For upsc ias
Philosophy Optional
Philosophy Fresh Batch starts on 5th Dec’22 @ 5 PM and 12th Dec’22 @ 11:15 AM (Offline/Live Online)



A Tradition of Excellence
Many aspirants have been able to crack IAS in their first attempt under his mentorship. He gives utmost importance to conceptual clarity, revisions, Live Answer Writing Sessions and personal attention. Such strategy has been responsible for stellar performance year after year.


Clear Fundamentals

UPSC Centric Pedagogy

Multiple Revisions
rank booster
Marks Enhancing Skills
By Ankita Jain, AIR-3
Why Philosophy
Success Ratio
Short Syllabus
Only optional subject whose 100 % syllabus can be prepared in about 75 – 80 days. At the same time we at Mitra’s IAS focus equally on last 15 year question papers discussion and answer writing sessions along with crystal clarity of concepts. Moreover, the coverage of entire syllabus in such a short span helps candidate save a lot of time. In that way, a candidate can invest saved time in GS and essay paper.It is a conceptual and logical paper, hence need not be mugged up. Once concepts are cleared, then candidate can write answers in their own words.
No Background Needed
No academic background in philosophy is needed. It is proved by the fact that all our toppers have been from technical background, such as , Athar Amir, Rank 2 : B.Tech; Sanskriti Jain, Rank 11 : B.Tech; Gaurang Rathi, Rank 33 : B.Tech; Garima Aggarwal, Rank 40 : B.Tech; Jatin Lal, Rank 42 : B.Tech; Kumar Harsh, Rank 43 : B.Tech
… and many more
No Current Updates
Helps in Essay Paper
Paper 2 Socio-Political philosophy directly helps because it consists of essay topics – justice, liberty, equality, democracy, women empowerment, corruption, social progress & development, etc. Paper 1 and Philosophy of Religion indirectly helps.
Helps in GS-IV Ethics Paper
Questions are direct and often get repeated.
Fixed nature of this paper makes it scoring as well as predictable
salient features
Included in the Course
How to write good answers in Philosophy
Mitra Sir explains the nitty gritty of what it takes to make your answers stand out in Philosophy Optional of UPSC Mains.

Finetuning Preparation
* Live Answer Writing Sessions (LAWS)
* Doubt clearing sessions

Extensive Practice
Epoche (Quality Enrichment -cum- Test series) : 12 tests , sectional and composite

Support till needed
For those who clear prelims in any subsequent attempt(s),
1. Selected videos will be provided for revision
2. LAWS just before mains can be attended at no cost

Mind Mapping

PYQ Discussions
* Topic wise PYQ ( 20 years ) discussions
* Classes : 10 hrs/week

Complete Study Material
Pre Enrolment Information
Offline / Online Live
- Delhi/Jaipur- New Batches
- → 5th Dec’22 @ 5 PM
- → 12th Dec’22 @ 11:15 AM
- Offline
– Back up video classes will be provided, in case students miss classes.
– Candidates can repeat few classes or entire batch for 3 years without any additional cost.
– Old students on clearing prelims can attend LAWS to be conducted just before mains exam.
- Online Live & Recording
– a dedicated portal will be assigned to each online student where they can see live lectures as well as recordings after 3 hrs of live session ( app. 3 hrs will be taken in processing by the system. Sometimes it might take a longer time because of server issues)
– During live sessions candidate can ask doubts by raising hand. Those who are seeing recordings they can raise queries by typing on the portal itself.
– Viewing hours : Live sessions + twice viewing of entire course with a course validity of 6 months. So in a way they can see three times including live.
Live sessions are complementary. So they are not counted in viewing hours. Candidates are requested to watch live class to avail not only this facility but also for disciplined & timely coverage of the syllabus.
– On clearing prelims few revisions classes, if needed, would be provided on request placed through mail. They can also attend LAWS.
– A big advantage for online candidates is that they can join batch at any point of time specially ongoing batch. Whenever they join they can start their batch from class 1 only as all lectures will be available on the portal. Yes, they will be provided on going batch only. It would be their choice either to continue with live sessions or starting from beginning.
It has been seen that online candidates wait for the fresh batches and end up wasting time. If they have already have decided for the subject they should finish it as soon as possible to gain competitive advantage by having multiple revisions.
– Hard copy of material would be despatched by courier/speed post and its tracking ID would be shared.

