PSIR Optional Test Series & Mentorship Program for UPSC CSE 2026 | Cover PSIR syllabus through tests
logotype

GET IN TOUCH

Please enter a 10-digit phone number.

Course Fee

₹ 12,000 + GST

LevelUp IAS’s PSIR Ascend Test Series & Mentorship Program for UPSC CSE 2026 offers a comprehensive and structured approach to mastering the PSIR Optional syllabus through 20 meticulously designed tests and extensive mentoring, aiming to enhance answer writing skills and conceptual clarity for aspirants.

” Convert your UPSC PSIR Optional knowledge into marks that will get you a top rank in UPSC 2026 “

Why you must enroll in the UPSC PSIR Ascend program?

Comprehensive course coverage and value addition:

  • Through four tests for each section of Paper 1 and Paper 2.
  • Value addition and contemporary topics provided and discussed in class.

UPSC-level Tests and time-bound evaluation:

  • Total 18 Tests: 16 Sectional Tests: Each worth 120 Marks.
  • 2 Comprehensive Tests: Each worth 250 Marks.
  • Tests based on PYQs and UPSC’s trend.
  • Tests evaluated within 10 days.

One-to-One Discussion and Mentoring:

  • Personalised feedback sessions after test evaluation.
  • Chandan sir will discuss each and every question from the test 1-1 with you.
  • Best approach and shortcomings will be discussed and shared.

Test Discussion Classes:

  • Available in both Online and Offline modes.
  • Detailed answer structure & content provided. 

Conceptual clarity & filling critical gaps in PSIR syllabus coverage

  • Gain conceptual clarity.
  • Understanding question demand and improving answer structuring.
  • Learn the art of answer writing.

Target 300+ in PSIR Optional

  • Learn the skills to convert knowledge to marks.
  • From basics to advanced level answer writing.
  • Improve the quality of your answers.

Program Details

Delivery Modes

Course Fee

Online / Offline Mode: ₹ 12,000 + GST

Got questions? Let's talk!

Fill out the form & connect 1-1 with us

ADMISSION CLOSED

PSIR Ascend Test Series & Mentorship Program

Course Fee

   Offline / Online Mode: ₹ 12,000(Including GST)

Got questions? Let's talk!

Fill out the form & connect 1-1 with us

Learn the art of scoring 300+ in PSIR Optional

You should enrol for this program if?

  • You have completed the syllabus already or have written mains but get stuck in 220-240s marks range.
  • You are preparing PSIR through self-study and want to start PSIR answer writing.
  • You want to attain conceptual clarity and fill critical gaps and learn skills to apply knowledge effectively.
  • If you want to score 300+ in PSIR optional.

What can you expect at the end of this program?

  • Enhanced answer writing skills tailored to UPSC standards.
  • Comprehensive understanding of the PSIR syllabus.
  • Timely and constructive feedback through evaluated tests.
  • Improved ability to integrate contemporary issues into answers.
  • Personalised mentoring to address individual doubts and improve strategies.
  • Structured preparation leading to improved performance in UPSC Mains 2026.

Features

Schedule

Note

Refund Policy

  • Total 18 Tests (16 Sectional+ 02 Comprehensive)
    • Each sectional Test- 120 Marks.
    • Each Comprehensive Test-250 Marks
  • Comprehensive syllabus coverage through four tests of each section of both Papers.
  • Test Discussion Classes (Online/Offline) & Model Answers to be provided.
  • Evaluation within 10 days.
  • Flexible answer submission time.
  • Additional Lectures and content on contemporary topics to be provided.
  • One-to-One discussion and mentoring after evaluation.
  • Focus on understanding the question demand and improving the structuring of the answer.

NOTE: Around 50% of the questions will be from the PYQs to ensure PYQs based preparation.

PSIR Ascend Test Series Schedule - 2026

Date

Test

Syllabus

16-11-2025

Test-1

Western Political Thought: Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, John S. Mill, Marx, Gramsci, Hannah Arendt

23-11-2025

Test-2

Indian Political Thought: Dharmashastra, Arthashastra, and Buddhist Traditions; Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Sri Aurobindo, M. K. Gandhi, B. R. Ambedkar, M. N. Roy.

Political Ideologies: Liberalism, Socialism, Marxism, Fascism, Gandhism and Feminism

30-11-2025

Test-3

Theories of state: Liberal, Neo-liberal, Marxist, Pluralist, Post-colonial, and Feminist.

Democracy: Classical and contemporary theories; different models of democracy—representative, participatory and deliberative.

07-12-2025

Test-4

Political Theory: meaning and approaches;

Political Theories: Justice, Equality, Rights, Concept of power.

