UPSC Optional Subjects List 2025, Popular and Scoring Optional in Mains
Anil Solonki1 Jul, 2025
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UPSC Optional Subjects List 2025 includes a total of 48 subjects from which candidates have to choose one subject for the UPSC Civil Services examination. This subject will consist of two papers (Paper I and Paper II), each carrying 250 marks in the IAS Mains, the stage of the exam.
Selecting the right optional subject for UPSC is crucial for success, as it can greatly impact your performance and rank. The list of UPSC optional subjects covers diverse fields like humanities, sciences, and engineering, allowing candidates to choose based on their strengths. Find the UPSC Optional Subjects List 2025 here.
UPSC Optional Subjects List 2025
UPSC Civil Service exam allows candidates to choose one optional subject for the Mains examination, which consists of two papers (Paper VI and VII), each carrying 250 marks, totaling 500 marks. Candidates are provided with a total of 48 subjects (25 academic subjects and 23 literature subjects) to choose from. Choosing the right optional subject is critical as it can significantly affect your final ranking. It encompasses the humanities, social sciences, literature, and sciences, allowing candidates a wide array of choices. Here is the list of 48 UPSC Mains optional subjects:- Agriculture
- Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science
- Anthropology
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Commerce and Accountancy
- Civil Engineering
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering
- Geology
- Geography
- History
- Philosophy
- Public Administration
- Political Science and International Relations
- Psychology
- Physics
- Sociology
- Law
- Mathematics
- Management
- Medical Science
- Mechanical Engineering
- Statistics
- Zoology
- Assamese
- Kashmiri
- Punjabi
- Bodo
- Konkani
- Sindhi
- Bengali
- Maithili
- Sanskrit
- Dogri
- Malayalam
- Santhali
- English
- Marathi
- Tamil
- Gujarati
- Manipuri
- Nepali
- Telugu
- Kannada
- Odia
- Urdu
- Hindi
Key Factors for Selecting UPSC Optional Subjects
Selecting the right optional subject can be a challenging task, but it is crucial for UPSC preparation. To help you narrow the choices, here we have provided several factors that you should consider before making a decision:1. Overlapping Subjects for UPSC Preparation
Opt for a subject, such as history, sociology, geography, political science and international relations, public administration, and economics, as their syllabus overlap with the general studies syllabus. This can help you in integrated preparation which can save you a lot of time.
2. Personal Interest and Background in UPSC Optional Subjects Selection
Are you sure you are genuinely interested in this subject? Consider asking yourself this question, as it can help you feel motivated throughout the preparation process.
3. Check The Availability of Study Material
You must ensure that you have sufficient study material, books, and resources available for the chosen subject. A lack of resources can hinder your preparation.
4. Check Scoring Potential and Previous Year Success Rates
To be on the safe side, you can analyze the past trends and syllabus of the optional subject to determine its scoring potential. Some subjects have a higher success rate and are relatively easier to score in.
5. Evaluate the Length of the Syllabus
It is advisable to choose an optional subject with a manageable syllabus alongside four general studies papers and an essay.
Highest Scoring Optional Subjects in UPSC Mains
Based on the 73rd UPSC report, here’s a list of the top UPSC optional subjects that have the highest success rate (opted for by 1000 or more candidates):
- Political Science and International Relations (8.9%)
- Sociology (8.5%)
- Anthropology (7.8%)
Highest Scoring Literature Optional Subjects in UPSC
The top three literature-based optional subjects based on the number of recommended candidates in UPSC are:- Literature Of Hindi Language (22)
- Literature Of Malayalam Language (8)
- Literature Of Kannada Language (7)
What is the Easiest Optional Subject for UPSC?
While the concept of "easiest" is subjective and varies from candidate to candidate, certain optional subjects are considered relatively easier to grasp and score well in. You can go through the list below and find the easiest optional subject for UPSC for you:- Sociology: It has a concise syllabus and is considered easy to understand for candidates with a humanities background.
- Public Administration: Public Administration is straightforward for candidates with a management or social sciences background.
- Geography: Again, it is considered scoring and relatively easy to understand, especially for candidates with an interest in maps, locations, and environmental studies.
- Anthropology: It deals with the study of human societies and cultures. It can be an interesting and relatively easy subject for many candidates.
- Literature: Literature subjects such as English, Hindi, or any regional language can be considered easy for candidates with a strong literary background.
It requires careful consideration of various factors, including personal interests, background, and scoring potential. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach, candidates should select a subject that aligns with their strengths and enhances their overall performance in the examination.
By making an informed choice and dedicating consistent effort to preparation, aspirants can maximize their chances of success in the UPSC Mains examination. The right mentorship can make a significant difference in optional paper preparation. PW offers online courses for various optional subjects to help you in your journey. Enroll now!
UPSC Optional Subject FAQs
Which optional subject is best for IAS?
Are there 2 optional subjects in UPSC?
Can I change my UPSC optional subjects after submitting the application form?
Do I need to have a background in my chosen UPSC optional subjects?
Which is the most scoring optional in UPSC?
How many optional subjects in UPSC?
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