Strategy for Mathematics Optional for U

PSC CSE
Hello everyone, this is Sandeep Kumar. I have secured All India Rank 186 in UPSC
Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2020. In achieving this rank my optional subject
mathematics played most important role. I believe my marks (294/500) in optional
almost guaranteed me a place in the coveted list of selected aspirants. Hence, I have
decided to share my strategy to deal with mathematics optional so that aspirants
community may benefit from it. I benefited a lot from toppers like Atul Prakash sir's
[AIR 4, CSE 2017] blog, Kanishak sir's [AIR 1, CSE 2018] strategy and others. Hence I also
consider it my duty to continue this great tradition of toppers to guide aspirants. 

To begin with I will share few links which helped me a lot when I was struggling to find
strategy to tackle mathematics optional. I advise aspirants to go through them first
before proceeding further. 
Atul Prakash sir's blog
approach in mathematics optional.
Read this very carefully. This was my go to point whenever I had any
doubts.
Strategy and book list for paper-1
Read here.
Strategy and book list for paper-2
Read here.
His notes of mathematics optional
I did not join any coaching institute for mathematics optional study
so I had many doubts as to which kinds of questions I should practice
and which to leave. Here, Atul sir's notes were my constant guide. Since I
also followed his recommended book list, (I made some changes in few
topics such Modern Algebra) so, these notes proved immensely
beneficial.
Nitish K sir's  [Rank 8, CSE 2014] advice.
Kanishak sir's advice.
Topic-wise detailed strategy by Kanishak sir. [link here]
 kanishak sir's revision notes. [link here]

After going through above mentioned links you should have a fair idea of how to
approach mathematics optional. Still I would like to write my own strategy as well.
Maybe my 2 cents will also benefit someone.🙂

Mathematics as an optional in CSE:

It has produced number of high ranking toppers over the years. It is highly scoring
optional and adds tremendous certainty in otherwise very uncertain and
unpredictable examination like CSE.
Caveat: While it is high scoring but it requires enormous effort to reach such
scores. Given the lengthy syllabus balancing GS with Mathematics becomes
herculean task. To give you some perspective, during 3 months between
prelims and mains in CSE 2020, I spent more than 70% time on mathematics
alone and only rest on GS and Essay topics (of course, not all candidates need
to spend similar amount of time).
Totally static syllabus so preparation of one attempt directly benefits in next
attempt and in subsequent attempts you score higher marks if you continue to
put right amount of efforts.
In CSE 2019, I scored only 219 in mathematics and failed to make it in the list
but in CSE 2020, I scored 294 and secured 186 rank which is good enough to
get me IPS.🙂
This progress over subsequent attempt is guaranteed because of its static
nature given you consistently work hard on it.
For those who like the subject mathematics is a very lovely subject. I thoroughly
enjoyed studying mathematics. It provided great escape from mundane current
affairs.
Notes, books, test series, coaching, topper's guidance for this optional are readily
available. You will not be in dark.
However I must also mention some challenges regarding this optional:
Very bulky syllabus means that you have to spend 7-8 months just to finish
the syllabus in one iteration. Then continuous revision and practice also takes
a lot of time. Hence, this optional is very time taking.
One fall-out is that many aspirants with mathematics optional requires
multiple attempts before clearing this exam (myself included).
 Few topics like Modern Algebra, Real Analysis, Conicoid etc and very
challenging to master.
UPSC is frequently mixing physics question with rest of the syllabus. Gone are
the days where you could safely ignore physics portion and depend on the
rest. Given the difficulty level of physics question in paper-1 in CSE 2020
aspirants will have to spend significant time on physics portion as well.
High accuracy is required, especially in Paper-1. It seems that step marking is
not given in paper-1 so incorrect answer will get you zero marks which seems
totally unfair in my view but that's how it is.

Now I will detail my strategy:

Notes/ Coaching material Vs Books:
I followed Atul Prakash sir's approach. I did not depend on IMS notes. I
completed each topics from books recommended by toppers. Personally I
found IMS notes inadequate but many toppers claim to have solely relied on
these coaching notes.
If you are confused about this then follow any coaching notes and try to
solve any test series or PYQs [previous year questions]. If you feel
confident after attempting these questions then you may depend on such
coaching material.
I used to make my own notes after reading the book with basic theory and
formulas along with standard questions. Then, I used my own notes for
revision. I highly recommend such note making to all aspirants.
Completing the syllabus before prelims is ideal.
In my first attempt I could only complete around 30% of syllabus before
prelims and it became a nightmare after prelims to complete the syllabus
given that GS, Essay also take time. In my second attempt I had completed
mathematics syllabus along with making notes before prelims. So, after mains
I was able to manage work load of GS + Essay and mathematics.
I did not join any coaching centre.
I did not feel the need. Also, a friend of mine preparing for CSE with
mathematics optional helped me a lot in studying math so I never felt the
need for any coaching guidance.
Peer group of aspirants with mathematics optional will prove highly
beneficial for everyone in the group. Try to be in contact with such
aspirants.
 However it must be your own choice given your own specific requirements. If
you feel the need to join coaching then go ahead but make sure you are not
fully dependent on coaching centres.
Test series is indispensable. After prelims join test series and practice under
exam conditions.
I covered physics portion selectively given the importance of topics in
mathematics papers. Some kind of questions are frequently repeated and you
must be thorough with them.
Solve PYQs of last 20 years. Many questions are repeated.
Make formula sheet of each topic for quick revision. This is very helpful in 5 days
gap between GS papers and Mathematics paper in mains exam.
Balancing GS with Math:
It challenging but still doable. If you have completed mathematics syllabus at
least once then load of mathematics gets lessened and you can devote more
time to GS and Essay. Hence try to finish optional syllabus as soon as possible.
After prelims join test series of both GS and Maths so that you continue with
answer writing practice.

Overall, mathematics is a tough optional but highly rewarding if you put earnest efforts.
I have enjoyed my UPSC journey with mathematics optional so far. I struggled a lot over
last 3 years but never gave up. I believe that for those who have strong interest in
mathematics, there is no better optional.

I will add topic wise detailed strategy later. Till then, you have great advices from
toppers like Kanishak sir and Atul Prakash sir. Do read them again and again. May god
bless you. My best wishes are with you.

If you want to contact me then email me at : sandeepkjha18 [at] gmail [dot] com
My telegram ID is @Sandeepupsc