UPSC Exam Syllabus Details
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services Examination (CSE) annually, which is one of the most prestigious exams in India. The exam is conducted in three stages:
- Preliminary Examination (Prelims)
- Main Examination (Mains)
- Personality Test (Interview)
1. UPSC Preliminary Examination Syllabus
The Preliminary Examination is the first stage of the UPSC Civil Services Examination. It consists of two papers:
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Studies (GS) | 200 | 2 Hours |
| Paper II | CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) | 200 | 2 Hours |
Note: Paper II (CSAT) is of qualifying nature and candidates need to score a minimum of 33% to qualify for the Mains examination.
General Studies (GS) Syllabus:
- 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
- General Science
CSAT (Paper II) Syllabus:
- 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.)
- Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc.)
2. UPSC Main Examination Syllabus
The Main Examination is the second stage of the UPSC Civil Services Examination. It consists of nine papers, out of which two are qualifying in nature. The remaining seven papers are counted for ranking.
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper A | Indian Language (Qualifying) | 300 | 3 Hours |
| Paper B | English (Qualifying) | 300 | 3 Hours |
| Paper I | Essay | 250 | 3 Hours |
| Paper II | General Studies I | 250 | 3 Hours |
| Paper III | General Studies II | 250 | 3 Hours |
| Paper IV | General Studies III | 250 | 3 Hours |
| Paper V | General Studies IV | 250 | 3 Hours |
| Paper VI | Optional Subject Paper I | 250 | 3 Hours |
| Paper VII | Optional Subject Paper II | 250 | 3 Hours |
General Studies Papers Syllabus:
General Studies I (Paper II):
- Indian Heritage and Culture
- History and Geography of the World and Society
General Studies II (Paper III):
- Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations
General Studies III (Paper IV):
- Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management
General Studies IV (Paper V):
- Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude
3. UPSC Personality Test (Interview)
The Personality Test is the final stage of the UPSC Civil Services Examination. It assesses the candidate’s suitability for a career in public service by judging their mental and social traits, including intellectual ability, social cohesion, leadership qualities, and moral integrity.
The interview carries 275 marks, making the total marks for the final merit list 2025.
Conclusion
The UPSC Civil Services Examination is one of the toughest exams in India, and it requires a deep understanding of the syllabus and a well-planned preparation strategy. Aspirants should focus on each stage of the examination with dedication and perseverance to achieve success.