Choosing Optional Subjects for UPSC:

In the UPSC Exam, the choice of Civil Services optional subjects is one of the toughest decisions for an aspirant. This is because a good score in the optional subject will help can help the aspirant drastically improve his/her ranking in the final merit list. Thus, most of the aspirants are in a dilemma while choosing the optional subjects. Many questions that haunt the aspirants are “What are the different Optional subjects in IAS“, Which optional subject is best for IAS?“, “What is the Easiest optional subject for IAS“, “Which is the Best subject combination for IAS” etc. This article is an attempt to help the aspirants make the best choice for IAS Mains Optional Subjects in UPSC. Here we bring the big picture and minute details behind the best optional subjects for IAS exam, so as to help the aspirants decide for themselves, “Which is the best optional subject for IAS mains?”.

Get the full list of optional subjects for UPSC here: List of Optional Subjects for IAS Mains

The Best subjects for IAS can be determined based on various criterion, one such is based on the success rate of the optional subject. The Success rate is what makes a subject the Best optional subject for UPSC. So, here we bring the 10 best UPSC IAS Optional Subjects. It is important to note that this list is prepared after considering the success rate of each optional subject i.e, the number of the candidates who had chosen these subjects as optional and the final recommendation.

The below-mentioned list is based on the UPSC 2016 Civil Services Main Exam. This might help you in deciding 

Which is the best optional subject for IAS mains?

Following the above mentioned 10 best optional subjects below-given are other subjects that are taken as optional by candidates who appeared for the UPSC 2016 Exam and were recommended:

Also, check UPSC Syllabus for Civil Services (Main) Exam

See below the success rate of literature subjects in the civil service optional subjects list.
Also, there were many candidates who chose literature as optional subject, though few literature subjects made it in the 10 best optional, but here we are presenting as a separate list, read through to know the top literature subjects as optional.

Now you have the Best optional for UPSC mains IAS Mains Exam in your hand, all we advise is don’t go on the success rate of the best subjects for UPSC, instead look for the total number of candidates who have taken a particular optional subject and total number candidates recommended with that optional subject. Candidates should also remember that these are mere indications to help in selecting the Best subject for IAS optional and the aspirants should also consider other factors such as their interest rather than deciding on which subject is popular or scoring. They should also think of availability of study materials of the optional subject before choosing the Best subject for civil services.

IAS Aspirants who are willing to take the UPSC 2019 exam or any year in the future can go through the list as they still have time left to decide Which is the best optional for IAS? based on their interests and preferences.