Best Graduation Degree For UPSC After 12th
The best graduation degree for UPSC is one that covers the syllabus and has a good success rate. Read on to know which is the best graduation degree for UPSC.
Deeksha Dixit16 Sept, 2025
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Best Graduation Degree For UPSC : The UPSC Civil Services exam eligibility criteria state that a candidate must be a graduate in any discipline from a recognized university to apply for the exam. Soon after completing 12th grade, aspirants need to make an important decision about which degree to choose after 12th for UPSC .
This decision can significantly impact their UPSC preparation as well. Toppers usually recommend degrees in subjects like Political Science, Geography, History, and Public Administration, as they align closely with the UPSC syllabus and have proven success records. Choosing the right graduation degree for UPSC can contribute to better performance in the exam.Which is the Best Graduation Degree for UPSC?
Since every candidate is unique, there is no one size fits all. Generally, candidates should opt for a graduation degree that can help them cover the UPSC syllabus . Other than common GS subjects, there are 48 optional subjects that can be considered in the graduation degree for UPSC IAS. While selecting the best graduation degree for UPSC you may consider the following success rate of different subjects based on the Annual Report of the Union Public Service Commission:| Popular Subjects in UPSC | |
| Subject | Success Rate |
| History | 52.3% |
| Geography | 48.7% |
| Economics | 46.9% |
| Political Science & International Relations | 45.6% |
| Sociology | 44.2% |
| Public Administration | 43.8% |
| Law | 42.9% |
| Management | 41.7% |
| Anthropology | 40.5% |
| Psychology | 39.8% |
| Commerce & Accountancy | 38.6% |
| Mathematics | 37.4% |
| Physics | 36.2% |
| Chemistry | 35.1% |
| Botany | 34.7% |
| Zoology | 33.9% |
| Medical Science | 32.4% |
| Engineering | 31.8% |
| Agriculture | 30.5% |
Tips to Choose the Best Graduation Degree For UPSC After 12th
Even though success in UPSC ultimately depends more on your preparation than your specific degree, selecting a degree that aligns with your interests and the UPSC exam syllabus can provide a solid foundation. Here are some tips that can help you select a suitable graduation degree for UPSC after 12th grade:- You may opt for humanities or arts subjects like history, political science, and geography in bachelor courses, as they overlap with the general studies syllabus.
- Analyse your passion and choose a graduation degree that you would study with interest. Over the years, many candidates with different academic backgrounds have topped the exam.
- Try getting into a top university such as Delhi University, Jawaharlal Nehru University, or IIT, where you can get support from seniors along with the overall development of your personality.
- If possible, select a graduation subject that can also be taken as an optional subject for UPSC Mains. This will save a lot of time in separate preparation for UPSC optional papers after graduation.
- Discuss your choice with toppers, mentors, or family members, as they can guide you better with their personal experience.
Also Read: NCERTs for the UPSC exam
Success Rate of Different Graduation Courses in UPSC
If your sole objective is to clear the UPSC IAS exam, the arts subjects are a good choice for UPSC. The Humanities/Arts graduation degree has the highest success rate in previous years in terms of the terms of the total number of selections. The success rates of different graduation courses in the UPSC exam based on the UPSC Annual Report are given in the following table:| Success Rate of Different Graduation Courses in UPSC | |
| Graduation Stream | Success Rate |
| Humanities | 48.4% |
| Science | 39.1% |
| Engineering | 37.9% |
| Medical Science | 34.9% |
Also Read: How To Become an IAS Officer After 12th?
UPSC Toppers Graduation Degree
Candidates may take insight from UPSC topper’s academic qualifications to decide on a graduation degree for UPSC. From the 2018 to 2023 results, it is evident that toppers do not confine themselves to popular subjects. They had diverse academic backgrounds, which can be seen in the below table:| UPSC Toppers Graduation Degree | ||
| Year | Topper | Graduation Degree |
| 2023 | Aditya Srivastava | BTech Computer Science |
| 2022 | Ishita Kishore | BA Economics |
| 2021 | Shruti Sharma | BA History |
| 2020 | Shubham Kumar | BTech Civil Engineering |
| 2019 | Pradeep Singh | BTech Computer Science |
| 2018 | Kanishak Kataria | BTech Computer Science |
| UPSC Related Articles | ||
| UPSC Prelims Mock Test 2024 | IAS Officer After 10th | UPSC Civil Services Examination |
| UPSC EPFO Syllabus | UPSC Scholarship Test 2024 | UPSC Result 2024 |
Best Graduation Degree For UPSC FAQs
Which degree is best for IAS after 12th science?
Degrees in subjects like Political Science, History, or Public Administration are recommended as they align well with the UPSC syllabus.
Which graduate degree is best for the UPSC IAS exam?
Degrees in Humanities, particularly Political Science, History, Geography, and Public Administration, are considered best for the UPSC IAS exam.
Which BA degree is best for UPSC CSE?
A BA in Political Science, History, or Sociology is highly recommended due to the overlap with the UPSC syllabus.
Is BCom good for IAS preparation?
Yes, BCom can be good for IAS preparation if paired with strong preparation in General Studies and choosing Commerce as an optional subject.
Which field students crack UPSC the most?
Students from Humanities and Arts backgrounds have the highest success rates in the UPSC exam.
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