“Optional subject selection can make or break your UPSC journey.”
While lakhs of hopefuls prepare for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination, a familiar question resounds through libraries, Telegram channels, and coaching corridors:
“How can I select the correct optional subject for UPSC Mains?”
Even though UPSC has made the mains exam pattern more streamlined, the optional paper still retains a very important 500-mark weightage in a competition where there is no scope for error. With candidates who have come from different academic backgrounds and career phases, choosing the most appropriate optional subject—suited to the current UPSC syllabus—is a deciding first step in a topper’s career.
What the UPSC Syllabus Says
As per the UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination Scheme, candidates need to select one of the optional subjects from the list of about 26 subjects, ranging from History and Geography to Mechanical Engineering and Medical Science.
Each optional has:
- Paper I (250 marks)
- Paper II (250 marks)
Total Optional Marks = 500 out of 1750 in Mains Written Exam.
Why Choosing Right Optional is Important?
Common Trap: Don’t Allow Optional to Overpower GS Papers
Most aspirants fall into a trap without realizing it:
Once they select a tough or extremely technical optional subject,they waste too much time going over the fundamentals and in preparation of optional ,while spend minimal time on General Studies (GS), Essay, and CSAT.
As a result, preparation becomes skewed, with:GS Papers (for 1000 marks) being ignored,
Optional consumes 6–7 hours daily, but still lacks completeness and at the end of it all, neither Optional nor GS is comprehensively mastered.
Why?
Selecting an optional merely because it is “high scoring” or “trending” without regard to your own academic ease and time-to-cope. Some aspirants also retain their graduation subjects (such as engineering or law) without considering syllabus volume or GS overlap, and find themselves bogged down in technical terminology and reference books.
Solution?
Select an optional that you can handle intelligently in conjunction with GS. Keep in mind:
Optional = 500 marks,
But GS + Essay + Ethics = 1250 marks — don’t underestimate the larger portion of Mains.
Balance is key — pick a subject that empowers you, not exhausts you
Important Criteria to Choose Your Optional (According to UPSC Trends & Syllabus)
- Interest and Curiosity in the Subject
Passion energizes repetition.If you find it enjoyable to read about a subject out of curiosity (not out of compulsion), you’re going to hold ideas and revise well.
- Academic Background
Students with graduation or post-graduation in Political Science, Sociology, History, Geography, Anthropology tend to easily adjust to the syllabus. Yet, numerous aspirants from engineering and commerce streams have performed well in unrelated optionals—solely based on strategy and interest.
- Syllabus Size and Manageability
Philosophy, Anthropology, Sociology: Brief syllabi; appropriate for targeted, short-duration preparation.Geography, History, PSIR: Longer but high-yield because of GS overlap. Go through the UPSC official syllabus PDF to evaluate the depth and coverage prior to finalizing.
- Overlap with GS Papers & Essay
High overlap subjects such as PSIR, Sociology, Geography, History assist in:GS Paper I & II, Essay, Ethics Paper (in certain instances), Interview round (e.g., international relations from PSIR)
- Resource Availability and Counselling
Always choose a Subject with Resource Availability and Guidance. Select a subject withStandard books (IGNOU, NCERTs, reference books), Online/Offline guidance support, Topper copies, PYQs, community support
- Success Rate & Scoring Trends
Though UPSC does not formally release subject-wise success rates, figures from coaching centres indicate:
- Anthropology: High scoring potential for science graduates
- PSIR & Sociology: High overlap + analytical + consistent marks
- History & Geography: Popular, but tough competition
- Literature subjects: Niche and rewarding for good language users
UPSC Optional Subjects (according to recent notification)
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) provides a total of 48 optional subjects for the Civil Services (Main) Examination. These consist of 26 general (non-literature) subjects like History, Geography, Political Science & International Relations, Public Administration, Sociology, Philosophy, Anthropology, Psychology, Law, Economics, and some of the science and engineering subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering. Apart from these, candidates can choose 22 literature subjects, covering languages in the Eighth Schedule to the Indian Constitution. These are Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, and English.
Full list available atwww.upsc.gov.in
Expert Advice: How to Finalize Your Optional Subject
- Read the complete syllabus from UPSC official notification.
- Go through standard books or NCERTs to check your level of comfort.
- Watch topper strategy videos or read answer copies that are available on various online platforms.
- Assess GS overlap and time requirement vis-à-vis your current strengths.
- Commit — once decided, avoid distractions and don’t switch halfway.
Optional Myths — Busted!
- Few People say that “X subject is always high scoring” – Not true. It’s your preparation and answer writing that scores, not the subject itself.
- “Only humanities students can perform well in optionals” – False. Science, commerce, and even doctors have topped with literature and philosophy.
- Right Optional with Right Strategy, Right Guidance, is must for clearing UPSC.
