The UPSC Optional Subject plays a crucial role in the Civil Services Mains Examination. Out of the nine papers in UPSC Mains, two are dedicated to the optional subject chosen by the candidate. This makes it an important factor that can significantly influence the final score and rank. Now the question is which is the best optional subject for upsc?
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) offers a broad range of 48 optional subjects, allowing candidates the flexibility to pick a subject based on their background, interest, or scoring potential. These optional subjects are designed to test the candidate’s depth of knowledge and analytical ability in a specific discipline.
In this article, you’ll find:
- The full list of UPSC optional subjects
- Data-driven insights into success rates
- Toppers’ subject preferences
- A practical guide to selecting the right optional
Which optional subject is best for upsc?
There’s no single “best” optional subject for everyone. The ideal subject is one that you enjoy, understand well, and can score good marks in. Popular options like History, Geography, PSIR, Anthropology, and sociology are often chosen because they overlap with General Studies papers and have structured syllabuses. However, specialized subjects like Mathematics or Law can also be excellent choices if you have the right background and interest.
Best UPSC Optional Subjects Based on Success Rate
Choosing an optional subject with a higher success rate can be strategic, but it should align with your strengths, interest, and background. Subjects like Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science (18.8%), Management (11.1%), and Commerce & Accountancy (10.9%) showed high success rates in UPSC Mains 2019. These numbers reflect that while fewer candidates may appear in these subjects, a greater percentage of them succeed. However, a high success rate often reflects fewer but well-prepared candidates.
| Optional Subject | Appeared | Recommended | Success Rate |
| Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science | 16 | 3 | 18.80% |
| Management | 54 | 6 | 11.10% |
| Commerce & Accountancy | 183 | 20 | 10.90% |
| Economics | 243 | 26 | 10.70% |
| Sociology | 1263 | 126 | 10.00% |
| Anthropology | 1189 | 108 | 9.10% |
| Public Administration | 705 | 58 | 8.20% |
| Political Science & IR | 1662 | 137 | 8.20% |
| Geography | 1916 | 105 | 5.50% |
Note: A higher success rate does not necessarily mean the subject is “easy” — it often reflects better preparation, manageable syllabus, and scoring trends in that year.
Most scoring Optional in UPSC
Here are some of the most highest scoring optional in UPSC based on past trends:
Literature (of a particular language):
– Candidates with a strong background in literature often find it scoring.
– Requires a deep understanding of texts and critical analysis skills.
Public Administration:
– Popular due to its relevance to the civil services.
– Considered scoring with a well-structured syllabus.
Geography:
– Offers a scientific approach and has substantial overlap with General Studies papers.
– Good scoring potential if concepts are well understood.
Sociology:
– Shorter syllabus and relatively straightforward concepts.
– High scoring potential due to its relevance to societal issues and human behavior.
Anthropology:
– Gaining popularity for its concise syllabus and scoring potential.
– Often yields good marks with a focused study approach.
Political Science and International Relations:
– Has significant overlap with General Studies papers, particularly in current affairs.
– Offers a good chance to score well if you are interested in politics.
History:
– A well-prepared candidate can score high, especially if they have a strong grasp of events and timelines.
– The subject requires extensive memorization but can be rewarding.
How to Choose the Right Optional Subject for UPSC?
Choosing the best UPSC optional subject isn’t the same for everyone. It depends on your background, interest, how much it overlaps with General Studies, and how easily you can find study material. Pick a subject you understand well and enjoy studying; it will help you score better in the Mains exam. A wise choice can reduce your preparation burden and increase your chances of securing a top rank.
- Familiarity with the Subject Do you have a background in the subject during graduation or post-graduation? Familiarity reduces the learning curve and saves time.
- Interest and Understanding Even if you’re new to a subject, deep interest and aptitude can make it a good choice. Passion for the subject often drives better preparation.
- Syllabus Overlap with GS Papers Subjects like History, Geography, Political Science, Sociology, and Anthropology have significant overlap with GS papers and the Essay paper. This overlap helps in integrated preparation.
- Availability of Resources Are standard books, coaching, and notes easily accessible? A subject with plenty of quality resources is always preferable. But NCERT books will always be go-to study material for upsc prep.
- Past Year Trends and Difficulty Analyze previous years’ papers to understand the question pattern and difficulty level. Consistency in question pattern indicates predictability, which can be advantageous.
