Best Optional Subject for UPSC Mains 2025, Check Topper Optional Subject
Best optional subject for UPSC Mains is a critical choice for scoring well. Find out the best optional subject for UPSC Mains based on the 72nd UPSC Annual Report and topper’s advice.
Deeksha Dixit14 Jun, 2025
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Best Optional Subject for UPSC Mains Exam 2025: Choosing the best optional subject for UPSC Mains is a crucial decision that can significantly impact your overall score and final ranking. With the right subject, you can maximise your strengths to boost your chances of success in this highly competitive exam.
While each of the 48 optional subjects on the list has equal potential to perform well, a few subjects have been found to have a higher success rate in the 72nd Annual Report of the UPSC. Read on to learn about the best optional subject for UPSC Mains and how to choose it.Most Popular Optional Subject for UPSC Mains
The 72nd UPSC Annual Report 2021-22 provides interesting insight into popular and successful optional subject UPSC Mains. According to it, certain subjects consistently attract a large number of candidates due to their perceived scoring potential and overlap with General Studies papers. The top 10 popular optional subjects UPSC Mains are as follows based Civil Services (Main) Examination 2020 data:| Optional Subject | Number of Candidates Appeared | Number of Candidates Recommended | Success Rate (Percent) |
| PSIR | 1863 | 154 | 8.3% |
| Geography | 1322 | 95 | 7.2% |
| Sociology | 1245 | 115 | 9.2% |
| Anthropology | 1211 | 100 | 8.3% |
| History | 581 | 24 | 4.1% |
| Mathematics | 580 | 26 | 4.5% |
| Public Administration | 509 | 38 | 7.5% |
| Philosophy | 347 | 20 | 5.8% |
| Hindi Literature | 226 | 19 | 8.4% |
| Economics | 236 | 31 | 13.1% |
Which is the Best Optional Subject for UPSC Mains?
There is no universally best optional subject for everyone. The best subject varies for each candidate based on their interests, strengths, and background. However, it was observed in the UPSC report that Political Science & International Relations was the most preferred subject among the optional subjects, followed by Geography and Sociology in the 2020 exam. According to the overall trends of previous years, the following subjects were considered best by toppers and experts:- Sociology: Known for its concise syllabus and relevance to GS papers, Sociology is a favourite among aspirants.
- Geography: This subject not only has a vast syllabus but also overlaps significantly with GS papers, making it a popular choice.
- Public Administration: Valued for its practical applications in administration, this subject is also frequently chosen.
- Political Science and International Relations: This subject appeals to those interested in current affairs and political theories.
- History: A traditional choice, History has a comprehensive syllabus overlapping with GS 1 that some candidates find manageable.
Easiest Optional Subject for UPSC Mains
The ease of preparation is subjective and depends on the interests and academic background of the candidates. For instance, candidates with a science background usually prefer technical subjects. A few subjects like Sociology, Philosophy, and Anthropology are generally considered easier due to their concise syllabus and straightforward concepts. However, avoid falling into the trap of easy optional subject for UPSC Mains as the UPSC report highlighted that amongst the subjects opted by 100 or more candidates, the highest percentage of successful candidates had opted for Law (13.8%) followed by Economics, (13.1 %) and Commerce & Accountancy (12.9%) which are usually technical subjects. Similarly, the UPSC Topper 2024 did not follow the traditional trend and had Electrical Engineering as the optional subject in UPSC Mains.Best Optional Subject for UPSC Mains Based on Success Rate
The success rate is a crucial factor to consider when selecting an optional subject. The following data is based on ‘Distribution of Candidates who Appeared vis-à-vis Recommended by Optional Subjects - Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2020’ from UPSC 72nd report provides insights into the success rates of various optional subjects:
UPSC Topper 2025 Optional Subject
Here is the list of the top 5 rankers in the UPSC CSE Mains exam along with their optional subject choice:
| Rank | Topper | Optional Subject |
| 1 | Shakti Dubey | Political Science & International Relations (PSIR) |
| 2 | Harshita Goyal | Political Science & International Relations (PSIR) |
| 3 | Dongre Archit Parag | Philosophy |
| 4 | Shah Margi Chirag | Sociology |
| 5 | Aakash Garg | Sociology |
How to Select the Optional Subject for UPSC Mains?
Choosing an Optional Subject for UPSC Mains is crucial for every aspirant, given a significant weightage of 500 marks in the exam. Carefully consider the following factors to select the optional subject for UPSC Mains:- Interest and Understanding: Choose a subject that genuinely interests you. Passion for a subject will keep you motivated throughout your preparation.
- Availability of Study Material: Ensure that adequate resources and study materials are available for the subject you choose.
- Previous Background: Opt for a subject you have studied during your graduation, as it has been proven that candidates can clear the UPSC exam with non-popular optional subjects.
- Scoring Potential: Some subjects have a higher scoring potential based on trends from previous years. Consider the analysis shared here before making decisions about the optional subject.
- Syllabus Overlap: Go for subjects like Political Science, History, and Geography, which often overlap with General Studies papers.
- Guidance and Coaching: The availability of good coaching and mentorship can make a significant difference. For instance, PW OnlyIAS offers courses for various optional subjects to help you in your journey.
To conclude, choosing the right optional subject for the UPSC Mains 2025 is a personal and strategic decision that plays a crucial role in your final score and rank. While subjects like PSIR, Sociology, and Geography continue to be popular among toppers and show consistent success rates, it's important to select a subject that aligns with your academic background, interest, and preparation strategy. Rather than chasing trends or perceived "easy" subjects, focus on what you can master with confidence.
Get ready for the UPSC Mains exam with UPSC courses by Physics Wallah!Best Optional Subject for UPSC Mains FAQs
Which is the easiest subject for UPSC optional papers?
Subjects like Sociology, Philosophy, and Anthropology are generally considered easier due to their concise syllabus and straightforward concepts.
Which subject is best for IAS Mains optional papers?
The best subject varies for each candidate based on their interests and background, but popular choices include Political Science & International Relations, Geography, and Sociology.
How to choose the best optional subject for UPSC in English Medium?
Consider factors like interest, understanding, availability of study material, previous background, scoring potential, syllabus overlap with GS papers, and availability of good coaching.
Which optional subject is the most scoring in UPSC Mains?
Based on the 72nd UPSC Annual Report, subjects like Law, Economics, and Commerce & Accountancy have high success rates in CSE 2020 while overall PSIR, Geography, and Sociology are considered as scoring.
How to prepare the optional subject for UPSC Mains?
Choose a subject you are passionate about, ensure you have ample study material, seek guidance from mentors or coaching institutes, and regularly practice the previous year's questions.
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