Importance of Optional subjects in UPSC Mains exam
It’s a known fact that some of the IAS aspirants end up making a wrong choice of optional subject in UPSC Mains because of lack of information and also due to certain misgivings and myths regarding some subjects. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that selection of an unsuitable optional subject could become Achilles Heels for any civil services aspirant! Once an optional subject has been chosen and humongous effort has been invested in preparing for it, it becomes very difficult, if not impractical, to change it in between. It also becomes a conundrum to consider changing it for the next exam attempt as aspirant would face this dilemma to either prepare a new subject altogether leaving the one which he or she has studied already or to continue with the same one with a nagging doubt about scoring well in it the next time. It is thus imperative that optional subject be chosen wisely.
For the benefit of those aspirants who have just been initiated into preparations of upsc civil services exam (CSE), let us quickly understand the relevance of optional subject in the overall merit. In the IAS Mains Exam, out of seven papers which are considered towards the merit list – Essay paper, GS Paper I, GS Paper II, GS Paper III, GS Paper IV, Optional Paper I and Optional Paper II – the two papers of the Optional Subject, each comprising 250 marks, add up to 25% of the marks making the merit list.
And that is precisely the importance of an optional subject. It constitutes one fourth of the total marks in UPSC Mains exam and therefore plays a critical role in determining your final rank in the merit. Needless to highlight, that the allocation of Service is done based on the rank in the final merit.
An optional subject which also overlaps with the syllabus of General Studies like Geography, History, Political Science, Public Administration, Economics or Sociology can become a big score differentiator by improving your overall GS score. While subjects like Psychology, Law, Math, Commerce & Accountancy etc. which are someone’s graduation/ PG subjects can be a marks multiplier for that aspirant. There is no standard formula to solve this enigma. The key is to be aware and understand the finer nuances about the optional choices one has, which can certainly help in making a correct and informed decision.
Free IAS Counseling Session
To help IAS aspirants in making a right choice of Optional Subject Rau’s IAS Study Circle will be conducting Free OPTIONAL COUNSELING SESSIONS on 22 & 29 May 2021. These counselling sessions will be conducted via live-online classes by respective subject experts.
There is no subscription fee for these online counselling sessions and registration is free. Any aspirant can register for free at - https://www.rauias.com/
Agenda of this counselling is:
- Meeting and interacting (live-online) directly with Rau’s IAS Optional educators to learn about different optional subjects and understand how an aspirant has to prepare for optional subjects.
- Clarification of all your doubts; exploring the choices in optional subjects, and
- Make an informed choice about the best optional subject for you.
Optional Subjects at Rau’s IAS
UPSC offers choice amongst 26 Optional Subjects. At Rau’s IAS classes for following optional subjects are taken:
(a) History
(b) Geography
(c) Political Science and International Relations
(d) Sociology
(e) Psychology
(f) Public Administration
(g) Economics
Rau’s IAS has the best teachers for IAS Preparation
These subjects are taught by the best, most experienced and a unique fraternity of educators and mentors, striving together in pursuit of excellence. Rau’s faculty is its pillar of strength because of whom Rau’s IAS has been able to create an unrivalled formidable legacy in its 68 years long journey with its consistently outstanding results.
India’s most successful and top faculties of IAS coaching – in General Studies, Optional subjects and Current Affairs are part of Rau’s IAS family, working together as a team for years to produce best learning outcomes and highest success rate.
All the teachers at Rau’s IAS are masters in their domain subjects . They have the required knowledge and pedagogical skills, including technological skills, to teach and measure learning outcomes effectively. Through transformative power of effective teaching – they empower students to think intensely about the subject matter, toss around with the new ideas and question the basics.
Rau’s IAS invites you to join FREE IAS online counselling sessions on Optional Subjects which will be conducted on 22 May and 29 May 21. These sessions will be conducted by none other than the respective faculty themselves, giving you an insight about their respective subject, its syllabus, its demand and other facets.
All aspirant can register for free at - https://www.rauias.com/ and take the benefit.
