The UPSC Civil Services Mains examination is a marathon, not a sprint. By the time aspirants reach the Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) optional papers, they have already battled through the Essay and four GS papers. Mental exhaustion is natural. Yet, it is often the optional subject that acts as the final rank-decider.
For thousands of candidates who pin their hopes on PSIR, strategy matters as much as knowledge. At this stage, there is no luxury of studying new material. It is about consolidation, revision, answer writing discipline, and most importantly, maintaining the right frame of mind. Sai Bhargava, an IRMS officer and alumnus of La Excellence, who later guided students as a mentor, shared a crisp yet powerful “last five-day strategy” for PSIR aspirants. His words reflect the essence of smart preparation: maximize marks, minimize stress, and stay exam-ready.
In this blog, we unpack his eight-point plan, integrate it with practical insights, and frame a roadmap to help you finish strong.
1. Don’t Read New Material – Trust Your Preparation
The greatest temptation in the last week before Mains is to chase new notes, model answers, or resources shared by peers. Bhargava cautions against this. The final five days are about sharpening your weapons, not forging new ones.
Reading unfamiliar material at this point risks creating confusion, disrupting your recall, and shaking your confidence. Instead, focus exclusively on resources you’ve already read, revised, and internalized. Remember, UPSC rewards clarity and consolidation, not scattered information.
2. Revise the Entire Syllabus Twice
PSIR has a vast syllabus spanning Western political thought, Indian political system, comparative politics, international relations, and global institutions. Bhargava’s advice: cover it all twice in these last five days.
This might sound overwhelming, but it is achievable if approached smartly:
- Break the syllabus into modules (Political Theory, Indian Politics, Comparative Politics, IR).
- Allocate slots (e.g., 2 days for Paper I, 2 days for Paper II, final day for overall brush-up).
- Revise actively, not passively – underline, make margin notes, and mentally recall thinkers while revisiting.
Two rounds of revision give a psychological edge. On exam day, you enter the hall knowing you’ve brushed every corner of the syllabus recently.
3. Maintain “Keyword Sheets” for Quick Recall
One of the most effective strategies Bhargava suggests is creating mini short notes in the last lap. While revising, note down:
- Keywords and phrases that you often forget.
- Scholars, thinkers, and their seminal works.
- Key Supreme Court cases and landmark political events.
- Contemporary examples that can enrich answers.
By Saturday evening (after language papers), you will have just a few sheets summarizing the syllabus. Carry these with you mentally—they act as your “booster dose” before PSIR papers.
4. Daily Answer Writing Practice (3–5 Answers)
Revision alone isn’t enough. UPSC Mains is about writing within time limits. Bhargava emphasizes writing 3–5 answers daily under exam-like conditions.
The benefits are twofold:
- You train your brain to recall scholars, keywords, and structure quickly.
- You build stamina to sustain two PSIR papers of three hours each.
Don’t worry about writing full-length tests. Instead, simulate exam pressure by setting a timer, writing answers on paper, and reviewing them critically. This routine keeps your pen moving and your mind alert.
5. Brainstorm Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Bhargava highlights one underrated tool: brainstorming PYQs for at least two hours daily. Importantly, this doesn’t mean writing all answers in full.
Instead:
- Pick a question, note down 5–6 points you’d include in the introduction, body, and conclusion.
- Recall relevant scholars or examples.
- Check if you can connect it with other parts of the syllabus.
This exercise builds agility. When you face a question in the exam hall, your brain will already be wired to quickly generate a framework.
6. Stay Positive – Forget About GS Papers
By the time PSIR papers arrive, candidates often carry baggage from GS. “Paper II didn’t go well,” “Essay was weak,” “I missed one question”—these thoughts can derail your focus.
Bhargava’s advice is simple: compartmentalize. Treat PSIR as a fresh challenge, not a continuation of GS. Walk into the exam hall with energy, optimism, and self-belief.
A positive state of mind not only reduces anxiety but also makes your writing more structured, confident, and impactful.
7. List Topics as per Syllabus – Revise Diligently
UPSC PSIR questions are always framed within the official syllabus. Hence, your revision should mirror the structure of the syllabus.
- Make a checklist of topics (e.g., Plato → Aristotle → Marx → Rawls in Paper I).
- For each, recall 2–3 scholars, 1–2 contemporary examples, and core theories.
- Tick them off once revised.
This way, your preparation stays systematic. You ensure no blind spots, and the syllabus itself becomes your guiding compass.
8. Recollect Scholars While Brainstorming
What differentiates an average PSIR answer from a top-scoring one? Scholarly backing.
- A question on democracy is stronger if you quote Robert Dahl.
- A discussion on justice shines with Rawls or Amartya Sen.
- International relations answers gain depth when citing Kenneth Waltz, Morgenthau, or Hedley Bull.
Bhargava insists: while brainstorming PYQs, practice recalling at least one scholar for each major theme. This not only elevates your answer quality but also demonstrates mastery to the examiner.
Writing Effective PSIR Answers – The Golden Rules
Beyond the last five-day routine, Bhargava outlines three golden rules for writing PSIR answers:
- Read the Question Properly
- Many aspirants rush to write without dissecting the demand. Always underline keywords, identify whether it’s analytical, descriptive, or critical, and tailor your structure accordingly.
- Stick to a Time Plan
- Enter the exam hall with a strategy: how many minutes for 10 markers, 15 markers, and 20 markers. Practice this beforehand to avoid last-minute panic.
- Keep it Simple but Scholarly
- Use clear, concise language. Weave in scholars naturally. Begin with a crisp introduction, end with a reflective conclusion, and wherever possible, add contemporary examples—be it India’s foreign policy, constitutional amendments, or global events like climate negotiations.
The examiner should feel that you are not just reproducing theory but connecting it with today’s world.
The Final Word: Turning Exhaustion into Opportunity
UPSC Mains is a grueling journey, but PSIR can become your strength if approached wisely. Sai Bhargava’s last five-day strategy is not about working harder but about working smarter. It’s about trusting your preparation, revising with precision, writing with discipline, and walking in with confidence.
Remember, at this stage:
- Clarity beats quantity.
- Consistency beats cramming.
- Confidence beats doubt.
As Bhargava rightly reminds, PSIR is not just another subject—it is often the final rank-decider. A disciplined approach in the last lap can push your score from average to exceptional, transforming your dream into reality.
For more such preparation strategies, you can read here: https://laex.in/category/preparation-strategy/
La Excellence IAS Academy, the best IAS coaching in Hyderabad, known for delivering quality content and conceptual clarity for UPSC 2025 preparation.
▶️ FOLLOW US ON:
◉ Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/@CivilsPrepTeam
◉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaExcellenceIAS
◉ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laexcellenceiasacademy/
▶️ GET IN TOUCH:
Contact us at info@laex.in, https://laex.in/contact-us/
or Call us @ +91 9052 29 2929, +91 9052 99 2929, +91 9154 24 2140
▶️ OUR BRANCHES:
Head Office: H No: 1-10-225A, Beside AEVA Fertility Center, Ashok Nagar Extension, VV Giri Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, 500020
Madhapur: Flat no: 301, survey no 58-60, Guttala begumpet Madhapur metro pillar : 1524, Rangareddy Hyderabad, Telangana 500081
Bangalore: Plot No: 99, 2nd floor, 80 Feet Road, Beside Poorvika Mobiles, Chandra Layout, Attiguppe, Near Vijaya Nagara, Bengaluru, 560040
