Humanities (Arts)
History, Political Science, Geography, Psychology, Sociology, Economics and more: the stream for law, civil services, social sciences, media, design and teaching.
This is probably you if
- You read widely and like writing and argument.
- You are interested in people, societies, politics, places or the mind.
- You are considering law, civil services, journalism, psychology, economics, design, teaching or research in the social sciences.
A typical week
Reading and note-making every day, essay-style answers, map work in Geography, and a practical in Psychology. Fewer labs than Science leave room for a second language or a skill subject.
Decide with these questions
- Which two or three social sciences do you actually want to read for two years?
- Do you need Mathematics or Economics for a specific degree?
- Have you checked your school's humanities block?
Classic humanities
- English Core 301
- History 027
- Political Science 028
- Geography 029
- Economics 030
Humanities + Psychology
- English Core 301
- Political Science 028
- Psychology 037
- Sociology 039
- Economics 030
Humanities + Maths (law and economics)
- English Core 301
- Political Science 028
- Economics 030
- Mathematics 041
- Legal Studies 074
Humanities + Computer Science
- English Core 301
- Economics 030
- Psychology 037
- Computer Science 083
- Mathematics 041
Routes this stream serves
Exams to know
Strengths
- The widest choice of subjects, so combinations can be built around interest.
- Direct preparation for CLAT, UPSC and most CUET domain tests in the social sciences.
- Economics and Mathematics can be added to keep quantitative degrees open.
Costs
- Without Mathematics, Economics Honours and quantitative programmes close at many universities.
- Long reading and writing loads; marks depend on answer-writing skill.
- Schools often offer a narrow humanities block, so check what is actually available.
Delhi University's highest cut-offs are routinely in Economics, Political Science and Psychology.
CBSE has no compulsory elective. Your school's block may require it; CBSE does not.
Guides for this path
Humanities with Maths: the under-rated combination
Political Science, Economics and Mathematics is one of the strongest combinations for law, economics and policy.
Psychology in Class 11: what it is really like
A science of the mind with experiments and statistics, not a conversation about feelings.
Law after Class 12: CLAT and which subjects help
Any stream qualifies. Reading, reasoning and current affairs decide it.
Economics: the subject that fits every stream
Allowed with PCM, PCB, Commerce and Humanities, and useful in all of them.