Optional
88 products
Vision IAS Anthropology Notes 2025-26 | UPSC CSE Anthropology Optional Set of 2
Rajesh Mishra PSIR Notes 2025-26 | UPSC Political Science | 5 Booklets
Rau IAS History Optional Notes 2025 Edition - UPSC Optional Booklets Set of 6
Vajiram Public Administration Handwritten Booklets 2025-26 Set of 6
Telugu Anthropology Notes by Telugu Akademi Printed Booklets 2024-2025
Hemant Jha IAS History Handwritten Notes in Hindi for 2025-26 | UPSC Optional
Neha Bhosle Sociology Notes 2025-26 Printed Booklets Set of 2
Vajiram Anthropology Optional Notes 2025-26
Samvad IAS Hindi Sahitya Practice Questions & Answers Booklets 2025-26
Raj Rai Sociology Notes by Next IAS 2025-26 Printed Booklets Set of 2
Upendra Sir Sociology Handwritten Notes 2025-26 (3 Booklets, English Medium)
Mani Sir Defence Optional Notes 2025-2026 | Hindi Handwritten Booklets Set
S.Chitranjan Anthropology Handwritten Booklets 2020-2022 Set of 2
Tusharanshu Sociology Notes 2025-2026 | English | UPSC Sociology in 2 Booklets
Panini Sanskrit Sahitya Handwritten Notes for 2025-26 | UPSC Sanskrit Sahitya Notes Set of 2
NK Vaid Anthropology Optional Notes 2025-26 | English Medium
Best Optional Subject for UPSC Mains Preparation
Choosing the right optional subject for UPSC can swing your Mains score by 50–80 marks. This category stocks printed notes for the most-scored optionals: PSIR (Political Science & IR), Economics, Public Administration, Sociology, and Law. Whether you are comparing the best optional for UPSC Mains or narrowing down the best optional for IFOS, you will find booklet sets from institutes like Shubhra Ranjan, Vajiram, Drishti IAS, and SS Pandey — covering both Paper I and Paper II syllabi.
Most products are available in both Hindi medium (Rajesh Mishra PSIR 6-booklet set, Shubhra Ranjan Hindi 7-booklet set) and English medium. PSIR and Sociology are also strong contenders for MPSC optionals. Pair any optional set with a current-affairs module for the best UPSC Mains coverage. Sets range from 3 booklets (Vajiram Public Administration) to 30 booklets (Rahul IAS Law), so check the module count before ordering.
Popular in Optional
- Shubhra Ranjan Notes 2026 | PSIR Optional | English Medium | Set of 4 Booklets
- Rajesh Mishra PSIR Notes 2025-26 | 6 Booklet Set | Hindi Medium
- Vajiram Economics Notes 2025-2026 UPSC Economics Optional Booklets Set of 5
- Vajiram Public Administration Notes 2025-26 Printed Booklets Set of 3
- Drishti IAS PSIR Notes 2025-26 Printed Booklets Set of 6 for UPSC Preparation
- SS Pandey Sociology Notes 2025-26 UPSC Optional 25 Modules 4 Booklets
Frequently Asked Questions
Which optional subject has the most study material available here?
PSIR (Political Science & International Relations) has the widest selection — four different publisher sets including Shubhra Ranjan English (4 booklets), Shubhra Ranjan Hindi (7 booklets), Rajesh Mishra (6 booklets), and Drishti IAS (6 booklets). Economics (Vajiram, 5 booklets) and Sociology (SS Pandey, 25 modules across 4 booklets) are also well-stocked.
Is PSIR a good optional for UPSC if I have a non-humanities background?
PSIR is one of the most popular UPSC optionals regardless of graduation background because its syllabus overlaps significantly with GS Paper II (Indian polity, governance, IR). Engineering and science graduates regularly score 270+ with PSIR. The Vajiram Public Administration 3-booklet set is a shorter alternative with similar GS overlap for those wanting a lighter optional.
What is the best optional subject for MPSC Mains?
For MPSC Mains, PSIR and Sociology are among the most-selected optionals because their syllabi closely mirror Maharashtra PSC paper patterns and the preparation material overlaps with UPSC. SS Pandey's Sociology notes (25 modules) and the Rajesh Mishra PSIR Hindi set are used by MPSC aspirants. Always cross-check the specific MPSC syllabus notification, as paper structure differs from UPSC.
