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Is history a good optional?

Author

Charlotte Adams

Published Feb 14, 2026

Is history a good optional?

History is a popular optional subject chosen by candidates in the IAS mains exam. It is a very important subject in the UPSC scheme of things because history is included in the IAS prelims exam and in the IAS mains general studies papers as well. If you are an IAS aspirant you cannot get by without studying history.

Likewise, how do you write a mains answer?

Give complete answers: It is important to take a multi-dimensional approach to answer writing in the IAS mains exam. You should approach the answer from 360 degrees and start writing. Use keywords: Always use keywords to highlight important and scoring points in your answers. Try to underline the keywords.

Similarly, which coaching is best for history optional? Why GS Score for History Optional Coaching

For the students who are unable to attend classroom program in Delhi we have launched dedicated History Optional Online Classes which is among the best History Optional Coaching in Delhi.

Beside this, can I prepare optional after prelims?

After taking the Prelim exam, from June to October of the year X, you can revise your optional subject and GS and prepare the Essay paper before taking the Main exam in October. From the second week of June (Previous year) to October ( Previous year),viz. 4 months, prepare the optional subject and CSAT.

Who got highest marks in UPSC optional ever?

Vishal Sah

Which book is best for history optional?

The following are some of the best reference books to follow for the preparation of IAS Mains History Optional:
  • The Wonder That Was India – A.L.
  • From Plassey to Partition: A History of Modern India.
  • India's Struggle for IndependenceBipan Chandra.
  • Indian Art and Culture – Nitin Singhania.

Which is the easiest subject for IAS?

Answer: Sociology, Geography, and Public Administration are easy subjects to score. Many candidates have scored more than 400 marks in these optional subjects as per the previous year's result.

Which is the most scoring optional for IAS?

Success Rate of Optional Subjects in UPSC 2016
Optional SubjectCandidates AppearedCandidates Recommended
Agriculture22041
Medical science9816
Animal husbandry and veterinary science658
Economics326

Is geography a scoring optional?

Even in the UPSC personality test, Geography will be useful as the board can ask questions on the local geography of a candidate's home town like soil, vegetation, minerals, etc. Geography is a scoring subject because unlike humanities subjects, there is not much scope for interpretation.

Is anthropology good optional?

Anthropology. Anthropology is considered one of the best optional subjects in UPSC. While none of the toppers in the past 10 years had anthropology as their optional, a number of students with other ranks have opted for it as well as attained high scores.

What is the syllabus of history for IAS?

History Syllabus For UPSC

Ancient Indian History – Ancient Indian History NCERT Notes. Medieval Indian History-Medieval Indian History NCERT Notes. Modern Indian History- Modern Indian history Notes.

Is public administration good optional?

Public administration is a popular optional subject listed in UPSC IAS main examination optional subjects list. On an average, more than 2500 candidates appear in the main examination with Public Administration as optional paper.

How do you write an answer?

Use words according the marks allotted to a particular question. Do not just write to increase the length of your answers. Instead, compose your answers by infusing right keywords. Try to use concise words to increase the quality of your answer.

Where can I practice mains answer?

Mains Answer Writing Practice is a Free Course provided by Vajiram & Ravi to help students prepare well for their mains exam. The esteemed faculties of Vajiram & Ravi prepare Questions that are important for Mains Exam and post it every alternate day on VajiramIAS App and

Is cursive writing compulsory in UPSC?

Originally Answered: Is cursive writing acceptable in UPSC ? Definitely until its clear else if a candidate's handwriting is not easily understandable, a deduction is made from the total marks or from the particular.

How can I approach UPSC mains?

For the mains:
  1. Begin preparing in June 2019.
  2. Complete the NCERTs in 1-1.5 months, and begin with the subject-specific study.
  3. Start answer writing from the later part of July 2019.
  4. Start your optional in October 2019.
  5. Begin writing prelims tests around the same time.
  6. Complete your syllabus by end of January 2020.

Who will correct UPSC mains paper?

The Head Examiner evaluates random/sample UPSC Mains answer sheets before the Examiner's meeting. Immediately after the Head Examiner evaluates the random answer booklets, the Examiner's meeting starts. Here, all the examiners discuss the papers and agree on standards and yardsticks to assess and evaluate the papers.

Is English a good optional for IAS?

The UPSC offers candidates 48 optional subjects to choose from in the civil services mains exam. Out of these, 23 are the literature of languages. English literature is one of them and is a popular optional among the language optionals.

How do I clear prelims on first attempt?

How to Crack IAS in First Attempt?
  1. First things first – understand the UPSC syllabus & pattern. The chief difference between the UPSC prelims and the mains is in the type of questions.
  2. Multiple Sources.
  3. Current Affairs.
  4. Plans & Goals.
  5. Revise.
  6. Aptitude Test.
  7. Mock Tests.
  8. Do not Waver.

Can I clear UPSC in 2 months?

The IAS Prelims exam is just a few months away. It will be held on 4th October 2020. Many IAS hopefuls might be wondering if it is possible to crack the UPSC Prelims in just 60 days. The answer is a resounding YES.

How to Prepare for IAS Prelims in Two Months.

EXAMGS PAPER ICSAT
No. of Questions10080
Objective TypeYesYes
Negative MarksYesYes

Can I clear UPSC mains in 3 months?

The main points to remember while preparing for the exam in three months are; The candidates must understand the exam pattern well and work accordingly. The candidates must ensure they understand the exam syllabus and prepare based on it.

What is the difference between prelims and mains?

Preliminary Examination is the 1st stage of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Service Exam. Mains Examination is the 2nd stage of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Service Exam. UPSC Civil Service Prelims exam follows Objective Type pattern and the answers must be marked in an OMR sheet.

How many questions attempt in prelims?

How Many Questions to Attempt in UPSC Prelims Paper 1? There will be 100 questions in total so try to aim at solving around 75-85 questions correctly and later on solve 10-15 questions which you know the answer partially. There is no compulsion to answer all the 100 questions.

Is mains prelims same as syllabus?

Both prelims and main exam have different syllabi viz: Stage 1: IAS Preliminary Exam – 2 papers that include General Studies like history, geography, Indian polity, Logical reasoning, and analytical ability, Decision making and problem-solving, etc. Stage 2: IAS Main Exam – Written exam (9 papers)

What should I do after clearing UPSC Prelims?

UPSC Civil Services 2020 Prelims: What happens after you qualify UPSC- Know all about IAS training at LBSNAA
  1. UPSC Recruitment aftermath: The candidates have to undergo training in order to become a civil servant in India.
  2. Foundation Training:
  3. Professional training 1:
  4. District Training.
  5. Professional training 2:

How can I prepare for mains with prelims?

We recommend that you start your mains preparation along with the IAS prelims preparation. Focus on covering the portions in the prelims GS paper first. Then move on to the other sections even before the prelims. Only this way you will be able to cover the UPSC syllabus before the mains exams.