Wondering which degree is best to become an IAS officer? Well, you are not alone. This is one of the most common questions asked by 12th pass students. It does play an important role before starting your UPSC journey. So, which graduate degree is best for UPSC?
The answer is not very straightforward. UPSC CSE is one of the highly competitive and toughest exams in India. That is why you need a clear strategy and conceptual clarity to excel.
Your bachelor’s degree becomes your base. It helps you think clearly, easily understand the basics and support in optional choices. You should choose a graduation degree that can simplify your UPSC preparation journey.
Continue reading to know which graduate degree is best for UPSC and other information.
Best Graduation Degree for UPSC: Why Alignment Matters?
As we know UPSC syllabus is massive and covers a wide range of subjects. It includes subjects such as History, Geography, Polity, Ethics, Technology, Economic Development, and many others.
If your bachelor’s degree covers subjects related to UPSC, your preparation becomes simpler. You will be able to grasp concepts easily and quickly progress to advanced-level preparation.
The best part?
You don’t have to understand the basics from the ground up. You will already have strong basics from your graduation degree. Still thinking: Which graduate degree is best for UPSC?
We have shared a list below of popular bachelor’s degrees to help you know which graduation is best for an IAS officer:
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
A Bachelor of Arts (BA) is a three-year undergraduate course. You can pursue this degree in various streams, such as arts and humanities.
Some majors in the BA program include Economics, English, Geography, History, and Political Science, among others. These are commonly covered in UPSC mains and the list of optional subjects.
That is why the Bachelor of Arts (BA) is one of the best graduation degrees that aligns with the UPSC syllabus.
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
A Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) is a 3-year undergraduate degree. It covers specialisations like Geography, Economics, Environmental Science, etc. These subjects are covered in the UPSC GS syllabus.
Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.)
A Bachelor of Commerce (BCom or B Com) is a 3-year undergraduate course in commerce, mathematics, economics, business studies, accounting, etc. All these subjects are an important part of the UPSC syllabus.
Prior knowledge can help you build strong fundamentals during UPSC exam prep.
Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech)
Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) is a 4-year UG engineering course. It covers specialisations like Electrical Engineering, IT & Systems, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, etc.
From the UPSC perspective, Technology is a part of the General Studies -III syllabus and the remaining subjects are included in the list of UPSC optional subjects.
If your bachelor’s degree overlaps with UPSC subjects, it reduces extra effort. It helps you understand concepts quickly. It builds a confident mindset. That’s why you must choose a degree that can help you cover the UPSC syllabus easily.
Benefits of Humanities degrees over other fields
Many UPSC aspirants choose humanities degrees over other fields. Past data suggests that a good number of UPSC toppers belong to BA backgrounds. Let’s see the key reasons:
Overlap with UPSC Subjects:
Humanities degrees include subjects that are part of the UPSC syllabus. Most of them are covered in the UPSC GS syllabus. Some of the popular examples are:
- BA in Polity: Polity, Governance (UPSC General Studies -II)
- BA in History: Ancient, Modern India, World History (UPSC General Studies-I)
- BA in Sociology: Ethics, Indian Society (UPSC General Studies -IV)
- BA in Geography: Geography of the World and Society (UPSC General Studies-I)
Easy to Understand
Humanities degrees do not include technical skills, intensive calculation or complex mathematical topics. To put it simply, you can easily grasp the knowledge in this degree. This helps UPSC aspirants to balance their college studies and exam prep.
Analytical Focused
UPSC is a descriptive test. It does not check your technical abilities. If you are pursuing a humanities degree, it will improve your analytical, critical thinking, and answer-writing skills. This can maximise your chances of success in the UPSC exam.
