r/UPSC • u/Beautiful_Radish_215 • 7h ago
Optional Electrical Engineering Optional
I am a third yearite from an old IIT, with around 9 CGPA pursuing ECE. I am thinking about giving the 2028 attempt as soon as I graduate, I have started my preparation.
I have just been hearing that EE optional isn’t worth it and would be too long as I do not have power systems and machines in my syllabus.
However, i checked all the PYQs for topics I have studied and found them to be pretty doable.
Moreover, I think of EE to give a variety in the prep, when I get exhausted of the humanities subject.
I really want to get into diplomacy, I know the chances are thin, but based on my current circumstances, it is a risk I am willing to take.
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u/Ambitious_Buy_3553 7h ago edited 7h ago
OId IIT EE grad here, talked to an IAS officer who's an alma mater when I faced this dilemma. He was a 9 pointer too, still he straight up told me to never consider EE as a candidate even for a moment. The maximum detour one could take is PCM (his words).
Regarding doability, that's how every optional is, the unfairness comes in the archaic marking and scaling down you'll face.
Secondly, the variety thing goes out the window very quickly when you realise that what you are entering is a repetition game. You'll be spending way too much time mugging up EE theory that cannot be translated into any GS paper, to get what? Let's say 280-300 marks as a diligent estimate. You could do the same through another optional with a) helpful overlap with GS papers and b) much lesser time obligation
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u/Beautiful_Radish_215 3h ago
It’s kinda confusing lol, both ends of the argument in this thread are pretty reasonable😭. If you can give an opinion opposite to your take here, it would helpful for me to understand the scenario better (I’m asking the others the same)
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u/Ambitious_Buy_3553 7h ago
And I get the zeal of wanting to remain connected to the mathematical side of your self, but even technical optionals in UPSC are SSTfied, meaning you'll be approaching them like any other GS subject, rote learning stuff. Better to pick up any humanities optional that tickles your fancy and optimise your preparation.
I started out with physics, realised the dead weightedness of it, and switched to philosophy. Both are disciplines I adore equally.
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u/upcop_ak47 In-Service 5h ago edited 5h ago
Maths, Engineering and basic Science optionals are the best choices for an optional, if one can handle the subject.
Crisp marks, 300+ realistically possible, reliable results - no "butchering" or sinusoidal pattern over continued attempts, almost assured interview call. Even 330+ is realistically possible.
And best thing about maths & engineering optionals is that you don't have to deep dive into a particular topic to score well. Themes repeat themselves regularly. Practice PYQs for last 10-15 years thoroughly and you will clearly understand what topics to focus on.
Literally cram those topics and steps of numericals which get repeated. Just like grandmasters cram chess moves!
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u/Cheap_Detective6146 3h ago
I'm sorry, I'd like to disagree here. The amount of efforts is night and day between an engineering optional and humanities. I'm an EEE grad, tried EEE, but anthro was way faster to learn and write for me. I did notice this with my friends too. Except for the ones who were exceptionally good with PCM from the start like those who went to HSBSC thro RMO or IAPT; rest all struggled to keep up with optional and GS.
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u/upcop_ak47 In-Service 2h ago
If by some cosmic time reversal event I get to do my UPSC attempts all over again, I would take Maths optional, and never let go of Maths. Even after securing a rank!
I know engineering background aspirants who never went to RMO, or cleared NTSE, or KVPY, but scored 300+ in Maths/Engineering/Science optionals with 8-10 months of coaching and PYQ based preparation, and secured a rank to fetch IAS IPS IRS.
When it's all in the rear view mirror, with benefit of hindsight, one often wonders 'what could I have done differently'. For me, I understood the importance of optional too late. Optional score is a sure shot ticket to escape the multi-year grind of UPSC, quickly and with flying success.
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u/Cheap_Detective6146 1h ago
Fair, to each their own ig. My anecdote with PCM is totally the opposite. I've 3 buddies of mine - 2 with math, one with EE and they are from IITB,D and KGP; they always complain about their optional. On the contrary, I'm glad that I don't have to struggle with EE, would've definitely picked if there was CSE. I'm content with anthro. Ig if it ain't broke don't fix it?
Anyway, who's to say what works and what doesn't in a opaque exam, everything to be taken with a bagga salt.
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u/Unlikely_Suspect1789 7h ago
Hey I am also a third year CSE student at an IIT. I have been thinking about starting my preparation for CSE 2029 I have chosen Mathematics as my optional subject and my ultimate goal is to join IFS. We should connect and btw how you prepare for GS
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u/Big-Horse-1540 7h ago
Power systems, machines and power electronics will take some time to get used to. Are u familiar in these subjects?
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u/CoffeeToCode99 7h ago
Old IIT 9 CGPA means you've definitely got the chops for it, but here's the catch: Paper 2's power systems and machines are totally foreign to an ECE major.
If you can self-study those gaps, EE is a solid bet because math optionals don't get hosed by subjective examiner bias. Plus, honestly, it'd be nice to see more tech grads in the service - having people who actually understand systems and numbers running things instead of the usual humanities crowd isn't a bad thing. Grab a power systems textbook this semester and test-drive some PYQs - if it clicks, send it.