Which subject should I choose as my intermediate?
I am a student of Class 10 and I want to be an I.A.S. officer. I’m not able to decide which subject I should choose as my intermediate. I like English, Maths, Geography, History/Civics and Environmental Studies. Is there any scope with these subjects?
Vijaya (14) / Jabalpur
To become an IAS officer, you need to appear in the Civil Services Examination, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) (upsc.gov.in). Selection is done through three stages: Preliminary Examination (Prelims), Mains Examination (Mains) and Personality Test (Interview).
To appear in this examination one should have completed one’s graduation in any stream. However, the standard of questions is usually an inter-mix of both graduate and post-graduate level of study. If your aim is to appear in this examination, I suggest you take the subjects in which you’re most comfortable. You’ll be able to spend more time studying only when the subject interests you.
Although regarded as one of the toughest exams in the country, with the right approach and strategy, an aspirant can crack the IAS examination in the very first attempt.
Dr Vibha Gupta, a feature writer, is a Ph.D. in Mathematics from IIT Roorkee. Her book Careers: A Pathfinder and articles in various publications are an attempt to guide students in choosing a career according to their natural strengths, talents and skills.