ஜூலை 2022

UPSC Conducts the Civil Services exam in three stages. While selecting the Optional Subjects which form a part of the Mains Exam (Second stage) many aspirants get confused about choosing the right one. Still, it is pretty natural to get confused given the nature of the UPSC Exam. This article may act as a helping hand in the process of Choosing the one Optional which is going to play a crucial role in clearing the Examination.

1. Agriculture

Agriculture is one of the preferred optional subjects in the UPSC Civil services Mains Exam. Candidates from Agriculture, Botany, and Zoology backgrounds prefer to select it due to its Scoring Nature. Paper 1 covers Ecology, Agronomy, Weed Science, Forestry, Soil Science and nutrient management, soil and water conservation, Agriculture economics and Agricultural Extension.

While paper 2 covers cell Biology, Plant Breeding, Seed production and technology, Plant Physiology, Horticulture and landscape gardening, food production and nutrient management.

Image Depicting Agriculture Sucess rates over Past UPSC Exams

2. Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science

Animal Husbandry is nothing but taking care of Farm animals by Humans. Veterinary Science is the treatment of Animals by Humans. People with veterinary science as a background with an Interest in Biology mostly Choose Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science as an Optional Subject.

Paper 1 of the optional Subject deals with Animal Nutrition, Animal Physiology, Animal reproduction, Livestock production and management, genetics and animal breeding, and Extension. While paper 2 deals with Anatomy, Pharmacology and Hygiene, animal diseases, Veterinary Public health, Milk and Milk products Technology, meat Hygiene and technology.

Note: The Success of the year 2019 is 18.8%

3. Anthropology

Anthropology is a popular choice among aspirants coming from Engineering or Science Backgrounds. Though the syllabus is compact, the subject demands a high conceptual clarity. The National Geographic describes Anthropology as the study of humanity through the application of biology, cultural studies, archaeology, linguistics, and other social sciences. The Subject has shot into huge famous after Anudeep Durisheety (AIR1), Sachin Gupta (AIR3), and Koya Sree Harsha (AIR6) Scored top ranks in 2017 with Anthropology as an Optional Subject. You can refer to his website where he has listed out his Plan and Book List - anudeepdurisheety

Paper1 syllabus includes

Meaning, Scope and development of Anthropology - Relationships with other disciplines, Main branches of Anthropology - their scope and relevance, Human Evolution and emergence of Man etc., Nature of Culture, Nature of Society, Marriage, Family, Kinship, Economic organization, Political Organization and social control, Religion, Anthropological theories, Culture, language and communication, Research methods in Anthropology, Human Genetics, Epidemiological Anthropology and Applications of Anthropology etc.

Paper2 Syllabus contains

Evolution of the Indian Culture and Civilization, Palaeo, Ethno-archaeology in India, Demographic profile of India, the Caste system in India, Indian Village, Tribal situation in India, Problems of the Tribal Communities.

4. Botany

Botany is mostly considered for the Optional Paper by the students from Botany Stream and its allied backgrounds. Though Botany is a conceptual subject and is chosen by less number of aspirants compared to subjects like Geography, Public Administration, Sociology etc it stands as a good scoring subject. So, if you have a flair for plants and most importantly for science, you might consider it before finalising your optional subject.

Paper-1 Syllabus includes

Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Cryptogams, Phanerogams, Plant Resource Development and Morphogenesis.

Paper-2 Syllabus includes

Cell Biology, Genetics, Molecular Biology and Evolution, Plant Breeding, Biotechnology and Biostatistics, Physiology and Biochemistry, Ecology and Plant Geography.

Before discussing National Human rights Commission let's dive to know the meaning of the word Human rights. Going as per Official UN definition, "Human rights are rights we have simply because we exist as human beings - they are not granted by any state. These universal rights are inherent to us all, regardless of nationality, sex, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, language, or any other status. They range from the most fundamental -the right to life -to those that make life worth living, such as the right to food, education, work, health, and liberty".

National Human Rights Commission

The NHRC is a statutory body established in 1993 under the 'Protection of Human Rights Act'. Later it got amended in 2006. It is an important non-constitutional body.
Human Rights are essential parts of the society and they are been watched by NHRC. NHRC acts as watch dog of human rights in the country.
It checks over the rights that are related to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual that are defined in section 2(1) of the PHR Act.
It was established in accordance with the Paris Principles of Human Rights, 1991 approved by the United Nations at its General Assembly of 1993.

Composition of the Commission:

The commission is a multi-member body and it consists of a chair person and five members.

Chairperson should be a retired Chief Justice or a judge of supreme court.
Members should be

serving or retired judge of Supreme Court

serving or retired chief justice of High court

Three persons having knowledge or practical experience in human rights (at least one should be a woman).

 Besides full-time members, the commission also has seven ex-officio members- the Chairpersons of the, 

National Commission for minorities
National Commission for SCs,
National Commission for STs,
National Commission for Women,
National Commission for BCs,
National Commission for the protection of child rights
Chief Commissioner for persons with disabilities.

Terms of the chairperson and Members:

The Amendment act, 2019 reduces the term from five to three years or till the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier and shall be eligible for re-appointment.

Working and Functions of the commission:

It is vested with the power to regulate its own procedure
It has all the powers of civil court and its proceedings have a judicial character
The commission has its own nucleus of investigating staff for investigation and complaints of violation of human rights.
It can look into a matter within one year of its occurrence.

It's directions are only recommendatory in nature. It may recommend,

Concerned government or authority to make payment of compensation or damages to the victim
Concerned government or authority the Initation of proceedings for prosecution or any other action against the public servant
Concerned government or authority for the grant of immediate interim relief to the victim.
It may approach the Supreme Court or High Court concerned for the necessary directions, orders or writs.

Some of its Important functions are

Appointment and Removal:

The President appoints the Chairperson and members based on the recommendations of a six member committee.

The President can remove the chairperson or any member from the office on the grounds of:

Bankruptcy(Insolvency), or
Unsound mind, or
Infirmity of body or mind, or
Engages in paid Employment, or
Sentenced to imprisonment for an offence.
The removal is also done on the charges of proved Misbehaviour or incapacity, if the Supreme Court's enquiry finds so.

Porul