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UPSC Civil Services Exam Notification 2024: Application Form, Exam Dates

Authored by Devanshi Dewaskar

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14th February 2024

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UPSC Optional Subject List: 48 Optional Subjects for UPSC Mains

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam is a gateway to various prestigious positions in the Indian civil services. One of the unique aspects of this exam is the inclusion of optional subjects in the Mains stage, which can significantly influence your overall score. Here, we provide a guide to help you navigate through the 48 UPSC optional subject list and make an informed choice that could set the foundation for your success.

Comprehensive 48 UPSC Optional Subject List

Arts and Humanities

History

Geography

Political Science & International Relations

Public Administration

Sociology

Anthropology

Philosophy

Psychology

Social Work

Law

Sciences

Physics

Chemistry

Zoology

Botany

Mathematics

Statistics

Agriculture

Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science

Civil Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Electrical Engineering

Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering

Medical Science

Management

Languages (Literature)

Assamese

Bengali

Bodo

Dogri

Gujarati

Hindi

Kannada

Kashmiri

Konkani

Maithili

Malayalam

Manipuri

Marathi

Nepali

Odia (Oriya)

Punjabi

Sanskrit

Santhali

Sindhi

Tamil

Telugu

Urdu

English

Persian

Each of these subjects has its own unique syllabus and scope. Candidates are advised to choose their optional subject from UPSC Optional Subject list based on several factors:

Interest and Familiarity:It’s beneficial to select a subject you are interested in or have academic experience with.

Resource Availability:Consider the availability of resources like books, coaching, and study material.

Overlap with General Studies:Some subjects have significant overlap with the General Studies syllabus, which can help reduce the overall preparation load.

Scoring Potential:Look at historical trends in scores to understand which subjects might offer better scoring opportunities.

Most Scoring UPSC Optional Subject list in Mains

Subject	Reason for High Scoring	Insights
Geography	Overlap with GS Papers, concise resources available, and structured answers can fetch good marks.	Popular due to overlap with GS Paper-I and Prelims syllabus; however, requires analytical approach in map-based questions.
Political Science & IR	High scoring potential due to its relevance to GS Paper-II and essay topics.	Frequently chosen by toppers; clear theoretical concepts enhance scoring.
Sociology	Easy-to-grasp concepts, overlaps with GS Paper-I, and high success rate.	Scoring potential lies in applying sociological theories to current social problems.
Anthropology	Scoring due to concise syllabus and straightforward content.	Often chosen by science graduates, allows precise answer-writing.
Philosophy	Small syllabus, overlaps with ethics and essay papers.	Highly scoring for candidates with a strong grasp of abstract thinking and articulation skills.
Literature Subjects (e.g., Hindi, Kannada)	High scoring due to subjective nature and specialized answers.	Effective for candidates with a strong grasp of the language.

How to Choose the Right Optional Subject

Choosing the right optional subject for the UPSC Civil Services Mains Exam is a crucial decision that can significantly influence your overall performance and score. Here are detailed guidelines to help you select an appropriate optional subject effectively:

Assess Your Interest and Academic Background: The first and perhaps most crucial factor is your personal interest in the subject. Since you will spend a considerable amount of time studying it, having a genuine interest will keep you motivated. Additionally, if you have a background in the subject, either through your education or work experience, you will find it easier to grasp complex topics, making your preparation more efficient.

Evaluate Resource Availability: Consider the availability of study materials, coaching options, and guidance for the subject. Some subjects might have more comprehensive resources available due to their popularity or mainstream academic presence. Ensuring you have access to quality resources can facilitate a more structured and guided preparation.

Understand the Syllabus and Exam Compatibility: Examine the syllabus thoroughly. It’s important to know the breadth and depth of the subject matter. Additionally, check how the subject aligns with the requirements of the exam. Some subjects might have a significant overlap with the General Studies papers, which can be beneficial. For example, subjects like Geography and Polity offer considerable overlap with the GS papers, potentially reducing your overall preparation burden.

Consider the Scoring Potential: Look at the recent trends in how the subject has been scored in the exams. Some subjects are considered 'high scoring' due to the nature of the questions or more straightforward evaluation criteria. However, remember that scoring trends can change, and a well-prepared candidate can score well in any subject.

Analyze Past Success Rates: Research the success rate of candidates who have chosen the subject in previous years. This includes looking at toppers’ choices and the overall number of candidates selecting and succeeding with different subjects. This can give insights into the relative difficulty and scoring nature of the subject.

Advantages of Choosing a Popular Optional Subject

Choosing a popular optional subject for the UPSC Civil Services Mains Exam can offer several strategic advantages. Popular subjects are typically those with a high number of candidates, established study resources, and a well-documented history of success rates in the exams. Here’s a breakdown of the advantages of selecting a popular optional subject:

Abundant Resources: Popular UPSC optional subject list like Geography, Public Administration, Sociology, Political Science & International Relations have a plethora of resources available. This includes textbooks, guidebooks, dedicated coaching classes, online tutorials, and comprehensive test series. The availability of diverse study materials makes it easier for candidates to access information and prepare thoroughly.

