Literature Optional Subjects Strategy for UPSC Mains 2024
Having a well-planned Literature Optional Subjects Strategy can enhance your chances of success. Read on to learn the Literature Optional Subjects Strategy for UPSC Mains.
Deeksha Dixit25 Jul, 2024
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Literature Optional Subjects Strategy: In UPSC Mains , every year, many candidates opt for literature subjects in optional papers. Contrary to popular belief, a good number of candidates perform well in Literature Optional like Hindi literature, Malayalam literature, and English literature, securing top ranks.
The credit goes to their Literature Optional Subjects Strategy. By following a comprehensive Literature Optional Subjects Strategy, candidates can easily excel in the UPSC Mains 2024 with optimum efforts. Learn why to choose Literature Optional and preparation tips here.How Many Literature Optional Subjects Are There?
UPSC offers a range of literature subjects as optional choices in the list of 48 optional subjects . Currently, there are 23 literature subjects available for candidates, including the following languages:| Literature Optional Subjects | ||
| Bengali | Dogri | Hindi |
| Kashmiri | Maithili | Manipuri |
| Nepali | Punjabi | Santhali |
| Tamil | Urdu | Assamese |
| Bodo | Gujarati | Kannada |
| Konkani | Malayalam | Marathi |
| Odia | Sanskrit | Sindhi |
| Telugu | English | |
Why Choose Literature Optional Subjects?
Choosing literature as an optional subject for the UPSC exam can be a strategic decision affecting your UPSC Mains score. Generally, candidates prefer Literature Optional subjects due to the following reasons:- Success Rate: Literature, particularly Hindi and English literature, has a notable success rate. UPSC 72nd report shows that many toppers have opted for literature optional subjects, indicating their relevance.
- Manageable Syllabus: The syllabus for literature subjects is relatively short and well-defined. It generally consists of prose and poetry topics that are concise and manageable. This allows candidates to cover other subjects in UPSC Mains.
- Engaging Content : The syllabus is engaging, particularly for those having reading as a hobby. Candidates can connect with classic stories and themes, and can even study a few topics in their leisure time.
- Critical Thinking and Creativity: Literature encourages imaginative thinking and critical analysis. Candidates are often required to interpret texts and express their viewpoints, which fosters creativity and analytical skills
- Scoring Potential: Questions in literature optional subjects are generally straightforward and based on the texts mentioned in the syllabus. Therefore, candidates can easily score well in these subjects after completing the syllabus and sufficient practice.
Popular Literature Optional Subjects
It has been observed that a few subjects are more popular than others in the list of 23 literature optional subjects. For instance, a vast majority of Hindi-medium candidates prefer Hindi literature as optional in UPSC Mains. Here is the data from the UPSC 72nd report to gain insight into the popularity of literature optional subjects:| Optional Subject | Number of Candidates Appeared | Number of Candidates Recommended | Success Rate (Percent) |
| Literature of Assamese Language | 2 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Literature of Bengali Language | 2 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Literature of English Language | 27 | 6 | 22.2% |
| Literature of Gujarati Language | 49 | 4 | 8.2% |
| Literature of Hindi Language | 226 | 19 | 8.4% |
| Literature of Kannada Language | 83 | 7 | 8.4% |
| Literature of Maithili Language | 31 | 3 | 9.7% |
| Literature of Malayalam Language | 93 | 10 | 10.8% |
| Literature of Manipuri Language | 4 | 1 | 25.0% |
| Literature of Marathi Language | 9 | 1 | 11.1% |
| Literature of Oriya Language | 2 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Literature of Punjabi Language | 25 | 3 | 12.0% |
| Literature of Sanskrit Language | 39 | 1 | 2.6% |
| Literature of Sindhi (Arabic) Language | 1 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Literature of Tamil Language | 64 | 4 | 6.3% |
| Literature of Telugu Language | 36 | 5 | 13.9% |
| Literature of Urdu Language | 11 | 1 | 9.1% |
Literature Optional Subjects Strategy
As seen from trends, if you have decided to take the literature as the optional subject, a well-planned Literature Optional Subjects Strategy is crucial for enhancing your performance in the UPSC Mains. Here are preparation tips for Literature Optional subjects:Keep Syllabus with You
