Physics Optional Strategy , Resources and Notes

Physics in JEE vs UPSC

IIT JEE Physics is conceptual in nature and requires questions to be solved on the spot. Focus is on concepts and less on mugging,

UPSC physics requires rote memorization of long derivations (sometimes even a few pages long). Questions can only be solved if they are known previously (eg - Describe Stern Gerlach experiment? A - This can only be answered if one remembers the details, less scope of logic/concept here)

However, Physics in UPSC is also very fun and topics like Special Theory of Relativity, Quantum Tunneling, Nuclear and Particle Physics (quarks, mesons, etc) are very interesting. These topics are not present in JEE Physics.

Advantages of Physics optional:

• Static portion (no current affairs)

• Fixed and well defined Syllabus

• Can score very well if done properly

Disadvantages of Physics:

• Difficulty level is higher

• Very time taking

• Requires many repeated revisions

Physics is a fantastic optional and I would recommend it to all of you, It has served me really well and is very fun to study (especially if you have a strong passion for Physics), however it would be a dis-service on my part to not mention the following warnings:

1. Physics can be very difficult/hard and a soul crushing experience as mentioned by many of the previous toppers as well - many students get stuck in the trap of low marks and thus this optional must be prepared with smart work. Difficulty level is high.

2. May require even upto a year to be fully ready and well versed with the full static subject and PYQ's (not 6 months like other optionals)

3. Requires lots of self effort because:

a. DIAS only covers 80% of the syllabus, rest must be done by oneself

b. No book for solved PYQ's and other stuff

c. Very less guidance and material available online

d. Difficulty of the subject and the topics

The above-mentioned points are not to discourage anyone. It is important to be aware about the following before starting as well so that the aspirant will take cognizance of the following and prepare accordingly.

Having said this, Physics is truly beneficial to those with science and technical backgrounds because it it your strength vis-à-vis other humanities optionals. As Abhishek Surana sir had said earlier, this optional favours average students. If I hadn't had Physics optional, I wouldn't probably have gotten this rank. Don't be afraid of putting in the hard work and the extra hours, it'll be worth it in the end. Physics optional is beautiful ❤️

Various help I had taken :

1. DIAS (DP Vajpayee sir) --> I had taken Physics online coaching from DIAS Institute. The classes are pre-recorded and also include a classroom test series (4 sectional + 2 FLT). I found the online recorded classes to be very good for covering the syllabus in a timebound quick manner in around 100 classes. (However only 80% is covered, remaining one has to do oneself from the PYQ's and textbooks). Most toppers of previous years have all taken classes from DIAS for Physics optional and it has a great track record.

DIAS Website: https://diasindia.com/

Advantage of online coaching:

• The pace of the class is very fast, thus online lectures allow for the student to pause the video and also rewind any part. This is a major advantage since the pace of the classes is very fast and keeping up can be challenging at times

• it is cheaper cost wise

Disadvantage of online:

• I had enrolled in the online classes in May 2020 and at that time the tutorial sheets (PYQ's) were not discussed in the recorded classes (I am not sure of the same now)

• Doubt solving can be an issue

2. QuantumIAS (Shivam sir) --> I had enrolled for Quantum Yoddha test-series cum crash course mentorship program (https://t.me/quantumiasofficial/495). It happened between prelims and mains in 2023 and it was free (1000/- refundable) then for all the mains qualified students. It lasted for about 6-8 weeks. The following were the deliverables of the course:

• Doubt solving on the telegram group by Shivam sir was very useful

• Analog Electronics portion (basics) covered in the crash course

• Scanned QuantumIAS Physics Notes of all topics

• 10 Tests (8 sectional + 2 FLT)

• Daily practice problems - DSET

QuantumIAS Telegram - https://t.me/quantumiasofficial

Shivam sir Telegram ID - @QuantumIasSupport

3. Neil sir discussion group - https://t.me/PHYSICSneil

Disclaimer - Which coaching to join?

Answer - I don't endorse DIAS or QuantumIAS or any other coaching institute. All coaching institutes are good with their own respective pros and cons. Each aspirant must spend adequate time and do his/her own research/due diligence before choosing. Many toppers with physics background have also done self-study and cleared, so coaching is not a compulsion, but I would strongly recommend coaching for optional subjects (not GS), because they provide structure and stick to the demand of exam and syllabus.

Basic booklist and exam pattern - I will not mention these here myself as they have already been explained in great detail by my seniors and previous toppers. There is nothing more to add as the below mentioned sources are the one-stop solution for starting out:

YouTube:

• Abhishek Surana sir DIAS Seminar Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7keFo130XK0&t=1445s

• Anshuman Rajhans sir YT channel video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z07ajmgH84M&list=RDCMUCPsqZ2T3Fq6dGm6l6AsGLVw&start_radio=1&rv=z07ajmgH84M&t=4 (very informative and also includes great insights into attempting the paper) (one can also watch his DKT video)

• Varjeet Walia sir DKT Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jY6KCYG0ojE

Blogs:

• Abhijeet Agrawal sir blog - https://abhijeetagrawal.blogspot.com/search/label/Physics (scroll down and refer to all the posts written on sirs blog)

• Rishav gupta sir blog - https://rishavgupta.wordpress.com/2014/06/28/strategy-for-physics-preparation/ (and his notes - https://rishavgupta.wordpress.com/2014/06/22/my-notes/)

• Avadh Singhal sir blog - https://avadhsinghal.wordpress.com/physics-optional/

• Divyanshu Jha sir blog - https://unacademyupsc.blogspot.com/2015/05/upsc-preparation-physics-optional-tips_26.html (also contains links of other topper blogs of previous years)

• Prateek Jain sir blog - https://iprateekjain.wordpress.com/

• Abhishek Surana sir blog - https://abhisheksurana.wordpress.com/2018/05/22/cse-physics-strategy/

Telegram Channels of Toppers:

• Akash Dagar sir - https://t.me/upscphysics_by_dagar (very important: contains many physics test papers along with the solutions of the test papers, his flash notes and his short notes)

• Aniket Hirde sir - https://t.me/Aniket_Hirde (contains Aniket sirs notes)

• Prafull sir - https://t.me/prafull_loksevak22 (contains PYQ solutions for paper 2)

• Ashish Mishra sir - https://t.me/alphapandeyreturns/176

It is compulsory to go through all of the above sources atleast once before starting out ! the blogs and other sources are very very good. It is extremely important to refer to all of them. Just keep in mind to prefer books of Indian authors.

(For E&M book of author Satya Prakash, there are two books, go for the electromagnetic theory and electrodynamics one and not the electricity and magnetism book)

(for Nuclear and Particle Physics - S B Patel is BSc level and D C Tayal is MSc level - both are compulsory. Start with S B Patel first)

(Puri and Babbar - solid state physics and electronics - take the edition which contains electronics as well and not just solid state physics)

Note - The textbooks are more important for topics in paper 2 compared to paper 1. Prioritize your time accordingly.