UPSC Syllabus
The UPSC Syllabus is the foundational blueprint for any candidate aspiring to join the Indian Civil Services. Understanding the syllabus in its entirety is the first and most crucial step toward success in the Civil Services Examination (CSE).
The examination is conducted in three successive stages:
- Preliminary Examination (Objective Type)
- Main Examination (Descriptive Type)
- Personality Test (Interview)
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UPSC CSE Prelims Syllabus
The Preliminary stage is a screening test consisting of two compulsory papers. While the marks in Prelims are not counted for the final merit, candidates must clear this stage to appear for the Mains.
| Number of Papers | 2 Compulsory Papers : • Paper-I (GS) • Paper-II (CSAT) |
| Type of Questions | Multiple Choice Questions (Objective Type) |
| Total Maximum Marks | 200 marks for each paper (Total 400 Marks) |
| Duration of Exam | 2 Hours for each paper [20 minutes per hour extra time for blind candidates and candidates with Locomotor Disability and Cerebral Palsy (minimum 40% impairment)] |
| Negative Marking | 1/3rd mark for every wrong answer |
| Medium of Exam | Bilingual (English & Hindi) |
| Marks counted in Merit | No |
Paper I (General Studies) Syllabus
Paper I – (200 Marks) & Duration : 2 Hours
- Current events of national and international importance.
- History of India and Indian National Movement.
- Indian and World Geography – Physical, Social, Economic geography of India and the World.
- Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
- Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
- General issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialization.
- General Science.
Paper II (CSAT: Civil Services Aptitude Test) Syllabus
Paper II – (200 Marks) & Duration : 2 Hours
- Comprehension;
- Interpersonal skills including communication skills;
- Logical reasoning and analytical ability;
- Decision-making and problem-solving;
- General mental ability;
- Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level),
- Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc. – Class X level).
Note 1 : Paper-II of the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination will be a qualifying paper with minimum qualifying marks fixed at 33%.
Note 2 : The questions will be of multiple choice, objective type.
Note 3 : It is mandatory for the candidate to appear in both the Papers of Civil Services (Prelim) Examination for the purpose of evaluation. Therefore a candidate will be disqualified in case he/she does not appear in both the papers of the Civil Services (Prelim) Examination.
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UPSC CSE Mains Syllabus
The Main Examination is designed to assess the intellectual depth and analytical ability of the candidate. It consists of nine papers, out of which seven are counted for merit.
QUALIFYING PAPERS ON INDIAN LANGUAGES AND ENGLISH (Paper-A & Paper-B)
The aim of the paper is to test the candidate’s ability to read and understand serious discursive prose and to express their ideas clearly and correctly, in the English and Indian languages concerned.
The pattern of questions would be broadly as follows :
- Comprehension of given
- Precis
- Usage and
- Short
Indian Languages :—
- Comprehension of given
- Precis
- Usage and
- Short
- Translation from English to the Indian Language and vice-versa.
Note 1 : The papers on Indian Languages and English will be of Matriculation or equivalent standard and will be of qualifying nature only. The marks obtained in these papers will not be counted for ranking.
Note 1 : The candidates will have to answer the English and Indian Languages papers in English and the respective Indian language (except where translation is involved).
PAPER-I
Essay : Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics. They will be expected to keep close to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in an orderly fashion and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.
General Studies-I : Indian Heritage and Culture, History, and Geography of the World and Society :
- Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature, and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
- Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.
- The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
- Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
- History of the world will include events from the 18th century such as the Industrial Revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism, etc.— their forms and effects on society.
- Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
- Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems, and their remedies.
- Effects of globalization on Indian society.
- Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
- Salient features of the world’s physical geography.
- Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India).
- Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, Cyclone, etc., geographical features and their location changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
General Studies-II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations :
- Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions, and basic structure.
- Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels, and challenges therein.
- Separation of powers between various organs disputes redressal mechanisms and institutions.
- Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
- Parliament and State legislatures—structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges, and issues arising out of these.
- Structure, organization, and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary—Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity.
- Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
- Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions, and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
- Statutory, regulatory, and various quasi-judicial bodies.
- Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
- Development processes and the development industry—the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
- Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions, and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
- Issues relating to the development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, and Human Resources.
- Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
- Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability, and institutional and other measures.
- Role of civil services in a democracy.
- India and its neighborhood- relations.
- Bilateral, regional, and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
- Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
- Important International institutions, agencies, and fora- their structure, mandate.
General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management :
- Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development, and employment.
- Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
- Government Budgeting.
