When it comes to cracking the UPSC Civil Services Examination, your Mains preparation can truly make or break your chances. Two of the most decisive components are:
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Choosing the right optional subject
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Understanding and applying directive words UPSC Mains uses
In this blog, Exaministry breaks down the smartest way to select your optional, including why Public Administration optional UPSC remains popular, and how mastering directive words is key to maximizing your Mains score.
Understanding the Role of Optional Subjects in UPSC
Your optional subject contributes 500 marks (Paper I and II combined) in UPSC Mains. That’s over 25% of your total written marks. The right choice here can be the difference between getting an interview call or falling short.
But the common dilemma: Which optional is best for UPSC?
Let’s answer that smartly.
Which Optional is Best for UPSC?
There’s no single “best” optional that fits all. The best optional depends on:
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Your academic background
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Interest and aptitude
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Availability of study material and guidance
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Past performance trends
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Overlap with General Studies
At Exaministry, we guide aspirants to analyze each of these factors before locking in their optional. We also provide mentoring for top-performing optionals like:
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Public Administration
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Sociology
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Geography
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Anthropology
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PSIR (Political Science and International Relations)
Explore the full UPSC optional subjects list on Exaministry, with detailed pros, cons, and scoring potential for each subject.
Public Administration Optional UPSC: Still a Top Choice?
Yes—Public Administration optional UPSC continues to be a strategic choice for many serious aspirants, and here’s why:
High overlap with GS Paper II (Governance, Polity)
Easy integration with Ethics and Essay Paper
Conceptual clarity helps in administrative thinking
Compact syllabus and availability of test series
Useful for aspirants from both technical and non-technical backgrounds
At Exaministry, we offer detailed notes, strategy sessions, and answer-writing practice exclusively for Public Administration.
Directive Words UPSC Mains: The Silent Score Boosters
Even after preparing well, aspirants lose marks because they misinterpret questions. This happens due to misunderstanding the directive words UPSC Mains uses in almost every question.
So, what are directive words?
These are action-based keywords in questions like:
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Discuss
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Critically analyze
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Examine
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Evaluate
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Elucidate
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Comment
Each of these has a specific expectation from the examiner.
Let’s break a few down:
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Discuss → Balanced coverage of all perspectives + conclusion
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Critically Analyze → Break down + mention strengths and weaknesses + give judgment
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Evaluate → Present evidence + give your assessment
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Examine → Dive deep into reasons/causes with examples
At Exaministry, we provide detailed explanations, model answers, and practice questions to help you master directive words UPSC Mains style.
Why Exaministry is the Smart Choice for Mains Preparation
Personalized Mentoring: Get guidance on choosing the right optional for YOU
Complete UPSC Optional Subjects List: With strategies and performance insights
Public Administration Program: Topic-wise notes, PYQs, and writing practice
Directive Word Mastery: Practice-focused training on decoding and answering questions based on action words
Integrated GS + Optional Approach: Save time, increase impact
Final Thoughts
Don’t leave your UPSC Mains success to chance. Choosing the right optional subject and mastering the directive words UPSC Mains papers are two of the most important steps to scoring high.
Whether you’re still asking which optional is best for UPSC, or already preparing with Public Administration optional UPSC, Exaministry offers a roadmap tailored for you.
