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UPSC Preparation: Best Subjects for CBSE Class 11 and 12 (Expert Advice)

Posted on the 04 November 2023 by Deepak Sharma

One of the most competitive exams in India is the Civil Services Examination (CSE) administered by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Administrative Service (IAS), and other civil services recruit officers through this process, which is carried out by the UPSC.

The syllabus for the UPSC CSE is extensive and includes a wide range of topics. Nonetheless, certain topics hold greater significance for the test than others. These are the topics that are most pertinent to a civil servant’s job.

The following are some of the top subjects to study in CBSE Classes XI and XII in order to be as prepared as possible for the UPSC CSE exam:

History: A large portion of the UPSC CSE syllabus is dedicated to historical topics. Indian history, world history, and modern Indian history are all covered in the syllabus’s history component.

History: You can learn about the social, political, and economic forces that have shaped the modern world, as well as the evolution of Indian and global society. Aspiring IAS officers must possess this expertise in order to comprehend the intricate issues that India and the rest of the globe are currently confronting.

Geography: Understanding the physical and people geography of India and the rest of the world can be aided by geography. Aspirants to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) must possess this understanding in order to create and carry out policies pertaining to land use, natural resources, and environmental preservation.
Political Science: Political science can assist you in comprehending the political ideas that support both the Indian and global political systems. Aspiring IAS officers must possess this expertise in order to make well-informed decisions regarding public policy.

Economics: Understanding economic ideas and their application to the Indian and global economies can be aided by an understanding of economics. Aspirants to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) must possess this expertise in order to create and carry out economic policies that support development and growth.
Sociology: Sociology can assist you in comprehending the social theories that support both the Indian and global social systems. Aspiring IAS officers must possess this expertise in order to create and carry out social policies that cater to the requirements of the people they serve.

These are the topics that are most pertinent to a civil servant’s job. They will aid in your understanding of the Indian populace, political system, and economics. They will also assist you in honing your analytical and problem-solving abilities.


Other subjects that could be beneficial for the UPSC CSE test include the following in addition to these:
In English the UPSC CSE examination is taught exclusively in English. For one to do well on the test, having a strong grasp of the English language is essential.

Mathematics: For the UPSC CSE exam, mathematics is not a required subject. Nonetheless, it’s a subject that can aid in the development of your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Science: For the UPSC CSE exam, science is not a required subject. That being said, it’s a subject that can aid in your understanding of the outside world.

The subjects covered in CBSE Classes XI and XII correspond to the UPSC CSE syllabus, as indicated in the following table:

CBSE Class XI and XII SubjectUPSC CSE Syllabus Topic

HistoryIndian History, World History, Modern Indian History

GeographyIndian Geography, World Geography, Physical Geography

Political ScienceIndian Politics, World Politics, Political Theory

EconomicsIndian Economics, World Economics, Economic Theory

SociologyIndian Society, World Society, Sociological Theory

EnglishMedium of Instruction

MathematicsNot Compulsory, but Helpful for Developing Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills

ScienceNot Compulsory, but Helpful for Understanding the World Around You

The comparison of the topics between UPSE CSE and XI – XII class syllabus of CBSE

It is important to note that the UPSC CSE syllabus is very vast, and it is not possible to cover all of the material in CBSE Class XI and XII. However, by taking the subjects listed above, you will be well on your way to preparing for the examination.

Why will choosing Humanities be a better option?

Because humanities courses are more closely aligned with the IAS syllabus, they are a better choice for UPSC preparation. Examples of these disciplines are history, geography, political science, economics, and sociology. Although the IAS syllabus is quite broad, geography, politics, economics, and society—both Indian and global—are given a lot of attention. You will gain a solid foundation in these areas from your humanities coursework, which is crucial for success on the UPSC exam.

Humanities courses can also aid in the development of your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. These abilities are crucial for civil servants since they must be able to decipher challenging issues and devise original solutions. Your ability to write and communicate effectively can also be enhanced by taking humanities courses, which are crucial for a civil servant.

Ultimately, studying the humanities can improve your comprehension of the world around you. For civil servants, who must be able to comprehend the demands of the people they serve, this is crucial. Studying the humanities can aid in the development of compassion and empathy, two traits that are crucial for those working in government.

I hope you found this essay useful. Kindly notify me if you have any other inquiries.

Most Important:

While selecting a relevant topic for CBSE Classes XI and XII, it is crucial to be steadfast in your decision to become an IAS officer. This is because it’s not always the case that the humanities courses that are most pertinent to the UPSC CSE syllabus are the easiest ones. It could be wiser to go with safer route in science if you are unsure about a career in the civil services.

Before selecting a pertinent subject for CBSE Classes XI and XII, it is crucial to be adamant about your desire to become an IAS officer for the following reasons:

Studying the humanities disciplines like history, geography, political science, economics, and sociology—which are the most pertinent to the UPSC CSE syllabus—can be difficult. They call for a great deal of writing, reading, and critical thinking. It will be challenging to succeed in these disciplines if you are not passionate about them.
It is not feasible to cover every topic covered in CBSE Classes XI and XII due to the vast scope of the UPSC CSE syllabus. It is crucial to concentrate on the topics that are most pertinent to the IAS syllabus as a result. In scientific disciplines, it could be wiser to go with safer options if you are unsure which ones these are.
The UPSC CSE test is a fiercely competitive test. The exam has an extremely low success rate. For this reason, if you want to succeed, it’s critical that you give your preparation your all. It might be wiser to take safer options in science if you aren’t sure if you want to work in the civil services.

The following are some safer possibilities in science that you might want to think about:

  • Quantity Physics
  • Chemical interactions
  • Quantities
  • biological
  • Science of Computing

These courses will provide you with a solid foundation in science and technology and are highly sought after in the employment market. A wide range of industries, including engineering, medicine, and research, will benefit from this knowledge.

Consult a counselor or professional advisor for advice if you are still unsure of the subjects you should take in CBSE Classes XI and XII. They can assist you in determining your abilities and interests, and they can suggest courses that would be best for you.


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