Strategy, Syllabus, and Scoring Potential of Optional Subjects in the UPSC Exam

The Civil Services Examination (CSE), one of India’s most famous and difficult exams, is administered by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The preliminary examination, the main examination, and the personality test are the three components of the CSE. There are nine exams in the Main test, and two of them are optional subjects that the applicants might choose by looking at the exam pattern of UPSC. It is impossible to overestimate the significance of optional subjects in the UPSC exam because they have the power to determine a candidate’s exam performance.

We will go through the importance of optional subjects in the UPSC exam, how to choose them, the curriculum, and the scoring potential below.

The Value of Optional Subjects in The UPSC Examination

The 500 marks awarded for optional subjects represent a sizable chunk of the Main examination’s overall 1750 marks. A candidate’s total rank may be significantly impacted by the optional subjects they choose. There are two types of optional subjects: those that are popular and those that are not. History, Geography, Public Administration, Sociology, and Political Science are popular optional subjects, but Anthropology, Philosophy, Agriculture, Medical Science, and other optional disciplines are unpopular.

The appropriate optional subject selection is essential for passing the UPSC exam. The candidate should have a solid background in and interest in the subject. Candidates should select their elective courses depending on their comfort level with the subject, the accessibility of study materials, coaching, and previous years’ exam questions.

Method for Picking Optional Subjects

A well-planned strategy is needed to select the best optional subject. Before selecting an optional subject, candidates should take the following into account:

• Interest: Candidates should select an elective that piques their curiosity. It will support them in keeping their motivation high while they prepare.
• Background: Candidates should pick an elective topic that relates to their academic background. They will comprehend the topic better as a result.
• Scoring Potential: Candidate selection should be based on the optional subject’s potential for high scores. They would be able to increase their overall UPSC exam ranking as a result.
• Study Material Availability: Candidates should select an elective with readily accessible study materials. They can better plan because of it.
• Availability of Coaching: Candidates should select an elective course in which coaching is offered. They will be able to ask questions and receive answers from professionals.
• Previous Years’ Exam Papers: Before deciding on an optional course, candidates should review the exam papers from prior years. They will be better able to comprehend the format and degree of difficulty of the questions.

Syllabus of Elective Subjects

The optional course offerings are extensive and call for in-depth subject expertise. Before selecting an optional course, candidates should be well aware of the syllabus. The following is the curriculum for several common optional subjects:

• History: Indian National Movement, World History, Art and Culture, Medieval and Modern India.
• Geography: Geographical terms include physical geography, human geography, economic geography, geographic analysis, and geographic politics.
• Public Administration: Indian administration, comparative public administration, development administration, and public policy are all aspects of public administration.
• Sociology: Social institutions, social change, social problems, and applied sociology are all aspects of the discipline of sociology.
• Political science: International Relations, Public Administration, Comparative Politics, Indian Politics, and Political Theory.

Potential for Optional Subjects to Score

The possibility of earning points in optional subjects varies depending on the subject’s exam pattern of UPSC. Different optional subjects have different scoring potential. To make an informed choice, candidates should be aware of the scoring potential of several optional subjects. Here are a few instances:

• History: Since history is a factual subject and the questions are simple, it has a high scoring potential. If candidates have a solid comprehension of the material and have the facts committed to memory, they can do well on the history exam.
• Geography: Because it is a conceptual subject and the questions are analytical, geography also has a high scoring potential. Candidates can do well in geography if they comprehend the principles effectively and can use them in practical settings.
• Public Administration: Because it is a theoretical subject and the questions are application-based, public administration has a moderate scoring potential. Candidates can succeed in public administration if they comprehend the theories thoroughly and can apply them in practical settings.
• Sociology: Because it is a theoretical subject and the questions are application-based, sociology has a moderate scoring potential. Candidates who grasp the theories well and are able to apply them in practical settings will do well on the sociology exam.
• Political Science: Due to the fact that political science is both a factual and theoretical subject and that the exam questions are both factual and analytical, it has a high scoring potential. If candidates can apply the theories to actual situations and have a solid comprehension of the subject, they will do well on the political science exam.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a candidate’s success in the UPSC exam is greatly influenced by the optional subjects they choose. Candidates should select an elective course from the CSE mains exam pattern depending on their interests, education, and chance for success on the test. Candidates can increase their total UPSC exam rank by performing well in their optional subject with the proper planning and approach.

FAQs

Q1. In the UPSC test, may I select more than one optional subject?

1. No, for the UPSC exam, you can only select one optional topic.

Q2. Which optional subject in the UPSC exam is the most well-liked?

1. The most popular optional subjects in the UPSC exam are political science, public administration, sociology, and geography.

Q3. To prepare for an optional subject for the UPSC exam, how much time is required?

1. The amount of time needed to prepare for an optional subject for the UPSC exam depends on the candidate’s level of subject knowledge and available preparation time. Candidates should budget at least 6 to 8 months on average for preparation.

Q4. Is it true that unpopular optional subjects are superior to popular ones?

There isn’t a “better” optional subject, to start with. Candidates should select an elective course depending on their interests, education, and chance for success on the test.