The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the civil services exam every year. The exam comprises three stages- preliminary, mains, and interview. One of the essential aspects of the mains exam is to select an optional subject.
Choosing an optional subject can be challenging as it secures one-third weightage in the mains exam, and selection largely decides your rank in the UPSC exam. Over the years, the trend has shown that candidates choosing optional subjects struggle to balance between the popularity of the subject and their interest in it. It has led to the emergence of new, less-popular subjects, including Tamil.
Tamil, the official language of the state of Tamil Nadu, is slowly gaining popularity among civil services aspirants. Despite being limited in scope in terms of the number of candidates writing the exam, the steady growth indicates that more and more aspirants are choosing Tamil as their optional.
The reason for the growing interest in Tamil optional can be credited to the following factors:
1. Language Skills: Tamil is one of the oldest languages in the world, with a rich cultural heritage. Candidates who are well acquainted with the language naturally have an affinity towards the subject, as it is considered to be their strong point.
2. General Awareness: Tamil Nadu state is known for its rich history and culture, and many upsc aspirants are interested in its politics, literature, and society. Choosing Tamil optional can provide them with the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the state’s diverse history and its people’s socio-political issues.
3. Expert guidance: Recently, coaching centers specialized in Tamil optional subjects have emerged, and aspirants can receive expert guidance and support. The availability of such centers and comprehensive study materials has helped candidates to gain a better understanding of the subject.
4. Scoring potential: Tamil is considered a scoring subject as it is often ranked high among the top scorers in the optional subject lists. It is particularly beneficial for Tamil Nadu state aspirants where the subject has a more profound influence.