Stage oneUPSC Prelims Syllabus 2026
Prelims is an objective screening stage. GS Paper I determines the cut-off; GS Paper II (CSAT) is qualifying.
General Studies Paper I
- Current events: national and international importance.
- History: India and the Indian National Movement.
- Geography: physical, social and economic geography of India and the world.
- Polity and governance: Constitution, political system, Panchayati Raj, public policy and rights issues.
- Economy and development: sustainable development, poverty, inclusion, demographics and social-sector initiatives.
- Environment: ecology, biodiversity and climate change.
- General science: concepts and relevant developments.
General Studies Paper II (CSAT)
CSAT tests comprehension, interpersonal and communication skills, logical reasoning, analytical ability, decision-making, problem-solving, general mental ability, basic numeracy and data interpretation. It is qualifying at 33%.
| Prelims paper | Purpose | Status |
|---|
| GS Paper I | Knowledge and current-affairs screening | Counts for Prelims cut-off |
| GS Paper II (CSAT) | Aptitude, reasoning and comprehension | Qualifying: 33% |
Stage twoUPSC Mains Syllabus
Mains evaluates depth, analysis, expression and administrative judgement through nine descriptive papers.
E
Essay
Structured, coherent essays on multiple topics with balanced reasoning and relevant examples.
L
Qualifying papers
One Indian language paper and English; qualifying marks are required.
O
Optional subject
Two papers from one optional subject chosen by the candidate.
GS Paper I: Heritage, History, Society and Geography
Indian culture; modern Indian history and freedom struggle; post-independence consolidation; world history; Indian society, diversity, women, population, poverty, urbanisation and globalisation; physical geography, resources and important geophysical phenomena.
GS Paper II: Governance, Constitution, Polity and International Relations
Constitutional framework; Union-State relations; separation of powers; Parliament, legislatures, executive and judiciary; constitutional and statutory bodies; public policy, welfare, social justice, governance, transparency, civil services and India’s international relations.
GS Paper III: Economy, Technology, Environment and Security
Economy, budgeting, agriculture, food processing, land reforms and infrastructure; science and technology; environment, biodiversity and disaster management; internal security, cyber security, extremism, organised crime and security forces.
GS Paper IV: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude
Ethics and human interface; attitude; aptitude and civil-service values; emotional intelligence; moral thinkers; ethics in public administration; probity in governance and case studies.
Choose strategicallyUPSC Optional Subjects
The optional contributes two merit papers. Choose using interest, syllabus comfort, source availability and answer-writing aptitude—not popularity alone.
How to use it
Turn the syllabus into a preparation plan
Print and classify
Mark every line as static, current-linked, Prelims-only, Mains-only or overlapping.
Map resources
Assign one primary source, current-affairs source and PYQ set to each syllabus area.
Track with PYQs
Review previous questions to understand depth, recurring themes and directive words.
Integrate notes
Keep short topic sheets that combine core concepts, examples, data and current updates.
Test and revise
Use timed tests to find knowledge and presentation gaps, then update the checklist.
Revisit monthly
Audit coverage and remove low-value sources before they create revision overload.
UPSC syllabus FAQs
Frequently asked questions
What is included in the UPSC Prelims syllabus?
GS Paper I covers current events, history, geography, polity, economy, environment and science. CSAT covers comprehension, reasoning, decision-making, numeracy and data interpretation.
How many papers are there in UPSC Mains?
There are nine descriptive papers: two qualifying language papers and seven merit papers consisting of Essay, four General Studies papers and two optional papers.
Is the UPSC syllabus the same for IAS, IPS and other services?
Yes. Candidates take the common Civil Services Examination and service allocation happens later according to rank, preference, category and vacancies.
Should preparation start with the syllabus or books?
Start with the syllabus and previous-year questions. They help select relevant books and prevent unfocused reading.
Continue preparing
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