Is it advantageous to have Political Science as an optional subject in IAS exam?
Author: DR.N.V. Srinivasa Rao Post Date: 18 Jun 2023
We can't universally say that one subject is good and the other subject is bad. It all depends on the interest and liking of the individual. A person likes eating sweets in the morning. For him that is a good breakfast. Some may not like to eat sweets in the morning. For such people, it is not a good breakfast. The likes and dislikes differ from person to person. I feel the same is the case with the selection of subjects.
Political Science is a dynamic subject. There are no hard and fast rules and individual political views can vary. There are advantages as well as disadvantages in this case also like any other subject. This subject is very common and hence all candidates will have some basic knowledge and foundation in this subject. Many candidates who wish to appear for the IAS examination will be in touch with current affairs and international relations as this is very useful for the preliminaries as well as for interviews also.
The following points make this subject one of the best subjects for IAS optional-
1. Whether a candidate selects this subject or not, studying this subject is essential for both preliminaries and mains as this subject is having a lot in common portion with general studies. So while preparing you can consider the topics that are to be covered for the optional subject also and that may help you in saving some time.
2. This subject will have a lot of overlap with current affairs. All IAS candidates should have good knowledge of current affairs for faring well in preliminaries. Hence the learning of this subject will be useful in two ways if this subject is selected as one of the optional subjects.
3. It is easy to understand the subject and no basic knowledge is very much essential for understanding the subject, I feel. The candidate can obtain standard books on the subject and study them so that a good grip on the subject can be obtained.
4. Candidates who selected Political science as optional will have better chances in the interview also. Basically, the questions on current affairs and international relations ships can be easily answered by the candidates who select this subject as optional.
Any coin will have two sides. In the same way, I think, we will have some disadvantages also if we select this subject as optional-
1. Sometimes it becomes very difficult to connect our views to some theories proposed in this science.
2. This subject is dynamic and will be changing, So a person who selected this as an option should be in touch with the current affairs, and accordingly, we should be getting updated with the changing scenario.
3. When we select this subject, we should have good communication and presentation skills. Our answers should be framed in such a way that our concept will be understood by the interviewing officer and appreciate our answer.
In my opinion, it is good to select this as one of the optional provided the candidate is having an interest in the subject and be able to make his ideas and thoughts very clear in his communications both verbal and written.
We can't universally say that one subject is good and the other subject is bad. It all depends on the interest and liking of the individual. A person likes eating sweets in the morning. For him that is a good breakfast. Some may not like to eat sweets in the morning. For such people, it is not a good breakfast. The likes and dislikes differ from person to person. I feel the same is the case with the selection of subjects.
Political Science is a dynamic subject. There are no hard and fast rules and individual political views can vary. There are advantages as well as disadvantages in this case also like any other subject. This subject is very common and hence all candidates will have some basic knowledge and foundation in this subject. Many candidates who wish to appear for the IAS examination will be in touch with current affairs and international relations as this is very useful for the preliminaries as well as for interviews also.
The following points make this subject one of the best subjects for IAS optional-
1. Whether a candidate selects this subject or not, studying this subject is essential for both preliminaries and mains as this subject is having a lot in common portion with general studies. So while preparing you can consider the topics that are to be covered for the optional subject also and that may help you in saving some time.
2. This subject will have a lot of overlap with current affairs. All IAS candidates should have good knowledge of current affairs for faring well in preliminaries. Hence the learning of this subject will be useful in two ways if this subject is selected as one of the optional subjects.
3. It is easy to understand the subject and no basic knowledge is very much essential for understanding the subject, I feel. The candidate can obtain standard books on the subject and study them so that a good grip on the subject can be obtained.
4. Candidates who selected Political science as optional will have better chances in the interview also. Basically, the questions on current affairs and international relations ships can be easily answered by the candidates who select this subject as optional.
Any coin will have two sides. In the same way, I think, we will have some disadvantages also if we select this subject as optional-
1. Sometimes it becomes very difficult to connect our views to some theories proposed in this science.
2. This subject is dynamic and will be changing, So a person who selected this as an option should be in touch with the current affairs, and accordingly, we should be getting updated with the changing scenario.
3. When we select this subject, we should have good communication and presentation skills. Our answers should be framed in such a way that our concept will be understood by the interviewing officer and appreciate our answer.
In my opinion, it is good to select this as one of the optional provided the candidate is having an interest in the subject and be able to make his ideas and thoughts very clear in his communications both verbal and written.
Author: Dr. Sanchita Ranjan Post Date: 15 Jun 2023
If IAS aspirants choose political science as optional subject then definitely it would give advantage. The biggest advantage with political science subject is that you gain broad knowledge of the current things going on. You can utilize in the general studies section. This, It would cover prelims section for general studies and save time for other topic. This way preparation for UPSC prelims and mains can be integrated. Till now,there have been many toppers who have had political science as their optional subject. Recently, IAS result 2022 has been declared. And IAS aspirants who got first rank chose political science as an optional subject. One important thing, I would like to suggest you that especially in UPSC exam you should choose subject according to your interest as it is very competitive and tough exam. Before opting subject, you must see whether you are interested in that subject or not.
If IAS aspirants choose political science as optional subject then definitely it would give advantage. The biggest advantage with political science subject is that you gain broad knowledge of the current things going on. You can utilize in the general studies section. This, It would cover prelims section for general studies and save time for other topic. This way preparation for UPSC prelims and mains can be integrated. Till now,there have been many toppers who have had political science as their optional subject. Recently, IAS result 2022 has been declared. And IAS aspirants who got first rank chose political science as an optional subject. One important thing, I would like to suggest you that especially in UPSC exam you should choose subject according to your interest as it is very competitive and tough exam. Before opting subject, you must see whether you are interested in that subject or not.
Author: Neelam Post Date: 04 Jul 2023
Having political science as an optional subject is sure advantageous if one has good knowledge of the subject, and also since if one is well versed in political science, he/she sure will be updated in current affairs related to the polity of the nation and since the polity of the nation is in turn connected to international relations and thus geography, the economy of the concerned nations involved it will help one to have a grasp over more subjects simultaneously. But for this to happen, one should obviously be well-versed in the subject itself, starting from historical background.
For the IAS exam though the syllabus is very vast but it is the interconnection and linking of all the subjects that help a candidate to achieve success. A candidate who understands how to link all the subjects in the syllabus is better able to understand the exam. Thus it is advised for a candidate to go through the syllabus very well before preparing for the exam.
Having political science as an optional subject is sure advantageous if one has good knowledge of the subject, and also since if one is well versed in political science, he/she sure will be updated in current affairs related to the polity of the nation and since the polity of the nation is in turn connected to international relations and thus geography, the economy of the concerned nations involved it will help one to have a grasp over more subjects simultaneously. But for this to happen, one should obviously be well-versed in the subject itself, starting from historical background.
For the IAS exam though the syllabus is very vast but it is the interconnection and linking of all the subjects that help a candidate to achieve success. A candidate who understands how to link all the subjects in the syllabus is better able to understand the exam. Thus it is advised for a candidate to go through the syllabus very well before preparing for the exam.
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