PSIR EDGE:
Your Edge in UPSC Mains
Why Political Science & International Relations (PSIR) for UPSC Mains?
Political Science & International Relations (PSIR) continues to be one of the most rewarding optional subjects in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. With a clear and concise syllabus, conceptual depth, and strong overlap with General Studies—especially GS Paper II, GS Paper IV, and the Essay—PSIR allows aspirants to streamline their preparation and gain an academic edge.
PSIR sharpens analytical thinking, improves articulation, and builds a strong understanding of governance, political theory, and international relations—essential not just for the exam, but also for future roles in public administration. Importantly, the subject remains manageable for students from both humanities and non-humanities backgrounds, thanks to its logical and relatively static nature.
PSIR Edge by Clodia Saabi Poudia, an affiliate institute of UPSCHacks, is India’s only platform fully dedicated to UPSC PSIR preparation. Our specialized programs are designed with a singular focus: to help aspirants master PSIR with depth, clarity, and confidence. With expert mentorship, strategic answer-writing practice, and in-depth analysis of previous years’ trends, we provide an unmatched learning ecosystem tailored exclusively for PSIR.
Whether you clear the exam or pursue alternate career paths, PSIR equips you with a long-term intellectual foundation—ideal for careers in governance, policy-making, academia, international organizations, and think tanks.
At PSIR Edge, we don’t just teach a subject—we shape thinkers and future leaders.
Know your mentor
Ms. Clodia Saabi Poudia is a distinguished educator and mentor with deep expertise in Political Science and International Relations (PSIR). A gold medalist in both her undergraduate and postgraduate studies, she is also a recipient of the prestigious UGC Rank Holders Scholarship—reflecting her academic excellence. Her multidisciplinary background, with additional Master’s degrees in Economics and Gandhian Thought, brings rare analytical depth and a holistic perspective to her teaching.
With over a decade of UPSC-focused teaching experience and her current role as Assistant Professor at IGNOU, Ms. Poudia combines academic scholarship with practical strategy. Having appeared for the UPSC Civil Services Examination herself, she understands the demands of the exam from both a mentor’s and an aspirant’s perspective. This dual insight allows her to guide students with clarity, precision, and empathy.
A Personalized Mentorship Approach
What sets Ms. Poudia apart is her unwavering commitment to individual mentorship. She believes that success in UPSC requires more than generic guidance, which is why she offers tailored strategies, detailed feedback, and one-on-one sessions. Every answer in the PSIR Answer Writing program is personally evaluated by her, ensuring actionable insights into structure, content, and analytical depth.
For her students, mentorship is not just academic—it is a shared intellectual journey. She fosters an environment of trust and critical inquiry where aspirants learn to think deeply, write meaningfully, and prepare with purpose and confidence. Under her guidance, students don’t just prepare for an exam—they build the skills and mindset needed to succeed in the UPSC CSE and beyond.
Courses
Upcoming Courses
Prelims Test Series 2026
Mains Test Series 2026
Blogs
Boost UPSC success with PSIR answer writing, PYQ analysis, AI tools, and mentor guidance—smart optional strategy for 2025-2026 preparation
A complete mentor’s guide to UPSC PSIR optional—covering smart strategies, PYQ analysis, current affairs,and answer writing techniques to maximize scores with clarity and confidence.
Master PSIR answer writing with current affairs integration, recent 2024–25 examples, structured notes, and theory-linked insights for UPSC
FAQs
What kind of courses do you offer for UPSC preparation?
We provide specialized online UPSC courses with a core emphasis on PSIR Answer Writing and mentorship. Our programs are carefully structured to strengthen conceptual clarity, enhance analytical skills, and improve answer writing techniques tailored for the UPSC Mains. With dedicated PSIR mentorship, topic-wise modules, and regular practice sessions, aspirants gain the right balance of guidance and discipline. We also integrate current affairs classes to keep your preparation aligned with UPSC’s evolving demands, ensuring you stay ahead with well-rounded and exam-focused learning.
Who evaluates the answers and provides mentorship?
All PSIR Answer Writing submissions are evaluated directly by the mentor, ensuring authenticity and uncompromised quality. Unlike platforms that outsource evaluations, we provide detailed, personalized feedback on every answer, with a focus on structure, content precision, and analytical depth. Backed by years of UPSC experience and a track record of guiding successful aspirants, the mentor offers actionable insights to make your preparation more focused and exam oriented. This one-to-one mentorship refines your writing skills, strengthens conceptual clarity, and equips you with the strategies needed to excel in the UPSC Mains.
How is the current affairs component covered in your programs?
In our programs, current affairs are not taught in isolation but integrated seamlessly into PSIR Answer Writing and mentorship sessions. We emphasize issue-based analysis, enabling you to enrich your answers with contemporary examples, government reports, and international developments. This approach ensures that your writing remains relevant, analytical, and aligned with UPSC’s evolving expectations — strengthening both your conceptual depth and exam presentation.
Is this program suitable for beginners or only advanced aspirants?
Our program is designed to benefit both beginners and advanced aspirants. For beginners, we provide foundational sessions that build conceptual clarity and gradually introduce the essentials of PSIR Answer Writing. Advanced students, on the other hand, can focus on enrichment modules, intensive practice, and test-based mentorship to fine-tune their final preparation. With a personalized approach, the mentor tailors feedback and guidance to your current level, ensuring steady progress and exam-ready confidence.
