UPSC Syllabus PDF

PDF Name	UPSC Syllabus
No. of Pages	125
PDF Size	1.19 MB
Language	English
PDF Category	Education & Jobs
Source / Credits	Multiple Sources
Uploaded By	Pradeep

UPSC Syllabus - Summary

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has updated the UPSC syllabus to ensure it aligns effectively with the needs of aspiring candidates. This comprehensive UPSC syllabus PDF can be downloaded from the link provided at the bottom of this page.

Understanding the UPSC Examination Structure

The UPSC examination serves as a crucial screening test. It is essential to know that the marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination are only for qualifying candidates for the Main Examination. These marks do not affect the final ranking or merit list.

Three Stages of the UPSC IAS Exam

Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination: This is an objective type test designed to select candidates for the Mains Exam.
Civil Services Mains Examination: This is a written exam that evaluates candidates further and prepares them for the final selection.
Civil Services Personality Test (PT): This is the last stage of the selection process, where candidates are assessed on their personality and suitability for a career in civil services.

UPSC Syllabus – Overview

Particulars	Prelims	Mains
No. of Papers	Two	Nine
Types of Questions	Objective Type	Descriptive Type
Duration of Exam	2 hours each	3 hours each
Total Marks	400	1750
Medium of Exam	English & Hindi	English & Hindi (except language paper)
Negative Marking	⅓rd mark	No negative marking
Marks Counted in Merit	No	Yes

UPSC Syllabus 2025 for GS Paper (Prelims Paper 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, Biodiversity, and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialization.
General Science

UPSC Syllabus for CSAT Paper (Prelims 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)

UPSC Exam Pattern 2025

UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern 2025
Paper	Subjects	Marks	No. of Question	Duration
I	General Studies (GS)	200	100	2 hours (9:30 AM to 11:30 AM)
II	CSAT	200	80	2 hours (2:30 PM to 4:30 PM)

UPSC Mains Exam 2025

Qualifying Papers		Marks
Paper-A	One of the Indian Language to be selected by the candidate from the Languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution	300
Paper-B	English	300
Papers Counted for Merit
Paper-I	Essay	250
Paper-II	General Studies-I (Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society)	250
Paper-III	General Studies-II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations)	250
Paper-IV	Genera Studies-III (Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management)	250
Paper-V	General Studies-IV (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude)	250
Paper-VI	Optional Subject – Paper 1	250
Paper-VII	Optional Subject – Paper 2	250
Sub Total (Written Test)		1750
Personality Test		275
Grand Total		2025

UPSC Mains General Studies I Syllabus

Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society:

Indian culture covers the salient features of Literature, Art Forms, and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Modern Indian history includes significant events, personalities, and issues during the middle of the eighteenth century until the present
Various stages and important contributors and contributions from different parts of the country in ‘The Freedom Struggle’
Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country
History of the world includes events, forms, and effects on society from the 18th century like world wars, the industrial revolution, colonization, redrawing of national boundaries, decolonization, and political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.
Salient Aspects of Diversity of India and Indian Society
Role of women and women’s organizations, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems, and remedies
Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism
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
Effects of globalization on Indian society
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
Salient features of the world’s physical geography.

UPSC Mains General Studies II Syllabus

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
Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries
Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions
Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these
Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies
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
Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation
Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies
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
Development processes and the development industry the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders
Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources
Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures
Issues relating to poverty and hunger
Role of civil services in a democracy
Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
India and its neighborhood- relations
Important International institutions, agencies and fora, their structure, mandate
Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora

UPSC Mains General Studies III Syllabus

Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management:

Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management.
Government Budgeting.
Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
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
Economics of animal-rearing.
Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
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
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 and technology;
Indigenisation of technology and developing new technology.
Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
Disaster and disaster management.
Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
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
Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate
Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism

UPSC Mains General Studies IV Syllabus

Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude: This paper includes questions to check the candidate’s attitude and approach towards the issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and their problem-solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by them while dealing with society. Questions may utilize the case study approach to determine these aspects and cover area

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 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.

UPSC New Syllabus – IAS Prelims Exam 2025– UPSC Syllabus Download in English

In IAS Prelims, UPSC tests the analytical, logical, and reasoning ability of the candidates. The IAS Prelims Exam is divided into two parts:

(i) General Studies Paper-I

(ii) General Studies Paper-II

Both papers have a maximum time limit of two hours and the General Studies Paper-II, which is popularly known as CSAT, is only qualifying in nature. The exam is conducted on a single day with Paper 1 in the morning session and paper 2 in the evening session.

UPSC IAS Syllabus Prelims Exam : GS Paper I

Marks: 200
Duration: 2 hours

SL. No	Subject-wise Division	Detailed Syllabus
1	History History of India and Indian Freedom Struggle	Ancient History of India Medieval History of India Modern History 1857 to 1947 Indian National Movement
2	Geography Geography of India and Concept of Physical Geography	Physical Geography Human Geography Economic Geography World Geography
3	Polity Indian Polity and Governance issues	Union Executives State Executives Federalism in India Judicial System Panchayati Raj
4	Economy Indian Economy and Social Development	Basic Principles of Indian Economy Social Schemes of Government Social Development through Economic Empowerment Sustainable Development Demographics
5	Environment and Ecology Principles of Environment and Ecology	General Principles Climate Change and Climate Summits and Conferences
6	General Science Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Technology	General Principles The Latest Science and Technological Development
7	Current Events It covers all the events of National and International Importance	Current Affairs Current Affairs with all Dimensions

UPSC IAS Main Syllabus

Name of Paper	Syllabus	Marks
Essay Paper	Any Topic/Topics (Current issues)	250
GS Paper I	Indian Heritage and	250
GS Paper I	Culture, Indian History, World History, World Geography, Indian Society, Important Geo-physical phenomena	250
GS Paper II	Governance, Indian Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and	250
GS Paper II	International relations, Welfare Schemes, Statutory, regulatory and quasi-judicial bodies, Role of civil services in a democracy, India’s relation with neighbour countries, International institutions,	250
GS Paper III	Technology,	250
	Economic Development, Bio diversity,
	Environment,
	Indian Economy and its various sectors
	Government Budgeting
	Land Reforms
	Inclusive Growth
	Security and Disaster Management
GS Paper IV	Ethics and Human Interface	250
	Attitude
	Aptitude
	Emotional Intelligence
	Emotional Intelligence
	Public/Civil service value
	Probity in Governance
	Case study on above topics
Indian Language Paper	(i) Comprehension of given passages	300
	(ii) Précis Writing
	(iii) Usage and Vocabulary
	(iv) Short Essays
	(v) Translation from English to the Indian
	language and vice-versa
English	Comprehension of given passages	300
	Précis Writing
	Usage and Vocabulary
	Short Essays
Optional Paper I	As opted by the Candidate	250
Optional Paper-II	As opted by the Candidate	250