CSMP IAS

UPSC

UPSC Optional Subjects Coaching

Subject-specialist coaching for the single UPSC Mains optional paper (500 marks), covering syllabus mapping, answer-writing practice, an optional-specific test series, and one-to-one counseling to help aspirants choose and prepare their optional.

UPSC Optional Subjects Coaching

Course Overview

UPSC offers 48 optional subjects — 25 core/non-literature subjects and 23 literature subjects — and every Mains candidate must choose one, regardless of their graduation background. CSMP IAS provides subject-specialist coaching for the single UPSC Mains optional paper (500 marks), covering syllabus mapping, answer-writing practice, an optional-specific test series, and one-to-one counseling to help aspirants choose and prepare their optional.

Optional Subjects Offered

Optional SubjectCourse NameMode
SociologySociology Optional Full Course (UPSC Mains)Online / Offline
Public AdministrationPublic Administration Optional Full CourseOnline / Offline
GeographyGeography Optional Full CourseOnline / Offline
Political Science & IRPSIR Optional Full CourseOnline / Offline
HistoryHistory Optional Full CourseOnline / Offline
AnthropologyAnthropology Optional Full CourseOnline / Offline
LawLaw Optional Course (UPSC Mains)Online
PsychologyPsychology Optional CourseOnline
EconomicsEconomics Optional CourseOnline
AgricultureAgriculture Optional CourseOnline

Choosing an Optional: GS Syllabus Overlap

Some optionals overlap significantly with the General Studies syllabus, reducing the incremental preparation load. CSMP IAS highlights these overlaps:

  • Public Administration — overlaps with GS Paper II
  • Sociology — overlaps with GS Paper I, Essay, and Ethics
  • History — overlaps with Prelims and GS Paper I
  • Geography — overlaps with Prelims and GS Paper I
  • Political Science & IR — overlaps with Prelims and GS Paper II
  • Law — overlaps with Prelims and GS Paper II

Detailed Optional Syllabus

SubjectPaper IPaper II
HistoryAncient & Medieval India, Archaeology, World HistoryModern Indian History, Post-Independence Consolidation
GeographyGeomorphology, Climatology, Oceanography, Human Geography ModelsIndian Geography
SociologySociological Thinkers, Stratification, Research MethodsIndian Society Structure, Caste System, Social Changes in India
Political Science (PSIR)Political Theory, Western & Indian Political Thought, Indian Govt & PoliticsComparative Politics, International Relations, India's Foreign Policy
Public AdministrationAdmin Theory, Thinkers, Organizations, Accountability, Administrative LawIndian Administration
Hindi LiteratureHistory of Hindi Language & LiteratureDetailed Study of Texts

Fee

ComponentAmount
Optional Subject (generic fee line)Rs. 30,000
One-Time Payment (OTP)Rs. 27,000
Duration3–4 Months
The fee above is the generic "Optional Subject" line item from the IAS Fee Structure — no subject-wise fee breakdown is published separately.

Additional Support

  • Optional Subject Test Series — topic-wise and full-length tests, with detailed evaluation and mentor remarks, plus model answers
  • Free downloadable UPSC syllabus PDFs for Prelims, Mains, and Optional Subjects