UPSC Toppers’ Optional Subjects

IAS Toppers have focussed on the importance of a strategic plan for UPSC prelims and mains preparation over the years. Considering that the marks scored in the UPSC Mains are calculated in the final merit, aspirants look for every opportunity to increase their overall scores. The optional subject chosen plays a very important role to fulfil this vision. 

In this article, we bring to you the list of optional subjects opted by IAS Toppers in the latest and past recruitments. Also, the success rate of these optionals and how they impacted the final marks of the top scorers have been discussed in this article. 

As for the weightage of UPSC Mains optional subjects, there are two papers:

• Optional Paper 1 [250 marks]
• Optional Paper 2 [250 marks]

Candidates have to choose out of the 26 available options, as mentioned in the official UPSC notification. This is the only part of the paper where aspirants can hold on to their strengths and choose as per their aptitude. 

List of Optional Subjects by UPSC Toppers 2020

The IAS Topper 2020 [AIR 1] Shubham Kumar had opted for anthropology as his optional subject. After him, the next top 10 toppers had opted for the following subjects based on their strengths, analysis of scoring pattern and potential of finding related study material. 

To read the IAS Success Stories of the toppers and analyse their mock interviews, candidates can refer to the links given below:

Considering the thorough preparation required from the perspective of the three phases of examination, having an appropriate strategy definitely makes a difference. Aspirants can go through the inspirational success strategies of IAS topper 2020 and get answers to many of their queries through the video given below:

Tips To Choose IAS Optionals by UPSC Toppers

It is extremely important that candidates play a strategic scheme while opting for optional subjects for UPSC Mains. This ultimately reflects in one’s final scores. 

Thus, given below are tips to be followed by aspirants as suggested by past toppers based on their experience and analysis:

• Look for individual strengths –Since the optional papers are the only subjects that are chosen by the candidates themselves, they must put forth their strengths here. Choose subjects that have been academically a part of your curriculum in the past and excite you to learn more. This will encourage the aspirants to study it and improve their overall scores.
• Analyse the syllabus – Go through the syllabus for each of the subjects shortlisted and then based on the pros and cons of each, make the final choice. Go through the details of the UPSC Mains Syllabus in the linked article.
• Ensure easy accessibility and availability of study material – A lot many times, it has been observed that candidates see a large scope in a particular subject but are unable to find the related study material or assistance with regard to the same. Thus, always ensure that sufficient learning material is available on different sources for the selected IAS Subjects. 
• Review the past records – Always check the past trends and records before opting for the optional subject. The reason is that the success rate of every subject is different. What may appear to be scoring may actually be more complex. Thus, analysing past trends is of utmost importance. 
• Overlapping with the syllabus of other subjects – Time can be extensively managed if there are lesser subjects to be studied within the stipulated time. For this reason, candidates can opt for optional subjects that have their syllabus overlap with other papers. This way, separate time will not have to be devoted to the mains preparation.  
• The subject must be scoring – Always pick subjects that are more scoring. Since it is an individual decision to pick a subject, make sure that the final decision is made after an ample amount of scrutinisation and analysis. 

Aspirants, who still have their doubts about “How to choose an Optional Subject for UPSC Mains?”, can visit the linked article and get expert advice about the pointers to be taken care of while making the final decision. 

Previous Year Optional Subject List of UPSC Toppers

Given below is the list of optional subjects chosen by IAS toppers in the past:

Candidates can get the detailed UPSC Syllabus for the subjects mentioned above and also the ones included in the prelims and mains examination at the linked article. Aspirants can refer to the same and accordingly start off with their preparation. 

Success Trends of IAS Toppers’ Optional Subjects

As per the 70th annual report released by the Union Public Service Commission, given below are the statistics of the optional subject opted by candidates in 2018 along with its success rate. 

For a detailed review of previous year trends for the optional subjects and the regional languages, candidates can visit the Success Rate for UPSC Optionals page. 

For any further updates, study material or preparation tips, candidates can turn to BYJUS for expert assistance.