How to Choose the Optional Subject ? | Dr Vikas Divyakirti | Drishti IAS English

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The purpose of this class is to help students make informed decisions about their optional subjects for the IES exam. The instructor aims to provide neutral and objective guidance in choosing the right subject.

Importance of Decision-making

• Many students have doubts and dilemmas about which subjects to choose for the IES exam.

• Making the right decision regarding optional subjects is crucial for a successful career in the IES.

• The class aims to enable students to make informed decisions.

Significance of IES

• Most candidates aspire to join the Indian Engineering Services (IES).

• Getting into IES requires securing a rank within the top 75, which corresponds to around 1000-1025 marks.

• Scoring even a few marks higher can significantly improve one's rank.

Optional Subject Selection

• Apart from General Studies, Essay, and Interview, selecting an optional subject is essential for the IES exam.

• In English medium, General Studies is relatively easier to score with a maximum of around 470 marks.

• Around 20-30 candidates score more than 440 marks in General Studies.

Strategies for Scoring Marks

• Two strategies are discussed - writing answers in paragraphs or bullet points.

• One candidate who secured first rank wrote answers in paragraphs.

• Another candidate who also secured first rank wrote answers in bullet points.

Expected Marks in Essay

• The highest marks observed were around 149 out of 250.

Timestamps may not be accurate due to limitations in processing audio content.

New Section

This section discusses the board members' interview process and the importance of having a liberal mindset.

Board Members Interview

• The board members are very liberal, with marks ranging from 160 to 206.

• The UPSC attempts to equalize the marks of all boards and advises the members accordingly.

• Parity is suggested in meetings, where good candidates should receive appropriate smiles and feedback.

• Good writers can expect around 135 marks, while those with a pleasant personality and interview experience can score up to 200-205 marks.

• Personality plays a significant role in determining interview scores.

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This section emphasizes that even top scorers should not claim entitlement to their ranks as it is a matter of chance.

Rank and Entitlement

• Scoring first rank does not guarantee entitlement; it is a matter of chance.

• If optional subject marks are less than 275 and cannot be compensated by other sections, one may not qualify for IES (Indian Engineering Services).

• OBC, EWS, ST candidates have certain leverage in terms of additional marks.

New Section

This section explores the decision-making process for choosing an optional subject.

Choosing an Optional Subject

• All optional subjects are considered equal by UPSC.

• Factors to consider when choosing an optional subject include interest, helpfulness in essay writing and interviews, availability of guidance or study material, background knowledge in the subject, and absence of current affairs involvement.

The Importance of Optional Subjects in UPSC Exams

In this section, the speaker discusses the significance of optional subjects in UPSC exams and how they can impact a candidate's success.

Choosing Optional Subjects

• It is suggested that candidates choose optional subjects based on their own interests and strengths.

• Following the subject chosen by the topper without considering one's own aptitude and marks obtained may not be a wise decision.

• The percentage of selections from each subject does not necessarily indicate the role of an optional subject in a candidate's success.

Factors to Consider

• Scoring ability should be considered when selecting an optional subject.

• Current affairs knowledge is crucial for all subjects, as answers may change every year.

• Background knowledge and familiarity with a subject can also play a role in choosing an optional subject.

Importance of Scoring Ability

• Scoring ability should be given priority when selecting an optional subject, as it determines the overall performance in the exam.

• Investing several years into preparing for UPSC exams requires considering portability as the primary parameter for choosing an optional subject.

Philosophy of Choosing Optional Subjects

In this section, the speaker shares insights on making decisions regarding optional subjects based on philosophy and reasoning.

Two Approaches to Decision Making

1. Choose a subject related to your background, regardless of its scoring potential.

2. Choose a scoring subject, irrespective of its connection to your background.

Purpose and Portability

• When investing time and effort into UPSC exams, portability becomes the most important factor to consider.

• Scoring ability is essential but should be seen as an additional parameter rather than the sole determinant for choosing an optional subject.

By following these guidelines, candidates can make informed decisions about their optional subjects, considering their interests, strengths, and the overall purpose of the UPSC exams.

New Section

In this section, the speaker discusses the preparation strategy for different years and suggests sacrificing certain subjects. The importance of rank position is also mentioned.

Preparation Strategy Based on Year

• If preparing for 2024 (less than one year), sacrifice Denmark and focus on other options.

• If preparing for 2025 or later, spend two more months to improve ranks by 10 marks (equivalent to 100-80 ranks).

Importance of Rank Position

• The number of ranks gained depends on the position in the rank list.

• Foreign candidates are also considered in the ranking process.

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This section focuses on subject-specific rankings and their impact on overall performance.

Subject Rankings

• Different subjects have varying average scores and rankings.

• The upper limit in a subject determines the potential score.

