Chemistry optional UPSC - How to judge if a particular optional is right for you?

Why Chemistry?

1. A keen interest since IIT-JEE preparation days (thanks to EM Rao sir)

2. Completely static subject

3. Easily available content and guidance (thanks to RK Singh sir, previous year toppers and their notes)

4. Efforts DEFINITELY produce proportionate results

5. Limited subjectivity in evaluation (BUT there definitely are ways to make your answers stand apart from others which we shall discuss..)

How to judge if a particular optional is right for you (apart from above factors wherever applicable for you)?

1. STUDY the syllabus thoroughly and gauge how much looks familiar and what is completely new. Does the syllabus inspire curiosity within you to learn more?

2. Look up Previous year papers to understand what UPSC wants from an aspirant.

3. Will you be able to stick with the optional if (God forbid!) your UPSC journey lasts for 2 or more years? In other words, will this optional become a BURDEN at some point, or will it remain a SOURCE OF JOY?

How NOT TO decide your optional subject?

1. Success rate in UPSC - realise that this data changes every year based on the choices that aspirants like you make in deciding you optional.

2. Peer and parental pressure - It is YOU AND ONLY YOU who will study your subject, no one else. So, decide for yourself or else others will take this important decision for you.

Initially when I chose this optional, many people doubted my judgement and tried to nudge me towards a humanities optional, like many people from non-humanities background do! However I stood my ground and the results speak it all.