Optional Subjects: A smart choice?

[anilarahman]

Respected seniors,
I am hoping to appear in the upcoming CSS exam i.e. in 2023. It will be my first attempt. I have not had much exposure to the CSS world. No prior prep, no awareness of the trends and thus I don't know whether the subjects I have opted for are usually preferred, or if this is a smart combination or not.
My optionals are:

International Relations
Public Administration
Gender Studies
Criminology
Sociology

People keep suggesting I go for US History because it works well with IR but any sort of history has always petrified me. I did not opt for Political Science because I had it as an elective in my Bachelors program and I couldn't get past the first topic.

What do you all think? How's Public Ad?
Do we have any seniors here who maybe have some wisdom to impart?

PS,
I have done Bachelors in English and for anyone wondering, I am a gold medalist.

Thanks!