Law Optional for UPSC – Syllabus, Booklist & Strategy
Here are some help tools for tackling Law in the UPSC exams, ranging from the syllabus to reading list and other tips. These resources on Law also includes IAS Question Papers of Law. We wish you to adopt the best strategy and become successful. We try our best to provide as many resources for your prepration as possible, but if you can add to this list please feel free to send us links or matter.
Law is one of the most rewarding and structured optional subjects in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. It is a popular choice for aspirants with a background in law or those working in the judicial or administrative sectors.
This guide provides a detailed overview of the Law optional syllabus, best books, answer writing tips, and toppers’ strategies to help you score well in UPSC Mains.
Why Choose Law Optional in UPSC?
- High scoring potential with structured preparation
- Significant overlap with GS Paper 2 (Polity & Governance)
- Static syllabus – ideal for planned preparation
- Useful for aspirants from legal, humanities, and governance backgrounds
UPSC Law Optional Syllabus – Paper I & II
📘 Paper I – Constitutional & International Law
- Indian Constitution – historical background, features, amendments
- Fundamental Rights, DPSPs, Judiciary, Separation of Powers
- Judicial Review, Doctrines of Ultra Vires and Natural Justice
- Sources of International Law, UN Charter, ICJ, Law of Treaties
📙 Paper II – Law of Crimes, Torts & Commercial Laws
- Indian Penal Code – General exceptions, Offenses, Liability
- Law of Torts – Negligence, Nuisance, Defamation, Liability
- Contract Act, Sale of Goods Act, Partnership Act, Company Law
Best Books for Law Optional – UPSC
- Indian Polity & Constitution: M.P. Jain, V.N. Shukla, D.D. Basu
- IPC: K.D. Gaur, P.S.A. Pillai
- International Law: Malcolm Shaw, Starke
- Torts: R.K. Bangia
- Contracts & Commercial Law: Avtar Singh
- Always refer to Bare Acts for clarity and exact provisions
Preparation Strategy for Law Optional
- Understand and map the syllabus thoroughly
- Focus on conceptual clarity and application of law
- Use landmark case laws and Articles to support answers
- Answer writing practice is critical – structure your answers well
- Stay updated with major Supreme Court judgments and new laws
Answer Writing Tips for Law Optional
- Begin with relevant legal principles and define key terms
- Cite Articles and sections (e.g., Article 14 – Equality before law)
- Incorporate landmark judgments like Kesavananda Bharati, Maneka Gandhi
- Use headings and subheadings for clarity
- Conclude with a brief summary or judicial observation
Success Stories & Toppers with Law Optional
- Apala Mishra (AIR 9, 2020) – Strong legal presentation helped her score high in Ethics and GS 2
- Abhishek Saraf (AIR 8, 2019) – Used diagrams and case law frameworks in answers
FAQs – Law Optional for UPSC
Q. Can non-law graduates choose Law optional?
Yes. With the right guidance and consistent effort, non-law aspirants can also score well.
Q. Is coaching necessary for Law optional?
Not always. Many candidates clear UPSC with self-study using standard books and previous year questions.
Q. Does Law optional help in GS papers?
Yes. Especially in GS Paper II (Polity, Governance, Judiciary) and GS IV (Ethics – legal dilemmas, justice).
