Keep Your options Clear For UPSC Civil
Service Exam
Civil Services Exam is a Major Challenge
Choosing the right optional subject in Civil
Services examination is a major challenge for aspirants. The liberal decision
of the UPSC of taking one optional subject out of two papers from 2013, has
reduced a lot of stress for the aspirants. Now they need to select only one
optional subject. But choosing that one optional subject also matters a lot as
the subject consists two papers of 250 marks each. Selecting the right optional
subject is of paramount importance as it will surely step up your chances of
selection, so an aspirant should know all the factors before picking up the
optional subject. Let’s dig into the factors that a candidate must consider
before picking up an optional subject.
Scoring quotient
Most of the students attempting for the first
time choose an optional subject which is considered as the most scoring
subject. Therefore, most of the students prefer to choose geography, history,
political science, public administration or psychology. Statistics reveal that
most of the students select geography and public administration as optional subject.
More than 80 per cent of aspirants opt for these subjects as all these subjects
overlap with general studies which they usually study while preparing for GS
pre and Mains.
In the past few years, candidates have been
scoring above 350 marks in public administration and more than 400 marks in
geography, which is pretty good. This explains why more and more students are
opting for these subjects. Let’s see what makes certain subjects more scoring:
■ Public administration is more
about having knowledge of administrative traits and involves more self – study
and self-understanding than personal coaching.
■ As almost everyone studies
history till at least Class VIII, it is a familiar subject for most students.
With multiple choice questions it is easier to score more in this.
■ Most of the students are
interested in map-based questions, especially those from engineering or medical
background. No wonder geography is one of the most popular subjects among IAS
aspirants.
Have a
good command over a subject
Although,
when we talk about which paper is more scoring, it is better to remember that
no subject is less scoring as it largely depends upon the interest of the
candidate and his academic background. If a candidate is exceptionally good in
a subject, he will obviously score more in that paper. So, if geography is your
forte, it will not be prudent to pick up history as it is scoring subject.
■
If a candidate has already mastered a subject in school or in graduation, it
becomes easier to understand and it is natural to select it. Moreover, the
availability of preparation material and guidance are also important. Thus,
choosing the right optional subject is half the battle won and candidates must
factor in all the pros and cons of a particular choice before going ahead.
LANGUAGES
GAIN MOMENTUM
Languages
are generally seen as less scoring than other subjects and require a higher
level of proficiency. But in spite of that over the past few years the trend of
selecting a language as an optional subject is on the rise. Many students opt
for Hindi Literature, which is not too surprising as a large number of
candidates from Hindi speaking states appear for IAS exam. Similarly, languages
like Pali are also gaining currency and most of the students are opting for the
language, but again it completely depends upon one’s interest, academic and
geographical background and knowledge. Tamil literature is being opted by many
of candidates from Tamil Nadu and so on.
