{"id":36858,"date":"2024-04-05T06:58:55","date_gmt":"2024-04-05T06:58:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/?p=36858"},"modified":"2024-04-09T07:06:12","modified_gmt":"2024-04-09T07:06:12","slug":"upsc-optional-subjects-syllabus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-optional-subjects-syllabus\/","title":{"rendered":"UPSC Optional Subjects Syllabus"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/upsc\/upsc-cse-gs-integrated-course?utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Banner&amp;utm_campaign=GS+Integrated\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/8.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-42401\" srcset=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/8.png 1280w, https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/8-1170x274.png 1170w, https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/8-585x137.png 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) offers candidates a wide range of optional subjects to choose from in the Mains stage. This selection allows you to showcase your knowledge and expertise in a specific field, potentially boosting your overall score. Understanding the UPSC optional subjects and syllabus is crucial for informed selection and targeted preparation. Delving into this guide will equip you with a comprehensive overview of the available subjects and their detailed syllabus, empowering you to make a strategic choice and embark on a focused path toward UPSC success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Choosing your optional subject for the UPSC exam is a big deal! That&#8217;s because it&#8217;s worth 500 marks, which is pretty much one-fourth of your entire score from the written exam and interview combined. So picking the right subject can move you up in the rankings!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The UPSC Mains exam has two special papers out of nine. These papers are on a subject you get to pick yourself! Each of these papers is worth 250 marks. <strong>Important!<\/strong> <strong><em>Once you choose your subject, you can&#8217;t change it later, so pick wisely!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>UPSC lets you pick any subject you like for the main exam! They have a whole list of 48 options to choose from. This means you can pick something that fits your past studies (like if you studied Geography, you could pick Geography as your optional) or something interesting!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_73 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69d51faa9ed55\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69d51faa9ed55\"  \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-optional-subjects-syllabus\/#UPSC_Optional_Subjects\" title=\"UPSC Optional Subjects\">UPSC Optional Subjects<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-optional-subjects-syllabus\/#UPSC_Optional_Literature_Subjects\" title=\"UPSC Optional Literature Subjects\">UPSC Optional Literature Subjects<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-optional-subjects-syllabus\/#How_to_Choose_an_Optional_Subject_for_the_UPSC_Exam\" title=\"How to Choose an Optional Subject for the UPSC Exam?\">How to Choose an Optional Subject for the UPSC Exam?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-optional-subjects-syllabus\/#Top_8_UPSC_Optional_Subjects\" title=\"Top 8 UPSC Optional Subjects\">Top 8 UPSC Optional Subjects<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-optional-subjects-syllabus\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs\" title=\"Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)\">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-optional-subjects-syllabus\/#1_How_many_optional_subjects_are_there_in_UPSC_Mains\" title=\"1. How many optional subjects are there in UPSC Mains?\">1. How many optional subjects are there in UPSC Mains?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-optional-subjects-syllabus\/#2_How_do_I_choose_the_right_optional_subject\" title=\"2. How do I choose the right optional subject?\">2. How do I choose the right optional subject?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-optional-subjects-syllabus\/#3_Where_can_I_find_the_official_syllabus_for_the_optional_subjects\" title=\"3. Where can I find the official syllabus for the optional subjects?\">3. Where can I find the official syllabus for the optional subjects?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-optional-subjects-syllabus\/#4_Can_I_change_my_optional_subject_after_the_preliminary_exam\" title=\"4. Can I change my optional subject after the preliminary exam?\">4. Can I change my optional subject after the preliminary exam?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-optional-subjects-syllabus\/#5_How_much_weightage_does_the_optional_subject_hold_in_the_UPSC_Mains_exam\" title=\"5. How much weightage does the optional subject hold in the UPSC Mains exam?\">5. How much weightage does the optional subject hold in the UPSC Mains exam?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-optional-subjects-syllabus\/#In_case_you_still_have_your_doubts_contact_us_on_9811333901\" title=\"In case you still have your doubts, contact us on 9811333901.&nbsp;\">In case you still have your doubts, contact us on 9811333901.&nbsp;<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-optional-subjects-syllabus\/#Visit_our_YouTube_Channel_%E2%80%93_here\" title=\"Visit our YouTube Channel &#8211;&nbsp;here\">Visit our YouTube Channel &#8211;&nbsp;here<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"UPSC_Optional_Subjects\"><\/span>UPSC Optional Subjects<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are 48 optional subjects in the UPSC Mains exam, including <strong>25 core subjects<\/strong> and<strong> 23 literature options<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>UPSC lets you pick any subject you like for the main exam! They have a whole list of 26 options to choose from. This means you can pick something that fits your past studies (like if you studied Geography, you could pick Geography as your optional) or something you just find interesting!