Most of the time the success in IAS exams depends upon the choice or selection of subjects. Sometimes, brilliant students with poor choice Optional Subjects in IAS Mains face humiliation. On the hand, not-so-good candidates do better with the right selection. Therefore selection of optional subjects matter a lot. Secondly the aspirants must choose them as early as possible. Any delay will certainly affect their preparation.
Update March 2022 –
The Central Govt has uttered that it will not increase attempts and age limit regarding IAS exam.
How to choose Subjects for IAS Mains ?
It is quite tricky to choose subjects out of many. There are many factors which may help you in selecting the best subjects.
Choose Subjects as per Your taste –
This should be the first and foremost factor deciding your selection. Just choosing some subjects on the basis of their doing good in the exams won’t help much if you don’t have interest in them. So choose the subjects in which you have some interest. Otherwise working hard with the subject with no taste is very difficult.
Choose Subjects with good Track Record –
There are subjects which are always doing good in IAS Exams. Some of them are Geography, Law, Medical Science, Sociology etc. The aspirants must read Interviews of the IAS Toppers to get their opinions about the subjects. That shall also be very beneficial.
Analyze Every Year’s Result –
The complete analysis of the results year-wise is available online and in some Competitive Exams Magazines. Read that analysis. Check the Best Subjects with best pass percentage. Also check the nos of aspirants who have opted for such subjects. Then make an opinion about choosing your own subjects.
Read 10 Tips for Clearing IAS Mains
Read the 10 List of Subjects as per no of candidates had taken them, no of successful candidates and pass percentage. It is based on 2014 Mains Result.
Top 10 Subjects for IAS Mains
| Top 10 Optional Subjects as per the No of Candidates ( Approx) opted for them | |
| Geography | 3500 |
| Public Ad | 2850 |
| Sociology | 1800 |
| History | 1550 |
| Philosophy | 900 |
| Political Science and International Relations | 900 |
| Anthropology | 620 |
| Literature of Hindi Language | 400 |
| Psychology | 370 |
| Medical Science | 350 |
Read another Top 10 List as per No of Successful candidates –
| Top 10 Optional Subjects as per the No of Successful Candidates ( Approx) | |
| Geography | 250 |
| Sociology | 190 |
| Public Ad | 150 |
| History | 100 |
| Medical Science | 70 |
| Anthropology | 70 |
| Philosophy | 65 |
| Psychology | 60 |
| Political Science and International Relations | 57 |
| Law | 40 |
Now Check Top 10 Subjects for IAS Mains as per the Pass Percentage –
| Top 10 Optional Subjects as per the Pass Percentage ( Approx) | |
| Medical Science | 20% |
| Law | 17 % |
| Psychology | 16% |
| Economics | 12% |
| Management | 11.5% |
| Anthropology | 11 % |
| Literature of Telugu Language | 10.7 % |
| Sociology | 10.5% |
| Literature of Kannada Language | 10.5 % |
| Commerce and Accounting Law | 10.3 % |
So read three tables and find some subjects best for you for IAS Mains. Best of Luck.