14-12-2025

Test-5

Strategies of freedom struggle, Perspectives on National Movement, Making of Indian Constitution and its salient features

21-12-2025

Test-6

Principal organs of Union and state governments, Judiciary, statutory Institutions; federalism;

28-12-2025

Test-7

Planning & Economic Development, Green Revolution, Economic reforms; Grassroot democracy;

04-01-2026

Test-8

Caste, religions and Ethnicity in Indian politics; Party System, Pressure groups, changing profile of legislators; Social Movements

11-01-2026

Test-9

Full Length Test- Paper I

18-01-2026

Test-10

Comparative Politics: Nature and major approaches; Limitations of the comparative method.

State in Comparative Perspective: Characteristics and changing nature of the State in capitalist and socialist economies, and advanced industrial and developing societies.

Politics of Representation and Participation: Political parties, pressure groups and social movements in advanced industrial and developing societies.

25-01-2026

Test-11

Globalisation: Responses from developed and developing societies.

Approaches to the Study of International Relations: Idealist, Realist, Marxist, Functionalist and Systems theory.

Key Concepts in International Relations: National interest, security and power; Balance of power and deterrence; Transnational actors and collective security; World capitalist economy and globalisation.

01-02-2026

Test-12

Changing International Political Order:
(a) Rise of superpowers; Strategic and ideological Bipolarity, arms race and cold war; Nuclear threat;
(b) Non-aligned movement: Aims and achievements.
(c) Collapse of the Soviet Union; Unipolarity and American hegemony; Relevance of non-alignment in the contemporary world. 

Evolution of the International Economic System: From Bretton woods to WTO; Socialist economies and the CMEA (Council for Mutual Economic Assistance); Third World demand for new international economic order; Globalisation of the world economy.

India and Global South: Leadership role in demand for NIEO and WTO negotiations.

08-02-2026

Test-13

United Nations: Envisaged role and actual record; Specialized UN agencies—aims and functioning; the need for UN reforms.

Contemporary Global Concerns: Democracy, human rights, environment, gender justice terrorism, nuclear proliferation.

15-02-2026

Test-14

Indian Foreign Policy: Determinants of foreign policy; the institutions of policy-making; continuity and change. 

India’s Contribution to the Non-Alignment Movement: Different phases; current role. 

India and South Asia; ASEAN

22-02-2026

Test-15

Regionalisation of World Politics: EU, APEC, AARC, NAFTA.

India and Global centres of power: USA, EU, Japan, China and Russia.

01-03-2026

Test-16

India and the UN System: Role in UN Peace-keeping; Demand for Permanent Seat in the Security Council.

India and the Nuclear Question: Changing perceptions and policy.

Demand for reform of Multilateral institutions;

India and Global South: Africa; Indo-Pacific

08-03-2026

Test-17

Recent developments in Indian Foreign Policy: India’s position on the recent crises; Vision of a new world order.

India and Global South: Latin America, Central Asia.

15-03-2026

Test-18

Full Length Test- Paper II

All our lectures are under the license of copyright protection, under the Copyright Act 1957 (the Act), supported by the Copyright Rules 1958 (the Rules), International Copyright Order, 1999 and Copyright Act in 2012. So copying our videos, illegal piracy, downloads, sharing, distribution etc. are strictly not allowed. We will take strict legal action against people doing so.

We have embedded tracking of video usage with the location, IP and we collect data on the video usage to check if there are any suspicious downloads of video happening with some third-party software. In such cases, the culprits will not be given any warning from our end; instead, strict legal action will be enforced.

Sharing of the user’s login and password is strictly prohibited. If any student is found doing so, his account would be suspended, and we will file a legal case of data theft and piracy against the student. Please do not share logins with your friends; else you will be in deep trouble.

There is access limit for each student – based on the course validity (date mentioned in the course features) and the total duration for which a student can watch any particular video (two times of the length of the video). Under no circumstance requests to extend the validity or increase the view duration will be entertained.

You may be mandatorily required to register the device from which you will be permitted to access the student portal to consume the online services. LevelUP IAS withholds the right to keep the number of devices registered limited.

Students are advised to have minimum internet speed of 2 Mbps for smooth experience. For mobile, videos run efficiently on 4G networks.

