UPSC Syllabus 2026, IAS Syllabus for Prelims, Mains & Optional

The UPSC Syllabus 2026 is designed to assess candidates' knowledge, aptitude, and analytical abilities, and it comprises two stages: the Preliminary Examination (Prelims) and the Main Examination (Mains), followed by an interview/personality test.

The UPSC Syllabus for Prelims includes two compulsory papers: General Studies Paper-I and General Studies Paper-II (also known as the CSAT or Civil Services Aptitude Test). The syllabus of UPSC Mains examination is more specialized and consists of nine papers, including one essay paper, four General Studies papers, two optional subject papers, and two language papers (both qualifying in nature).

UPSC Syllabus 2026 PDF

The UPSC Syllabus 2026 PDF gives a complete list of topics for both the Preliminary and Mains exams of the Civil Services. It includes General Studies, Optional Subjects, Essay, and Aptitude sections, helping candidates plan their preparation easily. Aspirants can download it to make sure they are studying according to the latest UPSC CSE Syllabus 2026.

General Studies PCM 2 Years Fledgling Programme

UPSC CSE Exam Pattern 2026

The UPSC CSE Exam Pattern 2026 consists of two major stages: Prelims and Mains, followed by the Interview. The Prelims include two objective-type papers (GS Paper 1 and CSAT) used only for screening purposes. The Mains exam features nine descriptive papers that assess analytical ability, knowledge depth, and writing skills, forming the basis for the final merit list.

General Studies 11 Month PCM Programme

UPSC Syllabus 2026 for Prelims

The UPSC Syllabus 2026 for Prelims is designed to evaluate a candidate’s basic understanding of current affairs, general knowledge, analytical ability, and aptitude. It consists of two papers: GS Paper 1 and CSAT, both objective in nature and conducted on the same day. Prelims acts as a screening test, and only marks of GS Paper 1 are counted for merit, whereas CSAT is qualifying with 33% required.

UPSC Prelims Syllabus PDF

Prelims Camp

General Studies Paper I (200 marks)

• Current events of National & International importance.
• History of India & Indian National Movement.
• Indian & World Geography – Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India & the World.
• Indian Polity & Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
• Economic & Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
• General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity & climate change – that do not require subject specialization.
• General Science.

The UPSC Prelims Syllabus for GS Paper 1 consists of 100 questions, carries 200 marks, and has a negative marking of 1/3rd(0.66 marks) for every wrong answer. The exam duration is 2 hours, and GS Paper 1 is merit-determining, meaning its marks decide whether a candidate qualifies for the Mains stage.

CSAT Course

General Studies Paper II/CSAT (200 marks)

• Comprehension.
• Interpersonal skills including communication skills.
• Logical reasoning & analytical ability.
• Decision making & problem solving.
• General mental ability.
• Basic numeracy (numbers & their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc. – Class X level)

The UPSC Prelims Syllabus for CSAT Paper 2 consists of 80 questions for 200 marks, with a 1/3rd (0.83 marks) negative marking for wrong answers. The exam duration is 2 hours, and CSAT is qualifying in nature, requiring candidates to score 33% (66 marks) to clear Prelims. This exam is carried out in the second shift on the same day of preliminary examination.

UPSC Syllabus 2026 for Mains

The UPSC Mains Syllabus 2026 covers a wide range of subjects designed to test a candidate’s analytical ability, depth of understanding, and clarity of expression through descriptive answers. It consists of 9 papers, including Essay, General Studies (4 papers), Optional Subject (2 papers), and two qualifying Language papers. UPSC Syllabus 2026 for Mains carries a total of 1750 marks for merit (out of the overall 2025 marks including the interview), making it the most crucial stage of the exam.

UPSC Mains Syllabus PDF

Sure Shot Mains Test Series

UPSC Mains Syllabus 2026 for Qualifying Papers (Indian Languages and English)

(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. 

Note 1: The papers on Indian Languages and English will be of Matriculation or equivalent standard and will be of qualifying nature only. The marks obtained in these papers will not be counted for ranking. 

Note 2: The candidates will have to answer the English and Indian Languages papers in English and the respective Indian language (except where translation is involved).

UPSC Mains Essay Syllabus

The UPSC Mains Essay Paper, carrying 250 marks, requires candidates to write two essays on topics related to society, governance, economy, philosophy, environment, and contemporary issues. It tests clarity of thought, coherence, originality, and balanced analysis.

Paper-I: Essay: 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 Mains Syllabus for GS 1

Paper-II: General Studies-I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society.

• 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 sub-continent); 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 Mains Syllabus for GS 2

Paper-III: General Studies- II: 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.
• 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 Mains Syllabus for GS 3

Paper-IV: General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management

• 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.

UPSC Mains Syllabus for GS 4

Paper-V: General Studies- IV: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

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 above issues.

Optional Subject Programme for UPSC CSE

UPSC Mains Syllabus for Optional Subject

The UPSC Mains Syllabus for Optional Subjects covers a wide range of 48 subjects from different domains such as literature, humanities, science, and professional fields. Each optional has two papers (Paper VI & VII) of 250 marks each, making a total of 500 marks, and candidates can choose any one based on interest and expertise. A candidate may opt for any one Optional Subject from the following:

• UPSC Agriculture Syllabus
• UPSC Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Syllabus
• UPSC Anthropology Syllabus
• UPSC Botany Syllabus
• UPSC Chemistry Syllabus
• UPSC Civil Engineering Syllabus
• UPSC Commerce and Accountancy Syllabus
• UPSC Economics Syllabus
• UPSC Electrical Engineering Syllabus
• UPSC Geography Syllabus
• UPSC Geology Syllabus
• UPSC History Syllabus
• UPSC Law Optional Syllabus
• UPSC Management Syllabus
• UPSC Maths Optional Syllabus
• UPSC Mechanical Engineering Syllabus
• UPSC Medical Science Syllabus
• UPSC Philosophy Syllabus
• UPSC Physics Optional Syllabus
• UPSC PSIR Optional Syllabus
• UPSC Psychology Syllabus
• UPSC Public Administration Optional Syllabus
• UPSC Sociology Optional Syllabus
• UPSC Statistics Syllabus
• UPSC Zoology Syllabus
• UPSC Literature Syllabus of any one of the following languages: 

How to Choose an Optional Subject?

Choosing the right optional subject for UPSC is crucial as it contributes 500 marks in the Mains exam. Candidates should select a subject that aligns with their interests, strengths, and ability to understand concepts easily. It’s also important to consider scoring trends, availability of study material, and overlap with General Studies to maximize overall marks.

Points to Consider:

• Identify subjects you naturally enjoy or have prior academic background in.
• Check the syllabus length, difficulty level, and previous years’ question papers.
• Evaluate how much the optional overlaps with GS Papers and Essay.
• Ensure good availability of books and quality study resources.
• Choose a subject you can study consistently for months without losing motivation.

UPSC Interview 2025

The UPSC Interview 2025, carrying 275 marks, is the final and most crucial stage of the Civil Services Examination. It evaluates a candidate’s personality, communication skills, clarity of thought, leadership qualities, and suitability for administrative roles. The interview board asks questions based on the candidate’s DAF, current affairs, background, and decision-making ability. There are no minimum qualifying marks, and performance is judged holistically. The marks obtained in the interview are added to the Mains written score (1750) to prepare the final merit list out of 2025 marks.

Interview Guidance Programme