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Best Optional Subject for UPSC

Best Optional Subject for UPSC

Best Optional Subject for UPSC: Applicants who pass the UPSC Prelims exam are required to select an optional subject for the main exam, taking into account their level of comprehension and learning. The UPSC optional papers are important since doing well in these subjects would make you more likely to be selected.

Over ten lakh students take the preliminary exam each year, with about eleven to fifteen thousand being chosen to go on to the final exam. Just 1% of all applicants who take the main exam are chosen to go to the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE).

In the UPSC Mains, optional papers can have a maximum weightage of 500 marks out of a total of 1750 marks. Each optional paper is worth 250 marks. Candidates may select from a list of forty-two optional subjects, and they must select one from the subjects that the commission has specified.

In light of this, candidates should choose the appropriate optional subject by taking into account all relevant variables and historical statistics on each optional subject’s success rate.

Best Optional Subject for UPSC

Toppers and experts advise candidates to review the syllabus before choosing a UPSC IAS Optional Subject, so they are fully aware of what they need to study. Additionally, there are optional paper subjects with lengthy syllabus that need a solid grasp of ideas and concepts.

Top UPSC scorers who passed the exam have also advised applicants to look into topic score trends, as this will help them get good scores in the main exam.

Selecting the UPSC option with the highest scoring potential is crucial since it will have a significant impact on applicants’ overall scores and ranks. Aspirants are also advised to look into the market for study resources and speak with their peers about the subject and the strategy they used to get qualified.

The best optional subject to choose for UPSC

In the UPSC CSE exam, every optional subject is equally challenging. Therefore, it is advised that you select only those electives that fit your knowledge, interests, and skill set. In addition, you have to choose an elective whose books, study materials, and professional advice are widely accessible on reliable websites or at your neighborhood bookshop.

  • The optional subject is worth 500 marks out of a possible 2025 mark (Main + Interview), according to the most recent UPSC pattern.
  • Making the appropriate optional subject choice for UPSC is essential because it will have a significant impact on your final marks and overall rank.
  • When selecting the best scoring optional subject for the UPSC, there are several things to take into account, such as prior knowledge of the subject, interest, the availability of study materials, and much more.
  • The vast majority of candidates select the elective they studied for their graduation. However, as it is not a requirement, it cannot be taken into account as the sole deciding element.

Most preferred optional subjects for the UPSC Exam

Recall that the best optional subject for UPSC is not the same as the optional topic that receives the highest score. Based on past exam trends and toppers’ histories, it may be inferred that candidates can achieve high grades in all elective subjects.

Given its many benefits, selecting the scoring optional subject is essential for achieving a good ranking on the UPSC exam. The table below contains the list of the most popular optional subjects for the UPSC exam.

Optional Subjects 2020 2019 2018
Candidates Appeared Passed(%) Candidates Appeared Passed(%) Candidates Appeared Passed(%)
Political Science & International Relations 1863 8.3% 1662 8.2% 1317 8.0%
Geography 1322 7.2% 1916 5.5% 1993 5.1%
Sociology 1245 9.2% 1263 10.0% 1072 10.0%
Anthropology 1211 8.3% 1189 9.1% 797 8.2%
History 581 4.1% 751 6.8% 848 6.1%
Mathematics 580 5.8% 539 8.3% 344 8.1%
Public Administration 509 4.5% 705 8.2% 726 9.2%
Philosophy 347 7.5% 439 6.2% 463 9.1%
Economics 236 13.1% 243 10.7% 200 11.5%
Literature Of Hindi Language 226 8.4% 191 6.8% 236 6.4%

Most opted subject for UPSC Exam

Given that the syllabus also overlaps with prelims, GS Papers 1, 2, 3, and 4, it is evident from the above table that the majority of students choose to major in Political Science & International Relations, Geography, Sociology, and Anthropology, History, etc.

  • In contrast to humanities subjects, which are entirely up to the examiner’s choice, mathematics is an optional subject offered by the UPSC that can help you score highly because the answers to each question are precise.
  • Numerous subjects receive low scores because candidates put in insufficient effort or select the wrong optional subject for the UPSC based on their knowledge and skills.
  • Since non-technical papers essentially correspond with the UPSC GS syllabus, candidates benefit from a shortened preparation period and ample opportunity to review all previously covered material.

UPSC IAS 2023 Optional subjects to score good marks

In the table below we have tried to represent the data of optional as chosen by aspirants in 2020 –

—- —- —-
Literature of English Language 27 6 22.2%
Literature of Punjabi Language 25 3 12.0%
Literature of Urdu Language 11 1 9.1%
Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science 10 1 10.0%
Literature of Marathi Language 9 1 11.1%
Statistics 5 0 0.0%
Literature of Manipuri Language 4 1 25.0%
Literature of Assamese Language 2 0 0.0%
Literature of Bengali Language 2 0 0.0%
Literature of Oriya Language 2 0 0.0%
Literature of Sindhi (Arabic) Language 1 0 0.0%

UPSC IAS Preparation for Beginners 

It is essential to comprehend the UPSC exam pattern before to beginning your preparation. The Preliminary Examination (Prelims), Main Examination (Main), and Personality Test (Interview) are the three phases of the UPSC CSE. Different facets of your knowledge, skills, and personality are tested at each step. See this page for the most effective beginner’s preparation method.

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