Which Optional Subject Has the Highest Success Rate in UPSC?

Vivek ChauhanLast Updated: 19th June 2025

3 minutes read

Which Optional Subject Has the Highest Success Rate in UPSC

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Highest Success Rate Optional Subject in UPSC?

Choosing the right optional subject is crucial in your UPSC Civil Services Examination preparation journey. The optional paper carries 500-out-of-1750 marks in the UPSC Mains examination. Thus, scoring well in it can mean a giant leap towards one’s overall ranking and selection success rate. Many aspirants ask: “Which optional has the highest success rate in UPSC?” We analyze this question in layman’s terms and see how Plutus IAS can help you tie in your preparation for optional subjects.

What is the UPSC Optional Subjects’ Success Rate?

The success rate in UPSC optional subjects implies the number of candidates who cleared the examination with a particular optional subject compared to the number of candidates who appeared for that subject.

Every year, an annual report from UPSC shows the number of candidates who opted for each optional, along with how many got through. Over the years, some subjects have more or less consistently performed well while others have fluctuated.

Optional Subjects with Higher Success Rates
Here is a review of some optional subjects offered by the UPSC that have been successful to a greater degree over the past years:

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1. Anthropology

Easy concepts, static syllabus, and scoring nature.
More success is reported with science and engineering students.
Easier to complete the syllabus in less time.
Several toppers like Gaurav Agarwal and the company opted for Anthropology.

2. PSIR (Political Science and International Relations)

Popular among candidates from humanities as well as non-humanities backgrounds.
Overlap with General Studies Paper 2 and Essay Paper.
Success rate and widely adopted by toppers.
It helps with concepts of current affairs and international relations.

3. Sociology

Easy to understand and an interesting subject.
Almost equally popular among aspirants from different academic backgrounds.
High marks can be secured if the answers are well-written.
A very limited and hence manageable syllabus.

4. Geography

Famous due to the ample availability of study material and guidance.
Somewhat technical, but mostly chosen by science-background students.
Can expect some diagrams and some map-based questions.

5. Law

High success rate among law graduates.
Structured syllabus and direct questions.
Scoring but recommended for those with prior knowledge.

Factors Behind High Success Rate

A subject may have a high success rate due to:
Overlapping with GS papers
Availability of good study material and coaching
Simplicity and predictability of the syllabus
Consistency in question patterns
Ability to present well-structured answers
It’s important to understand that no option is “easy” or “difficult” by default. The key is your interest, background, and preparation strategy.

Why Choosing the Right Option is Crucial

A wrong choice of options can lead to:
Loss of interest during preparation.
Incomplete syllabus coverage.
Low scores in Mains

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How Plutus IAS Level Up Optional Subject Preparation

Plutus IAS assists the options in a better way as one of the No. 1 UPSC coaching centers.

Expert Faculty

Plutus IAS has faculty who is experienced and specialized in subjects like PSIR, Sociology, Anthropology, Geography, and other major optionals.

Live Online & Offline Interactive Classes

You are free to pick from live online and offline classroom coaching, whichever suits your convenience. Interactive classes hardly let a dull moment enter the learning.

Updated Study Materials

Plutus IAS provides well-organised, unambiguous, and updated notes for its students prepared by experts, thus saving the candidate loads of time in searching out the resource.

Regular Tests & Evaluation

Weekly tests, full-length mock tests, and detailed evaluations of the answer sheets are the ways by which they enhance your ability.

One-On-One Mentorship

Plutus IAS offers an individualised method of working with every candidate. They help you to decide the right optional considering your background and goals.

Doubt-Clearing Sessions

Besides doubt-clearing classes, they make sure students remain confident and clear throughout their preparation.

Conclusion

So, to answer the question straight away, UPSC examination usually sees subjects like PSIR, Anthropology, and Sociology having high success rates. However, what is more important than the rate of success is your interest, academic background, and availability of resources.

If you would give your optional subject some importance for firmer scoring and clearing the UPSC examination, then joining a reputed institute like Plutus IAS will help a lot. You will be assisted by expert guidance, well-structured courses, and every sort of help for both the GS and optional subjects.

Contact Details

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