By Best UPSC Optional Subjects and How to Choose the Right One
The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is one of the toughest and most prestigious exams in India. Among the three stages—Prelims, Mains, and Interview—the Mains exam plays a decisive role in your final selection, especially the optional subject, which carries 500 marks (two papers of 250 marks each).
Choosing the right UPSC optional subject is often one of the most confusing and critical decisions for aspirants. It can influence your performance significantly and, in many cases, become the deciding factor in cracking the exam.
In this article, we will discuss the best UPSC optional subjects, their pros and cons, and how to choose the most suitable one based on your background, interest, and scoring trends.
UPSC Optional Subjects List (as per UPSC)
UPSC provides a wide range of optional subjects. Here’s a quick look at some of the popular ones:
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Anthropology
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Geography
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Sociology
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Public Administration
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History
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Political Science & International Relations
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Psychology
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Philosophy
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Economics
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Literature (of any language)
Technical subjects like Engineering, Medical Science, and Law are also available, but they are chosen less frequently due to limited general guidance and resources.
Most Popular and Scoring UPSC Optional Subjects
Here are some of the most preferred and scoring optional subjects based on recent toppers’ trends and success rates:
1. Anthropology
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Short syllabus and easy-to-understand concepts
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High overlap with GS Paper I (Society), GS Paper II (Tribal Issues), and Essay
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Popular among science-background students
2. Geography
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Widely chosen due to diagram-based answers and relevance to GS Paper I & III
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Requires in-depth understanding and current affairs integration
3. Sociology
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Easy-to-understand and scoring
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Useful in Essay and GS Paper I & II
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Popular among Arts stream students
4. Public Administration
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Directly linked with civil services themes
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Highly theoretical and analytical
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Once the most popular, but slightly unpredictable in recent years
5. History
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Good for students with a history background
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Useful in Prelims, GS I, and Essay
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Lengthy syllabus but static in nature
6. Political Science & International Relations
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Overlaps heavily with GS II and Essay
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Helpful in interview as well
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Slightly lengthy syllabus, but conceptually rich
How to Choose the Right UPSC Optional Subject?
Choosing your optional subject should not be based solely on trends. Consider the following criteria:
1. Academic Background
Choose a subject you’ve studied before, especially during graduation or post-graduation. It reduces the learning curve.
2. Interest and Understanding
A subject you enjoy studying will help in better retention and consistency in preparation.
3. Availability of Resources
Check whether sufficient study material, test series, and coaching support are available for the subject.
4. Overlap with General Studies
Some optionals provide an added advantage by overlapping with GS Papers and Essay (e.g., Geography, Sociology, Political Science).
5. Scoring Potential and Past Trends
Although scoring trends change, subjects like Anthropology, Sociology, and PSIR have shown consistent performance in recent years.
6. Writing Practice
Evaluate whether you can write analytical, coherent, and well-structured answers in the subject. Subjects that allow diagrammatic/flowchart representation often help improve scores.
How The Prayas India Helps in Optional Subject Preparation
The Prayas India, one of the most trusted names in UPSC coaching, offers specialized mentorship and dedicated classes for popular optional subjects like Anthropology, Sociology, PSIR, and Geography.
What Makes The Prayas India Stand Out:
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Expert faculty with deep subject knowledge
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Personalized guidance to help choose the right optional
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Regular answer writing practice and feedback
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Comprehensive notes and updated study material
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Optional test series with detailed analysis
Whether you are from Science, Commerce, or Arts background, The Prayas India helps simplify the optional selection and guides you throughout the Mains preparation journey.
Conclusion
Your choice of UPSC optional subject can make or break your Mains score. Instead of blindly following trends, assess your interest, background, and available resources. Remember, a well-prepared optional can compensate for weaker GS scores.
For reliable comparisons, guidance on optional subjects, and coaching institute reviews, JiGuruG is your go-to platform. Make smart decisions today for a brighter future in civil services.