IMPORTANCE OF OPTIONAL AND HOW TO

CHOOSE IT?

The importance of Optional subject in helping an aspirant get through this examination stands
unquestioned to-date. Remember, when you select the right optional you are halfway through
in this examination.

In many of the cases, before joining the IAS coaching institute, students ask the question which
optional paper he/she needs to take up. It is very difficult for the counsellor to decide the
optional paper on the student’s behalf.

Therefore, this article here would help you to discard the optional dilemma to a great extent.

When we enquire the students as to which optional paper they are willing to take and on what
basis, we come to know that they choose Optional papers on the basis of following parameters:

1. What was the optional paper of previous year’s toppers?

2. Which optional is more scoring?
3. Which optional shares more syllabus with GS papers?
4. Which optional are their friends taking?
5. Subjects for which enough study materials are available?
6. Best nearby coaching for any optional paper
7. Based on graduation and post-graduation subject
8. Based on most popular optional subject
9. Based on real interest
10. Based on syllabus length
Distribution of Candidates who Appeared vis-à-vis Recommended by
Optional Subjects – Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2016
How to Choose Optional Subject for UPSC Main:

The subject should:

 Generate a lot of curiosity and enthusiasm in you particularly

 Push you to learn more
 Should not reduce your motivation to study
 Make you think to apply it in the Indian context
 Have books and study materials easily available
 Have good faculty/mentor to guide you and clarify your doubts
It is well advised to all the candidates while choosing an optional subject not to think of the
score. So, choose a subject with the above-mentioned qualities and one thing to keep in mind
that these qualities may differ from one aspirant to the other.

Once you have understood the syllabus and have ample writing practice then nothing will stop
you from scoring big.

Some Tips:

 Don’t take an overlapping optional if you are weak in it, there is every chance that it
can turn counterproductive.
 Don’t take an optional subject which requires extensive preparation if the time left
before you is limited (say less than 4 months)
 A scoring overlapping optional subject, though which might require substantial
preparation due to the vast nature of the syllabus can be adopted, if you have
background/ previous exposure in the subject, or if there is adequate time left. If you
are running short of time, select an optional paper which requires less time for a decent
level of preparation.
 If you are already aware of more than 50% of the syllabus of a particular subject due to
graduation/post-graduation study, then consider this optional paper
 If you are good in science-based optional due to graduation/post-graduation level
exposure, go with science based optional paper.

There is no correct answer to the question ‘what is the best optional subject for IAS exam?’
An Optional paper can be best only to the person who chooses it, based on his/her interest and
experience. We have provided you with inputs to ponder over before finalizing on an optional
subject. It is better to go by your own judgment rather than on what other toppers did in the
past. Whatever optional you select, you should study hard and turn it into the most scoring
subject for you in the Final leg of IAS exam!