How to Select Optional for UPSC: UPSC Civil Services Exam is one of the most prestigious & competitive exams in the country. Every Year around 10-12 lakh people enroll for this exam.
Choosing an optional subject plays a vital role in the mains examination. Aspirants are in a big dilemma when coming to the selection of the optional subject.
As per the latest notification, optional subject to be selected by the candidate is reduced to ONE and the maximum score for the optional is 500 marks.
Here we have come up with the article that helps you in choosing the Best Optional Subject in UPSC Mains Examination.
UPSC Civils Mains Exam Marks Weightage:
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
| Paper I | Essay | 250 |
| Paper II | General Studies I | 250 |
| Paper III | General Studies II | 250 |
| Paper IV | General Studies III | 250 |
| Paper V | General Studies IV | 250 |
| Total Marks for General Studies | 1000 | |
| Paper VI | Optional Subject I | 250 |
| Paper VII | Optional Subject II | 250 |
| Total Marks for Optional Subjects | 500 | |
| Personal Interview | – | 275 |
| Total | 2025 |
Popular Optional Subjects for UPSC Civils Mains Exam:
After 2-3 months of research, we have come up with the popular optional subjects that have chosen by most of the aspirants in the mains exam.
| Subject | Average No. of Aspirants Chosen every year |
| Public Administration | 2800-3200 |
| Geography | 2800-3200 |
| History | 2800-3200 |
| Sociology | 2800-3200 |
| Philosophy + Psychology + Political Science & Economics | Less than 2100 |
| Science/Arts Subjects | Less than 1200 |
| Literature Subjects | Less than 1200 |
How to Select Optional Subject for UPSC:
According to the legends in this field, the selection of the optional subject totally depends on the nature of the candidate and also the strengths and weaknesses of the candidate.
Before selecting the optional subject for the mains examination, the aspirant must realize and understand his ability. And then he understands in which optional subject he can score more.
Although the questions like “How to choose the optional subject”, “Highest scoring optional subject”, “Highest success ratio optional” are the never-ending questions that no one can answer.
Conclusion: So guys don’t refer to websites and other sources for selecting an optional subject since no one knows about your strengths and weaknesses better than you.
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Check out the related articles that help you in Civils Preparation.