Three considerations should be kept in mind while selecting an optional subject
- Interest: For the next one-two years, you are going to go through this subject left and right. Unless it evokes some interest in you, you should not even think of taking it. Try studying a particular subject for one week and see whether you find it interesting. Explore topics from different parts of the syllabus while you are at it.
- Availability of material/guidance: You might find it easier to find guidance for subjects like Public Administration/Geography/Political Science etc., while subjects like Santhali or some other language might not be very easy to come by. Selection of optional should also be contingent on availability of material/guidance.
- Syllabus: This should also be a major consideration. A subject like Public Administration has a very small syllabus while history syllabus looks almost like a book. This would mean you will have to study more topics. Therefore, think for yourself whether you should take this subject or not.
Only if all the above three align should you select a particular subject as your optional.