The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services Examination every year to recruit eligible candidates for various administrative posts in the government of India. The exam consists of three stages: Preliminary, Main, and Interview. The Main exam is the second stage of the selection process, and it comprises of nine papers, including an optional subject paper.
In this article, we will discuss the UPSC Optional Subjects List for the Civil Services Main Exam.
List of UPSC Optional Subjects
For Mains Exams
Here is a table for the optional subjects in UPSC with their corresponding subject codes and numbering:
| # | Optional Subject | Subject Code |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Agriculture | AGRI |
| 2 | Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science | ANIM |
| 3 | Anthropology | ANTH |
| 4 | Botany | BOTN |
| 5 | Chemistry | CHEM |
| 6 | Civil Engineering | CIVL |
| 7 | Commerce and Accountancy | CMAC |
| 8 | Economics | ECON |
| 9 | Electrical Engineering | ELEC |
| 10 | Geography | GEOG |
| 11 | Geology | GEOL |
| 12 | History | HIST |
| 13 | Law | LAWS |
| 14 | Management | MGMT |
| 15 | Mathematics | MATH |
| 16 | Mechanical Engineering | MECH |
| 17 | Medical Science | MEDC |
| 18 | Philosophy | PHIL |
| 19 | Physics | PHYS |
| 20 | Political Science and International Relations | PSIR |
| 21 | Psychology | PSYC |
| 22 | Public Administration | PUBA |
| 23 | Sociology | SOCY |
| 24 | Statistics | STAT |
| 25 | Zoology | ZOOL |
For Literature Subjects
Sure, here is a table for the UPSC Optional Subject List for Literature Subjects with their corresponding subject codes and numbering:
| # | Optional Subject | Subject Code |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Assamese Literature | ASML |
| 2 | Bengali Literature | BEGL |
| 3 | Bodo Literature | BODO |
| 4 | Dogri Literature | DOGR |
| 5 | English Literature | ENGL |
| 6 | Gujarati Literature | GUJR |
| 7 | Hindi Literature | HIND |
| 8 | Kannada Literature | KANN |
| 9 | Kashmiri Literature | KASH |
| 10 | Konkani Literature | KONK |
| 11 | Maithili Literature | MAIT |
| 12 | Malayalam Literature | MLYM |
| 13 | Manipuri Literature | MANI |
| 14 | Marathi Literature | MRTI |
| 15 | Nepali Literature | NEPL |
| 16 | Odia Literature | ODIA |
| 17 | Punjabi Literature | PUNJ |
| 18 | Sanskrit Literature | SANS |
| 19 | Santali Literature | SANT |
| 20 | Sindhi Literature | SIND |
| 21 | Tamil Literature | TAML |
| 22 | Telugu Literature | TELG |
| 23 | Urdu Literature | URDU |
Note: This table may not be exhaustive and may be subject to change. Please refer to the official website of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the latest information on the IAS exam.
Factors to be considered while choosing UPSC Optional Subject
Choosing an optional subject is an important decision that can significantly impact one’s score and rank in the Civil Services Main Exam conducted by UPSC. Here are some factors that a candidate should consider while selecting an optional subject for the UPSC exam:
Interest and aptitude
The most important factor to consider while choosing an optional subject is one’s interest and aptitude. A candidate should choose a subject that he/she is genuinely interested in and has an aptitude for.
Scoring potential
Candidates should also consider the scoring potential of the subject. Some optional subjects have a higher scoring potential than others. For example, subjects like History, Geography, and Public Administration are known to have a higher scoring potential.
Availability of study material
The availability of good quality study material is crucial while choosing an optional subject. Candidates should ensure that they have access to enough study material, including books, notes, and online resources, before finalizing their choice.
Faculty and coaching
Faculty and coaching also play an important role in the selection of an optional subject. Candidates should check the availability and quality of faculty and coaching for the subject they want to choose.
Past academic background
Past academic background can also be a deciding factor while choosing an optional subject. Candidates who have a background in a particular subject may find it easier to understand and prepare for that subject.
Overlapping with General Studies
Candidates should also consider the overlap of the optional subject with General Studies. Some subjects like History and Geography have a significant overlap with General Studies, which can be an advantage for candidates.
Time and effort required
The amount of time and effort required to prepare for an optional subject should also be considered. Some subjects require more time and effort than others, and candidates should choose a subject that they can prepare for within the given time frame.
Conclusion
The UPSC Optional Subjects List for the Civil Services Main Exam offers a wide range of subjects for the candidates to choose from. Candidates must choose a subject that they are interested in and have a good command over. The change in the pattern of the optional subject paper has made it easier for the candidates to score high marks and showcase their knowledge and skills. With proper preparation and guidance, candidates can crack the optional subject paper and increase their chances of getting selected for the coveted administrative posts in the government of India.
Author Bio –
Hello! My name is Nikhil Singh, and I am a dedicated content marketer currently employed at Chegg India. My writing interests span various domains, such as education, travel, fashion, and food. In my free time, I enjoy discovering new experiences, trying different cuisines, and cherishing moments with my dear ones.
Also know about:
HAC Aldine – Home Access Center Complete Guide
