Selecting an optional subject carefully can increase your odds of passing the UPSC exam. When making your selection, several factors should be taken into account, including its scoreability, your own strengths and interests as well as available study material and classroom programs.
Some babas advocate for safe options that have significant overlap with GS papers such as Anthropology, Sociology and Mathematics.
Check out UPSC optional subjects list below:
Public Administration
Selecting an optional subject that aligns with your educational background, strengths and interests is of critical importance in passing the Civil Services Main exam. Finding sufficient study materials should provide sufficient depth in this aspect of preparation.
Geography, Public Administration, Sociology and Political Science/International Relations are highly-desirable subjects with high scoring potential that closely overlap with General Studies papers. Furthermore, these subjects offer valuable insight into government and administrative systems; other popular subjects are History/Anthropology/Medical Science. Furthermore, such courses tend to appeal more strongly to people with strong academic backgrounds or those working for large organizations who find them easier to comprehend while helping develop writing skills required for the exam.
Geography
Geography boasts an excellent success rate, making it a popular subject choice among many students. Before selecting this subject however, it is crucial that one assesses their aptitude and interests before choosing this path; its vast syllabus can make preparation challenging in time.
Furthermore, this subject involves memorizing extensive amounts of facts and theories as well as having significant overlap with General Studies coursework; so it’s imperative that a comprehensive strategy be crafted for its study.
Geography preparation should involve reading standard books, practicing past year question papers and mock tests, consulting mentors and experts, joining test series dedicated to Geography such as LUKMAAN IAS’ dedicated Geography test series which offers detailed feedback from mentors in classroom settings as well as dedicated individual mentoring.
Economics
Selecting an optional subject for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is an important decision, as selecting an ideal topic will ease preparation, build confidence and enhance overall performance. When choosing an acceptable subject it should take into account factors like scoring potential, popularity, personal interest and coaching availability as well as time commitment requirements and coaching availability.
An effective optional subject must cover both prelims and mains exam syllabuses of General Studies Paper 3, with scoring potential that combines ease of accessing study materials and coaching support for that subject.
Aspiring engineers or scientists may find selecting their optional subjects an easy process; however, choosing a topic like economics may prove more advantageous in helping achieve their career goals and bring about high scores and greater success rates.
Political Science
the right optional subject is essential in maximizing your score in an exam. Choose an optional subject that resonates with your interests, aptitudes and background knowledge while making sure its syllabus can be manageable with ample study time available for it. In addition, make sure there are sufficient books and resources available in case there are adequate success rates from previous UPSC exams for said subject as well as its difficulty levels.
Some subjects are widely perceived to have greater scoring potential due to their understandable syllabi and link with general studies papers; these subjects include geography, history, sociology and public administration.
Current affairs knowledge is crucial in all subjects, particularly those that require you to answer subjective questions. By including real-life examples in your answers, they will make them more meaningful to examiners and help increase your score.
Sociology
Sociology is an engaging field that examines interactions among members of society. From norms and human behavior to evolutionary changes, Sociology students gain skills in conducting independent research and analyzing data.
Candidates should select an optional subject that relates to their academic background, interests and strengths in order to stay motivated during preparations and increase chances of success. Furthermore, candidates must determine the availability of study materials and coaching facilities for such subjects.
Before choosing an optional subject, it is vitally important to review its syllabus and previous year questions to assess your level of comfort in studying that subject. In addition, scoring trends of each option are an invaluable asset – this way you can select an exam that can be completed on time while optimizing scores. Furthermore, an optional subject with a short syllabus will enable you to finish early while increasing score potential.
Literature
Literature can be an ideal optional subject if you enjoy both reading and writing, with its diverse coverage encompassing history, culture and literary criticism. Literature also makes an excellent option for students who love English and wish to pursue careers such as teaching or academia.
Before choosing an optional subject, be sure that it meets your interests and abilities. Consider factors like syllabus coverage, coaching availability and study material availability when making your choice. Ideally, opt for something that will keep you engaged throughout the preparation process.
Ideal, select an elective subject similar to the ones studied during graduation, to reduce time and effort spent learning something new. Furthermore, selecting one with strong performance history would also be advantageous.