Graduation Degree of the Past IAS Toppers
Here is the list of graduation degrees of past IAS toppers shared below for reference purposes:
| Topper | Year | Graduation |
| Shakti Dubey | 2024 | Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry |
| Aditya Srivastava | 2023 | Degree in Electric Engineering |
| Ishita Kishore | 2022 | Degree in Economics (Hons) |
| Shruti Sharma | 2021 | BA History |
| Shubham Kumar | 2020 | BTech in Civil Engineering |
| Pradeep Singh | 2019 | BTech Computer Science |
Why Subject overlap reduces study pressure during UPSC prep?
Cracking the UPSC exam is definitely not a cakewalk. It requires a smart approach, time, and consistency. The UPSC syllabus covers various subjects like History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Science, etc.
It can be a game-changer if your bachelor’s degree aligns with these subjects. Here are a few benefits:
- You don’t have to build concepts from scratch. All you need is a serious revision. Then, you are good to go for advanced preparation.
- You will be less stressed and more confident when you see familiar topics during the preparation.
- It saves your time and solidifies your weak areas. You don’t have to spend months to gain concepts. Instead, you can utilise this time to take mocks.
- UPSC tests your analytical and critical thinking. When your subjects overlap, you naturally gain a deeper understanding.
How interest-based degrees help maintain long-term consistency?
A graduation degree plays an important role in your UPSC preparation. But interest is also crucial. If you don’t have an interest in your graduation degree, you will struggle with concepts.
And this will directly affect your confidence and UPSC preparation. But how does an interest-based degree help you maintain consistency?
- It increases your curiosity to learn. You enjoy what you study.
- It helps you cover the syllabus in less time.
- You feel less exhausted.
- It helps you stay dedicated. This can help you perform well in UPSC.
For example:
If you enjoy History, a BA in History can make your learning fun. The same goes for any graduation degree. When you like the subject, you stay consistent. And consistency helps you ace UPSC with flying colours.
Impact of degree selection on choosing your UPSC Optional subject?
Your graduation degree plays a big role when you choose your UPSC optional subject. It is advised to pick an optional subject that you have studied in your college degree. It can be beneficial for your UPSC preparation. Some of the benefits:
- You are familiar with the fundamentals.
- You know which books and resources will work best in your preparation.
- You just revise and can focus more on practising answers.
- Prior knowledge of concepts can help you easily understand advanced topics.
Examples:
- Civil Engineering graduates can choose the Civil Engineering optional.
- BA History graduates can choose the History optional.
- Political Science graduates select the PSIR optional.
When your degree aligns with optional subjects, it enhances your chances of performing well in UPSC Mains.
Why flexible and less time-consuming degrees work best for aspirants?
UPSC preparation requires sufficient time and daily commitment. You spend at least 8-9 hours to learn, practising, and revising. Time-consuming degrees can make your preparation tougher. It can leave you tired and reduce your preparation time. Some of the time-consuming degrees are MBBS, Engineering, or BSc (core sciences).
When you choose flexible degrees, you may get fewer assignments and more time for UPSC preparation. This is why BA degrees in Humanities are a flexible and popular option for UPSC aspirants.
How Legacy IAS Academy guides students in selecting the right degree for UPSC?
Many wonder, “Which Graduate Degree Is Best for UPSC?” Well, it is a crucial decision, and it is quite normal to feel confused after passing the 12th standard. This is where Legacy IAS Academy can help you make the right choice.
- They provide career counselling sessions. It helps you understand your strengths, interests, and how to make the most of your academic background.
- Legacy IAS helps you know which degree works well with the UPSC syllabus.
- Legacy IAS flexible courses can help you maintain a good balance between your college studies and UPSC prep.
- Legacy IAS mentors help you pick an Optional subject that matches your strengths and writing style.
So, which graduate degree is best for UPSC? The most popular choice is a Humanities degree. This includes a BA in Sociology, History, or Geography.
These degrees overlap with UPSC main subjects and help you choose the optional subject efficiently. But the best degree is also the one you enjoy studying.
Interest-based degree can help you maintain long-term consistency. Consistency can boost your chances of scoring well. This is where Legacy IAS Academy steps in. Its experts offer full guidance from degree selection to flexible courses for UPSC preparation.
