UPSC Syllabus 2026: Complete Prelims and Mains Syllabus with Analysis
Understanding the UPSC syllabus is the first step towards effective preparation. This comprehensive guide breaks down the entire Civil Services Examination syllabus with subject-wise analysis and preparation tips.
Exam Pattern Overview
Three Stages of UPSC CSE
Stage 1: Preliminary Examination (Objective)
- 2 papers (200 marks each = 400 marks total)
- Only qualifying (marks not counted in final merit)
- Negative marking (1/3rd)
Stage 2: Mains Examination (Descriptive)
- 9 papers (1750 marks counted for merit)
- Essay, GS Papers 1-4, Optional (2 papers)
- 2 language papers (qualifying)
Stage 3: Personality Test (Interview)
- 275 marks
- Final merit list based on Mains + Interview (2025 marks)
Prelims Syllabus (Detailed)
Paper 1 - General Studies (200 marks)
Duration: 2 hours
Questions: 100 MCQs
Marks per Question: 2
Negative Marking: -0.66 for each wrong answer
1. Current Events of National and International Importance (15-20 questions)
Topics:
- Recent government policies and schemes
- International affairs and bilateral relations
- Awards and honors
- Sports events
- Books and authors
- Appointments and resignations
Preparation Strategy:
- Daily newspaper reading (The Hindu/Indian Express)
- Monthly current affairs compilation
- Focus on last 12 months
- Link with static portions
Weightage: 15-20%
2. History of India and Indian National Movement (12-15 questions)
Ancient India:
- Indus Valley Civilization
- Vedic Period
- Mauryan Empire
- Post-Mauryan developments
- Gupta Period
Medieval India:
- Delhi Sultanate
- Mughal Empire
- Bhakti and Sufi movements
- Regional kingdoms
Modern India:
- European arrival and colonization
- 1857 Revolt
- Formation of Congress
- Gandhi era and freedom struggle
- Partition and independence
Preparation Strategy:
- NCERT Class 6-12 (thorough)
- Spectrum for Modern India
- Focus on personalities and their contributions
- Timeline of important events
Weightage: 12-15%
3. Indian and World Geography (10-12 questions)
Physical Geography:
- Earth structure, rocks, minerals
- Landforms and processes
- Climate and weather
- Ocean currents
- Natural resources
Indian Geography:
- Physiographic divisions
- Drainage system
- Climate and monsoons
- Natural vegetation and soil
- Agriculture and industries
World Geography:
- Continents and countries
- Important geographical features
- Climate zones
Preparation Strategy:
- NCERT Class 6-12
- G.C. Leong for concepts
- Atlas for maps (daily practice)
- Current geography (new discoveries, climate issues)
Weightage: 10-12%
4. Indian Polity and Governance (25-30 questions)
Constitutional Framework:
- Historical background
- Making of Constitution
- Salient features
- Preamble
- Fundamental Rights, DPSP, Fundamental Duties
Union Government:
- President, Prime Minister, Council of Ministers
- Parliament (Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha)
- Supreme Court
State Government:
- Governor, Chief Minister, State Legislature
- High Courts
Local Government:
- Panchayati Raj (73rd Amendment)
- Municipalities (74th Amendment)
Constitutional Bodies:
- Election Commission
- CAG, UPSC, Finance Commission
- Other statutory bodies
Governance:
- Government schemes
- E-governance initiatives
- Transparency and accountability
- Right to Information
Preparation Strategy:
- M. Laxmikanth (main source)
- NCERT Class 11 Polity
- Focus on constitutional articles
- Recent amendments and judgments
Weightage: 25-30% (highest weightage)
5. Economic and Social Development (12-15 questions)
Indian Economy:
- National income concepts
- Economic planning and development
- Poverty and unemployment
- Agriculture, Industry, Services
- Banking and finance
- Fiscal policy and budget
- Economic reforms
Social Issues:
- Education and healthcare
- Poverty alleviation programs
- Sustainable development
- Human development
Government Schemes:
- Flagship schemes (PM-KISAN, Ayushman Bharat, etc.)
