The second stage of the IAS test, the UPSC Mains Exam, includes optional subjects. You are given complete freedom to select the most preferred UPSC subject of your choice. Are you unsure of the most effective optional subject to take for UPSC? The optional subject plays an important role in the scoring process for UPSC aspirants.
When taking this CSE Main exam, out of nine questions, Paper VI and VII are part of the subjects that are optional for UPSC. These are subject papers that can be optional as well as Optional Subject Paper 2.
Each one of them is worth 250 marks. Therefore, each UPSC optional subject is worth 500/1750 marks for the UPSC Mains Exam. The marks earned during those UPSC subject options are used in the preparation of the final merit. Therefore, the choice of the optional subject for UPSC should be made with caution. As opposed to the past, applicants are required to pick only one option, so “how to choose the best optional subject for UPSC” is the most frequently asked query by UPSC aspirants!
In this article, we’ve provided our top UPSC possible subjects that applicants could choose from. But it should be done with a seasoned approach to selecting the right alternative subject to be used for UPSC.
Which subject is best optional in UPSC?
There are certain subjects that are more scoring than others. But, when we look at the whole picture, IAS toppers have scored over 320 points in both non-technical and technical areas. The reason certain subjects are deemed to be low-scoring is that candidates don’t make the required effort or have picked an optional subject that’s not suitable for them.
Subjects that are technical (such as mathematics) are able to earn top marks because the answers are complete. In general, in contrast to humanities subjects, the biases of the examiner’s preferences do not have an influence.
However, subjects that are not technical, particularly those that have a connection to those on the GS syllabus, offer the opportunity to spend more time in preparation and reading content in general, thus increasing the overall score of the Mains if they are studied thoroughly.
There are a variety of aspects to consider when deciding on the best option for UPSC. Before choosing a subject, the candidate should consider the following questions:
- What is the scope of the elective?
- How much time for preparation are you allowed?
- Do you have any prior knowledge of the subject at a higher graduate or postgraduate level?
- What is the degree of overlap in the syllabus between your option and the GS portion of Prelims/Mains?
- Do you have the study materials and coaching materials readily accessible?
- Do you have the motivation or interest to learn the subject matter for the UPSC test?
Based on the answers given to the six questions mentioned above, candidates should make an “individual” decision of the best choice for them in UPSC to suit their needs.
For the majority of aspirants, the top 10 UPSC optional subjects are:
- Sociology
- Law
- Psychology
- Medical Science
- Agriculture
- Literature
- Anthropology
- Public Administration
- Geography
- History
Which is the easiest optional subject for UPSC?
The subjects that meet the most comprehensive PT syllabus or that have had the best scoring trends in past examinations can be considered to be the subjects that are the easiest to add as optional subjects to be included in UPSC Mains.
These can be in public administration, sociology, philosophy, and so on. Your passion for the subject could make it the ideal option for you to choose an optional subject.
Which is the least chosen optional subject in UPSC?
According to the number of candidates who appear in the optionals, the subjects with the fewest applicants (less than 100) are:
- Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science
- Geology
- Civil Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Agriculture
- Statistics
- Medical Sciences
- Management and
- The majority of literature subjects (except Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu)
The number of students for these subjects may exceed 100, but on average, they’re not as well-known as other disciplines like sociology, geography, history, and public administration.
Can I take any optional subject for UPSC?
Yes, you can choose any subject of your wish. One subject must be chosen. Two papers on the same subject could be written. The syllabus for both papers is different; however, the subject matter is identical. For instance, in the case of a candidate who chooses to study Geography, Paper 1 will be called World Geo and Paper 2 will comprise Indian Geo. Similar to the syllabus, it will differ in other topics.
Optional subjects for the UPSC Mains Examination:
- Agriculture
- Animal husbandry and veterinary science
- Anthropology
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Civil engineering
- Commerce
- Economics
- Electrical engineering
- Geography
- Geology
- History
- Philosophy
- Political science and international relations
- Psychology
- Public administration
- Physics
- Sociology
- Law
- Mathematics
- Management
- Mechanical engineering
- Medical science
- Statistics
- Zoology
FAQ’S
Which one is the easiest optional subject?
It all depends on the applicant’s ability. The majority of subjects have had excellent outcomes. Students with a BTech background would prefer to concentrate on one or two of these. But, aside from a couple of subjects, the majority of subjects, when properly prepared, can yield good outcomes.
