How Switching Optional Subject Helped This IRS Officer Clear UPSC CSE 2024

Despite being advised against making the switch by peers who cautioned that such a change could be inadvisable after committing four years to Geography in his UPSC CSE preparation, Ajay felt the need for a change due to consistently low scores in the subject. He scored between 200 and 230 out of 500 in Geography, struggling with its vast syllabus and the unpredictability of the questions.

Ajay's realisation that he was not able to score well in Geography, despite considerable effort and time invested, prompted him to consider switching his optional to Anthropology, a decision that ultimately proved to be beneficial.

It was the year 2023, and Ajay found himself standing at a crossroads in his UPSC journey. Four attempts behind him, yet success had eluded him so far. As he prepared for his fifth attempt, a persistent dilemma clouded his thoughts: “Should I change my optional subject?”

For the longest time, Geography had been his chosen path. Many found success with it, but for Ajay, it was a struggle.

“Despite my best efforts, Geography seemed like a distant land I couldn’t conquer. Every attempt in the UPSC mains ended with the same result, setbacks and a nagging sense that I was missing something essential,” he recalls.

For more than a year, Ajay wrestled with this decision. “Doubts gnawed at me, and peers discouraged any thoughts of switching my optional subject at the last moment. After all, I spent four years preparing it and changing subjects isn’t advisable. Yet, deep down, I knew it was draining my potential. This was very clear in my scores. No matter how much I prepared it, I could only score between 200 and 230 out of 500. This isn’t enough,” he says.

Resonating with the notion that ‘you cannot open new doors with old keys’, Ajay made the hard decision to leave the subject behind. “I understood that a change was necessary if I wanted different outcomes,” he adds.

A strategic choice

February 2023 marked the turning point. Ajay chose Anthropology, a subject that immediately appealed to him with its well-defined, concise syllabus and a personal fascination with tribal cultures.

This decision wasn’t just a change of subject; it was a step towards clarity and confidence. “I knew that mastering Anthropology could unlock the door to achieving the cut-off and beyond. It was the best choice for me,” he says.

Ajay shares reasons that made Anthropology a strategic choice for him:

1) Defined syllabus

The syllabus of Anthropology is well-defined and relatively concise, making it more manageable within the limited preparation time Ajay had.

2) Predictability of questions

The questions in Anthropology papers are more predictable, with themes and questions often repeating over the years, allowing for targeted preparation.

3) Personal interest

Coming from a state without scheduled tribes, Haryana-based Ajay had a personal interest in learning about tribal people. This curiosity made the subject more engaging for him.

4) Multidisciplinary appeal

Anthropology encompasses elements of biology, history, sociology, and life sciences, which Ajay found fascinating and accessible.

Master Anthropology optional in 7 tips

Ajay’s preparation strategy for mastering Anthropology as an optional subject in the UPSC CSE is thorough and well-structured. He shares a detailed breakdown of his approach:

1) Thorough syllabus review

Ajay started by getting the entire Anthropology syllabus printed. This allowed him to have a clear and tangible outline of the topics he needed to cover. He went through each topic thoroughly to ensure he understood the breadth and depth required.

2) Effective revision

Ajay highlights the importance of revising at least twice between the prelims and mains. A strategic third revision was done right after finishing the General Studies papers, taking advantage of the five-day gap before the optional exams. “This timing was key to maintaining freshness in concepts and keeping them at the forefront of my mind,” he adds.

3) Concise note-making

Crafting concise notes was crucial. Ajay emphasises making brief, to-the-point notes that encapsulate the essence of the topics, ensuring that complex information can be quickly recalled. “This was where I was lagging in Geography in the first place. I made the mistake of not making concise notes, and at the end, I had massive and cluttered notes, which made it difficult for me to revise the concepts. This time, I learnt my lesson and prepared clear notes,” he adds.

4) Practice with previous year questions

Ajay consistently practiced the previous 10 years’ question papers multiple times to sharpen his answer-writing skills and get himself accustomed to the exam pattern. “This practice not only familiarised me with the exam pattern but also honed my real-time answer writing abilities, which is crucial for performing well in the mains,” he says.

5) Value addition through case studies

Collecting case studies and integrating them into his answers was a strategy Ajay used to add depth and differentiate his answers in optional papers from General Studies.

He made a conscious effort to understand where and how to apply anthropological theories in different contexts. This involved thinking about possible scenarios and jotting down topics where these theories could be relevant. This, he says, enhanced the quality of his answers. “Additionally, checking notes from previous toppers helped in deriving innovative ideas for value addition,” he says.

6) Rigorous answer writing practice

Devoting two hours daily to practice answer writing was a non-negotiable part of Ajay’s preparation. He focussed on writing 8-10 answers each day across various question types (10, 15, and 20 marker questions). Weekly tests were a staple in his routine, allowing him to simulate exam conditions and manage his time effectively.

7) Enhance presentation skills

Ajay also used diagrams, such as human skeletal structures, to enhance his answers in questions related to anthropological studies. These creative presentations added an edge.

This year, Ajay successfully cleared the prestigious UPSC CSE, securing an All India Rank of 705. Now an Indian Revenue Service officer, he eagerly awaits his journey to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie for his training.

All images courtesy Ajay