Complete List and Marks Distribution
The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is one of the toughest exams in India, and selecting the right optional subject for the Mains Exam plays a crucial role in a candidate’s success. The UPSC Mains consists of 9 papers, out of which 2 papers (Paper VI & VII) are based on the optional subject, making it a total of 500 marks (250 marks each).
Thus, choosing the right optional subject can significantly impact your overall score and final ranking.
Marks Distribution in UPSC Mains
The UPSC Mains examination consists of the following papers:
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | Essay | 250 | Merit-Based |
| Paper II | General Studies I (History, Geography, Society) | 250 | Merit-Based |
| Paper III | General Studies II (Polity, Governance, IR) | 250 | Merit-Based |
| Paper IV | General Studies III (Economy, Environment, Science & Tech) | 250 | Merit-Based |
| Paper V | General Studies IV (Ethics, Integrity, Aptitude) | 250 | Merit-Based |
| Paper VI | Optional Subject Paper 1 | 250 | Merit-Based |
| Paper VII | Optional Subject Paper 2 | 250 | Merit-Based |
| Paper VIII | Indian Language (Qualifying) | 300 | Qualifying |
| Paper IX | English (Qualifying) | 300 | Qualifying |
- The Optional Subject contributes 500 marks, which can be a game-changer in determining the final rank.
- The qualifying language papers do not count towards merit ranking but must be cleared.
List of UPSC Optional Subjects
UPSC offers a total of 48 optional subjects, categorized into 26 Literature subjects and 22 other optional subjects.
List of 22 Optional Subjects (Non-Literature)
- Agriculture
- Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science
- Anthropology
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Commerce & Accountancy
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering
- Geography
- Geology
- History
- Law
- Management
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medical Science
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science & International Relations (PSIR)
- Psychology
- Public Administration
List of 26 Literature Optional Subjects
Candidates can choose literature as an optional subject, even if they have not studied it academically. The available literature subjects are:
- Assamese
- Bengali
- Bodo
- Dogri
- Gujarati
- Hindi
- Kannada
- Kashmiri
- Konkani
- Maithili
- Malayalam
- Manipuri
- Marathi
- Nepali
- Odia
- Punjabi
- Sanskrit
- Santali
- Sindhi
- Tamil
- Telugu
- Urdu
- English
- Marathi
- Mizo
- Hindi
How to Choose the Right Optional Subject?
Selecting an optional subject should be based on the following factors:
- Interest & Background: Choose a subject that genuinely interests you and aligns with your academic background or previous knowledge.
- Availability of Study Material: Ensure that books, coaching, and notes are available for the subject.
- Scoring Trend & Overlap with General Studies: Subjects like Public Administration, PSIR, History, Geography, and Sociology have a high overlap with General Studies, making them popular choices.
- Complexity Level: Technical subjects like Mathematics, Engineering, and Science subjects require in-depth conceptual clarity.
- Previous Year’s Performance: Analyzing past trends and toppers’ choices can help in decision-making.
Most Popular UPSC Optional Subjects
Based on past trends and toppers’ selections, the following are some of the most preferred optional subjects:
- Political Science & International Relations (PSIR)
- Public Administration
- Geography
- History
- Anthropology
- Sociology
- Philosophy
Final Thoughts
Since the optional subject carries 500 marks, choosing the right one is crucial for success in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Analyze your strengths, weaknesses, and interest before making a decision. Consistent practice, revision, and answer-writing skills will help maximize your score in the optional paper.
