UPSC stands as one of the most esteemed recruitment bodies in India, attracting individuals aspiring to become IAS, IFS, or other civil service officers. Upon deciding to undertake the UPSC exam, a crucial step emerges: selecting the optional subject for the mains examination. While some may perceive this choice as merely another topic to study amidst current affairs and NCERT texts, opting for the right optional subject can significantly enhance one’s score. Even a single additional mark can alter the outcome of the UPSC exam. If you seek guidance on selecting the most suitable optional subject, read on.

The optional subject comprises two papers, each carrying 250 marks. Candidates are presented with a choice of twenty-six optional subjects, spanning a wide array of disciplines. These options include Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Anthropology, Botany, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Commerce and Accountancy, Economics, Electrical Engineering, Geography, Geology, History, Law, Literature, Management, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Medical Science, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science and International Relations, Psychology, Public Administration, Sociology, Statistics, and Zoology.

In the field of Literature, candidates can opt for subjects such as Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, and English. Detailed syllabi for all these subjects are available on the official UPSC website.