UPSC Optional Subjects List – 48 Optional Subjects for UPSC Mains
By Balaji
Updated on: March 22nd, 2023
The UPSC Optional Subject List is released by the Union Public Service Commission in the official notification. Optional subjects in UPSC can be found in papers 6 and 7 of the mains exam. The mains exam consists of 2 compulsory papers, merit papers from papers 1 to 7, which include 1 Essay paper, 4 GS papers, and 2 optional subject papers. An aspirant gets the freedom to choose any preferred subject for the mains exam from the UPSC Optional Subject List.
In accordance with the notification released by UPSC, there are 48 subjects in UPSC Optional Subjects list segregated into subject-specific subjects and literature-optional subjects. Each UPSC Optional Subject paper comprises 250 marks, adding to a total of 500 marks. In this post, we have facilitated the complete UPSC Optional Subjects list to assist the candidates in choosing the optional subject. You can also find details on how to choose the optional subject for UPSC and ace the exam on the first attempt.
Table of content
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1. What is Optional Subject in UPSC?
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2. UPSC Optional Subject List
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3. UPSC Optional Subject List for Literature Subjects
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4. UPSC Optional Subject List in Hindi
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5. How to Choose an Optional Subject in UPSC?
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6. UPSC Optional Subject List with Syllabus & Books PDF
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7. Which Optional Subject is Best for UPSC?
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8. Optional Subject in UPSC with Most Overlap with GS
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9. Success Rate of UPSC Optional Subjects
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10. Toppers with their Optional Subjects in UPSC
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. 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. The concept of the easiest and best optional subject for UPSC varies from person to person. So, we have covered the list of optional subjects for UPSC and also help you to figure out a way to choose the easiest optional subject.
UPSC Optional Subject List
The table below lists the names of optional subjects for the UPSC Exam. The marks attained in UPSC Optional Subject are essential for the marks scored in the final merit. Therefore, the selection of an optional subject must be made cautiously. Unlike earlier, candidates now have to choose just one subject from a wide range of optional subjects for UPSC.
| S. No. | UPSC Optional Subjects List for Mains |
| 1 | Agriculture |
| 2 | Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science |
| 3 | Anthropology |
| 4 | Botany |
| 5 | Chemistry |
| 6 | Civil Engineering |
| 7 | Commerce & Accountancy |
| 8 | Economics |
| 9 | Electrical Engineering |
| 10 | Geography |
| 11 | Geology |
| 12 | History |
| 13 | Law |
| 14 | Management |
| 15 | Mathematics |
| 16 | Mechanical Engineering |
| 17 | Medical Science |
| 18 | Philosophy |
| 19 | Physics |
| 20 | Political Science & International Relations |
| 21 | Psychology |
| 22 | Public Administration |
| 23 | Sociology |
| 24 | Statistics |
| 25 | Zoology |
UPSC Optional Subject List for Literature Subjects
The following literature subjects are also a segment of the optional subjects for IAS. The candidates can select any of the languages that they find easy as an optional subject.
| S. No. | List of Literature Optional Subjects for UPSC |
| 1 | Assamese |
| 2 | Bengali |
| 3 | Bodo |
| 4 | Dogri |
| 5 | Gujarati |
| 6 | Hindi |
| 7 | Kannada |
| 8 | Kashmiri |
| 9 | Konkani |
| 10 | Maithili |
| 11 | Malayalam |
| 12 | Manipuri |
| 13 | Marathi |
| 14 | Nepali |
| 15 | Oriya |
| 16 | Punjabi |
| 17 | Sanskrit |
| 18 | Santhali |
| 19 | Sindhi |
| 20 | Tamil |
| 21 | Telugu |
| 22 | Urdu |
| 23 | English |
UPSC Optional Subject List in Hindi
Here is the list of the optional subjects in Hindi. The candidates can select any of these subjects and start their preparation well for the upcoming exam.
