@kabirpanthi I have referred to Nirvana notes for IPC and IL. They are good. A cursory reading of standard book can be done to include points missing the notes.
@newintherace Amazon and Pankaj copiers have listed Nirvana notes. Don't know about the authenticity of these notes since I haven't ordered from there. Just came across them while searching for something.
@newintherace I got it from a senior. It is very unlikely that you will find latest notes of Nirvana anywhere but the basics remain the same in optional paper.
@Nike Don't know about other topics, but the origin of IL page given on Pankaj copiers is definitely from Nirvana notes. I did this from those notes only.
@newintherace I have only IPC and IL notes of Nirvana. IPC ones are handwritten. If you need pictures, I will send them by tonight.
@newintherace I am really sorry for the delay. This is how the IPC notes look like and I've heard its the same for torts and contracts as well (though I haven't seen them). 
@Coolcat95 Don't take me wrong but in their test series, the papers are of 300 marks (full length) and 150 for sectionals! Its a little weird.
@Aks1992 Okay. Thanks!
@Suchitra @Coolcat95 are you guys preparing for CSE 2020 or 2021?
@Suchitra Not free. It was a technical glitch.
@Suchitra They have listed some photostat shops.. As far as I know, KBC doesn't have nirvana notes. Like@newintherace suggested, ask whosoever you spoke to send some pictures over whatsapp/telegram. Try asking for IPC and not International law [IL is available on Pankaj copiers as well but other subjects are of Rao ias as pointed out by someone here].
@Suchitra I don't think so. The IPC notes which I have are handwritten.
@newintherace Towards the right on the homes page of chromeias there are courses listed. Click on law optional >free answer writing >week 1 & 2 are listed currently. You can click and see the questions uploaded in the last 2 weeks.
@newintherace Basically for continuity after Independence. Irrespective of whatever is given under (1) of the article, any office or authority in a state will continue to exercise powers/perform functions for which Parliament has power to make laws until Parliament provides for something different
My understanding says for important subjects like Constitutional law, IL basic books are necessary, at least for majority of the topics. However, for topics like IPR, even IPC to some extent, basic books can be replaced by coaching notes.
I found Nirvana notes good. I have seen their IL & IPC notes, both seem to be good. But not like their absence is going to impact a lot, can be done from books.
No idea about classes.
For test series can't recommend which one to take but try not taking Lawxperts one. I took their test series + notes and they are not good. I have got similar reviews from some other aspirants as well.
@Patootie Any reviews for chrome ias law optional test series (Ruchika Ma'am)?
Also, if you know about any other institute providing test series for law or any other way to go about answer writing please share the same!
@Patootie yeah pyq's are definitely important. Thanks!
@Viraj1692 Nirvana does not have online option. I am not preparing for Delhi. any idea about Ambition? Their website seems to be weird!
Will see the book once.
Thanks for sharing.
@Homo Neanderthalensis nirvana or ambition?
@Homo Neanderthalensis Thanks! Yeah nirvana doesn't have online test series/classes.
@Coolcat95 you tried and tested ambition before your first attempt and also took another coaching (Upsclawoptional) for the same attempt. Weird.
Upsclawoptional team really needs to work on the marketing aspect.
@Coolcat95 I should have a business to save one. Haven't promoted any coaching or test series. Just pointed out that nirvana notes for some subjects are good because I used them and also said how I haven't done coaching there hence did not say anything about the teachers.
And no it's not normal. According to your chronology, you studied optional, took test series at ambition, wasn't satisfied with the same, took an entire course with Upsclawoptional. Thoda mess up hai just saying.
Also really doubtful if a first attempter has so much time at disposal. But again to each his own.
@Patootie they look good. Thanks! :)
@Coolcat95 true that hence I wrote "to each his own".
Anyway hope you clear with a very good rank in your first attempt! :) All the best.
