When aspirants start preparing for UPSC, the most dangerous trap isn’t GS or CSAT. It’s an optional subject . A wrong optional can drag your rank 300 places down . A smart optional? It can make a 10,000-rank aspirant enter the top 100 . Yet, no coaching, no toppers’ talk, and no book tells you how to actually choose the right optional . This guide breaks down a practical, proven, and strategic method to pick your optional—with zero regrets later. Why Choosing the Right Optional Is a Game-Changer π 500 Marks — 25% of Your Fate Optional carries a whopping 500 marks in UPSC Mains. A consistent optional score of 280+ instantly puts you in the top bracket. π Toppers Secure Their Rank with Optional Gaurav Agarwal (AIR 1, 2013) – Economics Jagrati Awasthi (AIR 2, 2020) – Sociology Their GS scores were good. But their optional made them toppers. How Toppers Differ From the 99% Most aspirants pick optionals because: Their friends chose it Their coaching “...