✅OPTIONAL FOR UPSC (500Marks) WAY TO SUCCESS

✅ Optional for UPSC (500 Marks)

Optional for UPSC (500 Marks)
OPTIONAL FOR UPSC
@OPTIONAL FOR UPSC

✅OPTIONAL FOR UPSC (500Marks) WAY TO SUCCESS

In the Mains Exam (Second Stage) of UPSC CSE, you have to choose one optional subject, which has two papers (Paper VI and VII) of 250 marks each—total 500 marks.

OPTIONAL FOR UPSC

✅ List of Optional Subjects (Common Ones):

• Anthropology
• Geography
• History
• Sociology
• Political Science & International Relations
• Public Administration
• Philosophy
• Psychology
• Economics
• Law

Literature Optionals (For those with strong interest or background):

• Hindi Literature
• English Literature
• Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, etc. (22 Indian languages)

Technical Optionals (for science/engineering background):

• Physics
• Chemistry
• Mathematics
• Engineering subjects (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical

✅ How to Choose the Right Optional?

1. Interest & Background Knowledge
2. Availability of Good Guidance / Notes
3. Scoring Trends
4. Overlap with GS Papers (like PSIR, Sociology, Geography)
5. http://OPTIONAL FOR UPSC
6. Time for Preparation

✅ Optional Subject vs General Studies

Feature	General Studies (GS)	Optional Subject
Papers	GS Paper I to IV	Paper VI & VII
Total Marks	1000	500
Syllabus Type	Broad, Common	Specialized, In-depth
Same for all?	Yes	Candidate’s own choice

📝 Optional Subjects for UPSC – How to Choose the Right One?

Choosing the right optional subject can make or break your UPSC journey. With 500 marks at stake in the UPSC Mains Examination, your optional subject plays a decisive role in your final rank and service allocation.

In this blog, we’ll help you understand what optional subjects are, why they matter, and how to select the best one for your UPSC preparation.

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All Optional Information provide separately.

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🔍 What is an Optional Subject in UPSC?

In the UPSC Civil Services Examination (Mains), candidates must choose one optional subject, which has two papers:

• Paper VI and Paper VII
• Each carries 250 marks, totaling 500 marks

This makes the optional subject almost 25% of your total score in Mains. That’s why choosing wisely is very important.

📜 List of Optional Subjects Offered by UPSC

Here is the list of 26 optional subjects you can choose from:

• Agriculture
• Anthropology
• Botany
• Chemistry
• Civil Engineering
• Commerce and Accountancy
• Economics
• Electrical Engineering
• Geography
• Geology
• History
• Law
• Management
• Mathematics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Medical Science
• Philosophy
• Physics
• Political Science & International Relations (PSIR)
• Psychology
• Public Administration
• Sociology
• Statistics
• Zoology
• Literature of any one of the languages listed in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution (like Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, English, etc.)

🧠 How to Choose the Right Optional Subject?

Here are the top factors to consider when choosing your optional:

1. 📘 Interest and Understanding

Ask yourself:

• Do I enjoy reading this subject?
• Can I study it for long hours?

If you’re not interested, you’ll lose motivation in the long run.

2. 📚 Background Knowledge

Do you have an academic background in the subject? This gives you a head-start and saves time.

3. 📈 Scoring Trends

Some optionals like Anthropology, PSIR, and Sociology have performed well in recent years. You can check UPSC toppers’ marks for insights.

4. 🔁 Overlap with GS Syllabus

Subjects like Geography, PSIR, Sociology, and History have heavy overlap with General Studies. This helps reduce workload.

5. 🧾 Availability of Resources & Guidance

Make sure standard books, coaching, notes, and test series are easily available.

6. 🕰️ Time for Preparation

Some subjects require more time (e.g., Philosophy is shorter than History). Choose based on your available preparation time.

🌟 Most Popular Optional Subjects

Based on UPSC trends and toppers’ choices, the following are the most preferred:

Subject	Why It’s Popular
PSIR (Political Science & IR)	GS overlap + scoring
Sociology	Short syllabus + good marks
Geography	Conceptual + GS overlap
Anthropology	Short + scoring (for science students)
History	Familiarity + GS paper help

🧑‍🎓 Toppers and Their Optionals

• Shruti Sharma (AIR 1, 2021) – History
• Ishita Kishore (AIR 1, 2022) – PSIR
• Tina Dabi (AIR 1, 2015) – PSIR
• Gaurav Agrawal (AIR 1, 2013) – Economics

They chose subjects they were passionate about and had command over.

✅ Final Tips

• Never blindly follow toppers. What worked for them may not work for you.
• Go through 1-2 previous years’ papers before finalizing.
• Try reading basic NCERTs or introductory books of shortlisted subjects.
• Ask seniors or mentors for feedback.

🔚 Conclusion

Choosing the right optional subject for UPSC is all about aligning your interest, strengths, and strategy. Take your time, evaluate options, and make an informed decision.

Still confused? Let us help! Comment below your background or contact us on UPSCUniverse360.com – we’re here to guide every step of your UPSC journey.

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✅ Meta Title:

How to Choose the Best Optional Subject for UPSC | UPSCUniverse360

Confused about which optional subject to choose for UPSC? Explore the complete list, selection strategy, and tips to pick the right optional that boosts your rank in UPSC Mains.

Image Concept:

• A UPSC aspirant sitting at a desk with two paths or bookshelves in front labeled “PSIR”, “History”, “Sociology”, “Anthropology” etc.
• Add the UPSC logo or “Mains Exam” in the background.
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Optional for UPSC (500 Marks)