List of Optional Subject for UPSC Exam

Browse the comprehensive UPSC optional subject list. Choose the perfect subject for your civil service journey. The Civil Services Examination consists of two stages: Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination and Civil Services (Main) Examination. The Preliminary Examination is an objective type test used to select candidates for the Main Examination. The Main Examination consists of a Written Examination and an Interview/Personality Test.

The Written Examination for the Main Exam includes 9 papers of conventional essay type. Out of these, two papers are qualifying in nature. The marks obtained in the compulsory papers (Paper-I to Paper-VII) and the Interview/Personality Test are considered for ranking.

Candidates who obtain the minimum qualifying marks in the written part of the Main Examination are called for an Interview/Personality Test.

For the Optional Subject papers, candidates can choose one subject from the UPSC optional list. The optional subjects include Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Anthropology, Botany, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Commerce and Accountancy, Economics, Electrical Engineering, Geography, Geology, History, Law, Management, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Medical Science, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science and International Relations, Psychology, Public Administration, Sociology, Statistics, Zoology, and Literature of various languages.

Each paper in the Main Examination is three hours long. Candidates can choose to answer the question papers in any language included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India or in English. However, candidates have the option to write the Optional Papers in English as well, except for the Qualifying Language Papers, Paper-A, and Paper-B. Candidates who choose to answer in any language mentioned in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India can provide an English version within brackets for technical terms.

It is important for candidates to avoid writing any irrelevant matter, signages, or marks that may disclose their identity in the answer script. The question papers, excluding the literature of language papers, are available in Hindi and English.

For the complete syllabus and further details, candidates can refer to the official notification on the UPSC website.

Additionally, for each optional subject, there is a recommended book list available. The book list includes various books on subjects such as Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Anthropology, Botany, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, and more. The book list provides candidates with resources for their preparation.

Meanwhile, Check out the list of Best IAS Coaching in other cities

Are you looking to excel in the prestigious Indian Administrative Service (IAS) exam in cities beyond the usual hotspots? We’ve compiled a list of the best IAS academies in various cities that provide top-notch guidance and support to aspiring civil servants. Whether you’re in bustling metropolises like Mumbai, Kolkata, or Chennai or in smaller but equally promising cities like Jaipur, Ahmedabad, or Chandigarh, these coaching institutes offer comprehensive courses and expert faculty to help you achieve your dream of cracking the IAS exam.

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