UPSC Syllabus
The Union Public Service Commission in consultation with the Government (Ministry of Mines, the Nodal Ministry) has decided to revise the Scheme, Civil services are preliminary, and the main examination. UPSC New Syllabus 2023 PDF can be downloaded from the link given at the bottom of this page.
This examination is meant to serve as a screening test only the marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination by the candidates who are declared qualified for admission to the Main Examination will not be counted for determining their final order of merit.
UPSC IAS Exam has three exam stages:
- Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination (Objective Type) for the selection of candidates for the Mains Exam.
- Civil Services Mains Examination (Written) for the selection of candidates for the next level of the UPSC IAS Exam.
- Civil Services Personality Test (PT)- The final stage of the selection process.
UPSC Syllabus – Overview
| Particulars | Prelims | Mains |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Date | 28th May 2023 | 15th to 19th September 2023 |
| 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 2023 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 2023
| UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern 2023 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 2023
| 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 2022 – 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 |
| Culture, Indian History, World History, World Geography, Indian Society, Important Geo-physical phenomena | ||
| GS Paper II | Governance, Indian Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and | 250 |
| 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, | ||
| 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 |
For more details download the UPSC Syllabus PDF format using the link given below.