Final Result - CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.

Click Here

Complete Syllabus For UPSC Philosophy Optional

Madhavi Gaur July 03, 2023 01:49 10601 0

Learn the entire syllabus, books, question papers, coaching options for cracking UPSC Philosophy Optional.

Complete Syllabus For UPSC Philosophy Optional

UPSC Philosophy Optional is slowly gaining popularity among UPSC aspirants’ community due to success stories of previous candidates. The strategy, syllabus, booklist, question papers and much more about UPSC Philosophy Optional can be found in this article.

Philosophy Optional for UPSC

The UPSC Philosophy Optional syllabus for the IAS exam emphasizes candidates’ capacity to understand the subject and apply their knowledge to Indian society.

Candidates having a background in philosophy will obviously find it easy for preparation. However, candidates without a philosophy background can excel in the subject provided they prepare well. There is a category of students who choose Philosophy Optional as it may help them in Essay as well as General Studies IV

UPSC Philosophy Optional Syllabus and Exam Pattern

The Philosophy optional syllabus covers topics related to the history of philosophy, religion, and social structures. This optional syllabus primarily deals with the historical and evolutionary aspects of philosophy, as well as its impact on Indian culture.

The Optional Subject in UPSC Mains consists of two papers, Paper I and Paper II, each of which is worth 250 marks. The total time available for each paper is 3 hours. Both the question papers consist of eight questions, divided into two sections of four questions each. A candidate has to attempt any five questions. Question 1 and Question 5 are compulsory. Out of the remaining six questions, they will have to attempt any three, choosing at least one from each section. Here is the exam pattern for Philosophy optional UPSC: 

UPSC Philosophy Optional Exam Pattern
Particular Details
Total Papers Two, Paper I and Paper II
Total Marks 500 (250 Each)
Time allowed 3 Hours for each paper
Sections Section A and Section B
Questions Total 8 questions with subparts
Compulsory Question Question No. 1 and 5 
Marks Distribution 10, 15, and 20 marker questions

UPSC Philosophy Optional Syllabus: Paper 1

History and Problems of Philosophy
  1. Plato and Aristotle: Ideas; Substance; Form and Matter; Causation; Actuality and Potentiality. 
  2. Rationalism (Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz); Cartesian Method and Certain Knowledge; Substance; God; Mind-Body Dualism; Determinism and Freedom. 
  3. Empiricism (Locke, Berkeley, Hume): Theory of Knowledge; Substance and Qualities; Self and God; Scepticism. 
  4. Kant: Possibility of Synthetic a priori Judgments; Space and Time; Categories; Ideas of Reason; Antinomies; Critique of Proofs for the Existence of God. 
  5. Hegel: Dialectical Method; Absolute Idealism. 
  6. Moore, Russell and Early Wittgenstein: Defence of Common sense; Refutation of Idealism; Logical Atomism; Logical Constructions; Incomplete Symbols; Picture Theory of Meaning; Saying and Showing. 
  7. Logical Positivism: Verification Theory of Meaning; Rejection of Metaphysics; Linguistic Theory of Necessary Propositions. 
  8. Later Wittgenstein: Meaning and Use; Language-games; Critique of Private Language. 
  9. Phenomenology (Husserl): Method; Theory of Essences; Avoidance of Psychologism. 
  10. Existentialism (Kierkegaard, Sartre, Heidegger): Existence and Essence; Choice, Responsibility and Authentic Existence; Being-in-the-world and Temporality. 
  11. Quine and Strawson: Critique of Empiricism; Theory of Basic Particulars and Persons. 
  12. Carvaka: Theory of Knowledge; Rejection of Transcendent Entities. 
  13. Jainism: Theory of Reality; Saptabhanginaya; Bondage and Liberation. 
  14. Schools of Buddhism: PratItyasamutpada; Ksanikavada, Nairatmyavada. 
  15. Nyaya—Vaisesika: Theory of Categories; Theory of Appearance; Theory of Pramana; Self, Liberation; God; Proofs for the Existence of God; Theory of Causation; Atomistic Theory of Creation. 
  16. Samkhya; Prakrit; Purusa; Causation; Liberation. 
  17. Yoga; Citta; Cittavrtti; Klesas; Samadhi; Kaivalya. 
  18. Mimamsa: Theory of Knowledge. 
  19. Schools of Vedanta: Brahman; Isvara; Atman; Jiva; Jagat; Maya; Avida; Adhyasa; Moksa; Aprthaksiddhi; Pancavidhabheda. 
  20. Aurobindo: Evolution, Involution; Integral Yoga.

