Optional subjects for IAS Main Examination

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) organizes Civil Services Exam every year. To join as IAS officers for Indian administration services. The Civil Services (Main) Examination is intended to assess the overall intellectual traits and understanding. Rather than merely the range of their information and memory. In the Optional subjects paper, therefore, the candidates will have to demonstrate the ability for critical analysis, evaluation, and judgment of relevant material.

Optional subjects List and overview

Optional subject for the Main Examination is to be selected from the list of subjects given below. The candidate must indicate the subject in the Application Form for the Main Examination. The candidates may choose any optional subject from amongst the subjects listed. The rule provided that the same optional subject has opted for both the papers. Below are the Top 15 optional subjects chosen by the students generally:-

1	Agriculture
2	Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science
3	Anthropology
4	Botany
5	Chemistry
6	Civil Engineering
7	Commerce and Accountancy
8	Economics
9	Electrical Engineering
10	Geography
11	Geology
12	History
13	Law
14	Management
15	Mathematics

Optional subjects Difficulties level for paper-1 and Paper- 2

The difficulty level of Paper I for the optional subject is moderate to difficult. The questions based on comprehension and grammar were easy. The candidates who have prepared well for the paper can attempt it with ease. The vocabulary part was also easy.

Paper-I consists of two sections (A and B) and carries 250 marks in total. Section A has two essays each carrying 125 marks. Candidates are required to write one essay from this section. Section B has four essays each carrying 75 marks. Candidates are required to write anyone out of these essays. The IAS Main Exam Paper-1 is an essay type paper and is considered the most difficult part of the Civil Services Examination. This paper is given the highest importance by UPSC, as it carries 250 marks.

In Paper II of the optional subject, the questions of History, Geography and Polity were of moderate level. But in Economy and Environment & Ecology, some of the questions were difficult. The candidates found difficulty in writing answers in this section due to a lack of practice or knowledge about the subject. There are 20 compulsory questions printed in Hindi and English and a total of 250 marks. The word limit for 10 marks questions is 150, and for 15 marks is 250.

Conclusion

The Indian Administrative Services (IAS) as one of the most prestigious services is one of the most sought after jobs in India. To get selected in IAS, you have to undergo a tough exam termed Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) that comprises two numerical reasoning and general studies papers. This article will help you understand which optional subjects to select for UPSC Main Examination.