Choosing Optional subject of UPSC is the biggest task in the initial phase of preparation.it carries 500 marks in the Mains, so success is somewhat lying in this decision.
Here, we will suggest some parameters for making your beneficial for you-
UPSC is a marathon and not a 100 m sprint. You may have to study your optional for say 1–2 years. So, choose the subject which you feel interesting.
- Is it scoring? Get the answer for this question as your ultimate goal is to get high score.
- Degree subject. One can go ahead with degree subject if you have honestly studied that subject during the course of your graduation.
- Material availability. Choose the subject for which material is easily available in the market.
- Coaching facility. Hunt for the coaching institutes in your region for the subject you are willing to choose. If its available then go ahead.
- Have a look at the whole syllabus of the subject you want to choose. Go with the subject which has short and concise syllabus.
- Past year question papers. Check the previous years question papers. Have a look at the difficulty level of the question.
- Trend in UPSC. Analyse the current trend in the UPSC regarding optional subjects. Think about optional subjects of successful candidates.
- Utility in GS. Have an idea about the utility of your optional subject in GS papers. See how much optional syllabus overlaps with GS.
- Have your own opinion. Just do not go with crowd, choose the subject which suits you the best.
These are some parameters on the basis of this you can take your own decision. It is not necessary to match all the parameters mentioned above.