UPSC IAS Subjects and IAS Study Material

Posted by ashvini sri on February 16th, 2018

A major issue every student faces in the civil service exam, this is the choice of optional subjects, according to recent changes in the pattern of IAS exam, the preliminary test in this exam has been replaced by civil service aptitude test from 2011, which comprises of two objective papers for all students carrying equal marks. So the students don’t have to decide the optional subjects for the preliminary exam.

Along with five compulsory papers for the mains exam, candidates have to choose two subjects from a list of 25 optional subjects. The following papers are not allowed combinations in the UPSC syllabus-

  • Commerce and Accounting management
  • Political Science & international relations and public administration
  • Anthropology and sociology
  • Mathematics and statistics
  • Agriculture and animal husbandry & veterinary science
  • Management and Public Administration
  • Any Two branches of Engineering
  • Medical Science and Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science
  • Combination of Two kinds of literature

Previously, candidates usually took their mainstream subject as first optional and most of the stuff was covered in the prelims exam and then they had just to decide on the second optional subject, But subjects for mains exam with more criterion in mind as this is the very important factor that determines the candidate’s chances of getting through this exam.

Candidates must be comfortable with the subject. The decision should not be made on the basis of the length of the subject, but of the one’s comfort with the subject itself. For example, history and geography are usually known for long syllabus and answers, while public management and anthropology have a short syllabus and answers. The point is not in selecting the subjects that have a short or lengthy syllabus and answers. The point is not in selecting the subjects that have short or long answers, but you should be easy with the subject.

Accessibility of study material is also an important issue in defining the optional subject. There should be enough resources obtainable for preparation, continuous effort also important. To score more on the exam join in the IAS Coaching Centre in Chennai they will give you more ideas about the exam. For more: UPSC Coaching in Chennai

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ashvini sri

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ashvini sri
Joined: February 16th, 2018
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