@sir lawxperts mv in 2018 was terrible. I had taken notes as well as test series and I was extremely disappointed. Weird marking as well as reviews for tests. I didn't even write all the tests as it was sheer time waste.
@Viraj1692 thanks. :)
@kabirpanthi doesn't look very good. Not many selected from law this year I think. Someone told me only 9-10 selections from law
@assiduous no idea. I got it from a senior
@Lawoptionalaspirant No idea about others but upsclawoptional is very very slow when it comes to evaluation. You will have to keep sending reminders asking them for evaluated copy. Well established institutes with several enrolled students also do not take so much time.
So guys after a lot of debate about Upsclawoptional.in here I am writing an informed review of the same.
I took their test series for mains 2020.
Pros - decent answer sheet evaluation, made some good points wrt presentation
Cons - no synopsis, copy evaluation takes a lot of time.. At times more than 10 days and this with repeated reminders. I don't know how it would have worked out without constant reminders, evaluated copy focuses more on presentation less in content.
I have written 5-6 tests for them. Post that no test papers have been uploaded. Yes, this when exams are starting in next 20 days.
Ofcourse, question can be raised why I am taking effort to write this so close to mains - because it's frustrating. I have clearly wasted my money and don't want others to do the same or go through this irritation.
Also, it's not just me who is experiencing this but I know someone else also having similar experience.
Please make an informed choice and don't fall prey to false marketing gimmicks.
@Rexx ?
@newintherace I wrote mains 2020 and earlier 2018 mains with law optional. Some of the pointers that I can I make are -
1. While paper 1 is more static and has fixed sources, part b of paper 2 is a tough nut to Crack.
2. Not a wise option to leave CLD part or do them just briefly. The IPR questions clearly conveyed it.
3. Torts and IPC can be your saviors in paper2 if you prepare them well. Mostly static portion and expected questions. In an awful PART B they can bring a sigh of relief.
4. 5 days are not enough to revise the entire optional if you haven't done several revisions beforehand. I doubt even after that it would be possible.
5. Completing paper isn't as tricky as in GS papers provided you know case laws and sections/articles at the tip of your figures for majority of the paper.
6. There is a dearth of good test series/coaching for law optional. It would be good if you can form a group of 3-4 like-minded people to share notes/review answers/discuss questions etc. This one thing played a crucial role in my preparation of optional and I personally benefited a lot from it.
All in all, paper 2 needs more revision while paper 1 can be improvised with some recent case laws etc. However, the small topics in paper 2 should be prepared well before the prelims. Insurance guarantee etc.
@newintherace Paper 1 definitely requires less effort compared to Paper 2 provided basics are strong. In case of Paper 2 there is just too much information and case laws and sections. Plus the syllabus too is huge for paper 2 and UPSC has actually started going in detail of these smaller topics like IPR was visible given a huge weight-age this year.
I joined 2 different test series for 2018 and 2020 attempt. I would not recommend either of them. Peer evaluation/self practice may be much more beneficial.
1. I think the IPC textbook is the one needed. However, please go through the contents of both the books and see which one has syllabus related topics.
2. First step should be to go through the syllabus. Entire IPC is not a part of the syllabus. PYQs then help to find the more important topics from the syllabus.
3. PYQs should guide you to find important topics but ideally you should cover the entire syllabus. Nature of optional papers is changing. There are books with PYQs segregated topic wise, it can be helpful [Kalinga publication comes out with one such book. Upsclawptional also has one such PDF, it is freely available on their website.]. I haven't referred dukki for subjects like International law, Contract, Torts and most part of Constitution. Hence cannot comment on its efficacy for these subjects. Regarding Constitution, reading books cover to cover can be a little daunting, I mostly did VN Shukla and Pandey for constitution. For some small topics referred to Dukki.
4. Have't found any solved PYQ book. This you need to do on your own or with the help of a peer group.
Hope this helps.
@Aks1992 please share it with me also. Thanks !
