Greetings,

I hope you all would be having great time even in these days of pandemic. I just need help from you people regarding my subject selection.


I have just completed Bachelor's in Media and Communication Studies. As I am planning to give an attempt in 2021 hopefully. In this regard, I just wanted to know whether I have opted the right subjects and will be able to cover it up in due time?

The subject selection is made on the basis of my academics, level of interest and some prior basic knowledge. My optionals are:

Journalism and Mass Communication
International Relations
Criminology
Gender Studies
Indo-Pak History

Looking forward to hearing from you people.

Bro, it goes without saying that subject selection plays a key role in CSS exam.
International Relations:
IR has been slaughtered a couple of times, and it has even doomed aspirants who majored in it. It was my optional in 2 attempts, but I have replaced it with political science for my last attempt. I prepared the subject without consulting a single local book/guide, but it didn't work. When too many aspirants are opting for the same subject, increased competition, and low score, is a natural outcome. On the other hand, you can find a few aspirants who score very well in it, and that's the beauty of CSS. So, carefully consider this choice. If you feel like opting for it, don't forget to study Perspectives on International Relations by Henry R. Nau (available online). Do analyze each question from theoretical perspectives; doing otherwise will make it a paper of current affairs.

Indo-Pak History:
I have no first-hand experience of the subject, but you are advised to search the forum for relevant threads where aspirants have shared their experience regarding the subject. The subject is considered tough n lengthy.

P.S: 'Tough, difficult, scoring' etc. are relative terms and CSS is full of surprises. So, don't take my words for granted; make your own enlightened decision.

Your optional combination is good. But you should consider changing Indo-Pak History with US/ European History, they both go well along IR.
Apart from that rest is fine. And you can't predict with surety that which subject will be slaughtered so don't change IR, atleast for that reason.

Thank you for your review, as far the Indo-Pak History is concerned, I had already a deep insight of the topics because I used to read books related Mughal Era, Partition et cetra.

Thank you so much for your kind remarks. Yes, I would definitely do a cross check. Then I'll take the final decision.

In that case your combination is complete. I only advised US History because many of its questions could be covered by preparing IR and current affairs.
But, since you already have knowledge of this subject then go for it.

__________________
There cannot be two kings in a kingdom.

Salam!
I done MS Software Engineering and wants to appear in CE-2021 and i am confuse to select the optional subjects. As consult one of the academy and take first free class about optional subjects and then chooses the following subjects

Governance & Public Policies (100)
Gender Studies (100)
Criminology (100)
Sociology (100) or Journalism & Mass Communication (100)

and this cover 400 marks respectively but still 200 marks are awaiting to choose between Political Science or International Relation?

In my student life i am just a average student and done MS 2 to 3 years back so that's why i am not choosing computer science and its lengthy as well.

Kindly suggest me about optional subjects because i am really worried about this. And secondly tell from where to start the preparation (like compulsory or optional subjects).

We are kinda in the same boat, I did BS computer sciences, my subjects are pol sci, gender studies, journalism and mass comm, governance and pp and instead of criminology I opted for philosophy (short syllabus)