I think Optional will not be deleted. Reasons are
1) The last commission went in through this extensively and decided to have only one optional as it will provide specialisation in at least one subject. Thus they still feel there is a need for optional which wont change within a year year or two (as is the case presently).
2) As you might be knowing, specialisation is necessary at higher level after DM posting. How is a DM going to advise CM or PM if he doesn't have indepth knowledge of basic concepts which he can implement to choose the right policy decisions in such time of fast changing technology. That is why the depth of questions in all optionals has been increased.
3) The increasing depth of questions also points to the fact that UPSC wants students to take optionals which they have studied during their graduation or at least those in which the student has excessive interest. Thats why we see that the science optionals are getting good marks as most of the students qualifying UPSC are from Engineering background. This will help the candidates to choose what interests them and would lead to curiosity and innovation and wont make policy making or implementation a burden on the Civil servants.
4) This also points to the fact that they want students who take decisions on their own rather than parents pressure at an early age of choosing career path when they chose their bachelor degree optionals. If they chose it on their own, they might have put some interest in learning the concepts. If they were forced into engineering, they would have not studied with interest (as most of the engineering graduates do not). Thus they are seeing the ability to take decision from young age by making students chose optional and how much clarity they had choosing an optional.
5) Apart from this, you might be knowing that in GS, marks of most of qualifying the students are almost same. Optional gives an edge to the students. Moreover, if all students get almost similar marks, it would be unjust to provide a few with IAS and the others with only minimal difference in marks B grade services.
6) Also, there are million specialised coachings who charge billions (IAS coaching is a billion dollar industry, its true), give ready made handouts. Only in optional preparation, there is still no specialised coaching, wherein the students get a chance to show their true reading, grasping, writing and analysing capabilities. If u read any coaching material notes for GS, u can easily get those capabilities spoon-fed. But in optional, you have to do it all urself. So, optional becomes the deciding paper whether u r a IAS material or not. As you might be knowing IAS/IFS/IPS etc have to read tonnes of reports and their recommendations before doling out their advice to their political masters. And if u have not developed these abilities, you are good for nothing.
Thus optional is there to stay so that students can prove their true mettle.
Please put forward your views too.
Comments
1) The plan of Nigavekar committee which is still in force is being reviewed by Baswan Committee. If the POPULAR PRESSURE by the agitating students is catapulated by JNU/DUSU, then only the PMO knows what shall be the pattern of CSE-MAINS 2016. So, picture abhi baki hai.
2) While I was critically analyzing ur statement-2 i read a line -> That is why the depth of questions in all optionals has been increased.
And after reading it, it is clear to me - U R NUTS.. and hence, no need for any critical analysis, but for a verbal duel now.
Are u an idiot, that u believe there is a correlation between the answer written in mains exam and the technical skills required in services..
Next u write- Thats why we see that the science optionals are getting good marks as most of the students qualifying UPSC are from Engineering background.
Dekho forum walo, ye aaj kal ke naye launde kuch bhi ADH-CHICHLA GYAN kitne confidence se pelte rahte hain.. From the list released by UPSC, anyone can see Geog/socio has beaten science/engg, except for some half dozen hard workers from science/engg optionals..
Next my qn to u is- why u created a non-sense thread and spreading ur confusion as DIVYA GYAN.. rather u should learn the basic nitties-gritties of this exam from the healthy discussions here and then create a purposeful thread...
@Mods hence close this thread
This is not a DIVYA GYAAN... I am no expert....
But... There is always a cause-affect relationship between exam syllabus and competencies required in Job.... Otherwise there would be no requirement of a syllabus.. kuch bhi kahi se pooch lo...
Second point... U say geography and other optionals have beaten the crap out of science... In absolute terms, u r definately correct.. But in percentage basis and the amount of marks the science subject have got is reminiscent of the level of 1990s, jab pel k number milte the science me.. but after 2K, science optionals k saath sautela vyawahaar hua.. Also, percentage terms me dekho bhai... Science subjects are recovering and are back with bang... Medical and Maths physics etc are on the rise...
Also, I am open to criticism
This thread i have created to know the mindset of the UPSC through reasoned discussion... which is what is supposed to happen in making policies... and here i believe smart and experienced ppl as well as some officers who have made it through and visit this forum might shed some light..
Apart from this, if u r right in thinking that UPSC will let the netas decide the competencies and syllabus required, then this country may be going to the dogs as populist demands are not always rational and many times their opinion are wrong... (yaad karo kaise majority logo ne Socrates ko zehar peene pe majboor kar diya tha, though he was right, Similar case with Galileo and copernicus)
I think netas would be smart enough to let not be swayed by public opinion and in larger interest take tough decision while giving short term reprieve to the senior players/dissenters
I also believe that CSAT will be back as it is important to induct ppl with logical ability.
Having an optional in UPSC gives another chance to all the aspirants to choose a subject of their choice and show their true ability.