Like any other competitive examination, for the UPSC Exam also, we must first understand the entire syllabus: subjects, concepts, and so on. In both the prelims and mains, a conceptual understanding of the whole syllabus is crucial. The main key aspect here is the interlinking and overlapping of the GS Paper and Mains, where theme-wise preparation will help you maximize marks in the UPSC CSE preparation. Let’s understand the following concepts:
Here we have Four General Studies Paper. Let’s see the following:
GS Paper-1
- History & Culture
- Geography
- Society
GS Paper-2
- Polity & Governance
- International Relations
- Economy
GS Paper-3
- Environment & Disaster Management
- Science & Technology
- Internal Security
GS Paper-4
- Ethics
Let’s Understand here the Interlinking of the Subject:
As we know, the UPSC syllabus is very vast, and we have to go through multiple subjects and topics for the preparation. Here comes your ability to read, understand, and learn the full syllabus, subjects, and topics, which helps you to interlink and increase your thought process in answer writing. Writing allows you to gain a better understanding of a variety of topics, including geographic, economic, political, historical, and social aspects. If you are studying the theory of the above topics, try and understand the relevance of contemporary issues and their relevance in the present time. A deep understanding of each topic gives the idea of how every subject is correlated with one another. Gradually, you will find that each subject is connected. For instance, even though it endures due to the low-income source of its people, it is persisting because of social issues such as prejudice based on caste, creed, and religion, and at the same time, it is not diminishing as a result of poor implementation of public policies and programs. Another example is the current economic crisis in Sri Lanka. If you go through all the details, you will find poverty, social injustice, people, lack of administration, etc. and how this situation is connected with politics and current affairs, and what causes this kind of situation gives you a better understanding and relevance of the interconnected topics.
Overlapping of the Subject:
How do we understand the overlap of a subject? When an applicant chooses an optional subject, one should consider certain subjects that overlap with the subject GS Paper. Choosing an overlapping subject will also save you a lot of time in your main preparation.
Here we can take a few examples:
Political Science & International Relations
In general studies paper II, this optional subject has some overlap. The Constitution, polity, social justice, and international relations are all included in the GS II Paper. The polity is covered by all of this. Hence, in terms of GS overlap, political science is the better option.
Geography and Environment & Disaster Management
Here, the Geography General Studies Paper overlaps with the optional syllabus. For instance, important geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic activity, cyclones, and other natural disasters, as well as changes in essential geographical features (such as water bodies and ice caps) and flora and fauna, and the consequences of these changes.
Two Important Points to Remember:
- The above mentioned are just some examples for your better understanding, but you can select any optional subject if you find overlap with GS. Paper with optional will make your preparation better and easier and save lots of time. Make sure to keep this in your mind.
- Have a better understanding of the GS paper. Studying, thinking, learning, and, more importantly, writing is the key point in overlapping your optional. The above instructions also help you gain a better understanding of interlinking and overlapping in GS Paper and Main Optional. Think and choose wisely, as the UPSC syllabus is very vast.
FAQs
– Focus on the major topics. You can find various important topics in both Papers 1 and 2 as well.
– Practice previous year’s question papers
– Note-making and practicing answer-writing
– UPSC Geography mains paper is popular among candidates to choose as an optional subject for the main examination.
– It’s easier to understand and more of a scientific subject.
– It is widely chosen by candidates from science, medical, and engineering backgrounds, keeping an eye on statistical observation by UPSC.
– Here, you can go through all the NCERT books to get a fundamental understanding of geography.
– The same tips imply that practicing previous year’s questions, not making and answering questions helps you to have a better understanding and get a good score in both papers.
– Make it a habit to read the newspaper regularly.
– Read whatever you want in leading newspapers like The Hindu, The Times of India, The Telegraph, and Hindustan Times, etc.
– Keep an eye on what’s happening around you in your country and the world as well.
– If you don’t get much time for your newspaper reading, you can pick any leading magazine for your current affairs preparation.
– Also read some sports magazines and business magazines along with your general magazines.
– Follow Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha channels along with any leading news channel for your current affairs paper.
– When you read something, the best way to memorize it is to make notes. So many things are happening around the world daily, therefore maintaining notes gives a better understanding of current events.
– Instead of remembering everything, stay focused and spend some time analyzing.
– It improves with reading and writing practice, and it is related to the topics.
– Reading newspapers and magazines and watching leading news channels, regularly serves you better.
– Utilization of limited relevance sources will improve your productivity with time management.
– Recognize that the key point about important issues is that they do not only appear on the surface.
– Discipline, consistency, and revision are the keys. Daily, weekly, or monthly according to your schedule in each part, revision plays a crucial role in an exam like UPSC with a vast syllabus.