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><div class=\"pcrstb-wrap\"><table><tbody><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/agriculture-optional-subject-upsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC <strong>Agriculture<\/strong> Syllabus<\/a><\/td><td>UPSC <strong>Management<\/strong> Syllabus<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/animal-husbandry-and-veterinary-science-optional-subject-upsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC <strong>Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science<\/strong> Syllabus<\/a><\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/mathematics-optional-syllabus-upsc-cse\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC <strong>Mathematics<\/strong> Syllabus<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/anthropology-optional-subject-upsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC <strong>Anthropology<\/strong> Syllabus<\/a><\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/mechanical-engineering-optional-syllabus-upsc-cse\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC <strong>Mechanical Engineering<\/strong> Syllabus<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/botany-optional-subject-upsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC <strong>Botany<\/strong> Syllabus<\/a><\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/medical-science-optional-syllabus-upsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC <strong>Medical Science<\/strong> Syllabus<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/chemistry-optional-subject-upsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC <strong>Chemistry<\/strong> Syllabus<\/a><\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/philosophy-optional-syllabus-upsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC <strong>Philosophy<\/strong> Syllabus<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/civil-engineering-optional-subject-upsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC <strong>Civil Engineering<\/strong> Syllabus<\/a><\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/physics-optional-syllabus-upsc-cse\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC <strong>Physics<\/strong> Syllabus<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/commerce-and-accountancy-optional-subject-upsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC <strong>Commerce and Accountancy<\/strong> Syllabus<\/a><\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/political-science-optional-syllabus-upsc-cse\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC <strong>Political Science and International Relations<\/strong> Syllabus<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/economics-optional-subject-upsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC <strong>Economics<\/strong> Syllabus<\/a><\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/psychology-optional-syllabus-upsc-cse\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC <strong>Psychology<\/strong> Syllabus<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/electrical-engineering-optional-subject-upsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC <strong>Electrical Engineering<\/strong> Syllabus<\/a><\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/public-administration-optional-syllabus-upsc-cse\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC <strong>Public Administration<\/strong> Syllabus<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/geography-optional-subject-upsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC <strong>Geography<\/strong> Syllabus<\/a><\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/sociology-optional-syllabus-upsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC <strong>Sociology<\/strong> Syllabus<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/geology-optional-subject-upsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC <strong>Geology<\/strong> Syllabus <\/a><\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/statistics-optional-syllabus-upsc-cse\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC <strong>Statistics<\/strong> Syllabus<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/history-optional-subject-upsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC <strong>History<\/strong> Syllabus<\/a><\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/zoology-optional-syllabus-upsc-cse\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC <strong>Zoology<\/strong> Syllabus<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/law-optional-subject-upsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC <strong>Law<\/strong> Syllabus<\/a><\/td><td><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"UPSC_Optional_Literature_Subjects\"><\/span>UPSC Optional Literature Subjects<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><div class=\"pcrstb-wrap\"><table><tbody><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/assamese-literature-optional-subject-upsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC Assamese Literature Syllabus<\/a><\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/marathi-literature-optional-subject-upsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC Marathi Literature Syllabus<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/bodo-literature-optional-subject-upsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC Bodo Literature Syllabus<\/a><\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/odia-literature-optional-subject-upsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC Odia Literature Syllabus<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/bengali-literature-optional-subject-upsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC Bengali Literature Syllabus<\/a><\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/nepali-literature-optional-subject-upsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC Nepali Literature Syllabus<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/dogri-literature-optional-subject-upsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC