UPSC Optional Subject List, Books, Preparation Tips

UPSC Optional Subject List:- UPSC 2025 Civil Services Examination is a three-stage process: Prelims, Mains, and Interview. At the Prelims stage, you do not need to choose any optional subject in UPSC. However, once you successfully clear Prelims, you must prepare for both the Mains exam and the UPSC optional subjects.
Choosing the right optional subject in UPSC Exam 2025 is crucial, as it can significantly impact your final score. Always select an optional based on your interest, understanding, and scoring potential, not just because it is popular or chosen by toppers. The UPSC optional subject list includes various subjects from different disciplines like History, Geography, Public Administration, and Literature.
Make sure to analyse past trends, syllabus, and overlap with General Studies before making your decision. Thus,, check out the below article for UPSC Optional Subject List and books to refer.
UPSC 2025 Overview
The UPSC 2025 Civil Services Examination (CSE) is one of the most competitive exams in India, conducted annually to recruit candidates for prestigious government positions. This year, UPSC has announced 979 vacancies, and candidates must carefully prepare for each stage. Checkout the below table for UPSC 2025 overview:-
Exam Name |
UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2025 |
Conducting Body |
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
Stages |
Prelims, Mains, Interview |
Prelims Exam Date |
May 25, 2025 |
Mains Exam Date |
August 22, 2025 |
Notification Release Date |
January 22, 2025 |
Application Period |
January 22 – February 21, 2025 |
Vacancies |
979 (38 reserved for benchmark disabilities) |
Selection Process |
Based on Prelims, Mains & Interview |
Posts Offered |
IAS, IFS, IPS, IRS, and others |
Optional Subjects |
Candidates must choose one from the UPSC optional subject list for Mains |
Interview Date |
To be announced after Mains results |
Check Out: UPSC Mains (Static + Current Affairs) 2024 Combo Set of 14 Books
UPSC Optional Subject List
There are 48 optional subjects in UPSC this year, including 25 core subjects and 22 literature subjects. Aspirants need to choose one optional subject for UPSC Mains, which consists of two papers (Paper I and Paper II), each carrying 250 marks. The right choice of an optional subject in UPSC can significantly impact the final score, so candidates should select based on their interest, background, and scoring trends. Below is the list of optional subjects in UPSC, along with brief descriptions about the subject:-
UPSC Optional Subject List |
|
UPSC Optional Subjects |
Description |
Agriculture |
Covers farming techniques, soil science, irrigation, crop production, and agricultural policies. |
Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science |
Focuses on livestock management, breeding, nutrition, animal health, and veterinary care. |
Anthropology |
Study of human evolution, ancient societies, cultures, and tribal communities. |
Botany |
Deals with plant biology, classification, structure, reproduction, and their role in the ecosystem. |
Chemistry |
Covers chemical reactions, organic and inorganic compounds, periodic table, and industrial applications. |
Civil Engineering |
Includes construction, urban planning, bridges, roads, and infrastructure development. |
Commerce & Accountancy |
Related to financial management, taxation, business studies, accounting, and auditing. |
Economics |
Focuses on economic theories, trade, finance, policies, banking, and India's economy. |
Electrical Engineering |
Covers electricity, circuits, power systems, electronic devices, and communication technology. |
Geography |
Study of landforms, climate, natural resources, population, and environmental geography. |
Geology |
Deals with earth’s structure, rocks, minerals, earthquakes, and fossil studies. |
History |
Covers ancient, medieval, and modern history, freedom movements, and world history. |
Law |
Includes Indian Constitution, legal systems, human rights, international law, and governance. |
Management |
Related to business administration, leadership, marketing, finance, and corporate strategy. |
Mathematics |
Covers algebra, calculus, geometry, probability, and their practical applications. |
Mechanical Engineering |
Deals with machine design, thermodynamics, energy systems, robotics, and manufacturing. |
Medical Science |
Covers human anatomy, physiology, diseases, healthcare systems, and medical advancements. |
Philosophy |
Study of human thoughts, ethics, metaphysics, and different schools of philosophy. |
Physics |
Includes mechanics, thermodynamics, quantum physics, electromagnetism, and modern physics. |
Political Science & International Relations (PSIR) |
Focuses on governance, political ideologies, global relations, and diplomacy. |
Psychology |
Study of human behavior, emotions, cognitive functions, and social interactions. |
Public Administration |
Covers governance, policymaking, public service, bureaucracy, and administration. |
Sociology |
Study of society, family structures, caste system, social change, and cultural diversity. |
Statistics |
Involves data analysis, probability, statistical models, and research applications. |
Zoology |
Study of animals, their classification, physiology, evolution, and conservation. |
Literature Subjects |
Covers poetry, prose, grammar, literary history, and famous writers in various languages. |
Check Out: UDAAN Prelims Combo Set of 11 Books For 2025 Exams
UPSC Books 2025
Check out the UPSC Books 2025 below:-
UPSC Books 2025 |
|
UPSC 2025 Modules (All Subjects) |
|
UPSC Test Books |
|
NCERT Summary Books (Set of 16 books) |
|
UPSC Question Bank 2025 |
|
UPSC Previous Year Questions |
How to Choose Optional Subjects?
The UPSC optional subject plays a big role in your final score. You need to choose one subject from the UPSC optional subject list for the Mains exam. There are 48 optional subjects in UPSC, including core subjects and literature options. Since this subject carries 500 marks, selecting the right one is important.
1. Choose a Subject That Gives High Marks
Some subjects are easier to score than others. Subjects like Anthropology, Sociology, and Public Administration have been popular because many students scored well in them. Check past UPSC toppers’ choices to see which subjects have been scoring high.
