Choosing the Right Optional Subject for UPSC: A Strategic Guide
Selecting the optimal optional subject for the UPSC Civil Services Examination can significantly impact your chances of success. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you make an informed decision:
- Interests and Aptitude:
- Passion: Opt for a subject you genuinely enjoy. This will make studying more engaging and less stressful.
- Strengths: Choose a subject where you feel confident in your understanding and application of concepts.
- Weaknesses: Consider subjects that can help you address any academic shortcomings.
- Syllabus Analysis:
- Overlap with General Studies: Look for subjects that share topics with the General Studies papers. This can reduce the workload and enhance your understanding.
- Dynamic Nature: Consider subjects that are evolving and have current relevance. This can make your preparation more interesting and up-to-date.
- Static Nature: If you prefer a more structured approach, opt for subjects with a static syllabus.
- Availability of Resources:
- Study Materials: Ensure that quality study materials, including textbooks, notes, and online resources, are readily available for your chosen subject.
- Coaching and Guidance: Consider the availability of coaching institutes and experienced mentors who can provide expert guidance and support.
- Time Management:
- Workload: Evaluate the time commitment required to prepare for the optional subject. Choose a subject that aligns with your available study time.
- Preparation Time: Factor in the time needed to build a strong foundation and practice effectively.
- Previous Year Papers:
- Trends: Analyze previous year question papers to understand the pattern, difficulty level, and topics covered.
- Subject-Specific Knowledge: Assess if your existing knowledge and skills are sufficient to tackle the questions.
Download UPSC previous years optional papers
- Subject-Specific Tips:
- Consult Experts: Seek advice from subject matter experts or individuals who have successfully cleared the UPSC exam with your chosen optional.
- Join Online Forums: Participate in online forums and communities to discuss strategies and share resources with fellow aspirants.
Popular UPSC Optional Subjects:
- History
- Geography
- Political Science and International Relations
- Public Administration
- Sociology
- Psychology
- Economics
- Anthropology
- Commerce and Accountancy
- Law
Download UPSC detail optional list with syllabus:
Remember, the key to choosing the right optional subject is to find a balance between your interests, strengths, and the requirements of the UPSC exam. By carefully considering these factors, you can make an informed decision that sets you up for success.
10 Tips for selecting UPSC CSE optional subject to score 300+ marks:
UPSC Optional Subjects (Topper List)
The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) toppers over the last decade have chosen a variety of optional subjects. Here’s a detailed list of the optional subjects chosen by the top rankers from 2013 to 2022:
UPSC topper list year wise
| Exam Year | Topper | Optional Subject |
| 2023 | Aditya Srivastava | Electrical Engineering |
| 2022 | Ishita Kishore | Political Science & International Relations (PSIR) |
| 2021 | Shruti Sharma | History |
| 2020 | Shubham Kumar | Anthropology |
| 2019 | Pradeep Singh | Public Administration |
| 2018 | Kanishak Kataria | Mathematics |
| 2017 | Anudeep Durishetty | Anthropology |
| 2016 | Nandini KR | Kannada Literature |
| 2015 | Tina Dabi | Political Science & International Relations |
| 2014 | Ira Singhal | Geography |
| 2013 | Gaurav Agrawal | Economics |
This pattern shows a diversity of interests and strengths among the candidates, with no single subject consistently dominating the top ranks
Which Optional Subjects Are Popular Among UPSC Toppers?
Based on the analysis of UPSC toppers over the last decade, the following optional subjects have emerged as popular choices:
| Optional
Subject |
Number of Candidates Appeared | Number of Candidates Recommended | Success Rate (Percent) |
| PSIR | 1863 | 154 | 8.3 |
| Geography | 1322 | 95 | 7.2 |
| Sociology | 1245 | 115 | 9.2 |
| Anthropology | 1211 | 100 | 8.3 |
| History | 581 | 24 | 4.1 |
| Mathematics | 580 | 26 | 4.5 |
| Public Administration | 509 | 38 | 7.5 |
| Philosophy | 347 | 20 | 5.8 |
| Hindi Literature | 226 | 19 | 8.4 |
| Economics | 236 | 31 | 13.1 |
Connecting with Bubna’s IAS for UPSC Optional Coaching in Surat
Bubna’s IAS is a well-respected institute in Surat, Gujarat, offering comprehensive coaching for the UPSC Civil Services Examination. They specialize in three popular optional subjects:
UPSC Optional Subject in Surat:
- Geography optional
Download UPSC Optional Geography syllabus
- Sociology optional
Download UPSC Optional Sociology syllabus
- Political Science and International Relations optional
Download UPSC Optional Political Science and International Relations syllabus
Here’s how you can connect with them:
1. Visit their website For UPSC optional Subject in Surat:
- Explore their offerings: Check out their website for detailed information about their courses, faculty, and success stories.
- Contact details: Find their contact information, including phone numbers and email addresses.
Our YouTube video link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCntPgT1oZdSXJIWn8kVxuWQ/
2. Visit their institute for UPSC optional Subject in Surat:
- Address: Locate their institute in Surat.
- In-person inquiry: Visit their premises to discuss your queries directly with their staff or faculty.
3. Contact them via phone / email for UPSC optional Subject in Surat:
- Reach out directly: Call or email them using the contact information provided on their website.
Contact us: https://bubnasias.com/contact/
Key points to consider when contacting Bubna’s IAS for UPSC optional subject in surat:
- Course details: Inquire about the specific curriculum, teaching methodology, and duration of their courses.
- Faculty: Ask about the qualifications and experience of their faculty members.
- Fees and payment: Understand the fee structure and payment options.
- Success rate: Inquire about their track record of successful candidates.
- Testimonials: Ask for testimonials or references from previous students.
Additional tips:
- Research: Do your own research on Bubna’s IAS and read reviews from previous students.
- Compare: Compare their offerings with other institutes in Surat to make an informed decision.
- Personal visit: If possible, visit their institute in person to get a better feel for the environment and the quality of their facilities.
By following these steps, you can effectively connect with Bubna’s IAS and explore their UPSC optional subject in Surat.
