Hi Anu,

I assume the subjects you are asking about selecting is the optional subject you are talking about, that varies from aspirant to aspirant. Aspirants have to choose 1 optional subject from a specified list for appearing in the merit ranking papers in the UPSC exam.

The UPSC Examination consists of Qualifying papers and merit ranking papers. Qualifying Papers are English & any 1 Indian language from the 8th Schedule of The Constitution of India. The merit ranking papers consists of Essay, General Studies Paper I, Paper II, III, IV & Optional Paper I & II.

The Optional Subject list consists of 48 subjects, out of which, you have to select only one. Each optional subject will have two papers (Paper I and Paper II) & each will be of 250 marks, making it a total of 500 marks. There is also a list of literature-based optional subjects & you can choose any 1 subject from there.

It is better if you choose the subject that you have pursued for your graduation course as this will make the preparation smooth. You will already be knowing something about that field of study so you do not have to do much research. The questions asked from the optional subject paper is of graduation level so choosing a totally new subject is not recommended. Having said that, if you are confident about choosing a totally new subject & acing it, then please go for it.

All the best.

Hope this helps.