Deciding Optional for UPSC IAS Mains-Marking Scheme and Optional Popularity

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Most appropriate IAS Mains Optional needs to be selected before beginning preparation. All optional subjects are high scoring if you have knowledge in the subject and if you can answer the questions in an analytical frame in UPSC exam.

UPSC Mains Pattern and Marking Scheme:

UPSC Pattern and Scheme
UPSC pattern and scheme for each paper and subject
No.	Paper	Subject	Marks
1	Paper A	Indian Language (Qualifying)	300
2	Paper B	English (Qualifying)	300
3	Paper I	Essay	250
4	Paper II	General Studies – I	250
5	Paper III	General Studies – II	250
6	Paper IV	General Studies – III	250
7	Paper V	General Studies – IV	250
8	Paper VI	Optional Subject Paper 1	250
9	Paper VII	Optional Subject Paper 2	250
	Total		1750
		Interview (Personality Test)	275
	Grand Total		2025

Popularity of Some Optional Subjects:

Certain optional subjects are very popular in IAS exam preparation. Below table gives an average estimation for the coming years based on past year trends of optional subjects.

Optional Subject and Probable Candidates
Optional subject and corresponding probable candidates
Optional Subject	Probable Number of Candidates select subject
Geography	Around 3000
History	Around 3000
Sociology	Around 3000
Public Administration	Around 3000
Philosophy + Psychology + Political Science + Economics	<2000
All other science/art subjects(in total)	<1000
All literature subjects(in total)	<1000
Total	Around 15,000

Choosing the Correct IAS Mains Optional:

First go through the list of all the Optional Subject and invest a maximum time in reading and understanding the syllabus.
Select more interest subject and in which you scored the most.
Make a list of 4 to 5 interested subjects.
Go through the previous year question papers (at least 3 years) of the shortlisted Subjects.
Analyze the syllabus and consider over the fact that whether it will keep you interested throughout your preparation. It’s very important.
For some subjects it is difficult to get standard books and coaching may not be available.
Non -technical subjects can be prepared by doing self-study provided you regularly practice writing.
Consider the above points and now, you have to choosing the subject best suited for you.

Things to Avoid While Choosing an Optional:

My friends and family have suggested it.
Most students choose for it.
It’s a popular IAS Mains optional subject.
Topper choose this subject last year.