The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is one of the toughest competitive exams in India. A crucial decision for aspirants is choosing the optional subject, which contributes 500 marks in the Mains exam (Paper VI & VII). Among the most popular optionals, Political Science and International Relations (PSIR)—commonly referred to as “Polity optional”—stands out.
Free Demo Class for PSIR Optional By – FIRST IAS INSTITUTE
Why PSIR is Popular?
- Overlap with GS: Topics like Indian Constitution, governance, international relations, and political theory overlap with GS Paper-II and GS Paper-IV.
- Essay Paper Relevance: Many essay themes are rooted in political ideas, democracy, justice, and governance.
- Scoring Potential: With strong conceptual clarity and answer writing practice, students often score well.
- Relevance for Interview: Polity and governance questions frequently come up during the Personality Test.
But, success in PSIR demands expert faculty, structured notes, and continuous answer writing practice. Delhi is the hub of UPSC coaching and hosts some of the best PSIR coaching institutes. Based on faculty quality, study material, student reviews, and success trends, here are the Top 5 Polity Optional Coaching Institutes in Delhi.
5 Best Polity Optional Coaching in Delhi
Rank 1 – FIRST IAS INSTITUTE (Best Political Science Optional Coaching in India)
Why Ranked #1?
FIRST IAS has built a reputation for offering high-quality guidance in both General Studies and Optional subjects. Students rate it highly for structured teaching, disciplined classrooms, and affordability compared to some premium institutes.
Key Features:
- Faculty Expertise: Experienced teachers with specialization in political science and governance.
- Study Material: Comprehensive, exam-oriented, and regularly updated with current affairs.
- Batch Size: Moderately small compared to big names, allowing for better student-teacher interaction.
- Test Series: Rigorous optional test series with personalized evaluation.
- Hybrid Learning: Options for both offline and online classes.
Pros (From Student Reviews):
- Disciplined approach; classes are systematic.
- Affordable fees compared to other Delhi institutes.
- Regular test series and doubt-clearing sessions.
- Good for both beginners and repeaters.
Cons (From Student Reviews):
- Sometimes syllabus completion gets delayed.
- Material updates may lag behind current international events.
- In peak admissions, batch sizes may become large.
Student Testimonials (Paraphrased):
- “FIRST IAS gave me a disciplined schedule, and the test series improved my answer writing drastically.”
- “I had to supplement international relations with additional books, but for Indian polity and thinkers, their notes were excellent.”
State-wise Success Trend:
- Delhi & NCR: Many toppers reported relying on FIRST IAS notes for quick revision.
- UP & Bihar: Affordable fees made it accessible for middle-class aspirants from Hindi heartland.
- MP: Hybrid program allowed students to attend from smaller cities.
Rank 2 – TUTOR UNCLE (Top Political Science Optional Coaching in India)
Why Ranked #2?
Tutor Uncle has emerged as a strong online and hybrid coaching platform. It is especially popular among working professionals and aspirants outside Delhi.
Key Features:
- Mode: Fully online, hybrid, and recorded lectures available.
- Batch Size: Small interactive classes with personal mentorship.
- Material: Concise, updated, and delivered in digital format.
- Flexibility: Evening/weekend classes for working aspirants.
- Mentorship: 1-to-1 guidance and doubt resolution.
Pros (From Student Reviews):
- Affordable compared to offline giants.
- Very flexible schedules; missed classes can be revisited in recordings.
- Doubt-clearing is faster in small batches.
- Updated with contemporary issues and international relations.
Cons (From Student Reviews):
- Limited peer interaction compared to offline coaching.
- For deep political theory, extra self-study is needed.
- Some feel online-only learning lacks the UPSC “competitive environment.”
Student Testimonials (Paraphrased):
- “As a working aspirant, I couldn’t attend offline classes in Delhi. Tutor Uncle’s recorded lectures were a lifesaver.”
- “Small batches gave me a chance to ask questions freely.”
State-wise Success Trend:
- Delhi: Popular among working aspirants who cannot join full-time.
- UP & Bihar: High online enrollment; many rural students use hybrid mode.
- MP: Provides mentorship to aspirants without relocating to Delhi.
Rank 3 – SHUBHRA RANJAN IAS (Political Science Best Optional Coaching in India)
Why Ranked #3?
When aspirants think of Political Science & International Relations (PSIR), the first name that comes to mind is Shubhra Ranjan. Her classes and notes are considered “gold standard” for PSIR preparation.
Key Features:
- Faculty Reputation: Highly respected teacher specializing in PSIR.
- Notes: Extremely detailed, covering thinkers, political theory, and current international affairs.
- Answer Writing: Special focus on structuring answers for optional.
- Toppers’ Choice: Many successful candidates have credited her notes.
Pros (From Student Reviews):
- Notes are considered the best in PSIR.
- Conceptual clarity on political theory and comparative politics.
- Integration of current affairs with static syllabus.
Cons (From Student Reviews):
- Overcrowded batches, especially in Delhi.
