The best optional subject for the UPSC mains exam will depend on your interests, strengths, and the demands of the syllabus. Some optional subjects are considered to be more “popular” or “easier” than others, but ultimately, it’s important to choose an optional subject that you are genuinely interested in and feel confident studying.
Some popular optional subjects for the UPSC mains exam include:
- Public Administration: This subject covers topics related to the administration of public policies and the functioning of government agencies.
- History: This subject covers the history of India and the world, including political, economic, social, and cultural developments.
- Sociology: This subject covers the study of social behavior and the organization of societies.
- Geography: This subject covers the physical and human geography of the world, including the study of landforms, climates, and human settlements.
- Political Science: This subject covers the study of politics, including the theory and practice of government, political behavior, and international relations.
It’s important to carefully review the syllabus for each optional subject before making a decision, and to consider whether you have the necessary background knowledge and skills to excel in that subject. You may also want to talk to others who have taken the exam about their experiences with different optional subjects to get a better idea of which subject might be a good fit for you.
Here are a few more optional subjects that are commonly chosen for the UPSC mains exam:
- Economics: This subject covers the study of how societies produce, distribute, and consume goods and services.
- Anthropology: This subject covers the study of human cultures and societies, including their social, cultural, and physical characteristics.
- Psychology: This subject covers the study of the mind and behavior, including topics such as cognition, emotion, perception, and motivation.
- Philosophy: This subject covers the study of fundamental questions about reality, existence, knowledge, values, and reason.
- Literature: Many candidates choose to study literature in a language other than English, such as Hindi, Tamil, or Bengali.
As with any optional subject, it’s important to carefully review the syllabus and consider whether you have the necessary background knowledge and skills to excel in that subject. You may also want to talk to others who have taken the exam about their experiences with different optional subjects to get a better idea of which subject might be a good fit for you.