- Time Required for Preparation Some subjects have a vast syllabus (like Geography), while others are more compact (like Philosophy or Anthropology). Choose one that fits your preparation timeline.
Strategy to Shortlist the UPSC Optional Subject
If you’re confused about how to proceed, follow this step-by-step method:
- Narrow down 4–5 subjects that interest you.
- Read their UPSC syllabus thoroughly.
- Go through past year questions (at least 3–4 years).
- Evaluate your current level of understanding and comfort.
- Check availability of study material, guidance, or coaching.
- Talk to recent candidates or mentors if needed.
- Choose the one that strikes a balance between interest, effort, and scoring potential.
Give yourself 7–10 days to research, sample, and analyze before making the final call. Rushing this step can lead to regret later in the preparation.
UPSC Toppers and Their Optional Subjects
Here’s a look at the optional subjects chosen by toppers over the years:
| Year | Topper Name | Optional Subject | Service Opted |
| 2021 | Shruti Sharma | History | IAS |
| 2020 | Subham Kumar | Anthropology | IAS |
| 2019 | Pradeep Singh | Public Administration | IAS |
| 2018 | Kanishak Kataria | Mathematics | IAS |
| 2017 | Anudeep Durishetty | Anthropology | IAS |
| 2016 | Nandini K. R. | Kannada Literature | IAS |
| 2015 | Tina Dabi | Political Science | IAS |
| 2014 | Ira Singhal | Geography | IAS |
| 2013 | Gaurav Aggarwal | Economics | IAS |
| 2012 | Haritha V. Kumar | Economics & Malayalam Literature | IAS |
| 2011 | Shena Aggarwal | Medical Science & Psychology | IAS |
As the table shows, toppers come from a range of academic backgrounds and have chosen both popular and niche optional subjects. This reinforces the idea that there is no one-size-fits-all subject. What matters is how well you prepare and how much command you develop over the subject.
List of Optional Subject in UPSC
Here is the comprehensive UPSC optional subject list available for the UPSC CSE Mains:
| Technical & Humanities Subjects | Literature Subjects (Any One Language) |
| Agriculture | Assamese |
| Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science | Bengali |
| Anthropology | Bodo |
| Botany | Dogri |
| Chemistry | Gujarati |
| Civil Engineering | Hindi |
| Commerce & Accountancy | Kannada |
| Economics | Kashmiri |
| Electrical Engineering | Konkani |
| Geography | Maithili |
| Geology | Malayalam |
| History | Manipuri |
| Law | Marathi |
| Management | Nepali |
| Mathematics | Odia |
| Mechanical Engineering | Punjabi |
| Medical Science | Sanskrit |
| Philosophy | Santhali |
| Physics | Sindhi |
| Political Science & International Relations | Tamil |
| Psychology | Telugu |
| Public Administration | Urdu |
| Sociology | English |
| Statistics | |
| Zoology |
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, your optional subject should feel like an ally, not a burden. Don’t choose a subject among the upsc subject list just because it’s popular or someone else topped with it. Think about what you genuinely connect with—something you’ll be motivated to study deeply, even on tough days. Whether it’s a subject you’ve studied before or one that simply clicks with your mindset, your confidence and consistency will make all the difference. The right optional isn’t about trends—it’s about what works best for you.
Important Links for UPSC Exam
UPSC Civil Services Exam Syllabus: Exam Pattern & Syllabus of UPSC Prelims & Mains
FAQs on Best Optional Subject for UPSC
Q1. Which is the best UPSC Optional Subject for Students with an Engineering Background?
Ans:- There’s no single answer, as the ideal subject depends on your interest, expertise, and comfort level. However, engineering students often prefer subjects like Mechanical, Civil, Electrical Engineering, or Mathematics, as these match their academic foundation and strengths.
Q2. Which is the toughest optional subject for UPSC?
Ans:- The difficulty of an optional subject in UPSC is subjective and depends largely on your personal background and comfort level with the topic. However, certain subjects like Mathematics, Philosophy, Anthropology, and Law are often seen as challenging because they involve complex concepts and extensive syllabus coverage. Ultimately, the toughest subject is the one least aligned with your interests and strengths.
Q3. Which is the easiest Optional subject for UPSC?
Ans:- While ease varies from student to student, optional subjects like Sociology, Public Administration, Geography, and Literature (such as English or Hindi) are often preferred. These subjects have simpler syllabi, overlap significantly with General Studies, and relate closely to everyday life, making preparation more manageable.