- Major crop-cropping patterns in various parts of the country, – different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport, and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers.
- Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.
- Food processing and related industries in India- scope’ and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
- Land reforms in India.
- Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy, and their effects on industrial growth.
- Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
- Investment models.
- Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
- Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology, and developing new technology.
- Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology, and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
- Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
- Disaster and disaster management.
- Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
- Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
- Challenges to internal security through communication networks, the role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money laundering, and its prevention.
- Security challenges and their management in border areas – linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
- Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.
General Studies-IV: Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude :
This paper will include questions to test the candidates’ attitudes and approaches to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life, and his problem-solving approaches to various issues and conflicts faced by him in dealing with society. Questions may utilize the case study approach to determine these aspects. The following broad areas will be covered :
- Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics – in private and public relationships. Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers, and administrators; the role of family society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
- Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
- Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance, and compassion towards the weaker sections.
- Emotional intelligence concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance.
- Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and the world.
- Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations, and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.
- Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.
- Case Studies on the above issues.
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UPSC CSE Optional Syllabus
Candidates can choose one optional subject from a list of 48 subjects provided by UPSC (e.g., History, Geography, Sociology, Public Administration).
- Paper-VI: Optional Paper-1 (250 Marks)
- Paper-VII: Optional Paper-2 (250 Marks)
- Level: The scope of the syllabus for optional subjects is of the Honours degree level (higher than a Bachelor’s but lower than a Master’s degree).
Optional Paper-VI and VII Syllabus
UPSC Personality Test
Candidates who qualify the Main Examination are called for the Personality Test, which carries 275 marks. This stage evaluates the candidate’s mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, and social traits.
Final Merit Calculation:
- Total: 2025 Marks
- Main Examination: 1750 Marks
- Personality Test: 275 Marks
UPSC Mains Paper-I to Paper-VII & Interview Exam Pattern
Download Official UPSC Syllabus PDF
Get organized with our separate, easy-to-read PDF versions of the UPSC syllabus for each stage of the exam.
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| FAQ – UPSC Syllabus |
| Q. Is the UPSC Syllabus the same every year? Ans. Yes, the core static syllabus for the UPSC Civil Services Examination remains largely the same. However, the examination is dynamic because a significant portion of the questions, especially in General Studies (Mains) and GS Paper-I (Prelims), are based on Current Affairs. Aspirants should always refer to the latest official notification for any minor changes in the exam pattern. Q. What are the qualifying marks for the CSAT paper? Ans. The CSAT (General Studies Paper-II) in the Preliminary stage is a qualifying paper. Candidates are required to score a minimum of 33% marks (approximately 66 marks out of 200) to qualify for the evaluation of their GS Paper-I. Q. How many optional subjects do I need to choose for the UPSC Mains? Ans. Candidates have to choose one optional subject from the list provided by UPSC. However, this single subject consists of two papers: Optional Paper-I and Optional Paper-II, each carrying 250 marks, totaling 500 marks. Q. Are the marks obtained in the Prelims counted for the final merit list? Ans. No. The UPSC Prelims is strictly a screening test. The marks obtained in the Preliminary examination are only used to shortlist candidates for the Main examination and are not counted toward the final merit or ranking. Q. Can I write the UPSC Mains exam in my mother tongue? Ans. Yes. Candidates have the option to write their answers in English or in any of the languages included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution (such as Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, etc.), regardless of the medium of instruction they had during their graduation. Q. What is the importance of the Ethics (GS-IV) paper? Ans. The Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude paper (General Studies-IV) is a merit-ranking paper. It is designed to evaluate a candidate’s attitude and approach toward issues of integrity and probity in public life. It carries 250 marks and can significantly impact your final rank. Q. Is there a negative marking in the UPSC Exam? Ans. Negative marking is applicable only in the Preliminary Examination. For every incorrect answer, one-third (1/3rd) of the marks assigned to that question are deducted. There is no negative marking in the descriptive-style Main Examination. Q. What is the standard of the English and Indian Language qualifying papers? Ans. The standard of the qualifying papers (Paper-A and Paper-B) is of Matriculation (Class X) or equivalent level. These papers are designed to test the candidate’s ability to read, understand, and express ideas clearly in the respective languages. Q. How could any aspirant or anyone get more information about UPSC CSE Examination? Ans. Any aspirant or anyone could get more information About UPSC CSE Examination from FAQs given on the official website of UPSC or from the link given here https://upsc.gov.in/faqs. Note:- For any other information or query about UPSC CSE Prelims Syllabus, Please visit the Official Website https://upsc.gov.in. |