UPSC Syllabus 2026 (Prelims & Mains)

UPSC Syllabus is designed to assess a candidate’s general knowledge, aptitude, and analytical abilities. The exam has three stages: the Preliminary Examination (Prelims – the first stage), the Main Examination (Mains – the second stage for those who clear Prelims), and the Interview/Personality Test.

The UPSC Prelims syllabus includes two compulsory papers: General Studies Paper-I and General Studies Paper-II (also known as the CSAT or Civil Services Aptitude Test). These papers cover a wide range of subjects, including History, Geography, Economics, Polity, Environment, Science, and Current Affairs.

The UPSC Mains syllabus consists of 9 descriptive papers. These are divided into:

• Two qualifying papers (one compulsory Indian language and English),

• One Essay paper,

• Four General Studies papers, and

• Two papers for one Optional Subject.

Among these, only the marks from the Essay, the four General Studies papers, and the two Optional Subject papers are counted for the final merit list.

In this article, we will cover the detailed UPSC Prelims syllabus, the UPSC Mains syllabus, and the Optional Subject syllabus to help aspirants plan their preparation effectively.

UPSC Syllabus Overview

UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is considered the toughest and most prestigious competitive exam in India. Conducted every year by the Union Public Service Commission, this exam selects candidates for India’s top administrative services such as IAS, IPS, IFS, IFoS, IRS, etc.

For anyone preparing for the IAS exam, having a clear understanding of the UPSC syllabus is the first and most important step. A well-structured study plan begins with knowing what to study, how to divide time between different subjects, and how to connect topics with current affairs.

In this article, you will find a detailed overview of the UPSC Syllabus for Prelims, Mains optional subjects, along with insights into optional subjects, essay writing, and the interview (personality test) stage. You can also download the updated UPSC Syllabus PDF to plan your preparation in an organized manner.

UPSC Syllabus PDF

UPSC Syllabus for Prelims

UPSC Prelims Syllabus is divided into two papers: General Studies and CSAT. The overview of the UPSC syllabus for prelims is given below.

UPSC Syllabus for Prelims General Studies I

• 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, Bio-diversity, and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialization.
• General Science

UPSC Syllabus for Prelims CSAT (GS Paper II)

• 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)

Also Read | UPSC Prelims Exam Date 2027

UPSC Syllabus for Mains PDF Download

UPSC Syllabus for Mains PDF Download is officially available on the Union Public Service Commission’s website. Aspirants appearing for the Civil Services Examination can access a consolidated document covering the complete syllabus—General Studies Papers I to IV, Essay, Optional Subjects, and Language Papers. Downloading the official UPSC Mains Syllabus PDF helps ensure structured preparation and eliminates the risk of misinformation. Candidates are strongly advised to refer only to the official syllabus PDF for effective and focused study planning.

For the convenience of aspirants, we have also provided the direct link below. By referring to the link below, candidates can easily access the syllabus PDF:

UPSC Mains Syllabus PDF Download

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UPSC Mains Syllabus PDF Download (Hindi)

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UPSC Syllabus for Mains

UPSC Mains Syllabus consists of nine papers. While Paper A and Paper B are qualifying in nature, a candidate’s score in Essay, General Studies, and Optional Paper will be used to determine their merit ranking. The complete paper-wise syllabus is provided below:

UPSC Syllabus for Mains Paper A English

(i) Comprehension of given passages.

(ii) Precis Writing.

(iii) Usage and Vocabulary.

(iv) Short Essays.

UPSC Syllabus for Mains Paper B Indian Languages

(i) comprehension of given passages.

(ii) Precis Writing.

(iii) Usage and Vocabulary.

(iv) Short Essays.

(v) Translation from English to the Indian Language and vice-versa

UPSC Syllabus for Mains for Essay Paper

UPSC syllabus does not have specific topics. It says in the notification ‘Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics. They will be expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in orderly fashion, and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression’.

UPSC Syllabus for Mains General Studies Papers I to IV

There are four General Studies papers having a weightage of 250 marks. Here is the UPSC syllabus for Mains GS papers:

UPSC Syllabus for Mains GS 1

Here we have provided General Studies 1 syllabus in detail:

• 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 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars,
  redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism,
  capitalism, socialism etc.— their forms and effect on the 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 world’s physical geography.
• Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent); 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.

UPSC Syllabus for Mains GS 2

Check out the complete General Studies 2 syllabus from here:

• 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 dispute 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 development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, 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.

UPSC Syllabus for Mains GS 3

General Studies 3 syllabus includes topics like economy and Growth, Science and Technology, Environment and Ecology, Disaster Management, and Internal Security. Check out the complete syllabus here:

• Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
• Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
• Government Budgeting.
• Major crops-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, 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.

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UPSC Syllabus for Mains GS 4

General Studies 4 syllabus includes topics like Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude. Check out the complete syllabus here:

• This paper will include questions to test the candidates’ attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and his problem solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him in dealing with society. Questions may utilise 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; 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 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.

UPSC Syllabus for Mains Optional Subjects

Candidates writing UPSC Exam mains have to select one of the optional subjects from the list below as part of UPSC syllabus for mains optional.

Available Literature Languages

Assamese, Bodo, Bengali, Dogri, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kashmiri, Konkani, Kannada, Manipuri, Marathi, Santhali, Sanskrit, Maithili, Malayalam, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu. (Total 23 Languages)

UPSC Syllabus for Interview

The UPSC Interview, also known as the Personality Test, is the final stage of the examination. Unlike the earlier stages, there is no specific UPSC syllabus for the interview.

• The questions asked cover a wide range of issues. These are both trending as well as static.
• The main objective of this interview is to assess the candidate’s suitability for a career in civil services, and it is conducted by a group of unbiased observers.
• The Interview test carries 275 marks, while the total marks for the written examination are 1750, making the Grand Total of 2025 Marks. This total determines the final merit list.

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