Well-established Coaching Facilities: Because these subjects are popular, many coaching institutes offer specialized training and guidance. These institutes often feature experienced faculty who are experts in their fields and who have a deep understanding of the UPSC exam pattern and requirements. This professional guidance can significantly enhance a candidate's preparation.

Proven Success Track: Popular optional subjects often have a proven track record of high success rates. Many top rankers in the UPSC exams have scored exceptionally well in these subjects, which helps to build confidence among new candidates in choosing these subjects. Historical success gives a psychological boost and provides a strategy blueprint to new aspirants.

Peer Support: With many candidates opting for these subjects, there is a higher probability of finding study groups and peer networks. These groups can provide motivation, exchange of notes, discussion of important topics, and mutual support during preparation. Peer learning can be particularly beneficial in understanding complex topics and in maintaining a consistent study pace.

Overlap with General Studies (GS): Many popular optional subjects have significant overlap with the General Studies papers. For instance, subjects like Geography and Political Science overlap considerably with GS papers on Indian and World Geography, Indian Polity, and Governance. This overlap can reduce the overall preparation load as studying one subject also prepares you for portions of another.

Structured Preparation Approach: The popularity of these subjects has led to a more structured approach to preparation, with many previous years' question papers, model answers, and revision notes available. This structured approach helps in efficient preparation, enabling candidates to cover the syllabus systematically and practice extensively.

Standardization in Evaluation: Popular subjects tend to have a more standardized evaluation process due to the large number of answer scripts examiners handle each year. This can sometimes result in more predictable and consistent marking, reducing the chances of unusually low scores due to subjective evaluation discrepancies.

Advantages of Less Common UPSC Optional Subject

Less Competition: Fewer candidates choosing a particular subject means you're competing against a smaller pool, which can increase your chances of scoring higher if you are well-prepared.

Unique Content: Less common subjects often include unique content that can be fascinating and engaging, making your study time more enjoyable.

Expertise Development: Focusing on a niche area allows you to develop deep expertise, which can be beneficial not only for the UPSC exams but also in your future career as a civil servant.

Potential for Distinction: Excelling in a less common subject can make you stand out in the interview stage, as your choice might reflect a genuine interest in a specialized field.

How to Approach Less Common Optional Subjects

Step 1: Research Thoroughly: Begin by researching what constitutes a less common optional subject. These might include subjects like Agricultural Engineering, Medical Science, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Botany, or even certain languages not widely spoken. Understand the syllabus, exam pattern, and available resources for each subject.

Step 2: Evaluate Your Background: Consider your academic and personal background to see if you have any foundational knowledge or a strong interest in any of these subjects. Having a base can significantly reduce your learning curve and provide an advantage.

Step 3: Assess Resource Availability: Check the availability of resources such as books, coaching, and online materials. While less common subjects may have fewer resources, the quality of available materials could be superior, providing focused and detailed insights.

Step 4: Connect with Experts and Existing Candidates: Try to connect with educators or experts who specialize in these subjects. Additionally, reaching out to candidates who have previously opted for these subjects can provide invaluable insights and firsthand experiences of the preparation journey and exam expectations.

Step 5: Consider the Syllabus Overlap: Some less common subjects might have overlaps with parts of the General Studies syllabus or with other papers you are preparing for. This overlap can decrease your overall study load, making your preparation more integrated and efficient.

Step 6: Pilot Study: Conduct a pilot study where you spend a few weeks going through the basics of the subject. This will help you gauge your interest level and your ability to understand and retain complex concepts unique to the subject.

Step 7: Look at Scoring Patterns: Although less common, these subjects can sometimes offer high-scoring opportunities. Review the past years’ papers and results to analyze the scoring patterns and how well candidates have generally performed.

Top 10 UPSC Optional Subject list for 2025

Rank	Optional Subject	Key Features	Popularity & Strategy
1	History	Wide syllabus but overlaps with GS Paper-I and essay topics.	Popular among aspirants with an interest in historical analysis.
2	Public Administration	Compact syllabus with overlap in GS Paper-II and governance topics.	Favoured for its ease of preparation and clarity in answer-writing.
3	Geography	Overlap with Prelims and GS Paper-I; visual presentation like maps boost scoring.	Strong demand among aspirants aiming for GS integration.
4	Political Science & International Relations	Overlap with GS Paper-II and relevance in essay topics.	Strongly chosen by humanities students and those with interest in international affairs.
5	Sociology	Concise syllabus; overlaps with social issues in GS Paper-I and II.	High success rates with systematic answer-writing techniques.
6	Economics	Strong demand due to GS Paper-III overlap; essential for candidates with strong analytical skills.	Helpful for candidates with an economics background.
7	Anthropology	Crisp syllabus, suitable for life science students; overlaps with GS and essay.	High scoring due to precise and diagram-based answers.
8	Psychology	Short syllabus, application-oriented, suitable for science and arts students.	Popular for providing relatable content with scoring advantages.
9	Philosophy	Shortest syllabus among all; integrates well with GS Paper-IV.	Preferred for its conceptual clarity and overlapping ethics topics.
10	Literature Subjects (e.g., Hindi, Kannada)	Specialized and subjective; allows personalization in writing style.	Frequently chosen by candidates with expertise in their native or academic language.