With the many preparation strategies they have, one of the key steps an aspirant has to take while doing so for the UPSC Civil Services Examination is choosing an appropriate Mains optional subject. This range of subjects presents a challenge as it can increase your overall grade or complicate the course. The optional subject is an important part of the Mains exam as it is marked out of 500. Hence, this is an area that one should give due consideration to.

Here’s an attempt to tell you about the process of choosing an optional subject and how best to go about it.

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1. 1.    Interest and Background Knowledge

The first and foremost factor in choosing an optional subject is its interest. You will have to spend or devote a significant amount of time to reading this subject, so it’s best to say that you choose something that excites you. If a student has already studied a subject offered as an optional, then it’s comparatively easy to learn and comprehend. But every single heart is keen on something, and even though one may not have formal education about it, it is still possible to learn it driven by the heart.

1. 2.    Syllabus and Overlap with GS Papers

One important factor when it comes to choosing an optional is to assess the syllabus of the optional and its overlap with the GS papers. Subjects like Geography, Public Administration, Sociology, and Political Science are observed to overlap with the GS papers to a great extent. This makes it easier for the aspirants to prepare now for both the optional and the GS papers completely at one go with regard to saving both time and resources. Look through the syllabus for all the subjects and see how much of it you are likely to cover on your own as you prepare for the GS papers before making up your mind on what to choose.

1. 3.    Availability of Study Material and Guidance

The need for others in terms of resources, such as study materials, coaching, or even supervisory assistance, is also very important. Some subjects have straw resources, while others might have you googling the simplest things. The difference in the availability of well-organized quality notes, as well as UPSC mock test online platforms and instructors, would make a big impact. Additionally, you may take test series for UPSC on the optional subject, which is offered on most sites providing UPSC prelims mock tests and alternative online mock tests.

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1. 4.    Evaluate denoting with UPSC Test Series and Mock Tests

Also, with the encouragement of joining a test series for UPSC, constructive criticism and a realistic orientation of your strengths and weaknesses will be provided. This almost mimics the pressure that one would expect during the real examination, thus making one appreciate one’s position and, more importantly, the areas that need more work.

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One essential call is deciding on the right optional subject for the UPSC exam. Factors like personal interest, the subject matter’s chances of interrelation with GS papers, resourcefulness, and expert advice, among others, are crucial. You are not to jump into this decision on the basis of trends or performance statistics alone. Rather, you should sit for some UPSC mock test online for the subjects you are thinking of pursuing and subsequently register for test series for UPSC to make an informed decision.