Choosing Between GS and Optional Coaching for UPSC Preparation

When it comes to preparing for the UPSC civil services exam, students often find themselves in a dilemma over whether to start with General Studies (GS) or their chosen optional subject coaching. In your case, you have decided to take Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) as your optional subject, but you are confused about which coaching to start with. Let's explore the pros and cons of each coaching approach to help you make an informed decision.

Starting with GS Coaching

Pros:

- GS coaching covers a wide range of topics such as Indian polity, history, geography, economics, science and technology, environment, and current affairs. By starting with GS coaching, you can gain a broad understanding of these subjects, which will help you in both prelims and mains exams.
- GS coaching will also help you build a strong foundation for your optional subject. For example, if you choose PSIR, you will need a good understanding of Indian polity, international relations, and world history, all of which are covered in GS coaching.
- GS coaching institutes often have experienced faculty who can guide you in the right direction and provide you with study material, mock tests, and current affairs updates.

Cons:

- GS coaching can be time-consuming, and you may not have enough time to focus on your optional subject.
- GS coaching covers a wide range of topics, and you may feel overwhelmed by the amount of information you need to cover.

Starting with Optional Subject Coaching

Pros:

- By starting with optional subject coaching, you can focus your attention on a specific subject and gain in-depth knowledge about it.
- Optional subject coaching will help you understand the concepts and theories related to your subject, which will be useful in both prelims and mains exams.
- If you choose a good coaching institute for your optional subject, you can get personalized guidance and feedback from experienced faculty.

Cons:

- If you start with optional subject coaching, you may miss out on important topics covered in GS, which may affect your overall preparation.
- Optional subject coaching may not provide you with a broad understanding of other subjects, which may be needed for the essay paper or personality test.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both approaches have their merits and drawbacks, and the choice ultimately depends on your personal preference and study style. However, considering your background in political science and geography, it is advisable to start with GS coaching to gain a broad understanding of important topics. You can then focus on your optional subject coaching to gain in-depth knowledge and strengthen your overall preparation. Remember, consistency and dedication are key to cracking the UPSC exam. Good luck!

Start with optional...once u thoroughly go through ur syllabus of PSIR und had studied that thoroughly u will gain some confidence+ and also u will get rid of a burden....nd once u completes ur optional nd then focus on GS part u will find them correlated nd it will be easy to comprehend...