UPSC Philosophy Optional Syllabus: Paper 2 

Socio-Political Philosophy
  1. Social and Political ldeals: Equality, Justice, Liberty. 
  2. Sovereignty: Austin, Bodin, Laski, Kautilya. 
  3. Individual and State: Rights; Duties and Accountability. 
  4. Forms of Government: Monarchy; Theocracy and Democracy. 
  5. Political Ideologies: Anarchism; Marxism and Socialism. 
  6. Humanism; Secularism; Multi-culturalism. 
  7. Crime and Punishment: Corruption, Mass Violence, Genocide, Capital Punishment. 
  8. Development and Social Progress. 
  9. Gender Discrimination: Female Foeticide, Land and Property Rights; Empowerment. 
  10. Caste Discrimination: Gandhi and Ambedkar.
Philosophy of Religion
  1. Notions of God: Attributes; Relation to Man and the World. (Indian and Western). 
  2. Proofs for the Existence of God and their Critique (Indian and Western). 
  3. Problem of Evil. 
  4. Soul: Immortality; Rebirth and Liberation. 
  5. Reason, Revelation and Faith. 
  6. Religious Experience: Nature and Object (Indian and Western). 
  7. Religion without God. 
  8. Religion and Morality. 
  9. Religious Pluralism and the Problem of Absolute Truth. 
  10. Nature of Religious Language: Analogical and Symbolic; Cognitivist and Non-cognitive.

Following is a table containing a comprehensive list of books that a candidate can refer while preparing for UPSC Philosophy Optional:

Paper 1 Paper 2
  • A History of Philosophy by Frank Thilly
  • A Critical Survey of Indian Philosophy by C D Sharma
  • A New History of Western Philosophy: In Four Parts by Anthony Kenny
  • Indian Philosophy: A Counter Perspective by Dr Daya Krishna
  • A Critical History of Greek Philosophy by W T Stace
  • Existentialism: A Reconstruction by David Cooper
  • The Problems of Philosophy by Bertrand Russel
  • An Introduction to Indian Philosophy by S Chatterjee
  • A History of Philosophy by Frank Thilly
  • A History of Political Thought: Plato to Marx by Mukherjee and Ramaswamy
  • A Critical History of Western Philosophy- Y Masih
  • Contemporary Western Philosophy by Dr B.K. Lal
  • Philosophy of Religion by John H. Hick
  • Philosophy of Religion: An Introduction by Dr Michael B Wilkinson
  • An Introduction to Political Theory by O P Gauba
  • Introduction to Religious Philosophy by Y Masih

Philosophy Optional Coaching for UPSC Preparation

Philosophy optional coaching can help candidates to orient their preparation towards the exam pattern. They will receive good study material and also guidance from expert faculties. In short, coaching can help them approach philosophy optional in a better way, ensuring that their attempt helps them in clearing the examination. However, candidates not opting for coaching may also prepare well for the examination, provided they receive suitable guidance.

Philosophy Optional Question Paper

Candidates opting for UPSC Philosophy Optional need to refer to previous year questions to get an idea about the nature of questions asked in the examination. following table contains links of the question papers:

Year Question Paper
2023 Paper 1: Philosophy Optional
Paper 2: Philosophy Optional
2022 Paper 1: Philosophy Optional
Paper 2: Philosophy Optional
2021 Paper 1: Philosophy Optional
Paper 2: Philosophy Optional
2020 Paper 1: Philosophy Optional
Paper 2: Philosophy Optional
2019 Paper 1: Philosophy Optional
Paper 2: Philosophy Optional

UPSC Philosophy Optional Toppers

Year Name Marks Rank
2022 Avinash Kumar 319 17
2022 Amir Khan 286 154
2020 Divya Mishra 265 28
2019 Himanshu Gupta 287 27
2019 K Aman Chandran 310 197

Strategies for Success in UPSC Philosophy Optional

Preparing for the UPSC Philosophy syllabus requires a systematic and focused approach. Here is a preparation strategy to help you cover the UPSC Philosophy syllabus effectively:

  • Understand the Syllabus: Begin by thoroughly understanding the UPSC Philosophy syllabus. Break it down into topics and subtopics to get a clear idea of what needs to be covered.
  • Collect Study Material: Gather the necessary study material to cover UPSC Philosophy syllabus, including textbooks, reference books, previous years’ question papers, and online resources. 
  • Create a Study Plan: Devise a study plan that suits your schedule and helps you cover the entire UPSC Philosophy syllabus within a specific timeframe. Allocate sufficient time for each topic based on its weightage and complexity. Ensure that your plan includes regular revision sessions as well.
  • Start with Basics: Begin your preparation by focusing on the foundational concepts of philosophy. Understand the major philosophical theories, thinkers, and their contributions. Build a solid understanding of the key terms and concepts used in philosophy.
  • Follow a Structured Approach: Divide the syllabus into manageable sections and study them systematically. For example, you can start with Indian Philosophy, then move on to Western Philosophy, and finally cover topics like Epistemology, Ethics, and Logic.
  • Take Notes: While studying, make concise and organized notes. Summarize key points, definitions, and arguments. This will help you retain information and serve as a quick revision tool.
  • Enhance Comprehension: Philosophy involves critical thinking and analysis. Practice reading and comprehending complex philosophical texts. Try to break down the arguments and understand their logical structure. Analyse different viewpoints and critically evaluate them.
  • Solve Previous Years’ Question Papers: Solve previous years’ question papers to get acquainted with the UPSC exam pattern and the type of questions asked. It will also help you identify areas where you need more practice and improve your time management skills.
  • Mock Tests and Revision: Regularly take mock tests and simulate the exam environment. This will help you gauge your preparation level and identify weak areas that require more attention. Additionally, allocate dedicated time for revision to reinforce your understanding and improve retention.
  • Stay Updated: Stay abreast of current philosophical debates and developments. Read philosophical articles, journals, and blogs to familiarize yourself with contemporary issues and perspectives. This will add depth to your answers and showcase your awareness of the subject.
  • Practice Answer Writing: Answer writing is crucial for scoring well in the UPSC exam. Practice writing concise and well-structured answers. Focus on clarity, logical coherence, and presenting arguments effectively. Seek feedback from mentors, teachers, or fellow aspirants to improve your writing skills.
  • Stay Motivated and Balanced: UPSC preparation can be demanding, so it’s essential to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Take breaks, engage in recreational activities, and prioritize self-care. Stay motivated by reminding yourself of your goals and the significance of the subject you’re studying.

Conclusion:

UPSC Philosophy optional requires a steady and planned approach that will ensure that the candidate grasps the underlying themes and also reproduce them in an easy and accurate way.

Opting for UPSC Philosophy Optional will enable the candidate to score good marks in UPSC mains and get a good shot at qualifying the examination.

Must Read
NCERT Notes For UPSC UPSC Daily Current Affairs
UPSC Blogs UPSC Daily Editorials
Daily Current Affairs Quiz Daily Main Answer Writing
UPSC Mains Previous Year Papers UPSC Test Series 2024

 

Frequently Asked Questions

The 359/500 marks scored by Hemant K. Singh in UPSC CSE Mains 2017, is the highest marks in philosophy optional till now.

Mind maps help candidates to remember themes and interconnect with other thinkers. This will also help them in writing holistic answers.

A candidate has to know the demand of the question while writing answers. The answers must be holistic, covering all aspects of the theme. This will help them in getting more marks.

Philosophy may not have direct relation with administration. However, the knowledge gained in philosophy will help in solving complex issues.

Yes. Philosophy has one of the shortest syllabuses in UPSC optional and can be covered within two months.

Sociology and Philosophy both help candidates in topics such as essay and general studies. However, philosophy is comparatively tougher than sociology.

Archive Calendar

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031  

by month

 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

THE MOST
LEARNING PLATFORM

Learn From India's Best Faculty

      

 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

Quick Revise Now !
AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD SOON
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

<div class="new-fform">







    </div>

    Subscribe our Newsletter
    Sign up now for our exclusive newsletter and be the first to know about our latest Initiatives, Quality Content, and much more.
    *Promise! We won't spam you.
    Yes! I want to Subscribe.