UPSC

Students may select one optional topic for the Union Public Service Commission Civil Services Examination UPSC CSE Main (written). Public Administration and Geography were the most preferred subject among the optional subjects chosen by the Union Public Service Commission candidates, followed by International Relations & Political Science, and Sociology. In recent times, Hindi literature has been a popular optional subject among students writing the Mains exam and clearing the Civil Services Examination. For more details, you may visit the Shiksha UPSC CSE exam page. (https://www.shiksha.com/exams/upsc-exam). I hope this will help you.

I guess it depends on the person because Union Public Service Commission is not about one or two subjects. The main subjects for Union Public Service Commission are art and culture, history, geography, society, politics, Science and technology, the environment, ethics, economics, etc. It is up to you whether you find a subject difficult or easy. Some people find mathematics very boring, while others find geography fascinating. That's why toppers say to first identify your strengths and weaknesses and what you like. Be it tough or easy, you have to study everything. When you start taking interest in any subject, then things become a little easier, so find out your interest, strengths, and weaknesses. For more details, you may visit the Shiksha Union Public Service Commission exam page. (https://www.shiksha.com/exams/upsc-exam). I hope this will help you.

Importance of optional subjects:
1- The optional papers (Paper VI and Paper VII) of the main examination carry 500 marks together, which is almost 25 percent of the total marks (2025) of the written and personality tests put together. So, with so much weight, the options can be deal-makers or deal-breakers.
2- If you have analyzed the General Studies marks of a particular year's topper and the person who scored the 100th rank, the range of their marks will not be at much variance. Toppers become toppers through their optional subject and the essay paper. These are the most controllable parts of the written test. So, if you do well in these two areas, your chances of becoming a topper are very high if you do well in the general studies section. Three marks in the optional paper decide whether or not you'll get your interview call, your dream service, and your dream cadre. Before choosing the best optional subject for you, consider the four most important factors.
1- Your interest in any subject is based on your educational background and your interest in reading about that subject.
2- Availability of guidance and resources in your language of choice: especially important for Hindi-medium students.
3- Overlap with the General Studies syllabus: for example, subjects like geography, political Science, sociology, etc.
4- The breadth of the syllabus and its evolving pattern: this should be the final consideration because the syllabus length of each subject varies and the pattern of asking dynamic questions from any subject is unpredictable. Please don't choose a subject just because many toppers are from that subject, so very good marks are given to that subject as compared to others, as this is not true. I hope this will help you.

A few things must be kept in mind while preparing for the Union Public Service Commission Mains exam three months after the prelims exam:
1- Here is an assumption that you have prepared your optional subjects, essay, and ethics paper before the prelims exam. These 3 papers cover 1000 marks of the Mains exam out of 1750 marks.
2- Now in this period of three months, you are supposed to revise these subjects and practice answer writing for the same.
3- For General Studies paper 1 you have already prepared enough while preparing for the prelim exam.
4- For papers 2 and paper 3 of General Studies make the list of topics from the syllabus and Current Affairs and do the topic-wise study to avoid any last-time confusion.
5- Practice writing answers for General Studies and essay papers in a limited time frame so that you can complete your paper on time. Importance of Answer Writing: Answer writing for Union Public Service Commission is the key to unlocking the lock called the Mains exam. Union Public Service Commission wants you to write answers within the word limit which is 200 to 250 words. So you have to be very accurate and stick to the point as there is no room for beating around the bush. For more details, you may visit the Shiksha UPSC exam page. (https://www.shiksha.com/exams/upsc-exam). I hope this will help you.

1- Know the syllabus and Previous Year's Questions that will help you understand exam patterns and the different kinds of questions asked in exams.
2- Set limited sources that allow for better revision.
3- Integrated Preparation (Prelims and Mains) because the Mains syllabus cannot be covered after prelims, hence should be prepared early.
4- Daily Answer Writing helps to increase answer writing quality over time.
5- Make your own notes or short notes for the Mains exam that help in later revision if it is your own study note.
6- Components of Union Public Service Commission Study Plan:
1- Blocks of Syllabus: Static, Current Affairs and Mock Tests.
2- Time Taken to Cover: Stick to the schedule and ensure.
3- Revision helps you recall the knowledge in the exam
4- Dedication and Commitment: Strict timelines to ensure consistency. Strategy:
1- Make your strategy in 7 days, and watch strategy videos.
2- Watch topper videos to understand your own requirements which are very important.
3- Arrange for the study material like standard books, textbooks, etc.
4- Make a Study Plan according to your time.
5- General Studies Plan with timelines and topics detailed here.
6- Cover optional subjects along with General Studies.
7- Attempt Mock tests for Optional essays as well.
8- Revision is very important.
9- Keep adding new Current Affairs with each revision.
10- Subsequent revisions should take lesser time-use spaced repetition.
11- First focus on weak areas you identified during mock tests. For more information, you may visit the Shiksha UPSC exam page. (https://www.shiksha.com/exams/upsc-exam). I hope this will help you.

In the last 10 days of the Union Public Service Commission preliminary exams, you should focus on revising and consolidating your preparation. Here are some tips on what to read during this time:
1- Revise important topics: Focus on revising the important topics and concepts that you have already studied. Go through your notes and revise the key points, formulas, and facts.
2- Solve mock tests: Take mock tests and solve the previous year's question papers to assess your preparation level and identify your strengths and weaknesses. This will also help you get a sense of the exam pattern and the types of questions asked.
3- Read Current Affairs Read Current Affairs and update yourself on the latest happenings in India and the world. Focus on important events and issues that are relevant to the Union Public Service Commission exam.
4- Revision of NCERTs: Go through the NCERT textbooks of classes 612 to revise the basic concepts and fundamentals.
5- Follow the newspaper: Read a newspaper daily and focus on important news related to politics, the economy, Science and technology, international relations, and the environment.
6- Quick revision guides: You can refer to quick revision guides or notes for a quick recap of the important topics and concepts. Remember, the last 10 days are crucial for your preparation, and you should use this time to revise and consolidate your knowledge. Avoid starting anything new at this stage and focus on what you already know. Stay calm and confident, and trust in your preparation. I hope this will help you.

The day before the exam you need to Prepare the essentials things that are listed below;
1- Hall ticket 2 copies
2- ID Card
3- Used black ballpoint pen 3
4- Writing pad (Some desks may be in poor condition)
5- Water bottle & lunch bag.
6- Watch (Smartwatches are not allowed)
7- Make sure to decide the comfortable dress you are going to wear on the day of the examination
8- Due to COVID Masks are necessary.
9- Do check the distance between the place of your stay and the examination center. Plan to reach the center 1 hour before the exam time.
10- Deciding your mode of travel is very important.
11- Sleep well the day before the exam & Always is the most important thing.
12- Eat a balanced diet (The day before the exam and the day of the exam)
13- Avoid Panicking.
14- Go to the toilet before the exam starts.
15- Believe that you will clear and that will happen. I hope this will help you.