Guide to choosing the most scoring subject for IAS Preparation.

 The 25 subject options offered in UPSC mains are often divided into technical and non-technical subjects. Traditionally the trend among aspirants, from both Arts also as Science backgrounds, has been to choose the non-technical subjects. But amongst numerous options, which of them are the simplest optional subjects in UPSC? Here, I'm getting to discuss six subjects that you simply may choose between.

1. politics & diplomacy 

A popular non-technical subject, it attracted more interest after AIR 1, Tina Dabi, chose it as her optional.

Why you ought to Choose It?

There are many reasons why this is often considered together of the foremost scoring and best optional subjects in UPSC.

The subject can easily be understood by anyone and doesn't need a political background, although having one will definitely offer you a foothold.

If you've got a basic awareness, follow current affairs, and frequently read editorials, you'll have some information about any question asked within the exam.

For those that have a flair for writing, this subject is particularly rewarding because it requires elucidating the knowledge in a creative manner. tons of questions are almost like essays or need you to define certain terms, which is why good writing skills are going to be very useful.

Part I

It consists of a neighborhood called the Indian Government & Politics. It contains topics like Organs of state, Federalism, Constitution, etc., which are already covered in Prelims prep. All the time you spent memorizing Lakshmikant will bear fruit here too. Part I is more or less static which limits the syllabus to some extent.

Part II

Here you'll have India and therefore the World, from which most topics are again covered in Current Affairs preparation. for instance, you'll easily write of India’s relations with other countries/organizations by simply reading the PIB news and keeping tab of treaties, visits, etc.

Things to stay in Mind

Both Part I and Part II contain topics that require theoretical knowledge. this is often great for those that are good at mugging up information, also as those that can write well. But if these theories are absolutely new you, retaining and understanding them may consume tons of your precious time.

Vast syllabus due to dynamic elements. Both Part I and II have tons of emphasis on current aspects. this suggests you'll continually need to update your notes and keep a track of up to date events associated with the topics. So if you're prepared for that, only then take it up.

2. Anthropology

Anthropology is taken into account one among the simplest optional subjects in UPSC. it's increasingly being chosen by aspirants thanks to the scoring nature of this subject. While none of the toppers within the past 10 years had anthropology as their optional, a variety of scholars with other ranks have opted for it also as attained high scores.

For those that are brooding about what's anthropology? well, it's the study of human societies and their development. To be more specific, anthropology meaning – the study of human evolutions, it also involves their biological and physiological features.

Why you ought to Choose It?

Anthropology is by and enormous a static subject. Not much research is administered thereon academically and thus the influx of latest concepts and theories is a smaller amount. Concepts like Marriage, Kinship, Evolution, Prehistoric cultures, etc., just require mugging and retention.

It is a really interesting subject. the topic focuses on man, his evolution, society, culture, etc. These topics are grouped under the headings of Social & social anthropology, Biological Anthropology, and Archaeological Anthropology. 

If you're someone who likes to read new things and seek knowledge, then this is often the proper subject for you. Most of the topic is going to be new you and you'll never face the boredom or lethargy you are feeling while studying other subjects which can seem repetitive thanks to their overlapping nature.

An advantage for Science Students

It is a boon for science students trying to find a non-technical subject. it's the right combination of science and science. Unlike other Arts subjects, the solution writing in anthropology isn't based much on writing creative answers and showcasing your writing prowess. The answers will mostly be to the purpose and explained using diagrams, flow charts, etc.

Things to stay in Mind

Read the syllabus thoroughly and punctiliously and choose it as long as you discover the topic matter interesting. additionally, having an honest reading and grasping speed is going to be helpful in covering the topic matter during a limited time.

Be willing to draw many diagrams for each answer, from Neanderthal skulls to prehistoric. So if the thought of sketching causes you to uncomfortable, you'll want to rethink this feature.

Anthropology Notes

Although the question might not invite diagrams, a graphic presentation will definitely fetch you more marks during this subject.

3. Sociology

What is Sociology? it's the study of the pattern of society, social interactions, cultures, etc.

It is another of the foremost scoring and best optional subjects within the UPSC Mains. it's also one among the simplest subjects offered by the UPSC. Since it's traditionally been an optional of choice among aspirants, you'll find much materials also as guidance on the topic. preparing to read material is of great help in any subject and saves tons of your time. you'll also enjoy the strategy and knowledge of these who had taken it as their optional subject.

Why you ought to Choose It?

The syllabus is genuinely restricted and generally static in nature. Likewise, different themes in both Paper I and II are related, subsequently diminishing the time required for arrangement.

Almost the whole prelims prep is India-centric and as a result, we are conscious of important changes in society, whether it's Government schemes or landmark Court judgments, this automatically takes care of any dynamic elements within the subject too.

After studying the topic, you'll have an in-depth understanding of Indian society and structure. this may be of great help within the interview stage since you've got an insight into the issues plaguing our society and be ready to offer some solutions for an equivalent.

Direct correlation with what we see in society and therefore the incontrovertible fact that you don’t need any prior knowledge or special skills to know it. 

Example

In Paper II, which is Indian Society: Structure and alter, contains concepts like kinship, caste, agrarian structure, religion, etc. Now, these are already familiar to us and hence albeit one doesn't know the technical answer to an issue, they will always write something supported public knowledge.

Things to stay in Mind

The answer writing for sociology is going to be largely subjective in nature. Be prepared to write down elaborate answers within the UPSC exam but with just the knowledge required by the examiner. the fragile balance between sticking to the word limit while compressing all the knowledge is vital here.

