Mathematics Optional Strategy by GSS Praveenchand (Rank-64/UPSC-2018)

Mathematics Optional Strategy by GSS Praveenchand (Rank-64/UPSC-2018)

Q. What’s your optional subject and why did you chose it and not something else?

My optional subject was mathematics. I have chosen mathematics due to the following reasons

During my graduation, I had fair exposure to mathematics.
I have benefited from many mathematical techniques during my three years of employment in the private sector.
So, as a continuation of that, I opted for mathematics.

Q. If a new player wants to pick your subject, would you advice for it or against it?

Optional must be selected based on one’s interest and comfort. Just do not choose the optional as someone else scored good marks in that. For example in my case, during my second attempt, I made many calculation mistakes in mathematics and got 263 marks only, due to which I had to contend with 512 rank. Whereas this year, I got 342 marks in it and got 64th rank. So, just don’t go by optics, take this optional only if you have an interest and ready to work hard. Mathematics is a demanding subject requiring a lot of practice, some times it becomes difficult to manage maths and general studies simultaneously. So prepare yourself for such circumstances. At the same time, mathematics is very interesting and scoring as well, if one can ace this optional, then the sky is the only limit.

Q. First the essential book/resource list. (Also mention which one is the “Base book” for covering the theory? + Whatever comments you’ve for a particular book e.g. “my seniors said read xyz book but I found that ABC book was better”. “xyz topic not given properly in this book, so prepare from xyz website or book…” OR and so on.)

Mathematics optional book list

Paper 1

Linear Algebra : Schaum’s outline on Linear Algebra

Calculus : Mathematical analysis by S.C. Malik and Savita Arora, Krishna Series on Differential calculus , Krishna Series on Integral calculus and NPTEL lectures

Analytical Geometry : Krishna Series on Analytical Geometry and Krishna Series on Analytical Solid Geometry : for Conicoids, Generating Lines

Ordinary Differential Equation: Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations by MD Raisinghania. For Laplace, Advanced Differential Equations by MD Raisinghania

Vector Analysis: Vector Analysis by Krishna series.

Statics : Krishna Series

Dynamics : Krishna Series

Paper 2

Modern Algebra :Contemporary abstract algebra by Joseph Gallon and this playlist on youtube Playlist Link

Real Analysis Mathematical Analysis by S.C. Malik and Savita Arora and NPTEL lectures

Complex Analysis : Complex analysis by Krishna series .

Linear Programming : Linear Programming , Krishna Series book and NPTEL lectures

Partial Differential Equations– M.D. Raisinghania and advance differential equation by M D raisinghania for boundary value problems

Numerical analysis : Numerical Methods : For Scientific And Engineering Computation by Mahinder Kumar Jain, Satteluri R K Iyengar and Rajinder Kumar Jain

Fluid Mechanics : M D Raisinghania.

Mechanics: Rigid Dynamics (Volume I & Volume II) by Krishna series.

One must solve last 15-20 yeas questions of UPSC civil services optional. Solutions to them could be written in a notes. Revise these questions and solutions multiple times. It helps in quickly revising many concepts and formulae.

Q. How much of internet-research / current affairs is necessary for this optional? OR can one simply rely on the books and be done with this subject?

In mathematics, current affairs are not relevant. The syllabus is largely static. I had used the internet whenever I couldn’t understand concepts form the book. For instance, I used to watch NPTEL lectures on https://nptel.ac.in and referred to one playlist on YouTube for Modern Algebra. Apart from these, most part of the syllabus can be done from books

Q. How many months did it take to finish the core optional syllabus?

It took 7-8 months to finish core optional syllabus.

Q. How many days/ weeks before the exam, you started answer writing practice?

Mathematics is a subject which can be studied only through practice using pen and paper. So answer writing starts from the day we start preparation.

Q. Do you maintain self-notes for revision of optional? In which format- electronic or paper?

During my first two attempts, I didn’t maintain any self-notes, which was a big mistake in my opinion. During my third attempt, I made notes of important formulae, concepts, theorems and solutions to previous year UPSC mathematics optional questions.

Q. Your observation about the difficultly level of 2018 mains vs previous papers. And what precautions / rectifications are necessary in the future strategy for given optional subject?

The mathematics question paper was on the difficult side in 2016 and 2017. However, 2018 is slightly on the easier side, especially paper 1 was easy. Paper 2 remained difficult as was the case since 2016.
Practice with pen and paper, just don’t read the answers from the textbooks.
Take previous year mathematics optional questions seriously and practice them multiple times
Have a revision plan for mathematics, as the syllabus is huge.
Give at least 30-40 seconds to verify the solution to each question in the exam, It had saved me a 15 marker question in which I made a silly mistake.

---

Source:
https://mrunal.org/2019/05/upsc-topper-gss-praveenchand.html