UPSC Exams-Subject Selection-FAQ-Frequently Asked questions and Free Counselling

Dear Sir, I am a third year engineering student. As I am not comfortable with the engineering subjects I had lost a year. Whether I am eligible to take up the civil service exam? Can I take prelim exams when I am in my final year? i am very much interested in geography and history. Shall I take these as my optionals and start preparing myself. Kindly suggest me.

- Kannan 

You are eligible to write civil services even though you have lost one year. only thing is, you have to complete your degree before filling the main application. You can attend your prelims & mains during your final year also, provided you are qualified by age wise. If you are not sure, don't waste one attempt.
Normally, we suggest the aspirants to write civil services, after completing degree if they are in UG. If they are in master's degree, they can go for the exams during PG.

As far as optionals are concerned, it is fine. But you have to remember the following if you are going for these two subjects.

1. The syllabus is vast for both the subjects.

2. Both will be back to back exams where you won't find time to revise the subjects.
3. All the exams will be held continuously without break.

4. History is not scoring well. The success ratio also Poor compared to many other optionals.

In our opinion Geography is ok. You can go ahead with your preparation. You may think of some other optionals from the given following list. Sociology / Psychology / Any Indian Literature. We also suggest you to go through the detailed syllabus and previous years question papers, which will give an idea to take an appropriate decision.