Ideal stream or subject for UPSC: detailed description

Most aspirants are curious about which stream will be beneficial and what is the ideal stream or subject for UPSC CSE preparation.

The UPSC Civil Service exam is one of the most prestigious exams in the country, and therefore, it is important for aspirants or candidates to have a question like “What are the ideal streams or subjects for UPSC?”

Selecting the appropriate subject for UPSC can provide an edge in civil service exam preparation. Although UPSC permits candidates of all streams to sit for the exam, there are certain subjects that suit the syllabus. 

This blog by examcentralinfo.com will inform readers about various streams and subjects and how they are related to UPSC.

Though it is better to not think too much in advance in your school or college days and just concentrate on your school or college studies.

Yet we see many students in their schools or colleges wondering which is the best subject for the UPSC. Let’s understand and clarify these doubts that many students face.

Is there any ideal stream or subject for UPSC?

There is no particular subject for the UPSC civil service examination that is required to meet its eligibility criteria.

Regardless of whether you come from a science, commerce, or humanities background, the UPSC gives you a fair chance, and with the right strategy, you can crack the exam and, in fact, any government exam. 

But a few subjects do have more scope for overlap in the UPSC syllabus and hence are the natural choice of aspirants.

Best subject for UPSC civil service exam

1. Humanities (Arts) – The Most Aligned Stream

Subjects such as political science, history, geography, and economics are extremely applicable subjects for the UPSC civil service exam with respect to its syllabus. 

If you study humanities in school or college, you will already have studied a good chunk of the General Studies (GS) papers, which can be helpful for you.

Subjects like Political Science & International Relations (PSIR) assist in GS-II and optional choice. It also provides assistance for the interview round as well.

History, one of the important subjects for UPSC, can help an aspirant in GS-I and optional subject preparation.

Geography plays a crucial role in the UPSC civil service exam, and it can assist a candidate to prepare for GS-I and optional subjects.

Economics, again an important subject for UPSC, can help students in GS-III and Indian Economy subjects. It is also important for interview purposes.

Numerous toppers, such as Tina Dabi (AIR 1, 2015), preferred humanities background, which demonstrates its success for UPSC.

2. Commerce & Management—A Practical Selection

Students of commerce learn subjects such as economics, accountancy, and business studies, which are beneficial subjects for the UPSC civil service exam.

Economics becomes an important part of their preparation in GS-III and current affairs for the civil service exam.

Management helps a candidate assist in administration and decision-making abilities.

Subjects like public administration are suitable optional subject choices for many aspirants in their journey of UPSC civil service preparation.

This stream is suitable for those candidates who are interested in finance, policymaking, and governance.

3. Science & Engineering: A Logical Approach

While science and engineering subjects do not overlap directly with the UPSC syllabus, these candidates tend to be good at logical reasoning and analytical minds. 

Subjects such as Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science are not included in the General Studies papers but can be studied as optional subjects.

But engineers and science graduates usually opt for non-technical optional subjects such as PSIR, anthropology, or public administration to match the exam trend.

Most of the UPSC toppers, such as Kanishak Kataria (AIR 1, 2018), were engineers but opted for humanities-based optional subjects. 

So it totally depends on the individual to select a subject they feel they are most comfortable with.

Which is the best subject for UPSC?

There is no such best subject for UPSC, but human science subjects such as political science, history, and geography hold an edge as a result of syllabus overlap. 

Yet students from any stream can achieve with the proper approach. If you are planning your studies keeping UPSC in view, it is good to select a subject with maximum relevance to the exam. 

Conclusion

Success in UPSC, however, ultimately depends on hard work, regularity, and intelligent preparation rather than the subject you opt for. There is no ideal stream or subject for UPSC.

While some subjects have better overlap with the syllabus of the UPSC civil service examination, others can give an aspirant an edge in areas like logical reasoning, etc.

For more tips, advice, and updates on UPSC and other government job preparation, keep visiting our website and be connected with ExamCentralInfo.com.

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