| S.No | Optional Subjects List in Hindi |
| 1 | कृषि |
| 2 | पशुपालन और पशु चिकित्सा विज्ञान |
| 3 | मानव-विज्ञान |
| 4 | वनस्पतिशास्त्र |
| 5 | रसायन शास्त्र |
| 6 | सिविल इंजीनियरिंग |
| 7 | वाणिज्य और लेखा |
| 8 | अर्थशास्त्र |
| 9 | इलेक्ट्रिकल इंजीनियरिंग |
| 10 | भूगोल |
| 11 | भूविज्ञान |
| 12 | इतिहास |
| 13 | विधि शास्त्र |
| 14 | प्रबंधनशास्त्र |
| 15 | गणित |
| 16 | मैकेनिकल इंजीनियरिंग |
| 17 | चिकित्सा विज्ञान |
| 18 | दर्शनशास्त्र |
| 19 | भौतिक विज्ञान |
| 20 | राजनीति विज्ञान और अंतर्राष्ट्रीय संबंध |
| 21 | मनोविज्ञान |
| 22 | लोक प्रशासन |
| 23 | समाजशास्त्र |
| 24 | सांख्यिकी |
| 25 | जंतुविज्ञान |
Here are the literature subjects list in Hindi. The candidates who are having an in-depth knowledge of the literature of any of these subjects can opt for the same and kickstart their preparation in the right direction.
| S.No | Literature Optional Subjects in UPSC |
| 1 | आसामी |
| 2 | बांग्ला |
| 3 | बोडो |
| 4 | डोगरी |
| 5 | गुजराती |
| 6 | हिंदी |
| 7 | कन्नड़ |
| 8 | कश्मीरी |
| 9 | कोंकणी |
| 10 | मैथिली |
| 11 | मलयालम |
| 12 | मणिपुरी |
| 13 | मराठी |
| 14 | नेपाली |
| 15 | उड़िया |
| 16 | पंजाबी |
| 17 | संस्कृत |
| 18 | संथाली |
| 19 | सिन्धी |
| 20 | तमिल |
| 21 | तेलूगू |
| 22 | उर्दू |
| 23 | अंग्रेज़ी |
How to Choose an Optional Subject in UPSC?
Choosing an optional from the UPSC optional subject list is a crucial decision that can impact the overall rank in the IAS exam. An optional subject carries a total of 500 marks, making it essential to opt for the right subject. The goal is to fetch optimum marks in the UPSC optional because it can increase a candidate’s rank on the merit list.
Most candidates make the common mistake of picking an IAS optional subject based on the parameters like popularity, accessibility of study materials, and educational background. But you should not choose your optional subject depending on these factors because it can take away an attempt. Following are some things you need to keep in mind before choosing a UPSC Mains Optional Subject.
- Interest and Academic Background: While going through the UPSC optional subject list, you need to find an optional that you are interested in. The UPSC CSE optional subject must match your comfort level while reading.
- Overlap with the UPSC Syllabus: There are some optional subjects that overlap with the other portion of the UPSC syllabus. That is why these optional subjects are highly popular among aspirants. The subjects are history, political science & international relations, sociology, geography, economics, etc.
- Availability of Resources: You need to choose a subject that doesn’t have limited resources to prepare from. There are enough study materials available for some optional subjects for UPSC, but in some cases, research needs to be done on the availability of study materials for some subjects. Download the UPSC book list for all the IAS Optional Subjects.
- Proper Guidance: A candidate can prepare for the UPSC exam without coaching, and crack it, but it would be hard to do the same without proper guidance. If you plan to choose an optional subject for UPSC that you are unfamiliar with, then you will need guidance.
- Time Management: In the UPSC Mains exam, you will have to face four general studies papers, and a merit-based essay, if you choose a UPSC optional with a vast syllabus then it will be hard for you to spend more time on other subjects. That is why choose an optional subject that will allow you to manage your time properly.