- Classes : Monday to Friday
- Entry points to the batch :
– New batches begins either with Indian philosophy or Western philosophy.
– Accordingly admissions will be opened in these two sections only.
- Candidates are requested take admission timely so that we can complete administrative formalities and despatching material timely.
Fee : ₹ 55000/-
This fee includes:
- GST
- Course Material
- Test Series ( Epoche : 12 Tests ). It is neither adjustable nor extendable nor transferable.
- PYQs discussions
Discount Policy*
2. Those who are changing optional and have already done coaching or written IAS mains exam (on presenting proof) : 15 %*
*Discount Policy Does Not Include Installment Facility.
Please make an account as instructed here before paying for online mode.
Instalment Facility Available
Offline Course
1. First Instalment : Rs 35,000/- (You may pay the first instalment by clicking on the button below)
2. Second (within 1 month) : Rs 20,000/-
Online Course
Before you pay for online mode, make sure that you have an account with us on our course platform (courses.mitrasias.com). If not, then, please make an account using this link : make an account . When you make the payment, use the same email as your login on our platform while filling up the payment form. This will ensure a smoother and instant access to your course.
Philosophy + Essay Package

Joining this package will ensure that you have an edge on 750 marks of mains which belongs to the ‘high scoring’ zone of the total marks.
Buy the philosophy + Essay Package (10% discount on individual fees)
For our other philosophy courses, refer the following links
Philosophy Study Material
The following resources related to philosophy optional have been developed and collected by Mitra’s IAS and are all free to access.

Toppers' Notes
Notes of Ankita Jain (AIR-3) and Ambarish Vemuri (AIR-150)

Philosophy Q. Bank
Classified and non-classified questions of Philosophy optional

Revision Slides
Revision slides (video format) for important topics

Toppers' Copies
Some of the best answer copies of our successful students

Philosophy Updates
Latest content updates related to Philosophy Optional

Resources Blog
Access our latest updates like mindmap outlines, classified PYQs, etc
Our publications
available to our classroom and correspondence students

Resources from our Blog
Revision & Answer Writing Outline – Jainism
JAINISM Realistic and Relativistic Pluralism Anekantavada : Metaphysical side Syadvada : Logical & Epistemological side Theory of Relativity of knowledge Use of syat Saptabhanginaya – Theory of seven folded judgement...
Philosophy Optional Topic Wise Questions – Western Philosophy
1. Plato and Aristotle: Ideas; Substance; Form and Matter; Causation; Actuality and Potentiality “There is a red chair.” How would Plato explain this statement with the use of his theory of forms ? Examine. (2021/10)...
Philosophy Optional Syllabus & Booklist
Philosophy Syllabus for UPSC Mains - Paper I History and Problems of Philosophy Western Philosophy 1. Plato and Aristotle: Ideas; Substance; Form and Matter; Causation; Actuality and Potentiality. 2. Rationalism (Descartes,...
About us
Mitra Sir is the pioneer in guiding students for Philosophy optional in English medium for last 15 years. His hard work and consistent effort have made Philosophy as one of the desirable optional for students preparing for IAS/UPSC examination. He is the founder of Mitra’s IAS Institute, one of the best institutes in Delhi – NCR.
Mitra Sir is a distinguished mentor of various toppers, such as AIR 2,3,11,27,33,40,42,43 to name few. Many candidates have been able to crack IAS in their first attempt under his mentorship.
He gives utmost importance to conceptual clarity, revisions, Live Answer Writing Sessions and personal attention. Such strategy has been responsible for stellar performance year after year.
He has been mentor for not only philosophy but also he has been guiding for ethics paper and mentoring for overall preparation for IAS examination.