• Scoring high marks is not solely dependent on UPSC but also individual effort.

New Section

Here, the speaker discusses challenges in moderating examiners' marks and dealing with subjectivity.

Moderation Challenges

• It is difficult to develop a system that can handle every possible subjectivity.

• Despite claims of moderation, some subjects have limited high-scoring candidates.

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This section provides insights into specific subject rankings achieved by candidates.

Subject Rankings (Continued)

• PSIR (Political Science and International Relations) has achieved rank one with a score of 313.

• Anthropology has performed well with a rank of 110 and a score of 325.

• Sociology has seen scores up to 315 for rank 103.

• Geography has achieved a score of 298 for rank 126.

• History has seen scores up to 280, with rank 620 being the highest.

• Chemistry has achieved a score of 300 for rank 772.

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This section continues discussing subject rankings achieved by candidates.

Subject Rankings (Continued)

• Electrical Engineering has achieved a score of 304 for rank 230.

• Physics has seen scores up to 299, with rank 349 being the highest.

• Geography and English Literature have also shown good performance.

• Other subjects have limited data available, mostly below the threshold of 275 marks.

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The speaker briefly mentions philosophy as another subject but does not provide specific details.

Philosophy

• No specific information is provided about philosophy in this transcript.

New Section

In this section, the speaker discusses the importance of choosing subjects with potential for good marks in order to qualify for IAS. They also mention specific subjects and their respective sizes.

Choosing Subjects for Good Marks

• It is important to choose subjects that have the potential for good marks.

• The speaker suggests being careful in selecting a subject that can help achieve the required 275 marks for IAS.

• Factors such as belonging to certain categories (obesity, EWS, SD, ST) or having a background in a particular subject can influence subject selection.

• Different subjects have different mark potentials based on their size and difficulty level.

Subject Sizes

• Sociology, philosophy, psychology are considered small subjects.

• Geography and PSIR (Political Science and International Relations) are medium to large-sized subjects.

• History is medium to large-sized.

• Mathematics is considered small.

• Economics' size depends on one's background but is generally medium-sized.

• Zoology falls under medium-low size while agriculture engineering falls under small to medium size.

• Physics and chemistry are both medium-sized while Sanskrit is small to medium-sized.

Determining Subject Size

• The number of classes required to cover the syllabus determines the size of a subject.

• If a subject's syllabus can be covered in around 80-85 classes, it is considered small.

• Medium-sized subjects require approximately 90 to 120 classes.

• Large subjects take more than 120 classes.

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In this section, the speaker explains how class duration affects determining subject sizes and mentions additional question-answer practice sessions.

Class Duration and Subject Size

• The duration of classes needed to cover a subject's syllabus helps determine its size.

• Small: Syllabus covered in approximately 80-90 classes.

• Medium: Syllabus covered in around 90-120 classes.

• Large: Syllabus covered in more than 120 classes.

Question-Answer Practice Sessions

• Additional question-answer practice sessions are conducted separately from regular classes.

• These sessions can add around 30 extra classes to the total duration required for a subject.

• Some students combine regular classes and question-answer practice, taking approximately 120 classes to cover both aspects.

New Section

In this section, the speaker discusses the importance of certain subjects for scoring marks in different stages of the exam.

Scoring Marks with Different Subjects

• Philosophy and PSIR (Political Science and International Relations) help score marks in essay writing and general studies papers.

• Geography is beneficial for general studies as it has a significant weightage, especially when combined with environment-related questions.

• History contributes to scoring marks in both prelims and mains exams, particularly in governance and quality-related topics.

• Economics helps score marks in prelims with around 15 to 20 questions dedicated to the subject.

New Section

In this section, the speaker emphasizes that studying any subject seriously can be helpful. They also mention how having an interest in a subject can make a difference.

Studying Any Subject Seriously

• It is important to study any chosen subject seriously, regardless of its relevance or background knowledge.

• The speaker shares their personal experience of studying history despite having a background in history honors from Delhi University.

Interest in the Subject

• Having an interest in a subject can make a difference when preparing for exams.

• Even civil engineers with an interest in mathematics can benefit from studying math seriously.

New Section

In this section, the speaker mentions that certain subjects are more helpful in essay writing and provide good quotes.

Subjects Helpful for Essay Writing

• Literature subjects can provide good quotes for essay writing.

• Economics is also helpful in prelims and provides at least 100 marks.

• Other subjects may not directly help in prelims or mains but can contribute significantly to essay writing.

New Section

In this section, the speaker emphasizes that studying any subject seriously is important, regardless of whether it directly helps in exams.

Studying Any Subject Seriously

• The speaker reiterates the importance of studying any subject seriously, regardless of its direct relevance to exams.

• They mention that having a serious approach towards any subject can be beneficial.

