Madhavi Gaur
September 27, 2023 10:25
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UPSC Philosophy Optional Paper 2023: UPSC Philosophy optional paper consists of two papers, specifically Paper I and Paper II. Each of these papers carries a weightage of 250 marks, summing up to a total of 500 marks for this optional subject.
In the UPSC Mains exam, Philosophy optional subject consists of two papers, specifically Paper I and Paper II. Each of these papers carries a weightage of 250 marks, summing up to a total of 500 marks for this optional subject. Among the various optional subjects offered by UPSC, Philosophy is one of the 48 choices available to candidates.
The examination schedule for the UPSC Civil Services Mains includes Paper-A in Indian Language and Paper-B in English, both scheduled for September 23, 2023. This is followed by the Optional Subject-Paper-1 (Paper-VI) and Optional Subject-Paper-2 (Paper-VII), which are set to be held on September 24, 2023.
In this article, we delve into the UPSC Philosophy Optional Paper, its structure, and the trends surrounding it.
| Paper 1 | Paper 2 |
| UPSC Philosophy Optional Paper 1 | UPSC Philosophy Optional Paper 2 |
UPSC Philosophy Optional Question Papers from 2018 to 2022 are readily available for aspirants seeking to enhance their preparation. We provide access to the UPSC Philosophy optional question papers in PDF format, an invaluable resource for your preparation.
Here links of pyqs should be hyperlinked with appropriate year paper.
| UPSC Philosophy Optional Previous Year Question Papers | |
| Year | UPSC Philosophy Optional Question Papers PDF Link |
| 2022 | UPSC Philosophy Optional Question Paper 1 |
| 2021 | UPSC Philosophy Optional Question Paper 1 |
| 2020 | UPSC Philosophy Optional Question Paper 1 |
| 2019 | UPSC Philosophy Optional Question Paper 1 |
| 2018 | UPSC Philosophy Optional Question Paper 1 |
Over the span of six years, from 2013 to 2020, more than 10000 dedicated aspirants chose Philosophy as their optional subject for the UPSC Civil Services Mains examination. The table below offers a comprehensive overview of the success rate achieved by candidates who opted for Philosophy during this period:
| UPSC Philosophy Optional Success Rate | |||
| Year | Number of Candidates with Philosophy Optional | Number of Candidates Selected | Success Rate (%) |
| 2020 | 347 | 20 | 5.8% |
| 2019 | 439 | 27 | 6.2% |
| 2018 | 463 | 42 | 9.1% |
| 2017 | 755 | 53 | 7.0% |
| 2016 | 847 | 44 | 5.2% |
The UPSC Mains Philosophy Optional Exam for 2023 is scheduled for September 24, 2023, with two sessions. Philosophy Paper 1 will be held during the morning session from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, followed by Philosophy Paper 2 in the afternoon session from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. You can access the UPSC Mains Philosophy Question Paper for 2023 in PDF format here. Philosophy stands as one of the optional subjects available for the UPSC Mains Examination.
Candidates preparing for the UPSC should make a thoughtful choice when selecting their optional subject, as it carries substantial weightage. The optional subject accounts for 500 marks, approximately 25% of the total marks for the written exam and personality test, significantly impacting merit scores. Philosophy is one of the optional subjects available for the UPSC Exam in 2023.
In the UPSC Mains Exam, candidates select two optional papers out of the available 48 subjects. These papers, Optional Paper I and Optional Paper II, are worth 250 marks each, making up the 500 marks allocated for the optional subject.
Choosing the right optional subject is a crucial decision for UPSC aspirants, as it can greatly influence their overall performance in the examination.
Paper 1 of the UPSC Philosophy Optional covers various philosophical themes, including epistemology, ethics, Indian philosophy, and Western philosophy. This paper evaluates candidates’ theoretical knowledge of philosophy and their ability to articulate philosophical ideas effectively.
Aspiring candidates can access the syllabus and previous years’ question papers for Paper 1 in PDF format on the official UPSC website. These resources prove invaluable for gaining insights into the examination pattern and syllabus.