Dogri Literature Syllabus<\/a><\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/sanskrit-literature-optional-subject-upsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC Sanskrit Literature Syllabus<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/gujarati-literature-optional-subject-upsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC Gujarati Literature Syllabus<\/a><\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/punjabi-literature-optional-subject-upsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC Punjabi Literature Syllabus<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/hindi-literature-optional-subject-upsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC Hindi Literature Syllabus<\/a><\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/sindhi-literature-optional-subject-upsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC Sindhi Literature Syllabus<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/kashmiri-literature-optional-subject-upsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC Kashmiri Literature Syllabus<\/a><\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/santhali-literature-optional-subject-upsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC Santhali Literature Syllabus<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/kannada-literature-optional-subject-upsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC Kannada Literature Syllabus<\/a><\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/tamil-literature-optional-subject-upsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC Tamil Literature Syllabus<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/malayalam-literature-optional-subject-upsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC Malayalam Literature Syllabus<\/a><\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/telugu-literature-optional-subject-upsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC Telugu Literature Syllabus<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/konkani-literature-optional-subject-upsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC Konkani Literature Syllabus<\/a><\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/urdu-literature-optional-subject-upsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC Urdu Literature Syllabus<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/manipuri-literature-optional-subject-upsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC Manipuri Literature Syllabus<\/a><\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/english-literature-optional-subject-upsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC English Literature Syllabus<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/maithili-literature-optional-subject-upsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC Maithili Literature Syllabus<\/a><\/td><td><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/refer-and-earn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"300\" data-src=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Attempt-our-Daily-Weekly-Current-Affairs-Quiz-now-10-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-46428 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Attempt-our-Daily-Weekly-Current-Affairs-Quiz-now-10-1.png 1280w, https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Attempt-our-Daily-Weekly-Current-Affairs-Quiz-now-10-1-1170x274.png 1170w, https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Attempt-our-Daily-Weekly-Current-Affairs-Quiz-now-10-1-585x137.png 585w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1280px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1280\/300;\" \/><\/a><figcaption><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/refer-and-earn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Refer &amp; Earn NOW<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Choose_an_Optional_Subject_for_the_UPSC_Exam\"><\/span>How to Choose an Optional Subject for the UPSC Exam?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Choosing an optional subject for the UPSC Civil Services Exam can be overwhelming. There are many things to consider, and it&#8217;s easy to get confused. Here are some simpler ways to think about it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Pick something you enjoy:<\/strong>&nbsp;You&#8217;ll be studying this subject for a long time, so it helps if you find it interesting. Are there subjects you&#8217;ve always liked in school or college?<\/li><li><strong>Can you find good study materials?<\/strong>&nbsp;Make sure there are enough books, notes, and practice tests available for the subject you choose.<\/li><li><strong>How hard is the syllabus?<\/strong>&nbsp;Some subjects may be more complex than others. Take a look at the syllabus to see if it seems manageable for you.<\/li><li><strong>Consider your background:<\/strong>&nbsp;Do you have any prior experience or education in a particular subject? This can give you a head start.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>By considering these factors, you can choose an optional subject that you&#8217;re more likely to succeed in and that will help you ace the UPSC exam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Top_8_UPSC_Optional_Subjects\"><\/span>Top 8 UPSC Optional Subjects<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Picking a subject for the UPSC exam is all about what you like! But there are some subjects that many people choose because they&#8217;re popular. Here&#8217;s a list of the top 8 most popular UPSC optional subjects in case you&#8217;re stuck deciding between 26!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Sociology<\/li><li>Geography<\/li><li>History<\/li><li>Political Science and International Relations (PSIR)<\/li><li>Public Administration<\/li><li>Anthropology<\/li><li>Mathematics<\/li><li>Literature Subject (Anyone)<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_How_many_optional_subjects_are_there_in_UPSC_Mains\"><\/span><strong>1. How many optional subjects are there in UPSC Mains?