7 Steps to Choose the Optional Subject for UPSC CSE 2023

How to pick the proper elective subject or the wisest panacea to choose out an elective subject is the only query of the maximum number of IAS aspirants. In this article, you will learn about how to choose the best optional subject and a few liners on how to start preparing for it. As you know, UPSC has a pattern designed for every examination. The Best IAS Coaching Institutes in Delhi look to groom their students for every stage of the UPSC examination. The Civil Services Examination holds a triple phased process. The first phase is the preliminary exam, out of which few are chosen for the Mains examination, and then comes the final phase which is the personality test.

Optional Subject is one of the domains of Mains Examination that is descriptive in nature. Now let’s have a quick look at the mains syllabus. It consists of two qualifying papers, seven ranking papers including optional as one. The Mains exam holds 1000 marks weightage and the two papers of the optional subject account for 250 marks each. The UPSC Mains Syllabus has already provided a list of optional that a candidate can opt for, along with the syllabus. The list of Optional Subjects in UPSC includes:

·         Agriculture

·         Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science

·         Anthropology

·         Botany

·         Chemistry

·         Commerce and accountancy

·         Economics

·         Electrical engineering

·         Geography

·         Geology

·         History

·         Law

·         Management

·         Mathematics

·         Mechanical engineering

·         Medical science

·         Philosophy

·         Physics

·         Political science and international relations

·         Psychology

·         Public administration

·         Sociology

·         Statistics

·         Zoology

·         Literature

The Candidate has the full freedom to choose any of the subjects out of the list.

The optional paper plays a very important role in the examination as it accounts for 500 marks out of 2025. The most commenced mistakes include opting for an elective subject on the basis of toppers result, popularity, minimum-syllabus, availability of study material. And the popularity of the subject on the basis of topper’s talk has been a new normal. Vajirao IAS Academy, the Best IAS Coaching Centre in Delhi which proudly boasts of a successful result-oriented approach that has churned out UPSC toppers over the years. We are here to unchain the stereotype. Optional paper can be best termed as “the roommate of your choice”. The only condition is you have to stick to your roommate till you accomplish your UPSC Goal. No person on earth will choose a roommate who’d aid in dissipating your mental peace, happiness. So, the candidate should be careful while choosing the optional. The utmost aspects to be taken care of while choosing an Optional is as follows:

1.      Interest and Conceptual background of the candidate - Study the syllabus carefully. Pick a subject and study the contents. Check if it is familiar to you or you possess any conceptual background in it.

2.      Syllabus of the Subject - This would help you in refurbishing your existing routine. If the syllabus is lengthy you have to devote more time and vice versa.

3.      Any intersection with the GS papers - This is the bingo rule. If there is anything in similarity in your optional and the General Science paper. Then you vest time in preparing for the subjects simultaneously.

4.      Availability of material and UPSC Mains PreviousYear Question Papers.

5.      If you’re opting for a literature subject, make sure you are well versed with grammar and vocabulary as the intensity of the competition is a bit high.

6.      Time Management - Apart from preparing for the examination, an aspirant should decide on the amount of time they can spend on the optional paper. Do Daily Answer Writing Practice for UPSC in order to increase your writing speed as well as thinking power as you won’t be having wholesome time to frame and write perfect answers in the actual examination.

7.      Last but most important factor is to check if you could remain consistent with the optional paper. Try not to switch your optional papers. This will lead you to confusion.

Once you’re done choosing the subject of your choice. You have to start bagging the syllabus and Book List for UPSC prescribed. The one thing you have to keep in mind is you have to study to crack the exam, you don’t have to pursue a Ph.D. in the subject. Hence, limit your sources. Pick a few and best books and the entire process will take a while. There’s no point in fighting around because of the delay. Keep a tab on UPSC daily current affairs quiz as well so as to substantiate your answers with current events. Now start with the syllabus and note-making. The only ice the candidate has to break is by decoding the syllabus. Now supplement the concepts of the subject with real-world examples. This will be the thousand island toppings to your pizza of preparation.

An efficient routine, proper understanding of the syllabus and analysis of previous papers, time management with the general studies syllabus will boost your confidence. This must be supplemented by proper writing practice and numerous revisions. With Vajirao IAS Academy, the Best IAS Coaching Institute in Delhi there to help you out, no power on earth can stop you from chasing your dream. Start today. Prepare well. Don’t let your weakness rule over you. 

All the very best with your UPSC Preparation..!!!