Paper 2 of the UPSC Philosophy Optional focuses on the application of philosophical concepts and principles to contemporary issues and philosophical thinkers. It covers topics like ethics, political philosophy, and socio-political philosophy. This paper assesses candidates’ capacity to analyze and provide philosophical insights into current societal and ethical challenges.
Similar to Paper 1, the syllabus and previous question papers for Paper 2 are available in PDF format on the UPSC website. These resources provide candidates with a comprehensive understanding of the topics and question patterns, which is crucial for effective preparation.
Philosophy Optional Analysis
Philosophy, as an optional subject, has garnered a reputation for its intellectual rigor and the opportunity it offers candidates to express their philosophical thinking. It often attracts individuals with a strong academic background in the subject.
Analyzing past trends in the UPSC Philosophy Optional Paper can provide valuable insights into the types of questions and topics that are frequently asked.
For candidates who have chosen Philosophy as their optional subject, it is highly advisable to go through previous years’ UPSC Philosophy question papers. This practice provides valuable insights into the types of questions to expect, the test format, and other important aspects.
Notably, around 5–6 themes tend to recur either directly or indirectly in the exam each year, making Philosophy a high-scoring and weighty optional subject. Solving UPSC Philosophy Previous Year Question Papers enables candidates to gauge their speed, accuracy, time management, and pinpoint the specific themes they should focus on for their Philosophy optional paper.
Understanding the trends in UPSC Philosophy Optional Question Papers can significantly assist candidates in streamlining their preparation for this optional subject, enhancing their overall readiness for the examination.
The syllabus for the UPSC Philosophy Optional Paper is divided into two papers, Paper-I and Paper-II. Here’s a summary of the syllabus for both papers:
The success rate for Philosophy as an optional subject in the UPSC examination has been reasonably steady. Candidates who have a deep understanding of the subject and can articulate their thoughts effectively have consistently performed well in this optional paper.
The UPSC Philosophy Optional Paper offers candidates a platform to demonstrate their philosophical prowess and their ability to apply philosophical principles to contemporary issues. While it may be considered a challenging subject, those who are genuinely passionate about philosophy find it intellectually rewarding. By analyzing past trends, practicing previous question papers, and honing their philosophical thinking, aspirants can position themselves for success in the UPSC CSE with Philosophy as their optional subject.
UPSC Philosophy Previous Year Question Papers serve as a valuable tool for candidates in assessing their preparation progress and identifying areas that require further attention.
By solving these previous year papers, candidates gain insights into the paper’s format and the relative importance of different topics within the subject of philosophy. Armed with this knowledge, aspirants can fine-tune their preparation, focusing on specific philosophy topics accordingly.
In addition, working through past UPSC Philosophy Optional Question Papers hones candidates’ skills in crafting effective answers and managing their time efficiently. This skill set is crucial for success in the IAS exam, where a multitude of questions must be addressed within strict time constraints.
In summary, the utilization of previous year papers in philosophy enhances candidates’ speed and accuracy, two critical factors that significantly influence their performance in the IAS exam.
Preparing for the Philosophy optional subject in UPSC requires a well-structured approach. Philosophy can be broadly categorized into four parts: Western Philosophy, Indian Philosophy, Social-Political Philosophy, and Religious Philosophy. Here’s a preparation strategy for each of these:
Western Philosophy and Indian Philosophy (Paper-1)
Social-Political Philosophy and Religious Philosophy (Paper-II)
Practice Answer Writing
Refer to Toppers’ Answer Scripts
Enroll in Test Series
Choosing Philosophy as an optional subject for the UPSC Civil Services Examination has both advantages and challenges, and its suitability depends on an individual’s interests, background, and preparation abilities. Here are some key points to consider when evaluating whether Philosophy is a good optional subject for UPSC:
Competitive Nature: Philosophy is a popular optional subject, and the competition can be high. Scoring well may require in-depth knowledge and excellent presentation skills.
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