Should Doctors Choose Medical Sciences as Optional for IAS Mains Exam?

Every year, several doctors are successful in cracking the UPSC Civil Services Exam. Some of them even secure top ranks. When it comes to opting for the optional subject for the Mains papers, many doctors prefer medical science, their field of expertise. However, a considerable number of them also venture into other subjects. This article discusses whether doctors should stick to medical sciences as their optional subject or consider other subjects for the IAS mains exam.

Data reveals that doctors have the highest success rate among all other academic backgrounds in the UPSC exam. This could be attributed to the intensive nature of the MBBS course. Doctors spend nearly 5.5 years studying rigorously during their graduation. This challenging course could potentially prepare them for the equally demanding UPSC preparation.

If doctor candidates believe they have a solid understanding of their previous studies, they should consider the medical sciences optional. However, they should keep the following points in mind:

• Opt for medical sciences only if you are comfortable with revisiting the entire course.
• The UPSC syllabus for medical sciences is extensive.
• You must have genuine interest in the subject.
• There is no overlap with general studies papers.
• You should have a strong grasp of what you have studied.
• Before selecting the optional, go through the UPSC syllabus. Also, review previous years’ IAS questions papers to understand the level of difficulty involved in the medical science optional.

Benefits of selecting medical science as an optional subject:

• You have already studied the subject for more than 5 years, which is a significant advantage.
• You are already familiar with the material. There is no need to study anything from scratch. You only need to restructure and format what you have learnt into the UPSC format.
• There is no requirement for any coaching for this optional.
• The syllabus is mostly static with minimal dynamic components.
• The examination mainly asks conceptual questions.
• By following the correct strategy for the medical science optional for UPSC Mains , you can score well in the exam.

If you don’t want to choose medical science as an optional subject, you can consider related subjects like zoology, botany, chemistry, and anthropology. You are also free to choose humanities subjects like sociology, literature, history, etc. Your success ultimately depends on your commitment and dedication.

Also Read:

The above information would be helpful for candidates preparing for UPSC 2023 .

Aspirants can find comprehensive information about upcoming Government Exams via the linked article. You can also find UPSC exam-related preparation materials through the links provided below.