2. Pick a Subject Based on Your Strengths
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If you are good at writing long answers, choose Political Science, Sociology, or Literature.
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If you prefer diagrams and maps, Geography or Physics may be better.
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If you have an engineering or science background, you may find Mathematics, Engineering, or Medical Science easier.
3. Choose a Subject You Like
The optional subject for UPSC should be something you enjoy studying. This makes learning easy and helps you stay focused. However, don’t select a subject only based on interest—also check if it is scoring and manageable.
4. Check for Overlap with General Studies (GS)
Some optional subjects in UPSC help with the GS papers, Essay, and Interview. Subjects like History, Geography, Political Science, and Public Administration cover topics that also appear in GS. This saves time in preparation.
5. Consider the Syllabus Length
Look at the UPSC optional subjects syllabus and check how much time it takes to complete. A shorter syllabus gives you more time to focus on other subjects. However, don’t choose a subject only because it has a short syllabus.
6. Make Sure Study Materials Are Available
Before selecting an optional subject in UPSC, check if you can find good books, notes, and coaching for it. Some subjects have fewer resources, making preparation harder.
7. Avoid Subjects That Change Too Much
Some subjects require regular updates. For example:
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Less change: History, Geography, Literature, and Philosophy (answers remain the same).
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Frequent updates needed: Political Science, Public Administration, and International Relations (answers change every year).
8. Think About Your Educational Background
If you have studied a subject in college, it might be easier to prepare. However, don’t select a subject only because of your background, make sure it meets other important criteria too.
Check Out: UPSC CSAT, 10 Previous Years Solved Questions
Preparation Tips for UPSC Optional Subject
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Understand the UPSC Optional Subject Syllabus Properly
The first step in preparing for any optional subject in UPSC is to thoroughly review the official syllabus. This will help in understanding the topics that need to be covered, identifying important areas, and estimating the time required for each section. -
Choose Study Material Carefully
Selecting the right study material is important for effective preparation. Candidates should refer to standard textbooks, UPSC toppers' book lists, NCERT textbooks, and previous years’ toppers' notes. Online coaching platforms and study resources can also be useful. However, collecting too many books can lead to confusion, so it is advisable to stick to two or three reliable sources and revise them multiple times. -
Focus on Answer Writing Practice
Since the UPSC Mains Exam is subjective, good answer-writing skills are crucial for scoring high. Answers should be clear, well-structured, and concise. Use headings, subheadings, and bullet points to enhance readability. For subjects like Geography, Sociology, and Political Science, incorporating diagrams, flowcharts, and maps can improve the quality of answers. -
Study Previous Years’ Question Papers
Analysing previous years' question papers will provide insight into frequently asked topics, question trends, and the depth of knowledge required. Solving past question papers will also help in understanding the examiner’s expectations and identifying key focus areas. Candidates should aim to solve at least ten years' previous question papers for their optional subject in UPSC to get a better understanding of the subject. -
Make Short Notes for Revision
Making concise and easy-to-read notes is essential for quick revision. Notes should be written in simple language using keywords and bullet points. Well-organised notes will save time and will help in remembering the important concepts. -
Manage Your Time Well
Balancing General Studies (GS) and optional subjects in UPSC can be challenging. Time management plays a key role. It is recommended to start preparing for the optional subject at least six to eight months before the Mains exam. Studying the optional subject for two to three hours daily alongside GS preparation can help maintain consistency. The last two to three months before the exam should be reserved for revision and answer-writing practice. -
Join a Good Test Series
A well-structured test series is beneficial for evaluating progress and improving answer-writing skills. Regular mock tests will help in time management, structuring answers, and identifying strengths and weaknesses. Analysing test results and working on feedback will enhance performance. Candidates should enroll in a test series for their optional subject for UPSC and take tests regularly. -
Keep Revising Regularly
Consistent revision is necessary to remember all the information and improve recall during the exam. A proper revision plan should include multiple rounds of revision. The first revision should be done within 15 days of completing a topic, the second after a month, and the final revision before the exam. Using short notes and self-made summaries will make the revision process easier and more effective. -
Stay Updated with Current Affairs
Subjects like Political Science, Public Administration, Sociology, and Geography require knowledge of current affairs. Staying updated with relevant news will help in writing well-informed answers. Reading newspapers like The Hindu and The Indian Express, referring to magazines like Yojana and Kurukshetra, and following Rajya Sabha TV discussions can be beneficial. -
Choose Between Objective and Subjective Subjects
Optional subjects in UPSC can be categorised into objective and subjective types. Objective subjects, such as Maths, Physics, and Geography (to some extent), have fixed correct answers. Candidates who are more comfortable with factual learning and less with writing skills can opt for these subjects. Subjective subjects like Political Science, Sociology, Anthropology, and Literature require analytical skills and strong writing abilities.
Read More: How to Study Current Affairs for UPSC Exam
UPSC Optional Subjects FAQs
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How many subjects are there in UPSC?
There are 48 optional subjects in UPSC, including literature subjects of various languages. Candidates need to select one optional subject for UPSC Mains, which consists of two papers carrying 250 marks each. -
What is the list of optional subjects in UPSC?
The UPSC optional subject list includes subjects from various disciplines such as History, Geography, Sociology, Political Science, Public Administration, Anthropology, Mathematics, and literature of different languages. -
How to choose the right optional subject for UPSC?
Candidates should consider factors like personal interest, availability of study material, past performance trends, and overlap with General Studies while selecting an optional subject in UPSC.