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There are <strong>48 optional subjects<\/strong> offered by the UPSC for the Mains exam. These subjects cover a wide range of disciplines, including Literature, Science, Public Administration, and many more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_How_do_I_choose_the_right_optional_subject\"><\/span><strong>2. How do I choose the right optional subject?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Choosing the right optional subject is crucial for success in UPSC Mains. Here are some factors to consider:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Your academic background and interest:<\/strong>&nbsp;Pick a subject you&#8217;re familiar with and passionate about.<\/li><li><strong>Overlapping syllabus with General Studies:<\/strong>&nbsp;Look for subjects that share some content with the General Studies papers, maximizing your preparation efficiency.<\/li><li><strong>Availability of study materials and guidance:<\/strong>&nbsp;Ensure you have access to quality resources and potentially coaching if needed.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Where_can_I_find_the_official_syllabus_for_the_optional_subjects\"><\/span><strong>3. Where can I find the official syllabus for the optional subjects?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The UPSC publishes the syllabus for all subjects, including optionals, on its official website<a href=\"https:\/\/upsc.gov.in\/examinations\/revised-syllabus-scheme\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> https:\/\/upsc.gov.in\/examinations\/revised-syllabus-scheme<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Can_I_change_my_optional_subject_after_the_preliminary_exam\"><\/span><strong>4. Can I change my optional subject after the preliminary exam?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, you can change your optional subject for the Mains exam. However, it&#8217;s advisable to choose your subject wisely from the beginning to avoid wasting time and effort switching later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_How_much_weightage_does_the_optional_subject_hold_in_the_UPSC_Mains_exam\"><\/span><strong>5. How much weightage does the optional subject hold in the UPSC Mains exam?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The optional subject carries the highest weightage in the Mains exam, with a total of <strong>500 marks<\/strong> dedicated to two optional papers (250 marks each).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/upsc\/upsc-essay?utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Banner&amp;utm_campaign=Essay\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/UPSC-Essay-Course-1280\u00d7300-1-3.svg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-42688 lazyload\" width=\"781\" height=\"182\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 781px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 781\/182;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"block-c6ab63ae-7083-4831-b519-cb89dacafb18\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"In_case_you_still_have_your_doubts_contact_us_on_9811333901\"><\/span><strong>In case you still have your doubts, contact us on 9811333901.<\/strong>&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-52c5a91b-6ed6-46e3-b781-7cc0c63a0b76\">For UPSC Prelims Resources,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/upsc-cse-prelims-resource-centre\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Click here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-d014fe86-d628-49d8-82ce-6c60dc6e7a73\">For Daily Updates and Study Material:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-38177954-e668-4d8d-b250-d0fbd5a09390\">Join our Telegram Channel &#8211;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/t.me\/WithEdukemy4IAS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Edukemy for IAS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\" id=\"block-49ca2fe3-109f-4a88-b72e-9df49c3d328e\"><li>1. Learn through Videos &#8211;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3vOD8sU\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a><\/li><li>2. Be Exam Ready by Practicing Daily MCQs &#8211;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3Q9z2nF\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a><\/li><li>3. Daily Newsletter &#8211; Get all your Current Affairs Covered &#8211;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3bE2y5J\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a><\/li><li>4. Mains Answer Writing Practice &#8211;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3mZuVxl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"block-43ccddc1-5348-445f-ab6b-7baaf29fe58d\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Visit_our_YouTube_Channel_%E2%80%93_here\"><\/span>Visit our YouTube Channel &#8211;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@EduKemyforIAS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Understanding the UPSC optional subjects and syllabus is crucial for informed selection and targeted preparation. Delving into this guide will equip you<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":36862,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4,52],"tags":[232,515,2603,2997,140],"class_list":["post-36858","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blogs","category-upsc-cse","tag-upsc","tag-upsc-cse","tag-upsc-optional-subjects","tag-upsc-optional-subjects-syllabus","tag-upsc_preparation_strategy"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36858","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=36858"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36858\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":37250,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36858\/revisions\/37250"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/36862"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36858"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=36858"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=36858"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}