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Electrical Engineering UPSC Optional Strategy: Check Out The Best Strategies And Books To Study From!

Electrical Engineering UPSC Optional Strategy

Electrical Engineering seems like a difficult subject, but having it as an optional subject for UPSC can give great returns. This article discusses the option of choosing Electrical Engineering as an optional subject for the Civil Service Mains Exam, which is offered by the UPSC along with two other engineering subjects, civil and mechanical engineering. It also addresses the most effective strategies for Electrical Engineering UPSC Optional Strategy topicas well as common questions such as the number of candidates who opt for this subject and their success rate in the exam. Aspiring candidates can find this article useful as they prepare for the IAS Exam.

Some Information Regarding Electrical Engineering UPSC Optional Strategy

YearNo. of candidates appearedNo. of candidates clearedSuccess Rate (%)
2017193199.8
2015143139.1
2014192157.8
20131131311.5
201212686.3
201117195.3
201013275.3
NameYearRank
Rishi Raj201727
Rushikesh Reddy2017374
Rahul Gupta201620
Surabhi Gautam201650
Ashish Kumar20149
Mayank Agrawal201267
Prakash Rajpurohit20092
Mutyalaraju Revu20061

Advantages of Taking Electrical Engineering UPSC Optional

Electrical engineering is a specialized subject that is recommended only for graduates or postgraduates in the field to choose as an optional for the mains exam. There are pros and cons to selecting this subject, and it is important for candidates to assess their strengths and weaknesses before making a decision. Let’s first look at the advantages of choosing this optional:

  1. As a graduate in electrical engineering, you would have a head start compared to those who are not.
  2. Being a technical subject, it is objective and scoring. There is little room for interpretation, unlike humanities subjects.
  3. You can earn marks through diagrams, circuits, flowcharts, and numerical problems.
  4. Even the theoretical portion of this subject is scoring, provided your writing is clear and accurate.
  5. Roughly 50% of the questions asked in the IAS exam are repeated, and they are direct and straightforward. With good practice and a solid grasp of concepts, you should be able to score well. So, the questions are predictable, and the difficulty level is not typically very high.
  6. If you choose this optional, you can also write the engineering services (IES) exam. You can compare the Indian Engineering Services and Indian Civil Services examinations to determine if you are eligible for both.
  7. In the worst-case scenario, you have a backup plan with this optional. You can take the IES exam, as mentioned above, or other engineering-related exams.

Disadvantages of Taking Electrical Engineering UPSC Optional

There are also some disadvantages associated with choosing Electrical Engineering as an optional subject. These include:

  1. The subject is challenging and demands a lot of effort from the students. A considerable amount of practice is required, especially in solving numerical problems.
  2. The syllabus of electrical engineering is extensive.
  3. There is no overlap with the general studies papers, which may make it harder for candidates to balance their preparation for both the optional and general studies papers.
  4. It is advisable to avoid this optional subject unless you are confident in your knowledge of the subject matter and have a good grasp of university-level concepts. In general, it is better to choose an optional subject that has significant overlap with the general studies papers.

UPSC Electrical Engineering Optional Subject Strategies

To excel in electrical engineering as an optional subject for the IAS exam, candidates must adopt an effective study plan that emphasizes daily practice of numerical problems, among other things. Here are some tips and strategies to help you prepare better:

  1. Practice numerical problems daily and use calculators to help speed up the process. Regular practice will help you build your speed and accuracy in solving numerical problems.
  2. Avoid making silly mistakes while solving numerical problems. Double-check your calculations and avoid overlooking small details while solving problems.
  3. Enroll in a test series for your optional subject. This will provide you with a good opportunity to simulate the exam environment and develop better time management and problem-solving skills.
  4. Focus on presentation when solving numerical problems. Use a pencil to draw neat diagrams and graphs, so that any mistakes can be easily corrected. You can also use a box to highlight your main answer, making it more visible.
  5. Solve numerical problems in the same manner as they are solved in standard textbooks. This will help you develop a good understanding of the concepts and also make it easier for you to learn and remember the formulas.
  6. Prepare a separate sheet of formulas, divided into topics, for quick and easy revision. This will help you to quickly recall formulas and improve your efficiency during the exam.

By following these tips and developing a consistent study routine, you can boost your chances of scoring well in electrical engineering as an optional subject for the IAS exam.

List of Books To Study From For Electrical Engineering UPSC Optional

Electrical Engineering UPSC Optional Strategy: FAQs

Should I take Electrical Engineering Optional for UPSC?

You should take Electrical Engineering as an optional subject for UPSC only if you are well-versed in the university-level concepts of this subject, that is, you are a graduate in this subject.

Is Electrical Engineering Optional Subject for UPSC difficult?

Yes, it is a difficult subject as it is very technical and numericals are hard to solve.

Do numericals come in Electrical Engineering Optional Subject for UPSC?

Yes, numericals come in the exam for this subject so you should practice them daily and use calculators too.

Are there toppers who took Electrical Engineering Optional Subject for UPSC?

Yes, there are toppers and high rankers who took this as their optional subject.

What is the success rate of candidates who take Electrical Engineering Optional for UPSC?

The latest data suggests that the success rate is 9.8% for students who took Electrical Engineering Optional for UPSC.