- Financial inclusion
- Skill development
Preparation Strategy:
- Ramesh Singh (select chapters)
- NCERT Class 11-12 Economy
- Economic Survey (summary)
- Union Budget highlights
Weightage: 12-15%
6. Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change (12-15 questions)
Ecology Basics:
- Ecosystem and food chains
- Biodiversity and conservation
- Endangered species
- National parks and wildlife sanctuaries
Environmental Issues:
- Pollution (air, water, soil)
- Climate change and global warming
- Ozone depletion
- Deforestation
Conservation:
- Wildlife Protection Act
- Forest Conservation Act
- Environment Protection Act
- Biodiversity Act
International Agreements:
- UNFCCC, Paris Agreement
- Montreal Protocol
- Convention on Biological Diversity
- Ramsar Convention
Preparation Strategy:
- Shankar IAS Environment
- NCERT Class 11-12 Biology (select chapters)
- Current environmental issues
- Government initiatives (Green India Mission, etc.)
Weightage: 12-15%
7. General Science (12-15 questions)
Physics:
- Basic concepts (motion, force, energy)
- Light, sound, electricity
- Modern physics basics
Chemistry:
- Atomic structure
- Chemical reactions
- Acids, bases, salts
- Organic chemistry basics
Biology:
- Cell biology
- Genetics basics
- Human physiology
- Diseases and immunity
Science & Technology:
- Recent scientific developments
- Space technology (ISRO missions)
- Defense technology
- Biotechnology and nanotechnology
- Information technology
Preparation Strategy:
- NCERT Class 6-10 Science
- Follow The Hindu Science section
- PIB for government S&T initiatives
- Focus on applications, not deep theory
Weightage: 12-15%
Paper 2 - CSAT (200 marks)
Duration: 2 hours
Questions: 80 MCQs
Marks per Question: 2.5
Negative Marking: -0.83 for each wrong answer
Nature: Qualifying (minimum 33% = 66 marks required)
Syllabus Components
1. Comprehension (15-20 questions)
- Reading passages (5-6 passages)
- Questions based on understanding
- Critical analysis
2. Interpersonal Skills (5-8 questions)
- Communication
- Social skills
- Situation analysis
3. Logical Reasoning (15-20 questions)
- Syllogisms
- Blood relations
- Coding-decoding
- Seating arrangements
- Direction sense
4. Analytical Ability (10-15 questions)
- Data interpretation
- Tables, charts, graphs
- Data sufficiency
5. Decision Making (8-10 questions)
- Problem-solving
- Situation analysis
6. Basic Numeracy (15-20 questions)
- Number systems
- Percentages, ratios, proportions
- Averages, mixtures
- Time and work
- Speed and distance
- Profit and loss
- Simple and compound interest
7. English Language Comprehension (10-12 questions)
- Grammar
- Vocabulary
- Sentence correction
Preparation Strategy:
- Focus on speed and accuracy
- Daily practice mandatory
- Previous year papers (most important)
- NCERT Class 8-10 Maths
- Skip difficult questions (only 33% needed)
Important Note: CSAT is qualifying, but don't take it lightly. Many candidates fail here despite good GS preparation.
Mains Syllabus (Detailed)
Paper A - Compulsory Indian Language (300 marks)
Qualifying Nature: Minimum 25% (75 marks) required
Syllabus:
- Comprehension of passages
- Precise writing
- Usage and vocabulary
- Short essay
- Translation (English to Indian language and vice versa)
Preparation:
Basic proficiency sufficient. Focus more on other papers.
Paper B - English (300 marks)
Qualifying Nature: Minimum 25% (75 marks) required
Syllabus:
- Comprehension
- Precise writing
- Essay (600 words)
- Translation (Indian language to English)
- Grammar and vocabulary
Preparation:
NCERT English textbooks sufficient. Practice essay and précis writing.
