UPSC Podcast: The IAS Companion

The IAS Companion is a focused, lecture-style podcast that has built up 179 episodes covering essential UPSC concepts from Prelims all the way through the interview stage. What sets it apart from most UPSC shows is its deep commitment to the Psychology optional paper. The recent episodes (EP 65-79 and beyond) systematically work through the entire Psychology syllabus -- sleep and dreaming theories, anxiety disorders, personality approaches from Freud to Rogers, social psychology concepts like attribution theory and prejudice. Each episode runs between 6 and 14 minutes, which is perfect for those study breaks between reading sessions. The host takes a structured, numbered approach to topics, almost like a professor working through a lecture series. There is no banter or filler. You get the concept, the key thinkers, the exam-relevant angles, and then the episode ends. It is efficient in a way that respects your time. Beyond Psychology, the show covers broader IAS preparation ground -- fundamental rights, governance frameworks, and social issues that map to the General Studies papers. The host clearly understands what UPSC actually tests versus what students waste time memorizing. New episodes were dropping daily through mid-2024, which shows serious dedication. If you are taking Psychology as your optional subject, this is probably the single best audio resource available. Even if you are not, the social psychology and personality episodes are directly relevant to GS Paper IV (Ethics). The bite-sized format means you can knock out two or three episodes during a morning walk without feeling overwhelmed.