Optional Courses

How to Choose the Best UPSC Optional Subject

Choosing the right UPSC optional subject requires a combination of strategy, interest, and understanding of the syllabus and exam pattern. Here are some factors to consider when selecting your optional subject: 

• Interest in the Subject: It is essential to choose a subject that interests you. This makes it easier to stay motivated and engaged with the content throughout the preparation journey.

• Overlap with General Studies (GS): Subjects that overlap with General Studies (GS) can save time and effort. For instance, subjects like Geography, Political Science, and Sociology have substantial overlap with the GS syllabus.

• Availability of Resources: The availability of books, notes, and online resources plays a crucial role. A subject with extensive resources will make your preparation smoother.

• Scoring Potential: While every subject can be scored well with the right approach, subjects with a well-structured syllabus and clear-cut answers tend to score higher marks.

• Your Background: Your educational background can play a role in choosing the optional subject. For example, an engineering graduate might opt for a technical subject like Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering.

UPSC Optional Subject Courses provided by TheIAShub

TheIAShub provides UPSC optional coaching for the following UPSC mains optional subjects:

1. Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) Optional Course

Political Science is one of the most popular optional subjects among UPSC aspirants. It has a significant overlap with General Studies, particularly with topics in GS Paper II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International relations).

TheIAShub offers a well-rounded PSIR Optional course with comprehensive coverage of the syllabus, including in-depth conceptual clarity and practical approach. The course includes doubt-clearing sessions. It focuses on effective answer-writing techniques and personalized mentorship to help students excel in the exam.

Duration: 6 Months

Medium: English

PSIR Coaching Features:

• Comprehensive “Foundation to Finale” Program: Our 6 months classroom program provides a step-by-step approach to mastering PSIR.
• Integrated Answer Writing: A focus on enhancing writing skills, which is crucial for success in the exam.
• Current Affairs Integration: The curriculum is continuously updated to incorporate relevant political and international developments.
• Dedicated Test Series: Regular practice through a dedicated test series helps students refine their exam strategies and writing skills.
• Regular revision and doubt-clearing sessions reinforce learning and address students' queries and concerns.
• PYQs: Past years' PSIR optional questions are analyzed to provide insights into exam patterns and aid strategic preparation.

Coaching options for both online and offline batches are available, with the same pricing of ₹60,000 for either mode.

Top Coaching Provider:

• Inderjeet Sir: Known for his in-depth knowledge and systematic teaching style, Inderjeet Sir’s PSIR course offers thorough coverage of the syllabus and helps students develop exam-specific skills.

2. Sociology Optional Course

Sociology is another popular subject among UPSC aspirants due to its relatively short syllabus and significant overlap with the General Studies papers, particularly with topics related to society and social justice.

The Sociology Optional Course for UPSC mains 2025-26 aims to provide comprehensive guidance and structured preparation to help candidates master the optional subject in the civil services examination.

Duration: 6 Months

Medium: English

Sociology Coaching Features:

• Foundation to Finale Program: Our 6 months comprehensive program covers the entire syllabus with a focus on making the subject approachable.
• Integrated Approach to Answer Writing: Emphasizes developing concise and structured answers.
• Current Affairs Coverage: Current affairs are integrated into our curriculum to keep students updated on relevant sociological developments.
• Doubt-Clearing Sessions: Regular sessions ensure that students’ queries are addressed effectively.
• PYQs: Past years' sociology optional questions are analyzed to provide insights into exam patterns and aid strategic preparation.
• Test Series: Helps in refining exam-taking skills.

Online and offline batches are offered at the same price of ₹60,000, providing flexible learning options for students.

Top Coaching Provider:

• Divya Ma’am: Divya Ma'am's Sociology coaching is popular for its clear and organized approach. She focuses on simple notes, effective answer writing, and making difficult topics easier to understand, which helps students perform better in exams.

3. Geography Optional Course

Geography is often chosen by aspirants who have a strong interest in physical and human geography. The subject overlaps with both GS Paper I (Geography) and current affairs, making it a popular choice for many.

theIAShub offers a well-rounded Geography Optional course for UPSC mains 2025-26 with comprehensive coverage of the syllabus. The course includes doubt-clearing sessions. It focuses on effective answer-writing techniques and personalized mentorship to help students excel in the exam.

Duration: 6 Months

Medium: English

Geography Coaching Features:

• Comprehensive “Foundation to Finale” Program: A 6 months thorough program that covers the entire syllabus and focuses on writing techniques.
• Integrated Approach to Answer Writing: Students are taught to write clear and structured answers, which are crucial in the UPSC exam.
• Current Affairs Updates: Geography students are kept updated on relevant environmental issues, natural disasters, and global developments.
• Past Year Question Analysis: A detailed analysis of past year’s questions aids in understanding the exam pattern and trends.
• Revision: Regular revision and doubt-clearing sessions reinforce learning and address students' queries and concerns.
• Test Series: Access to a dedicated test series allows students to practice and refine their exam-taking skills.

