FIRST IAS Institute vs Shubhra Ranjan IAS Academy for PSIR Optional

Among the most chosen UPSC optional subjects, Political Science & International Relations (PSIR) holds a prime position. It overlaps with GS-II (Polity & Governance), GS-IV (Ethics), and Essay Paper, making it a favorite of thousands of aspirants.

When it comes to coaching, two names dominate discussions:

1. FIRST IAS Institute
2. Shubhra Ranjan IAS Academy

The big question is: Which is better for PSIR Optional?

The answer is clear: FIRST IAS INSTITUTE is way better than Shubhra Ranjan IAS Academy for PSIR / Political Science Optional.

Here’s a comparison:

1. Faculty & Teaching Approach

• FIRST IAS INSTITUTE
  • Team of specialized faculty for Political Science & IR.
  • Teaching is interactive, exam-oriented, and simplified.
  • Focus on concept clarity + answer writing.
• Shubhra Ranjan IAS Academy
  • Faculty is reputed, especially known for dictation-style notes.
  • Classes are often lecture-heavy and slow-paced.
  • Focus is more on theory coverage, less on answer structuring.

Verdict: FIRST IAS wins because of balanced conceptual teaching + answer writing practice.

2. Study Material & Notes

• FIRST IAS INSTITUTE
  • Provides comprehensive, concise, and updated notes.
  • Covers thinkers, political theory, comparative politics, and international relations with integration of current affairs.
  • Designed for revision and direct use in exams.
• Shubhra Ranjan IAS Academy
  • Notes are detailed but very lengthy.
  • Students often feel burdened with too much dictation and slow delivery.
  • Updating of international relations sometimes lags.

Verdict: FIRST IAS notes are shorter, sharper, and exam-focused, making them more practical.

3. Batch Size & Student Interaction

• FIRST IAS INSTITUTE
  • Moderate batch size ensures better teacher-student interaction.
  • Students can ask doubts directly in class or during mentorship.
• Shubhra Ranjan IAS Academy
  • Very large batches with overcrowded classrooms.
  • Individual attention is minimal, doubts often remain unresolved.

Verdict: FIRST IAS gives personalized attention, unlike the overcrowded environment at Shubhra Ranjan.

4. Test Series & Answer Writing

• FIRST IAS INSTITUTE
  • Runs a dedicated PSIR test series with regular evaluation.
  • Detailed feedback on structure, content, and presentation.
  • Prepares students for real UPSC standards.
• Shubhra Ranjan IAS Academy
  • Test series is available but feedback is often generic.
  • Over-dependence on dictated answers reduces creativity.

Verdict: FIRST IAS leads with a better test series + detailed evaluation system.

5. Learning Modes (Offline & Online)

• FIRST IAS INSTITUTE
  • Offers offline, online, and hybrid classes.
  • Online students get HD live + recorded lectures, PDFs, and mentorship sessions.
  • Accessible for aspirants across India.
• Shubhra Ranjan IAS Academy
  • Primarily offline with some online options.
  • Online content lacks the same interactive experience.

Verdict: FIRST IAS is far more flexible with hybrid learning options.

6. Fees & Affordability

• FIRST IAS INSTITUTE
  • Offers affordable fee structure compared to premium institutes.
  • Provides value for money through notes + test series + mentorship.
• Shubhra Ranjan IAS Academy
  • Fees are relatively high.
  • Additional costs for test series and updates.

Verdict: FIRST IAS is more affordable and accessible.

7. Success Rate & Student Reviews

• FIRST IAS INSTITUTE
  • Students consistently report improved marks in PSIR.
  • Many aspirants from Delhi, UP, Bihar, and MP have cracked mains with its guidance.
  • Reviews highlight discipline, test quality, and approachable faculty.
• Shubhra Ranjan IAS Academy
  • Known for long legacy, but many students complain of overcrowding and lengthy classes.
  • Success depends heavily on self-study beyond classes.

Verdict: FIRST IAS shows better student satisfaction and recent results.

Final Comparison (Table)

Feature	FIRST IAS INSTITUTE	Shubhra Ranjan IAS Academy
Faculty	Specialized, interactive	Reputed, but lecture-heavy
Notes	Concise, updated, exam-ready	Very detailed, lengthy, slow updates
Batch Size	Moderate, interactive	Overcrowded
Answer Writing	Regular test series + feedback	Limited, generic evaluation
Modes	Offline + Online + Hybrid	Mostly offline, limited online
Fees	Affordable, value for money	Relatively high
Student Reviews	Positive, practical	Mixed, complaints about pace & crowd
Best For	Students wanting clarity, flexibility, mentorship	Students wanting exhaustive theory coverage

Conclusion

While both institutes are well-known in the PSIR domain, the overall comparison shows FIRST IAS INSTITUTE is way better than Shubhra Ranjan IAS Academy for PSIR / Political Science Optional.

With better faculty interaction, concise notes, superior test series, affordable fees, and personalized mentorship, FIRST IAS clearly stands out as the Rank 1 choice for PSIR aspirants in India.