When you’re preparing for UPSC, optional subjects are a great way to maximise scoring. While there are seven papers in the UPSC mains, the last two papers are dedicated to UPSC optional subjects. You can choose from 48 optional subjects, based on what can fetch a maximum score for you. Irrespective of your education background, there’s flexibility in selecting one optional subject. However, you must not do so with whom, but with careful consideration. Let’s discover the list of UPSC optional subjects in the following discussion.
UPSC Mains Exam: At a Glance
UPSC mains exam consists of seven papers in total. Papers VI & VII are dedicated to exams on a chosen optional subject. They carry 500 marks out of 1750 in the UPSC mains.
UPSC Mains Exam Pattern
| Paper | Type | Marks |
| Paper A | Indian Language | 300 |
| Paper B | English | 300 |
| Paper I | Essay | 250 |
| Paper II | GS 1 | 250 |
| Paper III | GS 2 | 250 |
| Paper IV | GS 3 | 250 |
| Paper V | GS 4 | 250 |
| Paper VI & VII | Optional Subject | 500 |
| Total | 1750 |
UPSC Optional Subject List 2024
- 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
- Zoology
UPSC Optional Subjects Literature
In addition to the 25 UPSC optional subjects given above, you can choose a literature subject from any of the languages below as optional. All of them are Indian languages except English:
Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, and English.
Significance of UPSC CSE Optional Subjects
- When you look at UPSC mains scores of two-three years, the average score of GS mains toppers is only 475-525 out of 1000.
- But the toppers of UPSC optional subjects have scored 350-370 out of 500–more than 70% of marks.
So, taking advantage of UPSC optional subjects is the only way to secure a high score in UPSC. It also indicates the toughness of the exam, where the optional subject comes to your rescue towards success.
- Choosing the wrong Civils optional subject can make a big difference in clearing UPSC Mains. While GS Mains scores for serious candidates may differ by 10-15 marks, the gap in optional subject scores can be as much as 40-60 marks.
- UPSC doesn’t use scaling for optional subjects, unlike State PSC Exams. Instead, UPSC uses moderation, where marks are reviewed and adjusted by the chief examiner if needed.
Most Preferred UPSC Optional List
Though there are 48 subjects to choose from, UPSC allows only for choice for each candidate. So, it becomes crucial to pick the best one. In that connection, given below are the most chosen ones.
- Geography: Covers physical, human, and environmental geography. Links well with General Studies papers.
- History: Focuses on Indian and world history. You need to understand historical events and timelines.
- Public Administration: Suitable if you’re interested in governance and government systems. Related to General Studies.
- Sociology: Studies society and its issues and helps understand social problems.
- Political Science and International Relations: For those into politics and world affairs.
- Literature (English, Hindi, etc.) for literature lovers.
- Anthropology: Studies human societies, cultures, and evolution.
- Psychology: Focuses on human behaviour and mental processes. Covers personality and learning.
Best Optional Subjects in Civils 2019 as per Success Rates
Given below is the information related to the success rate of various UPSC optional subjects in 2019. It provides a clue into how you can maximise your Civils score.
| UPSC Optional Subjects | No. of Candidates Appeared | No. of Candidates Recommended | Success Rate in Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science | 16 | 3 | 18.80% |
| Management | 54 | 6 | 11.10% |
| Commerce & Accountancy | 183 | 20 | 10.90% |
| Economics | 243 | 26 | 10.70% |
| Agriculture | 124 | 13 | 10.50% |
| Medical Science | 247 | 26 | 10.50% |
| Civil Engineering | 146 | 15 | 10.30% |
| Law | 186 | 19 | 10.20% |
| Sociology | 1263 | 126 | 10.00% |
| Anthropology | 1189 | 108 | 9.10% |
| Zoology | 44 | 4 | 9.10% |
| Psychology | 164 | 15 | 9.10% |
| Chemistry | 156 | 13 | 8.30% |
| Mathematics | 539 | 45 | 8.30% |
| Public Administration | 705 | 58 | 8.20% |
| Political Science & International Relations | 1662 | 137 | 8.20% |
| Electrical Engineering | 200 | 16 | 8.00% |
| Physics | 165 | 12 | 7.30% |
| Botany | 28 | 2 | 7.10% |
| History | 751 | 51 | 6.80% |
| Philosophy | 439 | 27 | 6.20% |
| Mechanical Engineering | 213 | 12 | 5.60% |
| Geography | 1916 | 105 | 5.50% |
| Geology | 30 | 0 | 0.00% |
| Statistics | 2 | 0 | 0.00% |
Choosing the Right UPSC Optional Paper
As might seem, choosing UPSC optional subjects should not be guided by whim, but with thought and deliberation. UPSC optional subjects are an opportunity if you already have expertise in one of those subjects. By selecting such a subject, you can maximise your score with little effort, given the vast syllabus of UPSC. So, evaluate the below factors before selecting one of the UPSC optional subjects.
- Assess your academic background and choose a subject you’ve studied extensively.
- Consider your interests and select a topic you genuinely enjoy learning about.
- Evaluate syllabus overlap with General Studies to maximise preparation efficiency.
- Check past years’ question papers to understand the exam pattern and type of questions asked.
- Analyse scoring trends to gauge which subjects consistently yield high marks.
- Review available study resources to ensure adequate material for thorough preparation.
- Consult successful candidates for guidance on their selection of UPSC optional subjects.
Conclusion
UPSC optional subjects carry huge weightage and potential in helping aspirants gain maximum marks in the exam. So, paying attention and doing enough research is important before going to choose one. Making the right and strategic choice can put you ahead of the competition very easily.
FAQs
What is an optional subject in UPSC?
UPSC mains consists of seven papers for a total of 1750 marks. While the first five papers are about General studies, the choice of subject in the last two papers (VI & VII) is left to candidates. It is known as the optional subject in UPSC. Choosing the best optional can make a huge difference to the final score.
How many optional subjects are there in UPSC?
As per the official notification of 2025, there are 48 UPSC optional subjects to choose from.
What are the 26 optional subjects in UPSC?
The 26 optional subjects 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, Zoology.
Can I choose a UPSC optional subject different from my education background?
Yes, you can choose a UPSC optional subject different from your educational background. The selection should be based on your interests, strengths, and the subject’s potential to score well.