- Subject Familiarity: Another crucial point you must take into account while picking the best UPSC optional subject is familiarity or knowledge of the subject. Choosing a subject you have already studied in your UG or PG would be great. Make sure that this is not the only factor you need to consider while choosing the best subject from the list of optional subjects for UPSC.
UPSC Optional Subject List with Syllabus & Books PDF
Below we have given the direct link to the syllabus of all UPSC optional subjects. Candidates can check the syllabus of each subject, which would make this process a lot easier for them.
Which Optional Subject is Best for UPSC?
Every year lakhs of candidates try to find the easiest and the best optional subject in UPSC. There is no perfect answer to this question; however, some key points would help you find the right UPSC optional subject. Let’s uncover which optional subject is easiest for UPSC. It is advisable for the candidates to check the UPSC syllabus for the optional subjects before picking the same.
- Technical subjects (along with Mathematics) can fetch excessive marks because the solutions are absolute. Generally, not like the humanities topics, the examine’s biases do not play a big role.
- The non-technical subject, on the other hand, specifically the ones that have a few overlaps with the GS syllabus, offers extra practice time. That is why candidates can score well if they prepare well for these subjects; additionally, it will help them with covering other portions of the UPSC syllabus.
Before selecting any optional subject in UPSC, a candidate should ask herself/himself to consider these key points.
- The vastness of the syllabus.
- If the candidate has prior knowledge of this subject.
- Does the syllabus of this subject overlap with the GS papers?
- If there is an availability of guidance and study materials for the chosen optional subject.
- Is the subject seems interesting or not?
Depending on these abovementioned factors, a candidate should make an `individual` choice to pick the best subject among the list of optional subjects for UPSC.
Optional Subject in UPSC with Most Overlap with GS
Some optional subjects for UPSC overlap with the UPSC mains syllabus for general studies. These subjects are mentioned below.
- Sociology
- Law
- Psychology
- Medical Science
- Agriculture
- Literature
- Anthropology
- Public Administration
- Geography
- History.
Success Rate of UPSC Optional Subjects
According to the UPSC 69th Year report, the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) updated the success rate of the optional subjects for the UPSC 2017. You can check the preparation strategy of UPSC toppers and that of the youngest IAS Officer in India to move in the right direction of preparation.
| UPSC Optional Subject List | No. of Candidates Appeared | No. of Candidates Recommended | Success Rate Percentage in UPSC Optional Subjects |
| Medical Sciences | 313 | 32 | 10.2 |
| Anthropology | 880 | 85 | 9.7 |
| Commerce & Accountancy | 224 | 28 | 12.5 |
| Economics | 233 | 16 | 6.9 |
| Public Administration | 1165 | 119 | 10.2 |
| Geography | 2669 | 147 | 5.5 |
| Sociology | 1421 | 137 | 9.6 |
| Mathematics | 441 | 26 | 5.9 |
Toppers with their Optional Subjects in UPSC
Below, the table represents the UPSC optional subjects taken by toppers each year. However, your choice of optional subject shouldn’t depend on this factor only. The UPSC Toppers’ preparation strategy for completing the optional subjects can mold the preparation of the candidates in a unique way.
| Year | UPSC Topper Name (Rank 1) | UPSC Optional Subject Chosen |
| 2020 | Subham Kumar | Anthropology |
| 2019 | Pradeep Singh | Public Administration |
| 2018 | Kanishka Kataria | Mathematics |
| 2017 | Anudeep Durishetty | Anthropology |
| 2016 | Nandini K.R. | Kannada Literature |
| 2015 | Tina Dabi | Political Science |
The candidates must make a wise choice before opting for the optional subjects, as the marks scored in these subjects is highly crucial in determining the result of the candidates. The candidates can bring forth an effective and efficient strategy for the optional subjects to be able to understand the questions and answer accurately in the limited time of the exam.
