The optional subject in the Mains examination makes up 500 marks out of a total of 1750 marks and thus, plays a major role in determining one's success in the exam. In this context, choosing the right optional, focusing on the relevant book-list and answer writing practice is extremely crucial. Before I delve into my strategy for History optional, I'd like to discuss some key points to be kept in mind while choosing one's optional.
Firstly, do not go by the recent trends in a particular optional and thus, don't choose an optional because many toppers have opted for it or because it is scoring. What may be scoring for some, may not necessarily be scoring for you. Secondly, go through the syllabi of different optionals and see if any ignites a genuine interest in the subject. Thirdly, go through the basic books online and check if the subject seems easy to grasp. By easy to grasp, I mean one's ability to understand the subject, study it for long hours and be able to understand the demand of the questions asked in the exam. After you have done this, narrow down on your optional and move on to the next stage of short-listing books.
My book-list for History optional was fairly concise.
- Ancient India - A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India by Upinder Singh
- Medieval India - Medieval India by Satish Chandra
- Modern India - Modern India by Bipan Chandra and From Plassey to Partition by Sekhar Bandopadhyay
- World History- Norman Lowe, Jain and Mathur and selfstudyhistory.com (Selective readings from the 3 sources)
- Supplementary notes - IGNOU BA Notes and my own graduation notes
I read RS Sharma for the basic framework as well as my prelims. It did provide a basic structure on which my ancient India preparation was based. I also referred to Romila Thapar's Early India but it was low on the cost benefit ratio. If there was any topic I didn't find sufficient information on, I googled the particular topic with the keyword UPSC.
Another important aspect of History as an optional is mapwork. For this, I would recommend selfstudyhistory.com's comprehensive collection of maps. Since they are arranged according to the demands of UPSC CSE, it becomes easier to remember and recollect them in the examination.
Here, I'd also like to stress on the importance of historiography i.e. the study of the writing of history. Wherever possible do cite historians and scholars to add substance to your arguments. In absence of such arguments, your answer gets reduced to a simple narrative while history as a discipline has moved beyond this narrative style. Today, it is understood as discipline of continuity and change in aspects of society, polity, economy, technology, legal systems etc. As a result, one's answers need to depict this shift in history.
Lastly, I'd like to emphasize the importance of answer writing practice. One can begin practising answers at home once their syllabus is over. Compilations of past year papers are available online, along with model answers. After revision, one must take at least 2 test series. I took test series from GS Score and selfstudyhistory.com, which proved to be extremely beneficial in understanding the demand of the questions, improve the structure and presentation of my answers and finish the exam in a time-bound manner.
Here are some of my mock answer scripts -
These were my few tips on my optional prep that will, hopefully, benefit you in the civil services exam. Subscribe to my blog for my upcoming posts on essay prep, prelims strategy, answer writing amongst others!
YOU are an inspiration for a person like me who wish to start preparation from college itself and clear at 22
ReplyDeleteHi, mam while reading a historian's books how can i critically analyse thier interpretation ?? And same with editor's paragraph i read their interpretation & but not able to generate my own views on that particular topic ??? How can i get rid of it? And also do share your views regarding essay writing and Optional writing how one can prepare for it???
ReplyDeleteHi, you don't need to critically analyse the historians' perspective by yourself. Add the critique of other historians.
Deletehii mam,mam how you did note making for optional subject and how to approach upinder singh as it is very much vast
ReplyDeleteLook at the syllabus before you approach note-making and Upinder Singh. Accordingly, you can leave out topics from the book which have no relevance from the examination viewpoint.
DeleteMa'am what was your strategy in Paper 2 like did you make any separate notes for Modern India and your approach in covering the World history?
ReplyDeleteI made notes for both according to the demand of the syllabus. Left out those topics in World History, which had a low cost benefit ratio.
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ReplyDeleteHello mam, I'm actually struggling with some ncerts like that of class 11th for history optional, since there's a whole chapter on the rise of islam and the Roman and Byzantine Empire, but then in the syllabus none of the above are mentioned, so should I skip it altogether and go strictly word to word by syllabus? If you could please guide me in this
ReplyDeleteWhere you yaad prepared for art and culture
ReplyDeleteAnd
World history
Good evening ma'am. May I know whether you referred to SATISH CHANDRA PART 1 AND 2 or SATISH CHANDRA (OLD NCERT) for your optional prep ?
ReplyDeleteMam how I can remember history events basically from ancient history names, dates, timelines.... Which is best way to read history.... I judge language of shekhar bandoupadhaya is seem to tough and I used dictionary after few lines... Mam i preparing from last 2 years but optional is not completed so far.... I forgot things in some days... Mam please guide me bcs this situation create a lot of stress and increase my fear of failure... Pls mam motivate me so I come back to perfect flow...... Mam this was my 4th attempt.... But due to reservation I can attempt unlimited..... But I don't ki mujhe 5th attempt dena pde... Because ek taboo ban jata hai.... Category ka fyda utha rha hai.... Mam mujhe ache se guide krdo.... Taki mai poori mehnat iss saal lga doon...
ReplyDeleteHello Mam, How to make notes for optional where we need to refer to 2-3 sources and when to make notes such as after first reading of all the sources of a topic or in first reading in itself and simultaneously note making. I am very confused.
ReplyDeletemam could u please suggest a coaching for history optional ...as in which classes did u refer to
ReplyDeleteHi ma'am, how should I approach paper 2? Should I make notes based on syllabus key words? Or different approach? Please help ma'am!
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Hello , i am Naresh Kumar. NET - JRF History and appeared in IAS/RAS interview multiple times. I am faculty of IAS/PCS for 10 years. environment ecology upsc
ReplyDeleteCivil service hopefuls would be well-served to take geography as an elective due to the subject's adaptability and interdisciplinary nature. It's a high-scoring option that shares a lot of ground with the General Studies curriculum. Finding the top Geography Optional Coaching Online would be best, like Geographia IAS. Geographia IAS explains why you should take geography as an elective for the UPSC exam.
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