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UPSC Optional Subjects

Mains Optional

Empower your UPSC Mains preparation with the right UPSC Optional Subjects at AKS IAS Academy. Choose wisely and achieve success in your dream career.

TSPSC, UPSC, APPSC

UPSC Mains Optional Courses

Anthropology

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Sociology

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History

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Geography

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Political Science

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Public Administration

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Mathematics

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Telugu Literature

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UPSC Mains Optionals

UPSC is one of the most privileged recruitment bodies in India. Any one who wants to become an IAS, IFS or any other civil service officer. Once you decide that you want to take the UPSC exam, there is an important step of choosing the optional subject for the mains examination. One might think this is just another subject they have to learn along with all the current affairs, NCERT texts, etc. But choosing the right optional subject can be very helpful in boosting your score and even one single mark can make a difference in the UPSC exam. If you want to learn how to choose the optional subject that suits you the best, continue reading.

The optional subject is split into two papers of 250 marks each. The candidates are offered twenty-six optional subjects to choose from. The twenty-six subjects offered are Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Anthropology, Botany, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Commerce and Accountancy, Economics, Electrical Engineering, Geography, Geology, History, Law, Literature, Management, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Medical Science, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science and International Relations, Psychology, Public Administration, Sociology, Statistics, and Zoology.

In Literature, candidates can choose from any of the following subjects: Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, and English. Candidates can find the detailed syllabus for all the subjects above on the official UPSC website.

How to select the best optional subject for you?

  • Analyze your strengths and weaknesses. Think of subjects that sparked your interest during school and college days. You need to be invested in the subject to get the best scores. Look for subjects with the highest scores.
  • Pick the subject that is the closest to your undergraduate degree. For example, if you studied Psychology for three years in college, you are bound to know more about it than any other subject. If you studied courses like Engineering where you have learned multiple subjects, choose something that you find the easiest to learn.
  • Choose subjects that have contents overlapping with the four General Studies papers. Some of those subjects are History, Geography, Law, Political Science, and International Relations.
  • Study the syllabus closely before choosing an optional subject. One can be proficient in English but might know nothing about English literature or various in-depth subject details. It is important to familiarise yourself with the subject and test your proficiency before opting for it.
  • The availability of study materials is very important. If your selected subject has little to no study material available, you will have to spend a lot of money and time collecting all the texts. Also, attempting to study everything from scratch with no guidance on how to learn can lead to scoring lesser marks.
  • Take the statistics of the subjects with some of the highest scores from previous years and see if they match with any subjects that you like.
  • If you are confused between two or three subjects, solve a few practice papers or previous year’s question papers. Compare the scores and see in which subject you have the best performance rate. While calculating your performance, also compare the time taken to solve it.

A well-thought-out decision using all the above-mentioned tips will get you the best results. Choose what is best for you instead of simply choosing something out of peer pressure or advice from others. Take your strong suits into consideration before making a choice and you can ace the exams. Good luck!

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Why Choose Us?

We are one of the best UPSC coaching provider with top-notch faculty, and proven track record of producing stellar results, we are the clear choice for ambitious students like you. Join us and experience a transformative learning journey that will empower you with knowledge, skills, and the confidence to conquer any challenge that comes your way. Don’t settle for anything less than extraordinary – choose AKS IAS Academy today!

Personality Development

IAS is not a mere course you study for, but rather your way of life. The students are trained to be the best version of themselves through personality development training.

Recorded Videos

Never worry about a missed class anymore. The students are provided with recorded videos of the classes they have missed to keep them updated with their peers.

Online Classes

Time and place do not matter anymore with our online classes. The candidate can be working or studying and the online classes can be fitted to their schedule.

NCERT for Basics

The course begins with NCERT syllabus to provide a strong course foundation. Question banks and recorded video lectures are used in addition to notes provided in class.

Advanced Course Material

The systematic and fine-tuned course material is used to build upon the NCERT basics. Subject experts are employed to train the students using the most advanced teaching methods.

Mentorship

The students can approach the faculty members for valuable advice, tips, and guidance to ace the test.

No Language Barrier

The courses are offered in English, Hindi and Telugu to facilitate ease of learning for students from all walks of life.

Current Affairs

Relevant, reliable and regularly updated current affairs material are provided. Weekly practice questions for Prelims based on current affairs are used to test the knowledge of the students.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How to Choose UPSC Mains Optional Subject?

Choosing UPSC optional subject for the UPSC Mains exam is a crucial decision that can greatly impact your chances of success. That’s why AKS IAS provides a comprehensive and reliable guide to help students navigate through this important step. Our expert team has analyzed the trends and patterns of past UPSC exams to provide you with valuable insights on which subjects have higher success rates, which subjects have overlapping syllabus, and which subjects may require specialized knowledge or interest. With our guidance, you can make an informed decision based on your strengths, interests, and the demands of the exam. Don’t leave such an important decision to chance, let AKS IAS be your trusted companion on the journey to achieving your dream of becoming a civil servant.

How Are The Tests for Optional Subjects Conducted?

At AKS IAS, we understand the importance of practice and preparation for your optional subjects in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. That’s why we conduct our tests with utmost care and accuracy to simulate the actual exam experience. Our tests are conducted online, giving you the flexibility to take them from anywhere at any time. They are designed and curated by experienced subject matter experts, ensuring that they cover all the relevant topics and provide a comprehensive evaluation of your knowledge. We also offer detailed feedback and analysis to help you identify your strengths and weaknesses and improve your performance in each subject. With AKS IAS, you can be confident that you are preparing for your optional subjects in the most efficient and effective way possible.

Can Optional Subject Students Take Up The LRP Personal Guidance Programme?

Absolutely! At AKS IAS, we believe in providing personalized guidance and support to all our students, regardless of their chosen IAS Optional Subjects. We understand that every student has different needs and learning styles, which is why we offer our LRP (Learn-Revise-Practice) personal guidance programme for all students. Our experienced mentors will work closely with you to create a customized study plan that caters to your specific subject and exam preparation goals. So whether you have chosen a popular subject or a less conventional one, our LRP programme is designed to help you excel in your studies and achieve success in your exams. With AKS IAS, your IAS Optional Subject choice does not limit your access to top-notch guidance and support. Sign up for our LRP personal guidance programme today and see the difference it can make in your studies!

Is Optional Subject Covered Under The Self-Learning Program (SLP)?

Yes, the AKS IAS Self-Learning Program (SLP) covers UPSC Optional Subjects as well. We understand that every student has their own preferences and strengths when it comes to optional subjects for their UPSC exam preparation. That’s why our SLP includes a wide range of optional subjects to choose from, so you can focus on the ones that best suit your interests and abilities. Our comprehensive study materials and personalized guidance ensure that you have all the necessary resources to ace your optional subject in addition to the general studies. So, don’t worry, with AKS IAS, you will be fully prepared for any optional subject you choose.

How is the Foundation Course different from the Optional Subject Course?

The Foundation Course at AKS IAS is designed to give students a solid understanding of basic concepts and fundamentals required for the civil services examination. It covers all major subjects such as history, geography, polity, economics, and current affairs. On the other hand, the UPSC Optional course focuses on in-depth preparation of a particular subject chosen by the student for their mains exam. Our expert faculty tailors the curriculum according to the specific requirements of each optional subject. So while the Foundation Course provides a strong base, the Optional Subject course helps students specialize in their chosen subject and score higher marks in their mains exam.

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