence on scattered materials and save time.
Each session of Misfits provides:
Thinkers explained with contemporary relevance.
Application of concepts in Indian and global politics.
Structured insights into the comparative and international relations sections.

#### *2. Revise, Revise, Revise*
Avoid referring to too many external sources. Stick to what has been taught in *Misfits IFS* and **revise thoroughly**.
Key is mastery, not material overload. Revise your class notes and attempt answer writing multiple times.

#### *3. Answer Writing Practice*
Use the framework provided in Misfits classes for answer structuring:
**Introduction**: Define the concept or present a background.
**Body**: Explain using examples (historical and contemporary), critiques, and perspectives.
**Conclusion**: End with a balanced view or futuristic outlook.
Aim to practice at least *10-15 mock tests* to ensure speed and clarity.

#### *4. Build Contemporary Relevance*
Use contemporary examples and global parallels discussed in Misfits to strengthen your answers. Examples like:
*Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.* for civil rights.
*Cold War and US-China relations* for balance of power.

#### *5. Stick to Simplified Concepts*
Avoid overcomplicating. Misfits IFS simplifies complex topics like Marxism, globalization, and Indian federalism into digestible points.

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*Avoid Overloading with Material*
Resist the temptation to read everything under the sun. *Misfits IFS 7 Seasons* already cover the syllabus comprehensively.
Complement your preparation with:
*Daily Current Affairs* (linked to PSIR).
*UPSC Previous Year Papers* for trends.

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*The Misfits Advantage*
By following Misfits IFS exclusively, you will:
Gain a solid conceptual understanding of the entire syllabus.
Build the ability to link theories with real-world examples.
Master the art of answer writing with practical insights and critiques.

#### *The Goal: Revise and Refine*
By focusing entirely on *Misfits IFS**, coupled with multiple revisions and focused answer writing, you can comfortably target **300+ marks* in PSIR optional!