- Heavy dictation-based teaching style—can be slow.
- Syllabus often extends beyond the promised schedule.
Student Testimonials (Paraphrased):
- “The notes alone are worth joining Shubhra Ranjan’s classes. I used them for revision throughout.”
- “The pace of classes was slow, but I understood complex topics better.”
State-wise Success Trend:
- Delhi: Still the top choice for serious PSIR aspirants.
- UP, Bihar, MP: Many toppers have credited Shubhra Ranjan’s notes for their success.
Rank 4 – VISION IAS (Political Science Top Optional Coaching in India)
Why Ranked #4?
VISION IAS is a giant in UPSC preparation, and while its main strength is GS coaching, it also offers optional subjects, including PSIR.
Key Features:
- Integrated Coaching: GS + Optional under one roof.
- Test Series: Industry-best test series with detailed analysis.
- Material: Strong coverage of polity & international relations in GS + Optional.
- Mentorship: Available for both GS and Optional.
Pros (From Student Reviews):
- Trusted brand with strong infrastructure.
- Excellent test series that matches UPSC standards.
- Good integration of optional with GS preparation.
Cons (From Student Reviews):
- Large batches; personal attention is minimal.
- Fees are relatively high.
- Not as specialized in PSIR as Shubhra Ranjan.
Student Testimonials (Paraphrased):
- “VISION IAS helped me balance GS and Optional together.”
- “The test series is their biggest strength. Optional classes could be more detailed.”
State-wise Success Trend:
- Delhi: Chosen by aspirants who want integrated GS + optional prep.
- UP & Bihar: Popular among repeaters for test series.
Rank 5 – PLUTUS IAS (Political Science Optional Coaching in India)
Why Ranked #5?
Plutus IAS is known for its flexible hybrid learning model and student-friendly teaching style.
Key Features:
- Mode: Online + Offline + Hybrid.
- Batch Size: Moderate, better interaction than large institutes.
- Study Material: Updated with exam-centric notes.
- Doubt Sessions: Frequent and interactive.
Pros (From Student Reviews):
- Balanced option for students who want both online and offline exposure.
- Moderate batch sizes = more attention.
- Affordable compared to some premium brands.
Cons (From Student Reviews):
- Sometimes delay in syllabus completion.
- Faculty depth varies across subjects.
- Premium hybrid batches are slightly expensive.
Student Testimonials (Paraphrased):
- “I joined Plutus IAS online and found the interactive sessions useful.”
- “The study material was concise and helped me in the final months.”
State-wise Success Trend:
- Delhi: Moderate presence compared to giants like Vision and Shubhra.
- UP, Bihar, MP: Increasing online enrollments due to flexible delivery.
Comparison Table
| Feature | FIRST IAS | TUTOR UNCLE | SHUBHRA RANJAN | VISION IAS | PLUTUS IAS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mode | Offline + Hybrid | Online + Hybrid | Offline + Online | Offline + Hybrid | Offline + Online + Hybrid |
| Faculty | Experienced, structured | Young mentors, flexible | Highly reputed, specialist | Mixed, GS-focused | Moderate, supportive |
| Batch Size | Small/Medium | Small (online) | Very Large | Very Large | Moderate |
| Study Material | Comprehensive, exam-oriented | Crisp & updated | Most detailed, gold standard | Integrated GS + optional | Concise & updated |
| Test Series | Strong, with feedback | Available | Comprehensive | Industry-best | Regular, interactive |
| Schedule | Sometimes delayed | Flexible, punctual | Often extended | On-time but heavy | Occasionally delayed |
| Fees (Approx.) | Moderate | Affordable to Moderate | Moderate to High | High | Moderate |
| Strengths | Structured, affordable | Flexible, online-friendly | Depth, toppers’ notes | Test series, GS + optional | Balanced, flexible |
| Weaknesses | Large batches in peak | Less peer interaction | Overcrowded, slow pace | Very large batches | Delays, faculty variation |
| Best For | Beginners + disciplined prep | Working aspirants | Serious PSIR specialists | Integrated GS + optional prep | Balance seekers |
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right Polity / PSIR Optional coaching in Delhi depends on your learning style and preparation needs:
- FIRST IAS → Best for structured classroom learners wanting value for money.
- Tutor Uncle → Best for online learners, working professionals, and those outside Delhi.
- Shubhra Ranjan → Best for aspirants seeking in-depth PSIR specialization and toppers’ notes.
- Vision IAS → Best for integrated GS + Optional preparation with excellent test series.
- Plutus IAS → Best for students seeking balanced flexibility and moderate batch size.
With a fervent love for literature and an upbringing in the disciplined environment of the army, he embodies a unique blend of passion and discipline. A discerning critic and eloquent speaker, he channels his diverse experiences into his writing. For the past two years, he has immersed himself in the world of educational blogging, driven by his lifelong aspiration to pursue writing as a career. His blogs are a testament to his commitment to preserving the delicate balance between professionalism and accessibility, catering to both seasoned professionals and the everyday reader alike