New Section

In this section, the speaker shares their personal experience of studying history despite having a background in history honors from Delhi University.

Personal Experience with History

• The speaker studied history even though they already had a background in history honors from Delhi University.

• They highlight that studying a subject seriously is more important than just having prior knowledge.

Scoring in Subjects

The speaker discusses the importance of scoring well in subjects and suggests focusing on subjects where you have a good background and interest.

Importance of Scoring Well

• Scoring 280-285+ marks in a subject is equivalent to scoring 300 marks in another subject.

• It is recommended to choose a subject that you have a good background in and are interested in.

• If you can score well in your background subject, it will save time and effort compared to starting from scratch.

• English medium students generally perform well across subjects, while Hindi medium students need more attention.

Time Investment

• Even small subjects require at least three months of classes and additional self-study.

• Spending four to six months on essay writing, GS answer practice, etc., can help improve scores by at least 20 marks.

Cost-Benefit Analysis

• Consider the cost (time investment) and benefit (potential score improvement) when choosing an optional subject.

• Don't just focus on the 300-mark subjects; if you have a good background, scoring well in your chosen subject can be more beneficial.

Belief in Yourself

• Have confidence that you can be one of the top candidates even if the number of high-scoring candidates seems small.

• Believe that you can achieve a score of 280-285+ if you have a strong interest and background in geography.

Background Classification

The speaker discusses different categories based on the candidate's background knowledge for selecting an optional subject.

No Background

• Some candidates claim to have a background but lack practical knowledge or understanding beyond what they studied for exams.

Serious Background

• Candidates with deep interest and knowledge in subjects like English literature, political science, geography, etc.

• These subjects can be considered for those who have a strong interest and understanding in them.

Limited Background

• Subjects like sociology, anthropology, philosophy, etc., can be considered for candidates with some background knowledge.

• Geography and history can also be chosen if there is a deep interest in the GS part related to these subjects.

Additional Subject Recommendations

The speaker suggests additional subjects based on their focus and relevance.

Anthropology

• Focuses more on tribal or primitive social structures and includes the topic of physical evolution of human beings.

Sociology

• Explores current social structures and provides insights into society's functioning.

Philosophy

• Covers various philosophical concepts and theories.

Offshore Subjects

The speaker discusses choosing offshore subjects for scoring well without much challenge.

Offshore Subjects

• If you are comfortable with General Studies (GS) but want an optional subject to score well, consider these three subjects:

• Sociology

• Anthropology

• Philosophy

Importance of GS

• Scoring well in GS is crucial, so prioritize time investment accordingly.

These notes provide a clear summary of the transcript by organizing key points under relevant sections. Timestamps are used to link each point to the corresponding part of the video.

Foreign and Geography

The speaker discusses the subjects of foreign language and geography.

Foreign Language

• Studying a foreign language is an abstract subject.

• Philosophy involves studying things that cannot be seen, such as the soul, God, heaven, liberation, and karma.

• Philosophy is interesting for those with a logical mind who seek answers to ultimate questions.

Geography

• Geography encompasses various aspects like oceans, mountains, monsoons, etc.

• The speaker mentions studying philosophy to find answers to questions about birth and death.

Choosing Subjects in Level Two

The speaker provides suggestions for subjects in level two of study.

Psychology

• Psychology can be a good subject to study at this level.

English Literature

• English literature is a viable option if one can find good guidance.

Law

• Law can be pursued if there is an aptitude for it.

Economics

• Economics should only be chosen by those with a background in the subject.

Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Math

The speaker suggests subjects related to engineering and science fields.

Civil Engineering

• Civil engineering can be chosen if one has a background in it.

Electrical Engineering

• Similar to civil engineering, electrical engineering requires prior knowledge in the field.

Physics

• Physics is recommended for those comfortable with its concepts and principles.

Chemistry

• Chemistry should be considered by individuals with a background in the subject matter.

Math

• Mathematics is another option for those who have a strong foundation in the subject area.

Choosing a Language for Literature

In this section, the speaker discusses the importance of language choice when studying literature.

Language Choice for Hindi Literature

• The highest score in Hindi literature in the last 10 years is 344.

• A candidate with an English medium electrical engineering background achieved this score.

• If you have good command over Hindi, then studying Hindi literature is a viable option.

• However, if you have good command over English, then studying English literature may be more suitable.

Benefits of English Medium

• Being proficient in two languages can make you a confident and well-rounded individual.

• If you are comfortable with both languages, it opens up more opportunities for success.

Subject Choice: Maths or Geography

This section focuses on choosing between maths and geography as a subject to study.

Preference for Mathematics

• If you are strong in math, it is recommended to choose mathematics as your subject.

• Mathematics offers excellent career prospects and is considered one of the best subjects to study.

