How many students take sociology as optional for UPSC CSE

The exact number of students taking Sociology as an optional subject in the UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE) is not officially disclosed by the UPSC. However, based on trends, coaching institute data, and expert analysis, we can estimate its popularity:

Estimated Figures & Trends:

Although this estimate does not take into consideration those students who prepare exam with sociology as optional but do not appear for UPSC CSE exam. A large group or number of students prepare for UPSC CSE exam but as exam comes near they decide not to appear.

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1. Consistently High Popularity:
   Sociology is among the top 5 most popular optional subjects (alongside Public Administration, Geography, History, and Political Science).

2. Approximate Range:

   • Mains Stage: Roughly 3,000–5,000 candidates choose Sociology annually out of ~10,000–14,000 who qualify for Mains.

   • Overall Applicants: Since only ~20% of applicants clear Prelims, the total aspirants opting for Sociology likely ranges between 4,000–7,000 yearly (including those who don’t clear Prelims).

Why Sociology is Popular:

✅ Overlap with General Studies (GS):
Topics like Indian society, globalization, caste, gender, and poverty overlap heavily with GS Paper I (Society) and Essay.
✅ Scoring Potential:
Conceptual clarity and opinion-based answers allow for high marks if presented well.
✅ Accessibility:
No technical background required. Resources (books, coaching) are widely available.
✅ Dynamic Syllabus:
Focuses on contemporary issues (e.g., feminism, urbanization), making preparation engaging.

Key Factors Influencing Numbers:

• Coaching Reports: Major institutes (e.g., Vajiram & Ravi, Vision IAS) report Sociology as a top choice, with ~15–25% of their students opting for it.

• Success Rate: Sociology has produced top rankers (e.g., Anu Kumari, AIR 2 in 2017), boosting its appeal.

• Changing Trends: Growing interest in “scoring” social science subjects has increased Sociology’s uptake over the past decade.

Important Caveats:

⚠️ No Official Data: UPSC does not release subject-wise statistics. Figures are based on analysis from coaching centers and topper surveys.
⚠️ Competition ≠ Difficulty: Popularity doesn’t imply tougher competition. UPSC uses relative scaling—your rank depends on performance relative to peers in the same optional.

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Bottom Line:

While exact numbers are unavailable, ~4,000–7,000 candidates likely choose Sociology annually, making it a highly preferred optional. Its relevance to GS, manageable syllabus, and scoring potential contribute to its popularity. If you’re considering it, focus on answer writing practice and current socio-economic issues rather than raw competitor numbers.

For context: In 2022, 11,502 candidates cleared Prelims to write Mains. If Sociology accounts for ~25% of popular optionals, ~2,500–3,500 Sociology aspirants likely reached the Mains stage that year.