LAW OPTIONAL STRATEGY

By Vasu Jain,
AIR 67 - CSE 2020

“WH” ELABORATION FOR LAW OPTIONAL

1. What Are The Myths Associated With Law (3 M)....................................................... 1

2. Why Study Law Optional .............................................................................................. 2

3. Where To Study For Law From – Booklist (3 B) .......................................................... 2

4. How To Study For Law Optional (3 P) ......................................................................... 3

ABOUT MYSELF – VASU JAIN

• All India Rank – AIR 67, UPSC CSE 2020
• Qualification – B.Sc. LL.B., Gujarat National Law University
• Law Optional Score – 268 = 131 + 137
• Last Year’s Score – 262 = 123 + 139

WHAT ARE THE MYTHS ASSOCIATED WITH LAW – 3 M

3 M = Marks, Material and Misplaced Focus

1. Marks – Law is low scoring optional.

a. I know people who have score 290+, 280+ in 2020. So, I don’t think law
optional doesn’t reward your efforts.
2. Material – Not enough material is available for this optional.
a. Books, notes and guidance is readily available. Also, various toppers have
shared their notes and strategy here: https://www.csewiki.org/Law_Optional.
b. Moreover, I have also shared my notes on my telegram channel
(https://t.me/vasujain_ias ).
3. Misplaces Focus – Coaching Institutes primarily focus on judicial services exams.
a. Why go for coaching when you have already studied law for 5 years! I
personally don’t understand the need for coaching in law for law students.

LAW OPTIONAL BY VASU JAIN

WHY STUDY LAW OPTIONAL
1. Aptitude – 5 Years Efforts
a. You have studies law for 5 years and have been surrounded by legal talks and
legal texts, so, you have acquired familiarity with the subject.
2. Opportunity Cost with other Optional
a. Other Optional would require at least 2 months to develop the basics which you
already have in law (if you have studied law)
3. Benefit in GS Preparation
a. Especially the polity part and GS II paper. Eg. The question in 2019 Mains
examination with respect to federal supremacy and legislative lists.

WHERE TO STUDY FOR LAW FROM – BOOKLIST – 3B

3B = Books, Bare Acts and Basic Notes

• Firstly, keep the sources simple and easy. Pick a light book and don’t go for heavy and
bulky books. They are neither required from the exam point of view, nor do you have
that much time and energy.
• Books
o Dukki type book for Constitutional Law, Administrative law, International law.
o Bangia type books for Law of Contracts, Law of Torts.
o Kulshrestha type book for Law of Crimes.
o Online sources for CLD, Partnership, Sales of Goods Act etc.
• Bare Acts
o Very very important, especially for CLD and smaller topics like partnership act.
• Basic College Notes
o If possible, refer to your college notes for clarity and understanding but don’t
cram them unlike college days.

LAW OPTIONAL BY VASU JAIN

HOW TO STUDY FOR LAW OPTIONAL – 3P
3P = Prepare, Practice and Predict

1. Prepare Notes
a. Make detailed notes in the beginning, so that you can understand what you have
written even after 4 months. Write all important things.
b. Make crisp & to-the-point notes from your detailed notes for quick revision.
These notes mainly contain the authorities. See this:
c. Example, see my notes on ‘Attempt’ under “Stages of Crimes”.
i. Image I – detailed digital notes; Image II – crisp handwritten notes.

LAW OPTIONAL BY VASU JAIN

 2. Practice Answer Writing
a. Write answers on Previous Year Questions. If you cant write, at least brainstorm
b. Review your answer yourself from your notes and sources and see what more
can be added in your answer.
c. Try to add Act numbers, Case Citations along with case name, if possible.
3. Predict Questions
a. That can be done by seeing a pattern in the previous year papers.
b. Many times, same questions are repeated verbatim.

All the Very Best.

LAW OPTIONAL BY VASU JAIN