UPSC Optional Subjects List for Mains 2025, Detailed Syllabus

UPSC Optional Subjects List is released along with the UPSC Notification 2025 which is crucial for the applicants to select during UPSC Mains 2025 stage, to determine the chances of success. UPSC Optional Subjects 2025 are selected for the Paper 6 and 7 in the mains exam, each carrying 250 marks. Keep reading the article to get the details regarding the optional subjects syllabus and preparation tips.

List of UPSC Optional Subjects

The Union Public Selection Commission has released the List of UPSC Optional Subjects which includes the literature list PDF along with the syllabus on the official website. These subjects are 48 in number including humanities, social sciences, literature, and sciences providing varied options to choose from. Check out the List of UPSC Optional Subjects for Mains Exam below:

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

Optional Subjects in UPSC

The Optional Subjects in UPSC comprises a total of 48 subjects, from which candidates are required to select one optional subject for the UPSC Mains Exam 2025. Certain subjects have remained popular among aspirants due to their overlap with the General Studies syllabus, accessibility of study material, and scoring potential. Some of the widely preferred Optional Subjects in UPSC include:

1. History: Provides a comprehensive understanding of India’s cultural legacy, global historical events, and significant socio-political movements.
2. Geography: Includes physical, human, and environmental geography, helping candidates interpret spatial patterns and human-environment interactions.
3. Public Administration: Centers around administrative principles, organizational structures, and governance practices within public institutions.
4. Political Science & International Relations: Examines political theories, comparative politics, and international diplomacy, while also addressing contemporary global issues.
5. Sociology: Analyzes social structure, group dynamics, and patterns of social change, offering insights into societal structures and behavior.

UPSC Optional Subjects Significance

The UPSC Mains Exam 2025 has an extensive syllabus, including various topics. While candidates are required to appear for several compulsory papers, the optional subject provides an opportunity to assess the subject-specific proficiency and personal interest in a particular discipline. It allows aspirants to engage deeply with a topic of their choosing, potentially enhancing their performance by building upon existing knowledge and analytical strengths.

Choosing an optional subject that aligns with one’s academic background can significantly contribute to better conceptual clarity, answer writing quality, and overall confidence during the UPSC CSE Exam 2025.

UPSC Optional Subjects 2025 Preparation Tips

Preparing for the UPSC Optional Subjects 2025 demands a strategic and disciplined approach. Since the optional paper can significantly influence the final score in the Mains exam, it is essential to adopt effective preparation strategies. Below discussed are some useful tips to help you succeed in your chosen optional subject:

1. Understand the Syllabus: Begin by understanding the complete syllabus of your optional subject. Break it down into small units, topics and sub-topics to develop a structured and goal-oriented study plan.
2. Refer to Standard Study Material: Rely on authentic and widely recommended resources, including textbooks, reference books, and credible online content. Study materials provided by reputed coaching institutes can also help in conceptual clarity and coverage.
3. Practice Answer Writing Regularly: The Main Exam 2025 is highly dependent on your ability to express ideas clearly. Practice writing answers using previous year papers and mock tests, focusing on the structure, logical flow, and clarity of expression.
4. Integrate Current Affairs: Enhance your answers by linking relevant current events to your optional subject topics. This not only showcases your awareness but also adds depth and relevance to your responses.
5. Analyse Previous Year Question Papers: Regularly go through past UPSC question papers to understand the exam pattern, commonly asked topics, and the weightage assigned to various sections.
6. Seek Expert Guidance: Whenever possible, consult subject experts or experienced mentors. Their insights can help resolve doubts, refine your preparation strategy, and keep you aligned with exam expectations.

Success Rates of UPSC Optional Subjects

As per the latest report released by the Department of Personnel and Training, the Success Rates of UPSC Optional Subjects for UPSC Mains Exam 2019 is discussed in the table below:

Top Performing Literature-Based Optional Subjects for UPSC Exams

As per the 73rd UPSC Report Data, Top Performing Literature-Based Optional Subjects for UPSC Exams are mentioned below which are recommended to the UPSC aspirants:

1. Literature Of Hindi Language (22)
2. Literature Of Malayalam Language (8)
3. Literature Of Kannada Language (7)