(Article) History as an optional is considered "safe" as well as stable

“Blaming your faults on your nature does not
Change the nature of your faults”

So, don’t be complainative and be prepared for the exam. As far the question that is it safe to take history as an option in the IAS mains and how we should prepare for the mains ?

The answer must be a big yes…………….. It is safe’em all to take history as an optional in the IAS mains. It is very stable as well as predictable also. You can leverage on this subject as it is also to be studied for general studies prelims and mains. Student from any discipline can choose and master this subject with systematic efforts. It has synergy with General studies. 50 marks questions of modern India get covered in optional history. It is also useful in writing essay. Since at least one socio-cultural issue comes as a topic, historic vision gives depth to the arguments. If you are interested in the subject you can feel history is just like sitting into time machine and visiting our wonderful past. There is another advantage of history, as it makes a very good pair with many subjects, such as- Hindi, Philosophy, Public Administration, Anthropology, Political Science, Geography, etc. However, Proper understanding of the subject can’t be developed Without interest. Thus, it can be said that yes it is very safe to take history as an option in IAS mains.

 A variety of books are available on each topic in the market in history. As a result you can look upon the various books for the interpretation, even the same facts can be interpreted differently. However you must have to be cautious here, it becomes trap for the candidates to choose quality books. Candidate is not expected to research in subject but to command the various viewpoints, You have to be jack of all topics not the master in the subject. It is clearly stated in the UPSC syllabus that the questions will be asked upto the graduation level. In short if it’s a question of mastering the subject vs. mastering the examination which seems grossly the same, later should be selected. In that case reading of minimum number of standard books is sufficient. Right approach is needed to catch the veins of UPSC.

Main’s study is analytical study, knowing the essence of the story. As it is rightly said that history is not a study of facts, but interpretation of facts. Facts are just raw material with which interpretation is done. Answers in the main’s are about your interpretation of History. Here you have to balance different view points. For that purpose you have to know different view points. At least three main currents i.e. leftist, centrist and rightist. History is most popular option is UPSC examination for obvious reasons. It has synergy with General studies. 90 marks questions of modern India get covered in optional history. It is also useful in writing essay. Since at least one socio-cultural issue comes as a topic, historic vision gives depth to the arguments. Percentile method is not applied in the mains. History is directly compared with other subjects. History is highly subjective subject. It is as scientific as physics or mathematics, only since it is from humanities side, things are open ended.

The vast syllabus cannot be covered without the pointers. Especially they have made work easy by giving some points in bold. There is a question of map work for sixty marks in the mains examination in Paper I. Name of the sites are given and candidate is supposed to identify the location as well as write description of the site. with 250 to 300 sites with description you can outperform others, If you are ready with it. The compulsory map question should be solved first and prepared first. Fifteen sites are given & you have to mark the site in given map and describe its importance in four lines. Two marks for marking site and two for description. All sites are compulsory. Mapping has to be practiced daily. On the given map they give only India’s international boundaries. It is safer to make blocks and practice.

World history is to be targeted in paper-II. On modern India now so much research is available that there is no end of interpretation. Comparatively world history is straight and neutral. If world history questions are difficult you can jump to modern India in the last movement but reverse is not justificable. One has to focus on relevant areas. Guesswork has to be done to what will come and what will not. If the notes are prepared in question-answer format then nothing like practicising it. Candidates dream that as soon as study is over they will give tests. That’s ideal, but that is not to be happen. Studies may never get over. Just make a timetable of tests, follow it strictly, and get it checked from a eligible person. Structure of answer, handwriting, speed, fluency, plays a main role in obtaining marks. One should give full attention to the direction of the question like Discuss, Explain, Evaluate, Describe, Compare etc. Each of them denotes different meaning.

“It’s choice – not chance that determines your destiny”.

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