The UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) conducts the Civil Services Examination, which includes an optional subject paper. Psychology is one of the optional subjects available for candidates to choose from. The syllabus for the UPSC Psychology optional subject exam covers a wide range of topics related to psychology.


This paper focuses on the foundational aspects of psychology. It consists of the following sections:

1. Introduction to Psychology:
- Definition and scope of psychology
- Methods and techniques of psychology
- Its relationship with other sciences

2. Methods of Psychology:
- Experimental, observational, and survey methods
- Psychological testing and assessment techniques
- Statistics in psychology

3. Research Methods:
- Experimental designs and control groups
- Data collection, analysis, and interpretation
- Ethics in psychological research

4. Development of Human Behavior:
- Theories of development (Piaget, Kohlberg, Erikson, etc.)
- Factors influencing development (biological, social, cultural)
- Milestones in cognitive, emotional, and social development

5. Sensation and Perception:
- Sensory processes and thresholds
- Perception of stimuli (depth, color, size, etc.)
- Perceptual organization and illusions

6. Learning:
- Classical conditioning
- Operant conditioning
- Observational learning


This paper focuses on the application of psychological concepts and principles in various domains. It consists of the following sections:

1. Cognitive Processes:
- Attention, memory, and problem-solving
- Language and thinking
- Decision-making and reasoning

2. Motivation and Emotion:
- Theories of motivation (instinct, drive, incentive)
- Theories of emotion (James-Lange, Cannon-Bard, etc.)
- Biological and psychological factors influencing motivation and emotion

3. Personality:
- Approaches to understanding personality (trait, psychodynamic, humanistic)
- Theories of personality development
- Assessment and measurement of personality

4. Abnormal Psychology:
- Classification and diagnosis of psychological disorders
- Etiology and treatment of various disorders (anxiety, mood, schizophrenia)
- Psychotherapy and counseling techniques

5. Social Psychology:
- Conformity, obedience, and group dynamics
- Attitudes, stereotypes, and prejudice
- Interpersonal attraction and relationships


The UPSC Psychology optional subject exam is designed to assess candidates' knowledge and understanding of psychology. It covers both theoretical foundations and practical applications of psychological concepts. By studying the syllabus in detail and preparing thoroughly, candidates can enhance their chances of performing well in this optional subject exam.