What are the 26 optional subject in UPSC? PDF Download

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is responsible for conducting the Civil Services Examination (CSE), which is considered one of the toughest competitive exams in India. Every year, lakhs of aspirants appear for the CSE in the hope of getting selected for prestigious posts such as Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS).

One of the important decisions that a candidate has to make while filling the application form is the choice of optional subject. UPSC offers a total of 26 optional subjects to choose from, which can have a significant impact on a candidate's overall score and rank in the exam. In this article, we will explore the 26 optional subjects offered by UPSC and their syllabus to help candidates make an informed choice.
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What is Optional Subject in UPSC?

The UPSC optional subject list comes with the release of the official Notification of UPSC on its official website. Candidates get to choose any subject they want from these listed IAS Optional Subjects.

• The UPSC CSE consists of three stages, i.e. Prelims, Mains and Interview. 
• In the CSE Main exam, out of the nine papers, two papers, Paper VI and Paper VII are from the optional subject for UPSC. They are optional Subject Paper 1 and Optional Subject Paper 2. 
• Each of the optional paper carries 250 marks. So, the UPSC optional subject carries 500/1750 marks in the UPSC Mains Exam. 
• The marks obtained in the UPSC optional subjects are considered for the preparation of final merit.

As we have mentioned above, the optional paper carries a total of 500 marks, so it is crucial to pick a subject that the candidate is comfortable with.
It would add a huge advantage if the candidate has completed his/her UG or PG in any one of the optional subjects in UPSC.

Also Check: 

• Complete Syllabus of UPSC CSE Prelims & Mains
• UPSC CSE 2023 Exam Pattern

List of 26 Optional Subjects in UPSC CSE

The names of UPSC optional subjects for the UPSC CSE(Main) examination are mentioned in the table below.

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How to Choose the Best UPSC Optional Subject For Civil Services Exam?

The UPSC optional subjects play a very important role in the UPSC CS Main Examination. It consists of a total of 500 marks out of a total of 2025 marks. If you choose wisely, then these 500 marks can make a great difference in the final total marks. Most students commit the mistake of choosing optional subjects for UPSC on the basis of toppers’ scores in that subject, or because of other factors like popularity, availability of study groups, etc. However, you should be very careful while choosing an optional subject on such parameters as it may cost you an attempt!

Here are some of the factors that you may consider to choose the best from the list of optional subjects for UPSC:

1. Overlapping Syllabus
   Some of the optional subjects like History, Political Science & International Relations, Sociology, Geography, Economics, Public Administration, etc. have syllabi that overlap with the General Studies syllabus in both Prelims and Mains. Hence, it might save you some preparation time.
2. Competition Level
   Some candidates feel a good UPSC optional subject is the one that has a high success ratio in terms of the number of candidates appearing to the recommended candidates. However, it is only partially true. More than everything else, your copy will be evaluated on the basis of your answer’s comprehensibility. Hence, choose a subject that you’re comfortable with.
3. Interest and Academic Background
   While going through the UPSC Optional List, you need to find an optional that you are interested in. The UPSC CSE optional subject must match your comfort level while reading.
4. Availability of resources
   Now, there are 47 optional subjects available, but the resources in terms of educators, study materials, and relevant books are extremely limited. Although now, with the onset of online education, you can access more resources sitting at the comfort of your home, it is imperative that you evaluate the choice of optional on the basis of the available resources.
5. Familiarity with the subject
   Another important factor that you must consider while choosing the best UPSC optional subject is familiarity with the subject. If you already have that subject as part of your graduation or post-graduation, then that should be your choice. Otherwise, opt for a subject that you can consistently study without losing interest
6. Other Factors
   Other than these, factors such as relevance to the civil services job role, a consistent choice of subject among high rankers, scoring potential, and comfortability with the subject may also be considered while evaluating the optional subjects.

Also Read: How to Choose the Best Optional for UPSC?

List of the top 10 Most Popular UPSC Optional Subjects

The decision of selecting an optional subject is a matter of personal preference based on the candidates' areas of interest. However, studies indicate that certain subjects are more popular among candidates than others. To aid those who find it difficult to select from the 26 optional subjects, we have compiled a list of the top 10 most sought-after UPSC optional subjects.

• Sociology
• Public Administration
• Geography
• Political Science and International Relations (PSIR)
• History
• Anthropology
• Mathematics
• Agriculture
• Medical Science
• Literature Subject (Any)

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How to Prepare for Optionals with EduRev?

EduRev experts have provided guidance to high-achieving students such as Anudeep Durishetty, among others, in their preparation for the UPSC Exam. Our courses on UPSC Optionals are thorough and complete, designed to help you score the necessary marks to achieve your goal of becoming an IAS.

Also Read: UPSC Bible: 15 Steps to Clear UPSC CSE by Toppers

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to 26 Optional Subjects in UPSC

What are the optional subjects in UPSC?

The optional subjects in UPSC are Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Anthropology, Botany, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Commerce and Accountancy, Economics, Electrical Engineering, Geography, Geology, History, Law, Management, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Medical Science, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science and International Relations, Psychology, Public Administration, Sociology, Statistics, and Zoology.

How many optional subjects can be chosen in UPSC?

UPSC allows candidates to choose one optional subject from a list of 26 subjects. UPSC Civil Services Main Examination as per the revised syllabus consists of 7 papers out of which 5 papers are compulsory and uniform for all candidates. There is one optional subject (2 papers) which can be selected from subjects or languages.

What is the weightage of optional subjects in UPSC?

Each optional subject in UPSC comprises two papers (Paper I and Paper II) carrying 250 marks each, making it a total of 500 marks. Hence, the weightage of the optional paper, i.e., 500 marks out of the total 2025 marks, makes the optional subject about 25% of the final score.

Can a candidate change his/her optional subject after submitting the UPSC application form?

No, once the UPSC application form is submitted, a candidate cannot change his/her optional subject.

Is it necessary to have a degree in the chosen optional subject for UPSC?

No, it is not necessary to have a degree in the chosen optional subject. However, candidates should have a basic understanding and interest in the subject.

Which is the most popular optional subject in UPSC?

The popularity of optional subjects keeps changing every year. However, History, Geography, Public Administration, Political Science and International Relations, and Sociology are some of the most popular optional subjects in UPSC.

How to choose the best optional subject for UPSC?

Candidates should choose an optional subject based on their interest, background, and availability of study materials and coaching. They should also analyze the previous year's UPSC Mains question papers to understand the trend.