Students can choose between online and offline batches, both available at a fixed fee of ₹60,000, offering flexible and convenient learning options to suit different preferences and schedules.

Top Coaching Provider:

• Rahi Sir: Rahi Sir’s Geography coaching program is known for its structured approach and high-quality content that ensures a deep understanding of the subject.

4. Medical Science Optional Course

Medical Science as an optional subject is generally chosen by candidates with a background in the medical field. Although it is a technical subject, it is considered scoring for those with a medical background.

TheIAShub offers a well-rounded Medical Science Optional course with comprehensive coverage of the syllabus, including in-depth conceptual clarity and practical approach. The course includes doubt-clearing sessions. It focuses on effective answer-writing techniques and personalized mentorship to help students excel in the exam.

Duration: 6 Months

Medium: English

Medical Science Coaching Features:

• Foundation to Finale Program: This program covers the entire syllabus in 6 months and prepares students for the technical aspects of the subject.
• Integrated Answer Writing: Emphasis is placed on writing clear and precise answers for medical science.
• Current Affairs: Current affairs are integrated into our curriculum to keep students updated on relevant events.
• Revision: Regular revision and doubt-clearing sessions reinforce learning and address students' queries and concerns.
• PYQs: Past years' Medical Science optional questions are analyzed to provide insights into exam patterns and aid strategic preparation.
• Test Series: A dedicated test series helps in familiarizing students with exam formats and the application of medical knowledge.

Students have the option to choose between online and offline batches, both offered at a fixed fee of ₹60,000, providing flexible and convenient learning options to cater to various preferences and schedules.

Top Coaching Providers:

• Dr. Neeraj Sir: Dr. Neeraj Sir’s Medical Science course is highly regarded for its clear explanations, expert mentorship, and teaching methods designed to be easily understood, making it student-friendly and effective for learning.

5. Hindi Literature Optional Course

The main objective of this program is to enhance candidates' preparation for the UPSC exam. It focuses on in-depth study of the Hindi subject and the development of analytical skills, enabling candidates to improve their thinking ability and writing skills.

Duration: 6 Months

Medium: Hindi

Literature Coaching Features:

• A comprehensive 6 month "Foundation to Finale" classroom program.
• Answer Writing Focus: Students learn how to write effective answers, especially for Hindi literary.
• Current Affairs Integration: The syllabus incorporates relevant literary developments and movements.
• Regular reviews and doubt-solving sessions strengthen students' studies and address their queries and concerns.
• A dedicated test series provides students with an opportunity to practice and enhance their exam-taking skills.

Online and offline batches, available at ₹60,000, offer flexible learning options to suit diverse schedules.

Top Coaching Providers:

• Amrit Sir (Hindi Literature): Amrit Sir offers expert coaching in Hindi Literature, focusing on in-depth understanding and analytical skills for UPSC success.

6. Kannada Literature Optional Course

Literature options are often chosen by students who are proficient in a particular language. These subjects have a relatively smaller syllabus and can be very scoring for candidates who have a strong command of the language.

Kannada Literature Optional Course offered by theIAShub for UPSC Mains 2025-26 is designed to provide candidates with a structured and comprehensive preparation approach to master Kannada Literature for the civil services examination.

Duration: 6 Months

Literature Coaching Features:

• 6 Months Comprehensive Program: Covers the entire literature syllabus with in-depth analysis and practice.
• Answer Writing Focus: Students learn how to write effective answers, especially for literary subjects.
• Current Affairs Integration: The syllabus incorporates relevant literary developments and movements.
• Dedicated Test Series: Regular tests ensure that students are well-prepared for the exam.

The course is available in both online and offline formats, with a uniform fee of ₹60,000 for either option, providing flexible learning choices.

Top Coaching Providers:

• Manoj Sir (Kannada Literature): Both these coaches offer excellent courses for literature, with systematic teaching methods and emphasis on language proficiency.

UPSC Optional Subject Strategy

The key to mastering any optional subject for the UPSC exam lies in a systematic strategy. Here’s a roadmap that can help:

• Understand the Syllabus: The first step is to thoroughly go through the syllabus of your chosen subject. Break it down into manageable sections and plan your preparation accordingly.
• Quality Study Material: Choose the right study materials that are easy to understand and have the necessary depth. Standard books and online resources can be helpful.
• Practice Answer Writing: Writing practice is crucial to performing well in UPSC Mains. Develop a habit of writing daily answers to past year questions.
• Revise Regularly: Periodic revision helps in retaining information and improving answer quality.
• Stay Updated: Follow relevant current affairs and integrate them into your subject preparation.

FAQs