Please find the link to our refund policy below:

Refund Policy *

At LevelUp IAS, we are committed to providing quality education and ensuring student satisfaction. However, we understand that situations may arise where a refund is necessary. Below are the guidelines for our refund policy:

(1) Refund Eligibility

    • Full Refund: Students are eligible for a full refund if they withdraw from the course within the first 7 days after the starting date of the course. The request must be submitted in writing.
    • Partial Refund after 7 days:
      • General Studies Foundation Program: If a student withdraws after the commencement of the course, then they are eligible for the refund on the pro-rata basis. The details of pro-rata basis are as follows:
        • Day 8 to Day 30: Maximum of 75% Refund eligible
        • Day 30 to 50% course duration: Maximum of 50% Refund eligible
        • After 50% course duration: Zero refund
        • Note: duration is measured from the day of commencement of the course and not from the date of admission.
      • All other course above course with price of 10,000 (exclusive of GST): If a student withdraws after the commencement of the course, then they are eligible for the refund on the pro-rata basis. The details of pro-rata basis are as follows:
        • Day 8 to Day 30: Maximum of 75% Refund eligible
        • After Day 30: Zero refund
        • Note: duration is measured from the day of commencement of the course and not from the date of admission.
    • Zero Refund: Please note that a student is considered completely ineligible for refunds under following circumstances:
      • If the price of a course is less than or equal to Rs. 10,000 (exclusive of GST)
      • If admission is done at a discounted price or during promotional offers,
      • If admission is done with a partial payment plan with an installment facility.
      • It the course is a transferred course from some other original course.
      • If the courses are already-recorded modules, then such courses are not eligible for any kind of refund.

(2) Procedure to Request a Refund

    • All refund requests must be submitted in writing via email to info@levelupias.com.
    • No request made verbally, in person, on phone call, through messages or over any social media platform will be entertained. Only duly emailed requests will be entertained.
    • The request must include the student’s name, course name, date of enrolment, and the reason for requesting a refund. Also, a student must attach any additional supporting document of evidence required.
    • The date of refund request will be the date on which all the valid documents are received by the institute, which are needed for the approval.

(3) Processing Time

    • Institute will take upto 15 days to process the request of the refund, upon complete reception of all the necessary information.
    • Thereafter, the refunds will be processed within 15 business days from the date of the refund request approval.
    • The refund will be issued using the original payment method unless otherwise agreed upon.

(4) Non-Refundable Fees

    • Registration fees, administrative charges, and any other non-tuition fees are non-refundable.

(5) Policy on Course Transfers:

(a) Transfer Type: This policy applies to the following types of course transfers:

        • From an online course to an offline course.
        • From an offline course to an online course.
        • From one course to another course.
        • From one individual to another individual.

(b) Transfer Fee: A flat fee of Rs. 10,000 will be charged for any course transfer, regardless of the type of transfer or the specific course involved.

(c) Payment Terms: The transfer fee must be paid in full at the time of the transfer request. The transfer will not be processed until the fee is received.

(d) Non-Refundable: The transfer fee is non-refundable, even if the transfer is later canceled by the student.

(e) Eligibility: Transfers are subject to availability and approval by the institute. The institute reserves the right to deny transfer requests based on course capacity, scheduling conflicts, or other relevant factors.

(6) Amendments

    • LevelUp IAS reserves the right to amend this refund policy at any time. Changes will be available for the students through the official website.

For any questions or concerns regarding this refund policy, please contact our administrative office at Contact Us.

FAQs
Compilation of the List of FAQs on PSIR Optional

Yes, the model answers will be provided, which can be used to understand the structuring and to supplement the notes.

Yes, around 50% of the questions in the test series will be either PYQs or based on the PYQs as per current issues.

Yes. One-to-One discussion of the answer sheet after evaluation is integral part of any test series of Chandan Sir. This helps students in understanding their unique problems as well as discuss their own point of view with the faculty.

There will be additional classes on contemporary issues of 1(b) i.e. Indian Government & Politics and 2 (b) i.e. India and the World. Notes will also be provided for the same.

In total, there are 18 tests. 16 sectional tests- four tests on each section of Paper 1 and paper 2. And there will be two full-length tests, one each of Paper 1 and paper 2.

The test submission date is flexible, depending upon your convenience. But the last date for submission will 31st March 2026.

The tests will get evaluated within ten days.

Yes, there will be detailed discussion on each test. Students will be able to attend it online as well as offline. They are encouraged to attend the discussion so that they can ask their doubts in the class to improve understanding of the topic and question demand.

Yes, test discussions can be attended online as well as offline.

Obviously. There are no such restrictions because purpose of any test is the see if students are able to address the questions’ demand. It doesn’t matter if you have done self-study or from some other institute. The bottom line is writing a good answer with your content.

If you just write four tests regularly and go for one-to-one discussion, there is a guarantee that your hesitation will vanish and there will be qualitative improvement in your answer writing.

Yes. If you regularly write answers, attend test discussions and go for one-to-one discussion with the faculty, both these issues will get resolved.

The test will start from 14th April 2025 and last date for submitting answers is 31st March 2026.

For the online students, One-to-One discussion will take place either through zoom or on phone call. In fact, Akhilesh Kumar Singh (AIR-331) of UPSC CSE 2024 was an online student. He has affirmed prompt and regular support of sir through phone and telegram.