Geography as an Alternative

• Geography can also be a good choice if you have an interest in the subject.

• It plays a significant role in General Studies (GS) exams and covers around 30 questions in prelims.

Other Subjects to Consider

This section explores other subjects that may be worth considering.

Foreign Languages

• Foreign languages are not heavily tested in exams like GS or PSIR (Political Science and International Relations).

Importance of Geography and History

• Geography has more relevance in GS exams compared to PSIR because GS questions are based on current affairs.

Science Subjects

• Zoology may have some changes, while agriculture might have minimal changes compared to other science subjects like physics or psychology.

Understanding the Importance of Concepts and Facts

The speaker emphasizes the need to have a good understanding of both concepts and facts for success in exams.

Focus on Concepts and Facts

• It is important to have a reasonable grasp of concepts and facts.

• A mix of concepts and facts is necessary for exam preparation.

• Pay attention to both concepts and facts in future attempts.

Success in UPSC and PCS Exams

The speaker discusses how candidates who have taken UPSC and PCS exams tend to pass the prelims comfortably.

Success in UPSC and PCS Exams

• Candidates with experience in UPSC and PCS exams have a higher chance of passing the prelims.

• UPSC tends to change trends frequently.

Choosing English over Hindi Literature

The speaker suggests that choosing English as an optional subject may be more advantageous than Hindi literature.

English vs. Hindi Literature

• If everything else is equal, choosing English as an optional subject is better than Hindi literature.

• Current trends indicate that English medium students perform better than those studying Hindi literature.

Anthropology as a Better Choice

The speaker asserts that anthropology is a better choice compared to other subjects like commerce examples or psychology.

Anthropology as a Better Choice

• Anthropology has seen higher marks compared to other subjects like commerce examples or psychology.

• Previous years' results show higher scores in anthropology for both English medium and Hindi medium students.

• Stick with anthropology as it remains a strong choice despite personal preferences or opinions.

Psychology vs. Sociology

The speaker discusses the choice between psychology and sociology as optional subjects.

Psychology vs. Sociology

• If you have a good interest in psychology, choose psychology as an optional subject.

• Sociology is not recommended as a current-based subject.

• Sociology can still be a better choice for some individuals based on personal preferences.

Paper 2 and History in Optional Subjects

The speaker provides advice on paper 2 and studying history in optional subjects.

Paper 2 and History

• Paper 2 focuses more on governance and quality.

• Completing quality and governance in General Studies (GS) makes paper 2 easier.

• Stick with your current optional subject if it is going well, but consider switching to history if you have studied it extensively in GS.

Studying History in Optional Subjects

The speaker addresses whether studying history in GS is sufficient or if additional study is required for the optional subject.

Studying History

• Studying history in GS provides a foundation, but additional study is recommended for the optional subject.

• Allocate extra time to gain a deeper understanding of each topic within history.

These are the main sections covered in the transcript.

Tonsa

The speaker mentions the term "tonsa."

Tonsa

• The meaning or context of the term "tonsa" is not provided in the transcript.

Geography and Teacher's Explanation

The speaker discusses geography and mentions that the teacher will explain everything.

Teacher's Explanation of Geography

• The speaker suggests that the teacher is very good and will provide a thorough explanation of geography.

• It is implied that the teacher will cover all necessary topics related to geography.

One Of

The speaker briefly mentions "one of."

"One Of"

• No further information or context is provided regarding what "one of" refers to.

Huh

The speaker expresses confusion with a brief utterance of "huh."

Confusion Expressed

• The speaker seems puzzled or unsure about something, but no specific details are given.

Hindi Medium Reference

The speaker mentions being from a Hindi medium background.

Hindi Medium Background

• The speaker states that they come from a Hindi medium educational background.

• No further information is provided about how this relates to the topic being discussed.

Hindi Medium Education

The speaker reiterates their reference to a Hindi medium education.

Importance of Hindi Medium Education

• It is emphasized again that the speaker has received education in Hindi medium.

• No additional details are given about why this may be significant in relation to the topic.

Hindi Literature, History, and Geography

The speaker mentions the subjects of Hindi literature, history, and geography in a specific sequence.

Sequence of Subjects in Hindi Medium Education

• The speaker states that they have studied Hindi literature, history, and geography in a particular order.

• No further information is provided about the content or significance of these subjects.

Sources for Information

The speaker discusses sources for obtaining information.

Using Magazines or Websites as Sources

• The speaker suggests that magazines or websites can be used as sources of information.

• It is implied that these sources can provide relevant content for studying or gathering knowledge.

Foreign Language Reference

The speaker briefly mentions something related to a foreign language.

Reference to Foreign Language

• The speaker makes a passing reference to something related to a foreign language.

• No specific details are given about what this reference entails.