Best Subjects to Pursue after 10th and 12th for IAS Aspirants in India
If being an IAS is your end goal, we recommend choosing those subjects after 10th and 12th, which will help with your UPSC preparation. The best subjects in class for IAS aspirants in India will help you give your preparation a head start.
After the 10th class, students in India need to choose a stream or a few subjects out of a bunch for classes 11, 12, and graduation. It covers arts, science, or commerce-related subjects. However, if a student wishes to pursue IAS as their dream career, they need to get a head start at this stage and pursue subjects that will contribute to UPSC preparation.
Luckily, many subjects overlap with UPSC exams– especially for General Studies (GS) papers and optional subjects in mains. Let’s look into the list of best subjects in class for IAS aspirants in India.
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Best Subjects for IAS Aspirants after 10th and 12th
When you get to class 11 and wish to kickstart your IAS preparation, you should look into the following information:
Basis | Arts | Science | Commerce |
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Subjects Overlapping with UPSC |
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Also Check - UPSC Mains Answer Writing Tips and Strategy 2026
Top Subjects to Choose in School or Early College for UPSC Success
Based on sources, here are subjects that often give IAS aspirants an edge, especially when chosen in Class 11/12 or for one’s graduation subject.
Subject | Why It Helps | Which UPSC Papers It Overlaps With / Supports |
History | Helps with understanding India’s past, context for modern governance, culture, etc. Builds narrative & essay skills. | GS Paper I, Essay, Optional if chosen. Strong source material for current debates connected to past. |
Geography | Physical geography gives scientific thinking + human geography ties to migration, environment, urbanisation. Diagrams/maps are helpful. | GS Paper I, sometimes GS Paper III (Environment, Disaster Management), and good optional overlap. |
Political Science / Polity | Indian Constitution, governance, laws—core to civil service. Also current affairs and political theory feed into many GS topics. | GS Paper II (Polity, Governance etc.), and many optional subjects. |
Economics | Helps understand policies, budgets, development, growth, inflation—frequently asked in UPSC mains & prelims. | GS Paper III (Economy, Development etc.), Essay, current affairs. |
Sociology | Helps with social issues, structure, change—topics that appear in ethics, GS papers. Also useful writing practice and understanding society. | GS Papers I & II & Essay, optional subject, Interview. |
Public Administration | If interested in administrative theory; many aspects of it are directly related to what civil servants do. Also overlaps with GS. | GS Paper II (Governance, administration etc.), optional subject. |
Optional Subjects for IAS Aspirants: What Are the Most Chosen & Why
Since the optional subject in mains has substantial weight, the subjects you take in school/graduation can influence which ones you might find easier.
Some of the most chosen / scoring optional subjects are:
Anthropology — It has a relatively concise syllabus, interesting subject matter, good scoring, and overlaps with many GS topics.
Sociology — It has good overlap, is understandable, many resources available.
Public Administration — It is attractive because of the overlap with GS (Governance, etc.), plus administrative theory is relevant to IAS duties.
Geography — Although heavier in content, it has a strong point in diagrams/maps, and many UPSC questions in prelims/mains pull from geography. (Source: The Times of India )
History — Classic choice; though voluminous, students who like reading and linking the past with the present often do well.
What Makes a Subject “Good” for IAS Preparation?
Before listing specific subjects, it helps to know why some subjects are more useful:
Overlap with the UPSC syllabus — especially General Studies papers (History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Social Issues)
Ability to build skills needed later: thinking, writing, understanding current affairs, comprehension
Scoring potential and manageability of the syllabus
Resources available (books, NCERTs, coaching, online content)
Interest — you’ll do better if you like the subject
If you’re a Class 11/12 student who aims to become an IAS officer, some subject choices give you a head start. Humanities (History, Polity, Geography, Sociology, Economics) are especially aligned with the UPSC syllabus. But ultimately, your interest, discipline, and consistency matter more than the subject itself. You should choose what resonates with you, stick with good study habits from today, and the rest can be learned. If you need more tips, get in touch with CollegeDekho mentors.