[mrunal]

[top]What criteria to keep in mind?

Following subjects can't be taken together
As per UPSC rules you can't take following combinations

(i) Candidates will not be allowed to offer the following combinations of subjects :–

(a) Political Science & International Relations and Public Administration;
(b) Commerce & Accountancy and Management;
(c) Anthropology and Sociology;
(d) Mathematics and Statistics;
(e) Agriculture and Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science.
(f) Management and Public Administration;
(g) Of the Engineering subjects, viz., Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering–not more than one subject.
(h) Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science and Medical Science.

[top]Your interest in the subject

You are competing for the top post in government, which means only 600 vacancies in different services (and only about 60 in IAS. ) which means you've to be in the top merit all over India, which requires scoring high in your optional subject , which require studying it for minimum 3 hours a day. And if you are not interested in the subject- then you'll be bored doing it = half hearted preparation = no success.

[top]
How to find whether you're interested in a specific subject or not?

Take the NCERT book of that subject / or some other basic book / or an article on wikipedia- read it for 1 hour, if you find it really interesting, then you can take up that subject.

[top]
YOUR GRADUATION BACKGROUND

To take up a technical subject like Medicinal science, physics, chemistry, zoology etc – its necessary that you've at least done graduation in that subject. But at the same time, don't take the preparation lightly, just because you've studied it at graduation level , being a graduate in a particular subject doesn't automatically guaranty success in UPSC- if it was true then all IAS officers would be IIT grads. You've to continuously keep preparing and revising your subject. Don't go like "ok I've studied this for 3 years in college, so, I'll look it only for 1 month before the exam." don't run into the 'myth of scoring subjects'. As explained afterwards.

[top]
Don't choose optional based on following criteria.

[top]Its scoring

there is a scaling system so no subject is scoring.
see following diagram to understand it



Xyz subject is scoring – it's a myth. Because UPSC follows a statistical formula to put all the students on common marking scale after Mains exam. ie. After applying that formula, the literature student will gain few marks, and the maths (or any other technical scoring subject) guy will lose some marks- and then they all will be put on a common marking list – from that UPSC will invite first 1000-2000 students for interview.

Few years ago, a lady with English literature as her subject got all India 1^st rank. If maths, physics or geography were the only scoring subjects, then it'd never have been possible.

[top]Its easy

If something is easy then its easy for everyone sitting in the exam. So the easier subjects means tougher competition.

[top]
Popularity

A popular subject helps you crack prelims a little easier because of the 'proportional representation rule'

First you understand it,

[top]
'proportional representation rule'

as already explained in above diagram,
Suppose UPSC wants to pass 10,000 students from prelims to mains.

100,000 people sit in the prelim exam and 20,000 of them were with History. Then UPSC will make the prelim list in such a way that, out of 10,000 people passing the prelims -2,000 of them are taken from History opt. subject.

Now in the same case if only 2000 people sat with Maths / Botany/ Zoology – then only 200 will be passed by UPSC from prelims to mains. And so on.

So if you've taken a popular subject like

1. History
2. Geography
3. Psychology
4. Philosophy
5. Public Administration

Then you've more seats to compete on= more chances to pass the prelims. However it's a state of mind, in my opinion , if you are determined and well prepared then you crack prelims even if they were going to choose only 1 person from your subject.

THIS RULE Doesn't APPLY IN MAINS TO INTERVIEW / INTERVIEW TO FINAL SELECTION level

Secondly, PRELIM MARKS ARE NOT COUNTED IN FINAL SELECTION MERIT LIST.

[top]
availability of coaching, advertisements.

If you read magazines like chronicle, wizard etc, then you'll see advertisements of coaching classes on every second page- claiming huge success in the exam, with photos of lot students with good ranks from their subject.

Its important not to let their advertisements and claims be the primary reasons for your subject selection , because if you go by their ads, then nobody except those with History, Geography, Zoology, Botany and Law are getting selected in the service. (which is not true.)

[top]
The Length of syllabus

If you are interested in the subject then the length would never bother you. many people are selected with History + Geography combination. (both are very lengthy subjects)- what matters is how much you are interested, how much hard effort you want to put in. otherwise Public Administration + anthropology is the shortest combination in terms of syllabus length- but very few get selected from it.

[top]
Comparative analysis Chart created by me

When I started preparing for UPSC, I did not even have internet, coaching class or any experience person to tell me how should I move in the path. And hence I learned everything from mistakes , trials and errors wasting years of my precious youth life. And that’s why I wanted to show people the right way to prepare so they don’t end up wasting years like me.


Wish you all good luck and good bye.

Earlier I gave tips on

Tips : How to prepare General studies for 2010 Prelims:Mrunal
[My Tips] Preparing current affairs & Essay from Newspaper:Mrunal
Why & How to make Notes for UPSC Civil Service IAS,IPS Exam- Study Tips:Mrunal
My Sure shot Strategy for Success in Public Administration Prelim 2010:Mrunal

[shankaraner]

Cool Mrunal

u r doing exceptionally Good work and ur articles are really useful for the aspirants...

Thanx a lot for ur work and all the best

[sivaharimani]

Thats good work you have done Mrunal. Keep up the good work.

[vinu.hkr]

thank u sir.....

[lotus]

Hello Mrunal,

your doing extremely good job by providing all the required details/info at this forum for the new aspirants. Do not stop your thread contributions let it flow freely.

Thanks a lot! keep writing.

kamala

[budghh]

Hi Friend,
Please keep on posting your experiences its very helpful.I am very grateful for your sincere & honest suggestions.
Thanks

[akaash]

thnx mrunal fr ur guidance..
keep up the gud work...

regards

[ravin_kmc04]

thanks a lot mrunal

[AnujKumar]

Thank You Mrunal Sir these tips are of great use for me and for everyone who is an aspirant of civil services. please don't get demotivated. I need You, I m sure Everyone who reads your posts will give a great thank you gesture to you. With lots of Good wishes. n cheers

[shashank_aum]

thanks man for that information.....