UPSC Optional Subject List: Syllabus, Important Topics & Preparation Tips

UPSC Optional Subject List is released along with the official Civil Services Exam Notification 2025, released on 22 January, 2025. Candidates have the flexibility to choose one subject from a list of 48 optional subjects, encompassing 25 core disciplines and 23 literature subjects in various Indian Languages and English. This choice of optional subjects for UPSC Mains is pivotal, as the optional subject accounts for 500 marks out of the total 1750 in the Mains, and therefore, significantly influences the final ranking. 

Selecting your UPSC optional should be strategic; aspirants must consider factors such as the subject's syllabus length, overlap with General Studies papers, availability of study materials, and the candidate's personal interest and academic background. Popular choices like Geography, Sociology, and Political Science & International Relations are often the most chosen optional subjects for Mains for their scoring potential and relevance to Current Affairs and overlap with Prelims Syllabus. A well-informed decision, backed by a thorough understanding of the subject wise Optional Syllabus is crucial for selecting the right optional subject suitable for your UPSC Mains Preparation. 

UPSC Optional Subject List [48 Subjects]

There are 48 Optional Subjects for the candidates to choose in UPSC Mains. Candidates need to select their preferred optionals while filling out the UPSC Application Form. Paper VI and Paper VII of UPSC Mains is based on the optional subject chosen by candidates. Below is the list of 48 optional subjects for UPSC Civil Services Mains – 

1. Agriculture
2. Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science
3. Anthropology
4. Botany
5. Chemistry
6. Civil Engineering
7. Commerce and Accountancy
8. Economics
9. Electrical Engineering
10. Geography
11. Geology
12. History
13. Law
14. Management
15. Mathematics
16. Mechanical Engineering
17. Medical Science
18. Philosophy
19. Physics
20. Political Science and International Relations
21. Psychology
22. Public Administration
23. Sociology
24. Statistics
25. Zoology
26. Assamese
27. Bengali
28. Bodo
29. Dogri
30. Gujarati
31. Hindi
32. Kannada
33. Kashmiri
34. Konkani
35. Maithili
36. Malayalam
37. Manipuri
38. Marathi
39. Nepali
40. Odia
41. Punjabi
42. Sanskrit
43. Santhali
44. Sindhi
45. Tamil
46. Telugu
47. Urdu
48. English

How Many Optional Subjects Are There in UPSC Mains?

As per the official notification of UPSC CSE, there are a total of 48 optional subjects from which candidates can select their preferred options. These include 25 core disciplines such as History, Geography, Sociology, and Political Science & International Relations, along with 23 literature subjects encompassing languages like Hindi, English, Tamil, and Urdu. The chosen optional subject is asked through two papers—Paper VI and Paper VII—each carrying 250 marks; therefore, the optional subjects account for a total of 500 marks out of the 1750 total in the Mains. Selecting the right optional subject is crucial, as it can significantly influence a candidate's overall score and UPSC Rank in the examination.

UPSC Optional Subject Syllabus: Download PDF

UPSC Optional Subjects Syllabus is provided in detail within the official notification of the UPSC Civil Services Exam 2025. Candidates who will be writing the UPSC Mains Exam must be aware of the important topic-wise syllabus for the optional subject that they are opting for. The detailed topic-wise optional syllabus is provided in the table below for your reference –

Why is Choosing the Right Optional Subject for UPSC Important?

Choosing the right optional subject for the UPSC Mains is a crucial decision for all UPSC aspirants which can significantly impact your final ranking. The optional papers collectively carry 500 marks out of the total 1750 in the Mains examination, accounting for nearly 29% of the total marks. A well-chosen optional subject can provide a substantial advantage, especially since General Studies papers often yield clustered scores, making the optional subject a key differentiator. Toppers frequently score between 300–350 marks in their optional papers, whereas average scores in General Studies tend to hover around 50% . Moreover, selecting a subject that aligns with your interests or academic background can make the preparation process more manageable and engaging. Subjects with overlapping content in General Studies or the essay paper, such as Political Science & International Relations, Sociology, or Geography, can also streamline your study efforts. Ultimately, a thoughtful choice of optional subject can be a decisive factor in achieving a top rank in the UPSC examination.

Find out which is the Best Optional Subject for UPSC based on your academic background & success rate!

Success Rate of UPSC Optional Subjects

The choice of UPSC Optional Subject completely depends on the choice of aspirants, based on their academic background and areas of interest. Check the success rate of UPSC optional subjects in the table below for the 2019 exam cycle –

Attempt UPSC CSE Previous Year Papers to boost your exam preparation!

UPSC Optional Subject Preparation Strategy

Preparing for the optional subject papers for the Civil Services Mains – Paper VI and Paper VII requires candidates to have a solid Preparation Strategy specifically designed to work for the Mains. Check key points required to prepare for UPSC optional subjects below –

Master the Syllabus and Analyze PYQs

The first step to effective UPSC Optional Preparation is to thoroughly understand the official syllabus of your chosen optional subject. Break it down into sub-topics and identify areas that overlap with General Studies. Simultaneously, analyze previous years' question papers to discern patterns, frequently asked topics, and the nature of questions. 

1. Curate Quality Study Material
   Select standard textbooks, like NCERTs and books by standard authors, and reference materials recommended by experts and toppers. Avoid the pitfall of accumulating excessive resources; instead, focus on a few reliable sources and revise them multiple times. Remember, Quality trumps Quantity.
2. Integrate Current Affairs
   Stay updated with UPSC Current Affairs related to your optional subject. Incorporate recent developments, case studies, and examples into your answers to demonstrate relevance and depth of understanding. This will showcase your analytical skills.
3. Develop Answer Writing Skills
   Practice writing answers regularly to enhance clarity, coherence, and presentation. Focus on structuring your answers with clear introductions, well-organized content, and concise conclusions. Seek feedback from mentors or peers to identify areas for improvement.
4. Regular Revision and Mock Tests
   Allocate dedicated time for periodic revision to reinforce learning and ensure retention. Participate in mock tests to simulate exam conditions, assess your preparation level, and refine time management skills. Analyzing mock test will help in identifying weak areas and strategizing accordingly.

Also read – UPSC Optional Subject Preparation Strategy
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