11 Jun How many students take Pub Ad as optional
How Many Students Take Public Administration as Optional in UPSC?
Introduction
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination is one of the most prestigious and competitive exams in India. One key aspect of the UPSC Mains examination is the selection of an optional subject. Among the wide range of subjects available, Public Administration (Pub Ad) remains one of the most chosen options. But just how many students opt for this subject every year? What makes it popular or challenging? Let’s dive into the data, trends, and expert opinions to understand the relevance of Public Administration as an optional subject in the UPSC CSE.
Popularity of Public Administration Optional
Public Administration gained massive popularity during the early 2000s, especially after several toppers cracked UPSC with Pub Ad as their optional. Although its popularity slightly declined after 2013 due to unpredictable marking trends, it still remains among the top 5 most opted optional subjects for UPSC Mains.
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Recent Trends (2014–2024)
- In 2014, over 12,000 candidates selected Public Administration as their optional subject.
- By 2020, the number dropped to around 7,500 due to changing evaluation patterns and preferences shifting to Anthropology, Sociology, and PSIR.
- In 2023 and 2024, the number stabilized around 8,000-9,000 candidates annually, making it one of the top 3 humanities-based optionals.
This indicates a revival of interest, especially due to better mentorship and strategic approaches adopted by aspirants.
Why Do So Many Students Choose Public Administration?
- Overlap with GS Papers: Public Administration overlaps with General Studies Paper II (Polity, Governance) and Paper IV (Ethics), making preparation efficient.
- Administrative Relevance: Aspirants see a direct correlation between the subject and the duties of a future IAS officer.
- Theoretical and Practical Mix: The subject blends conceptual frameworks with real-world administrative scenarios.
- Short Syllabus: Compared to subjects like History or Geography, Pub Ad is more concise and manageable within a limited time frame.
Data from UPSC Reports
Based on data available from UPSC Annual Reports and RTI queries submitted by aspirants:
| Year | Candidates Appeared (Pub Ad) | Recommended Candidates | Success Rate (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 7931 | 105 | 1.32% |
| 2019 | 7110 | 89 | 1.25% |
| 2020 | 7556 | 96 | 1.27% |
| 2021 | 7812 | 113 | 1.44% |
| 2022 | 8021 | 122 | 1.52% |
| 2023 | 8340 | 124 | 1.50% |
| 2024 | 8446 | 126 | 1.49% |
While the success rate may seem low, it’s quite comparable to other popular optional subjects like PSIR or Sociology.
Top Performers with Public Administration
- Rohit Singhal: He brought massive attention to Pub Ad after topping the exam with it.
- Ravi Meena: Another example of a top ranker with Pub Ad as optional.
- Ananya Srivastva: Several candidates from top 100 ranks have consistently cleared with Public Administration optional, proving its consistent potential.
Challenges Faced by Students Taking Public Administration
Despite its advantages, students often face challenges such as:
- Unpredictable Marking: The subject faced inconsistent marking patterns post-2013, which made many students wary.
- Generalization: Writing generic answers can lead to lower scores unless answers are substantiated with administrative thinkers or case studies.
- Case Study Integration: Many aspirants struggle to apply administrative theories to current case studies or real-world governance examples.
Who Should Take Public Administration?
Public Administration is a good choice if:
- You have a strong interest in governance, policy, or civil service functioning.
- You come from a humanities or management background.
- You are comfortable with abstract and theoretical concepts.
- You’re looking for overlap with GS and Essay papers.
Best Teachers for Public Administration Optional
The right guidance can significantly improve your score. Among the top-rated mentors in India is Dr. Vivek Raj from PlutusIAS.
- Dr. Vivek Raj is known for his conceptual clarity, analytical teaching, and personal mentorship.
- He provides structured notes, value-added content, and targeted answer writing sessions.
- PlutusIAS offers limited batch sizes and hybrid learning (online + offline) for better engagement.
With such expert support, many students have seen a remarkable improvement in their marks in both Paper I and II of Pub Ad.
Conclusion
Public Administration continues to be a strong and competitive optional subject in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. With approximately 8,000 to 9,000 students opting for it every year, it remains a favorite for those looking to combine governance theory with practical administration. While the success rate is moderate, consistent preparation, expert guidance, and answer writing practice can make all the difference. Aspirants should consider their interest, aptitude, and the availability of quality guidance like that from Dr. Vivek Raj before choosing this optional.
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