Hey aspirant!

First of all the Optional is PSIR, Political Science and International Relations.You don't have to just study Political Science sub subjects like Comparative Politics, Political Theory,Western Political Thought,etc. but also International Relations.

Advantages of Political Science as Optional

i.Definitely going to help you in not just mains but also in prelims.

ii.Indian Polity is very important part of prelims and you can easily prepare for both Prelims and Mains at the same time.

iii.General Studies Paper II has most questions of Polity and Governance.

iv.It is a social science subject,so you can easily mug up some facts if you don't understand it. ie.Political Science is a non- technical subject like Physics, Mathematics,etc.

v.Sources (Books and Notes)are easily available.

vi.Some topics like feminism, liberalism, democracy,rights, duties is also a part of General Studies Paper-I.

vii.You will get to learn a lot in current affairs due to international relations as your Optional.


Disadvantages of Political Science as Optional

i.Syllabus is vast in comparison to sociology, anthropology etc. and there is no debate about it.

ii.International Relations is just something which changes daily.So,you need to keep eyes on different International news.


Get to know more about UPSC CSE here-

https://competition.careers360.com/exams/upsc-civil-services-exam



I hope this answer helps you!

Feel free to ask if you have any more queries.

All the best aspirant!