Each subject has its unique syllabus and demands a different approach. Therefore, understanding the Literature syllabus for UPSC mains is the first step in devising an effective Literature Optional Subjects Strategy. This will help you identify the core areas that need focused preparation.Gather Resources
Collect toppers' recommended Literature books for UPSC mains and other study materials. It is essential to refer to both primary books and secondary sources to gain a comprehensive understanding. Support material like scholar’s articles can often enhance your knowledge.Make Notes for Revision
Like every other subject, note-making is an essential part of Literature Optional Subjects Strategy. You can make concise notes on every author mentioned in the syllabus and add your analysis. For instance, in English literature note down the brief background of the author, poet, or dramatist, the features of their writing, famous creations, themes, literary ages, etc.Analytical Understanding
Do not try to rote learn everything except factual information like the author’s details. Focus on gaining insight into the themes of the text, character analysis, narration style, etc. Try to enjoy the syllabus in your literature optional while critically analyzing the text from the exam point of view.Regular Revision
Consistent revision is key to retaining various texts you'll be reading as a part of the syllabus and understanding complex literary concepts. Literature Optional Subjects Strategy suggests scheduling regular revision sessions in your study plan.Study Previous Year Papers
Analyzing Literature Previous Year papers will give you insights into the types of questions asked and the pattern of the exam. This practice will help in identifying important authors and recurring themes.Practice Answer Writing
Writing practice is crucial for literature subjects. Practice writing answers to previous year questions and get them evaluated by mentors to improve your writing skills. You will learn how to write proper answers, points to add to attract good marks, and themes to focus on with sufficient answer writing.Literature Optional Subjects Strategy for Answer Writing
Answer writing is a critical component of the UPSC Mains, as ultimately your knowledge will be judged based on the answers you have given. Here’s a specific Literature Optional subjects strategy for effective answer writing:- Introduction and Context: Start your answers with a brief introduction and provide context for the question. This sets the stage for a well-structured answer. Focus on grammatical aspects like punctuation marks from beginning to end.
- Critical Analysis: Literature questions often require critical analysis of texts. Focus on analyzing themes, characters, and literary techniques used by authors. Use relevant examples from the texts to support your analysis.
- Coherent Structure: Maintain a clear and coherent structure in your answers. Divide your answer into paragraphs, each focusing on a specific point or argument. Avoid the points method in Literature Optional.
- Language and Style: Use appropriate literary language and style. Ensure your writing is concise, coherent, and free from grammatical errors. While using literary terms is a good practice, avoid using an overly complex vocabulary.
- Quoting Texts : Wherever applicable, quote directly from the texts to support your arguments. This demonstrates your familiarity with the texts and adds credibility to your answers.
| UPSC Related Articles | ||
| UPSC Mains Admit Card | PW OnlyIAS UPSC Toppers | UPSC Syllabus 2024 |
| UPSC Mains Subject List | Conquer UPSC Mains 2024 in 60 Days | UPSC Result 2024 |
Literature Optional Subjects Strategy FAQs
What is the strategy for English Literature optional in UPSC Mains?
Focus on understanding the syllabus, reading recommended texts, making concise notes, and practicing answer writing regularly.
Is literature subject a good optional for UPSC Mains?
Yes, literature subjects can be a good optional due to their manageable syllabus and the potential for scoring well with thorough preparation.
Which literature optional is most scoring in UPSC?
Literature subjects like Hindi and English are often considered scoring due to their clear syllabus and straightforward questions.
How to approach Literature optional for UPSC Mains?
Start by understanding the syllabus, gathering recommended books, making notes, regularly revising, and practicing answer writing to excel in the literature optional subject.
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