UPSC Civil Services Exam Subjects: A Complete Guide

Complete list of UPSC CSE subjects for Prelims (GS & CSAT) and Mains (GS, Essay, Optionals) in India. Get expert advice on choosing the easiest and highest-scoring optional subject for your preparation.

UPSC Civil Services Exam Subjects: Prelims, Mains & Optional List

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) structures the Civil Services Examination (CSE) across two stages: the Preliminary and the Main examination. Each stage has a distinct set of subjects designed to test a wide range of skills, from general awareness to in-depth academic knowledge. For aspirants across India, a thorough understanding of these subjects is the first step toward a successful preparation strategy, especially when it comes to selecting the right optional subject for the Mains exam.

Stage 1: Preliminary Examination Subjects

The Prelims stage consists of two objective-type papers. It serves as a screening test, and the marks are not counted for the final merit list.

Paper I: General Studies (GS) - 200 Marks

This paper's score determines the cut-off for qualification to the Mains exam. The syllabus covers a broad range of topics:

• Current events of national and international importance.
• History of India and Indian National Movement.
• Indian and World Geography - Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World.
• Indian Polity and Governance - Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
• Economic and Social Development - Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
• General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change.
• General Science.

Paper II: Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) - 200 Marks

This is a qualifying paper; candidates must secure a minimum of 33% (66.67 marks) to be eligible for their GS Paper I to be evaluated.

• Comprehension.
• Interpersonal skills including communication skills.
• Logical reasoning and analytical ability.
• Decision making and problem solving.
• General mental ability.
• Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level).
• Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc.) (Class X level).

Stage 2: Main Examination Subjects (Written)

The Mains exam is descriptive and consists of 9 papers. The marks from 7 of these papers determine the final merit ranking.

Part A: Qualifying Papers (Marks not counted for merit)

• Paper A: One of the Indian Languages (from the 8th Schedule of the Constitution).
• Paper B: English.

Part B: Papers Counted for Merit (Total 1750 Marks)

• Paper-I: Essay (250 Marks)
• Paper-II: General Studies-I (250 Marks) - Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society.
• Paper-III: General Studies-II (250 Marks) - Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations.
• Paper-IV: General Studies-III (250 Marks) - Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management.
• Paper-V: General Studies-IV (250 Marks) - Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude.
• Paper-VI: Optional Subject - Paper 1 (250 Marks)
• Paper-VII: Optional Subject - Paper 2 (250 Marks)

List of Optional Subjects for Main Examination

Candidates must choose one optional subject, which will have two papers (Paper VI and VII).

Non-Literature Subjects:

• Agriculture
• Animal Husbandry & 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 & International Relations
• Psychology
• Public Administration
• Sociology
• Statistics
• Zoology

Literature Subjects:

Literature of any one of the following languages: Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, and English.

How to Choose an "Easy" Optional Subject

There is no universally "easy" optional subject. The ideal subject is one that is easy *for you*. The choice should be a strategic one based on the following parameters:

• Interest & Academic Background: Your interest in the subject is paramount, as you will be studying it in great depth. If you have a graduation or post-graduation degree in a subject, it can provide a strong foundation.
• Overlap with General Studies: Some subjects have significant overlap with the GS syllabus for both Prelims and Mains. Choosing such a subject can reduce your overall preparation time.
  • Subjects like Public Administration, Political Science & IR, Sociology, History, and Geography have high overlap.
• Scoring Potential: Analyze trends from previous years' results. Some subjects are considered more "scoring" than others, often due to the objective nature of questions or less scope for interpretation. Technical subjects like Mathematics can yield very high scores if prepared well.
• Availability of Resources: Check for the availability of quality books, study materials, coaching, and mentorship for the subject you are considering. Popular optionals generally have better resource availability.
• Syllabus Length: Consider the length and complexity of the syllabus. A shorter, more defined syllabus can be covered more effectively in the limited time available. Subjects like Anthropology and Philosophy are known for their relatively concise syllabi.

Popular Choices Considered Relatively Manageable:

Based on the criteria above, some subjects are frequently chosen by aspirants and are often considered manageable:

• Sociology: High GS overlap (especially GS-I), easy to understand concepts, and ample study material.
• Anthropology: Relatively concise syllabus, scoring potential, and interesting subject matter.
• Public Administration: Very high overlap with GS-II, helpful in understanding governance, but can be dynamic.
• Geography: Significant overlap with GS-I and parts of GS-III. It is a semi-scientific subject.

Ultimately, the best strategy is to review the syllabus of 3-4 shortlisted subjects and read some basic books before making a final decision.

Disclaimer: The list of subjects, exam pattern, and syllabus details are based on the official examination notification published by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

Official Website: www.upsc.gov.in

Freqently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I choose any optional subject regardless of my graduation degree?

Yes, you are free to choose any optional subject from the list provided by UPSC, irrespective of the stream or subject you studied during your graduation.

Which optional subject has the most overlap with the GS syllabus?

Subjects like Public Administration, Political Science & International Relations, Sociology, History, and Geography have a significant overlap with the General Studies papers, which can help in integrated preparation.

Is it better to choose a literature subject as an optional?

Choosing a literature subject is a personal choice. It can be a good option if you have a deep interest and strong command of the language and its literary traditions. However, the availability of study material and guidance might be less compared to more popular non-literature subjects.

How many optional subjects do I need to choose?

You only need to choose one optional subject for the Main examination. This single subject will consist of two papers (Paper 1 and Paper 2).

Can I write the Mains exam in a regional language?

Yes, you can write the Main examination in English or any of the Indian languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India. You must indicate your choice of medium in the Detailed Application Form (DAF).

Are the subjects for Prelims and Mains the same?

There is a significant overlap, but they are not identical. The Prelims syllabus is broad and focuses on general awareness. The Mains syllabus is much more detailed and requires in-depth, analytical knowledge of the same subjects, in addition to topics like Ethics, World History, and Disaster Management.

Is CSAT compulsory for everyone?

Yes, the CSAT (Paper-II) in the Preliminary exam is compulsory for all candidates, except for those exempted by the government. It is a qualifying paper, and you must score at least 33% to pass.

Which optional subject has the highest success rate?

Success rates for optional subjects vary each year and are published in UPSC's annual reports. However, success rate alone should not be the deciding factor. It is more dependent on the candidate's preparation and performance than on the subject itself.

Can I change my optional subject after filling the Prelims form?

No. The choice of optional subject must be made when filling out the Detailed Application Form (DAF-I) after you clear the Preliminary examination. Once submitted, this choice cannot be changed for that attempt.

Where can I find the detailed syllabus for each subject?

The detailed, topic-wise syllabus for every subject (Prelims, Mains GS, and all Optionals) is provided in the official notification for the Civil Services Examination, which is released annually by UPSC on its official website, www.upsc.gov.in.