Drastic Decline in Home Science Marks in OPSC OAS 2023: A Wake-Up Call for Aspirants

In 2023, Home Science candidates saw a major decline in scores, whereas subjects like Public Administration, Sociology, and Geography remained stable. The key reasons appear to be:

1. Stricter Checking and Scaling Effect

OPSC likely applied tougher evaluation standards and moderated marks to maintain uniformity across all optional subjects.

2. Unpredictable Paper Pattern

Although PYQs always repeat in some form, OPSC changed the way questions were framed, making them more analytical and application-based rather than straightforward.

For instance, past questions like:

• “Discuss the role of nutrition in maternal health”
• “Explain the importance of food fortification in India”

These were previously direct theory-based. But in 2023, they were framed in a comparative, case-based manner that required a deeper conceptual approach.

3. Possible Decline in Answer Quality

While OPSC’s evaluation is definitely more stringent, it is also possible that aspirants’ answer quality did not meet evaluator’s expectations.

• Answers lacked originality – Many students repeated coaching materials without customization.
• Limited use of current affairs – Linking Home Science to real-world applications may be missing.
• Poor structure – Evaluators may now expect diagrams, case studies, and data-driven answers.

This means OPSC’s checking may not be entirely biased—rather, the overall standard of answer writing may have declined, making it crucial to analyze the issue holistically for future improvement.

Why a Once-Popular Optional Is Now Unpopular?

Home Science gained popularity because of:

• A concise syllabus compared to subjects like Public Administration or Geography.
• Predictable questions, which often repeated.
• Perception of being an easy scoring subject.

However, in 2023, the trend reversed due to:

• Stricter marking and answer quality expectations.
• Unavailability of updated, structured study materials.
• Shifting paper pattern, demanding more analytical depth.

This has made aspirants reconsider their choice of Home Science as an optional subject.

Is it right to blame OPSC?

Some are blaming OPSC’s answer-checking pattern for the mark drop, but this is only a partial explanation.

• Yes, OPSC seems to have raised the bar for evaluation.
• But at the same time, aspirants failed to update their mateials, relying on outdated study materials and superficial answer writing guidance.

Instead of simply shifting blame, it is important to analyze both OPSC’s approach and the aspirants’ preparation methods to identify areas of improvement.

How Aspirants Can Improve Their Scores?

Despite the drastic decrease in marks, Home Science is still a good optional if approached correctly.

1. Leverage PYQs as Strength

One of the key insights is that PYQs always repeat in some form. Even if the wording changes, the core concepts remain the same.

For example, questions on:

• “Impact of diet on children’s cognitive development”
• “Challenges in implementing ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services) in rural India”
• “Role of textiles in sustainable fashion”

All these have appeared multiple times with minor modifications. Mastering PYQ patterns can significantly improve an aspirant’s performance.

2. Integrate Current Affairs into Answers

Linking Home Science theories with real-world applications makes answers stand out.

Three Current Affairs Examples for Home Science:

• POSHAN Abhiyaan & Malnutrition – Questions on food and nutrition can be enriched by referring to India’s POSHAN Abhiyaan 2.0 and its focus on combating stunting and anemia. You can cite the initiative like “Anaemia Mukt Bharat”, “fortification of food” like concept in answer.
• Mental Health & Work-Life Balance – Family studies and psychology topics can be linked to the rise in work-from-home stress and declining mental health post-pandemic.
• Sustainable Textiles & Eco-Fashion – The clothing and textiles section can include discussions on fast fashion, Patanjali’s Khadi movement, and circular economy trends in apparel.

3. Improve Answer Structure with Examples, Quotes, and Diagrams

Since Home Science has become more concept-driven, aspirants should focus on:

• Using Quotes – Citing experts like Dr. C. Gopalan’s work on nutrition or WHO reports adds credibility.
• Adding Real-Life Examples – Mentioning schemes like Mid-Day Meal or National Nutrition Mission enhances answers.
• Including Diagrams – A simple flowchart explaining food fortification or family life cycle can boost marks.

Why Is Quality Study Material Scarce?

A key reason for the low scores is the lack of well-structured, up-to-date Home Science study materials.

• Limited book availability – Unlike other subjects, there is no single comprehensive book.
• Fragmented resources – Candidates must rely on multiple sources to cover the syllabus.
• Outdated notes – Many reused old materials are available without adding recent research and policies.

Best Books for Home Science?

To build a strong foundation, aspirants should refer to:

• IGNOU Study Materials – Best for nutrition, textiles, and family studies.
• A Textbook of Home Science by Premlata Mallick – Covers essential concepts.
• ICDS Reports & Government Policy Documents – Useful for quoting in answers.
• NCERT Books (Class 11 & 12 Home Science) – Ideal for conceptual clarity.

How Study OAS Can Help?

Given the limited availability of structured Home Science study materials, Study OAS offers a dedicated PYQ analysis resource to help aspirants decode OPSC’s changing question patterns.

At Study OAS, students get:

• Complete PYQ Analysis for Home Science – Understanding evolving trends and framing answers accordingly.
• Structured Answer-Writing Guidance – Teaching how to incorporate diagrams, case studies, and policy linkages.
• Exam-Oriented Approach – Helping aspirants adapt to OPSC’s increasingly analytical evaluation pattern.

Unlike other platforms that provide generic notes, Study OAS specializes in Home Science PYQ-based preparation, making it an essential resource for aspirants.

Conclusion

The decline in Home Science marks in OPSC OAS 2023 has raised concerns, but instead of blaming only OPSC’s checking pattern, aspirants must reflect on their preparation strategies.

• PYQs remain a crucial resource – As OPSC always repeats core concepts.
• Linking answers to real-world issues is essential.
• Strong answer presentation with diagrams, quotes, and examples can boost scores.

With structured PYQ analysis from Study OAS, candidates can get immense help for cracking Home Science and score well in OPSC OAS.