While those from a science background will find it very easy to know the syllabus, it’s purely non-scientific nature could be an enormous change from the standard. choose the topic as long as you are feeling you'll be comfortable learning a theoretical subject with no scientific undertones.

4. Public Administration

Since it had been first added within the Mains optional list in 1987, Public Administration has gained immense popularity and maybe a hot favorite among the aspirants. Also, the success rate for this subject is above other non-technical subjects. of these naturally make it one among the foremost scoring also as the best optional subjects in UPSC.

It is highly relevant to your future role as an administrator. Topics like Accountability, Personnel & Financial Administration, Organisations, etc., in Paper I, also because the entire material of Paper-II (Indian Administration), are going to be useful in understanding the setting you'll eventually be a neighborhood of. This makes the topic very practical and significant.

Other than this, the subsequent are the opposite reasons to settle on this subject.

Why you ought to Choose It?

A very large part of Paper-II overlaps together with your politics and Current Affairs prep for prelims. It contains topics like Public Sector Undertakings, Union Government & Administration, Urban government, Philosophical & Constitutional Framework of state, etc., which have already been covered.

The subject matter of this paper also overlaps with the Polity & Governance Paper generally Studies. it's highly beneficial to seek out such convergence in papers because it saves you time and energy and also provides ample material, also as different perspectives to write down better answers in both subjects.

Things to stay in Mind

As everyone will tell you, the syllabus is extremely compact. However, don't be fooled by now. albeit the topic is well defined, public administration is all about perspectives. an equivalent topic could also be viewed from many lenses and as a result, there's tons of reading and understanding that go within the subject.

Mugging up won't be as useful as conceptual clarity. The topics are interlinked and therefore the questions asked can sometimes be tricky. So unless you're absolutely clear about every concept you'll easily be misled by the questions. you'll ask public administration books for this purpose.

Other Points to stay in Mind

Since a really sizable amount of aspirants choose it, there's tons of competition. you actually need to shine call at your answers to attain well.

The questions asked within the exam are generally tough in nature thanks to their ambiguous and confusing nature. Take some time to read and re-read the question before answering it

Example

An inquiry in 2015 posed – "Assigned Legislation might be an important insidiousness." Comment. Here, the content, also as a coherent presentation, is equally important, which is feasible as long as you comprehend the question well.

5. Philosophy

What is philosophy? it's the study of data, values, existence, mind, language, etc.

As per the UPSC exam, Philosophy had a hit rate of seven in 2015-16, above History, Geography, Public Administration, and politics. it had been also the topic of choice of Athir Amir, CSE 2015, Rank 2.

The most important reason to settle on this one among the simplest optional subjects in UPSC, philosophy should be your interest in it. While reading Indian philosophy If the thinking of great Indian, also as foreign philosophers, excites you, then this is often definitely the topic for you. it's a particularly satisfying, knowledgeable, and interesting subject, provided you've got an inclination thereto. And if you are doing, then nobody can stop you from scoring high here.

Why you ought to Choose It?

Compact and amongst the shortest in syllabus UPSC. it's very clearly defined and absolutely static in nature. you only got to examine and understand the philosophical thoughts of the listed thinkers and be ready to reproduce it during a coherent manner.

The subject matter is interlinked with other Mains GS Papers like Ethics, and Essay writing. Ethics, in fact, derives from Philosophy, so you'll find tons of footing. The essay paper focuses on topics like gender, religion, justice, democracy, etc., which are covered once you study the varied thinkers and their views on these themes.

You virtually need little or no guidance to know this paper. If you are doing grind to a halt somewhere, there's much materials available online that present the thoughts of the philosophers in a simple and simplified manner. All you would like is an appetite for this type of data and it is often one among the foremost scoring optional in UPSC for you.

Things to stay in Mind

The paper requires very strong writing skills. But this could not be a drag if you've got a real interest within the subject and are willing to place in extra hours of writing practice.

6. Geography

Geography is a stimulating mixture of technical also as non-technical which makes it fashionable both arts and science background students. within the 2016 exams itself, geography was the topic of choice for 3 students within the top 20. actually rank 4 Saumya Pande, an engineer, chose geography and cleared the exam in her first attempt.

Why you ought to Choose It?

A vast amount of data is out there both online and offline about Indian geography also as world geography. there's an abundance of reading on geography, as this has been one among the simplest optional subjects for the UPSC mains exam.

Less tedious on the grounds that significant bits are as of now canvassed in GS.. this suggests you'll end up reading an equivalent topic again. Repeated reading will help increase the retention of key terms and ideas.

While most subjects of the test are interconnected, none appreciates the directing situation of geology. you'll find that it's associated with environment, diplomacy, Current Affairs, ecology, and even economics to some extent.

Interesting to read and really scoring. there's never a dull moment when studying for geography. it's fairly easy to know and aspirants from science also as humanities backgrounds are going to be ready to know it comfortably. Also, it's very scoring given its largely technical nature.

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Things to stay in Mind

There is great stress on models and theories within the mains paper, especially the lesser-known ones. this suggests you can't afford to go away out even the seemingly unimportant theories, resulting in increased study hours.

In Paper II, there's a stress on regional planning and contemporary issues. This makes the paper dynamic and enormously expands its extension.. therefore the tough part here isn't such a lot the content but rather the vastness of it.

Deep knowledge of maps is mandatory for this subject. So if the thought of mapping seems an onerous task for you, then you'll want to skip the topic.

Conclusion:

These were a couple of non-technical subjects and a few of the simplest optional subjects in UPSC that you simply can choose. the sole thing to stay in mind is your interest within the subject because that's the key to performing well.

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