Are there any upcoming courses or batches I should know about?
Yes! We are launching targeted courses for the UPSC 2026 attempt, including PSIR Enrichment & Revision, Intensive PSIR Answer Writing for Mains 2026, Essay Masterclass, and a dedicated Current Affairs Deep Dive with integrated answer writing practice. Each program combines live and recorded classes, detailed evaluation, model answers, and exclusive strategy sessions. Enrollments for 2026 batches will open soon .
What topics are covered in your courses?
Our courses provide comprehensive coverage of both the static and dynamic aspects of the UPSC syllabus. Through the PSIR mentorship program, you gain in-depth understanding of Paper I and II, including political thinkers, theories, comparative politics, international relations, and Indian political thought. Current affairs are seamlessly integrated, with a strong focus on issue-based analysis, PYQ trends, and answer enrichment. Alongside conceptual clarity, our intensive PSIR Answer Writing practice ensures you can effectively apply knowledge in the Mains examination.
How is the current affairs component covered in your programs?
In our programs, current affairs are not treated separately but integrated directly into PSIR Answer Writing and mentorship sessions. We emphasize issue-based analysis, enabling you to strengthen your answers with contemporary examples, government committee reports, and key international developments. To keep your preparation current and exam-focused, we also provide weekly classes and curated compilations, ensuring that every answer reflects both depth and relevance for the UPSC Mains.
How much time is needed to cover PSIR effectively?
With consistent effort, the PSIR syllabus can be completed in about 4–5 months. After this, aspirants should dedicate an additional 2–3 months to consolidation and focused PSIR Answer Writing practice. This balance between conceptual coverage and regular writing ensures deeper understanding, better retention, and exam-ready performance in the UPSC Mains.
Should beginners or working professionals opt for PSIR?
Yes, PSIR is well-suited for both beginners and working professionals. Its structured syllabus and strong overlap with General Studies make it accessible even to those without a political science background. Beyond UPSC, knowledge of PSIR opens up career avenues in public policy, governance, and academia, with strong linkages to Public Administration. When combined with consistent PSIR Answer Writing practice, the subject not only strengthens your Mains preparation but also builds analytical skills valuable for diverse career paths.
What kind of coaching support should I look for in PSIR programs?
When choosing a PSIR program, it is important to look beyond generic lectures and focus on holistic support. A good course should provide a well-structured, syllabus-aligned curriculum that systematically covers every section of both papers. Equally important is regular PSIR Answer Writing practice with detailed, personalized feedback, since it is through writing that conceptual clarity is translated into exam-ready performance. Effective programs also integrate current affairs seamlessly into the subject, ensuring your answers remain relevant and contemporary. Finally, access to personalized mentorship and doubt-clearing support can make all the difference, as one-to-one guidance refines your preparation, keeps you consistent, and helps you stay aligned with UPSC’s evolving demands.
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Testimonials
The PSIR Answer Writing course and year-long mentorship with Clodia Ma’am were pivotal in my preparation. The questions were comprehensive, and her evaluations were sharp, detailed, and transformative. Her personalized mentorship gave my preparation consistency, direction, and the confidence to perform at my best."
Shivom Bharia
Deputy Collector, Gujarat Administrative Service
The Test Series 2022 was a turning point in my UPSC preparation. The questions reflected the same depth and relevance as the actual exam, while the answer keys were precise, well-structured, and enriched with current affairs—keeping my preparation aligned with UPSC’s evolving demands.
What stood out most was the evaluation. It went far beyond marking answers; the feedback sharpened my structure, improved content quality, and enhanced clarity. This consistent and insightful guidance transformed my approach to PSIR Answer Writing, helping me write with greater confidence and strategy.
I am deeply grateful to Clodia Ma’am for her mentorship, constant encouragement, and unwavering support throughout my journey."
Kartikeya Varma IPS
AIR 767 (2023)
The evaluation and content support I received during the Mains phase was exceptional. Each test came back with constructive, actionable feedback that focused not just on mistakes but on how to improve — exactly what a serious aspirant needs.
What made it even more impactful was the one-to-one attention from Clodia Ma’am. I could reach out anytime, and she always clarified my doubts without hesitation. In the final days before Mains, her timely inputs, quick reviews, and steady guidance kept my preparation sharp and focused. The structured PSIR Answer Writing Practice played a key role in keeping me exam-ready. Thanks to Clodia Ma’am for her consistent support throughout the process.”
Aditya Sachdev
RBI Manager
The PSIR Answer Writing course and year-long mentorship with Clodia Ma’am have been the most defining aspects of my UPSC journey. The questions were comprehensive, covering everything from core thinkers to contemporary developments, and her evaluations were sharp, detailed, and improvement focused. Her insights on structure, arguments, and substantiation transformed my approach to answer writing and helped me qualify for the UPSC interview stage in three successive attempts.
Even though I have not yet secured a final rank, the mentorship has given me consistency, direction, and the confidence to persevere. As I prepare again this year, I carry forward the analytical rigor, refined writing skills, and strategic clarity built through Clodia Ma’am’s guidance.
Krishna Chaudhary
UPSC interview 2022,23,24
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