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How to choose optional subject for the UPSC(CSE) Mains?

Choosing the right optional subject for the UPSC CSE Mains is the most crucial strategic decision that can determine your final rank. The optional subject accounts for 500 marks (29%)out of 1750 total marks in mains making it a major score segment for qualifying interview.

I. Strategic Guidance for optional subject selection:

Strategic Guidance for optional subject selection

    For beginners, the selection process of optional subject based on three parameters - Aptitude, Strategy and Resources.
  • 1 . Personal Aptitude and Interest : Selection of the subject will depend upon your aptitude and genuinely enjoy reading and studying. You will spend 4-6 months dedicated time (2 to 4 hours everyday) to this subject. Interest keeps you motivated difficult and complex parts of the subject easier to grasp.
  • 2. Academic Background : If you have an undergraduate of Post degree in the same optional subject, leverage that-prior conceptual knowledge provides strong base and foundation saves your preparation schedule and time. However, it's not mandatory.
  • 3. Memorization : Some optional subjects like Maths & Commerce are objective oriented, need precise answers required high aptitude subject skills. Optionals like PSIR, History, Sociology are subjective oriented require more analytical skills and comperhensive understanding.
  • 4. Availability of Resources : Ensure that standard text books, study material, reference books,Proper guidance and coaching are readily available and easily accessible. Is it scoring subject? A high scoring subject with scarce resources is a risky choice to the Aspirant.
  • 5. Strategic overlap with GS : prioritizing subjects that have significant overlap with the Four GS papers. This selection allows you to prepare holistically and saves your time. The following optional subjects are strategic overlap with GS, Essay & Interview. The strategic overlap with GS are -
    • Political Science & I.R - Overlaps heavily with GS-II (Polity, Governance, Social Justice & IR), Essay for both Prelims and Mains Interview.
    • Public Admin - Overlaps with GS-II (Polity, Governance, Government Schemes). Foundation for Essay writing on administrative Essays and useful for both Prelims and Mains Interview.
    • Sociology - Overlaps with GS-I (Indian Society), GS-II (Social Justice), GS-III (Economy), Essay and Ethics Integrity also useful for both Prelims and Mains.
    • Philosophy - Overlaps significantly with GS-IV (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude).
    • Geography - Overlaps with GS-I (Geography) and GS-III (Environment) for both Prelims and Mains.
    • History - Overlaps with GS-I (History of India, Culture and Heritage) for both Prelims and Mains.
    • Anthropology - Overlaps with GS-I (Indian Society, Tribal and vulnerable sections of society) for both Prelims and Mains.
  • The above optional subjects are overlaping with General Studies, Essay and Interview as per the overview of the UPSC(CSE) Mains pattern.
  • 6. Tips and Guidance for Beginners!:
    • Read the Syllabus : See the UPSC syllabus and short list of 3-4 optional subjects and read them thoroughly and select one optional subject nearer to your aptitude and interest.
    • Go through the previous years Questions (PYQs) for the last 5-7 years. By studying the PYQs, If you can understand the demand of the questions and if you feel confident and comfort with that subject you can choose any one Optional Sebject which are high scoreing as you meet in the above requirements.

II. List of Optional Subjects :

The UPSC has provided 48 Subjects to choose from,Which include 25 Core subjects and 23 Liteature Subjects.You can choose and find the one best Optional Subject for you from the optional Subjects classified into the following categories.

  • Humanities and Social Sciences : , Economics, Geography, Geology, History, Political Science and International Relations(PSIR), Public Administration, Psychology, Philosophy, Sociology
  • Commerce and Mangament :Commerce & Accountancy, Management
  • Engineering : Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering
  • Pure Sciences : Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics
  • Medical & Life Sciences : Botany, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Medical Science, Zoology
  • Professional Subjects : Law
  • Literature Subjects : The Literature category iinclude 23 languages from the 8th schedule of the India consitution - Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, and English

III. Recent Trend of Optional Subjects choosen by the selected Candidates over the last 10 Years

  • Anthropology, Sociology, Political Science and International Relations(PSIR), Commerce & Accountancy, Law Sujects are choosen by many Selected Candidates.
  • The Techincal subjects and Liteature subjects have high success rate but selected a few out of final Rankers.
  • The Virat IAS Advice the Aspirants to avoid Trend chasing optional but your Aptitude Skill and Answer writing Approach is more important to score high marks.

IV. The Toppers Optional Subject for the last 10 Years is as follows

SNo Years Name of the Topper Name of the Optional Subject
1 2024 Shakthi Dubey Political Science and International Relations(PSIR)
2 2023 Adithya Srivastava Electrical Engineering
3 2022 Ishita Kishore Political Science and International Relations(PSIR)
4 2021 Sruthi Sharma History
5 2020 Subham Kumar Anthropology
6 2019 Pradeep Singh Public Administration
7 2018 Kanishka Kataria Mathematics
8 2017 Anudeep Durishetty Anthropology
9 2016 K R Anandini Kannada Literature
10 2015 Tina Dabi Political Science and International Relations(PSIR)

V. Advice from Toppers and Mentors :

Don't Choose or Select popular or Trending Optionals,But your Aptitude level of Comfort, Interest source material and Guidance "Matters Most".

  • Use your optional as an anchor for your Mains Strategy.
  • Even among scoring Subjects, You need to write more structured, multi dimensional, flow charts, diagrams and relavent facts and data where it requires are diciding factors to get more marks in the Optional.
  • Ralevent Current Affair Event or contextual reference and case studies are essential Ingredient for Erichment of your Answer.

VI. Time mangament for Optional Subject:

To master the optional subject, You need to spend 600 to 1000 Hours of focused study to attain performance and Proficiency in the optional subject including note making ,Review of PYQ's, Taking mock tests and Daily Mains Practice Quesitons (DMPQ's).

The Time Management and perparation time line can be divided into small time table which is managable.

  • 1) First One (1) Month - Read the Syllabus and review the last 5 Years PYQs of 2 to 3 Subjects which you have shortlisted. Make some introductory note.
  • 2) Two to Three (2 to 3) Months - Build your Interest and Pay intensive study of the entire Optional Subject.read the standard text books, make concise notes of the syllabus and start Daily Mains Answer Writing Practice Quesitons.
  • 3) One to Two (1 to 2) Months - Take full length Test Series, this will help you where your Proficiency and performance stands and also assess your Time Management, structure and answer presentation.
  • 4) Final Revision for One (1) Month befor Mains - Revise your short notes ,Answer writing quesitons, focus on high Yield in topics, Practice required flow charts, diagrams, maps and essentical Case Studies. Which are required to Enrich your answer.

Disclaimer:

While all efforts have been undertaken to ensure the accuracy of data, this document does not provide any basis for legal claim and the management and the staff of Virat IAS Excellence Hub would not be liable for any discrepancy or changes effected by UPSC in the conduct of Civil Services Examination. Please satisfy yourselves about any terms and conditions from the official website and notification of the UPSC Civil Services Examination.

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