Paper 1 - Essay (250 marks)
Duration: 3 hours
Word Limit: 1000-1200 words per essay
Number of Essays: 2 (from different sections)
Typical Sections:
- Section A: Philosophical, social, cultural themes
- Section B: Economic, political, technological themes
- Section C: Environmental, international relations themes
Topics Examples:
- "Technology: A Double-Edged Sword"
- "Women Empowerment: Myth or Reality"
- "India's Quest for Global Leadership"
- "Climate Change: Challenge and Opportunity"
Evaluation Criteria:
- Content and depth (40%)
- Logical flow and structure (30%)
- Language and style (20%)
- Creativity and original thinking (10%)
Preparation Strategy:
- Write 2 essays per week
- Read editorials daily
- Develop opinion on contemporary issues
- Practice different essay structures
- Time management (90 minutes per essay)
Paper 2 - General Studies I (250 marks)
Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society
Part A: Indian Culture
Art Forms:
- Ancient, medieval, and modern Indian art
- Architecture (temples, forts, Indo-Islamic)
- Painting traditions
- Music and dance forms
- Folk arts
Literature:
- Ancient texts (Vedas, Upanishads, epics)
- Classical literature
- Modern literature
Religious Traditions:
- Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism
- Islam, Christianity, Sikhism
- Syncretic traditions
Preparation:
- NCERT Class 11 Fine Arts
- Nitin Singhania
- CCRT website
Part B: Modern Indian History
18th Century to Independence:
- British expansion
- Economic impact of colonization
- 1857 Revolt
- Social and religious reform movements
- Freedom struggle phases
- Role of personalities
Post-Independence:
- Integration of princely states
- Reorganization of states
- Nehruvian era policies
Preparation:
- Spectrum Modern India
- Bipin Chandra (for depth)
Part C: World History
Events from 18th Century:
- Industrial Revolution
- World Wars (causes, consequences)
- Colonization and decolonization
- Redrawing of national boundaries
- Cold War
- Rise of new powers
Preparation:
- NCERT Class 10-11
- Arjun Dev (Optional)
Part D: Indian Society
Structure and Dynamics:
- Salient features of Indian society
- Diversity of India
- Role of women
- Urbanization
- Poverty and developmental issues
- Communalism, regionalism, secularism
Social Empowerment:
- SC/ST/OBC issues
- Minority issues
- Social justice
Preparation:
- NCERT Class 11-12 Sociology
- Newspapers for current social issues
Part E: Indian Geography
Physical Geography:
- Distribution of key natural resources
- Factors affecting location of industries
- Critical geographical features
Human Geography:
- Population distribution
- Migration
- Urbanization
Geophysical Phenomena:
- Earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes
- Cyclones
- Disaster management
Preparation:
- NCERT Geography
- Current geography issues
Paper 3 - General Studies II (250 marks)
Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations
Part A: Indian Constitution
Constitutional Framework:
- Historical underpinnings
- Evolution and amendment
- Significant provisions
- Basic structure doctrine
Functions and Responsibilities:
- Union and States
- Issues between Union-State relations
- Local governance
Powers and Functions:
- Parliament, Executive, Judiciary
- Separation of powers
- Dispute resolution mechanisms
Preparation:
- M. Laxmikanth
- Constitutional amendments (recent)
- Landmark judgments
Part B: Governance
Comparison with Other Countries:
- Parliamentary vs Presidential system
- Federal structure comparisons
Executive and Judiciary:
- Structure, organization, functioning
- Quasi-judicial bodies
Government Policies:
- Flagship schemes
- Welfare schemes
- Issues in their design and implementation
Development Processes:
- Role of civil society
- NGOs, SHGs
- Pressure groups
Social Sector:
- Health, education, HR issues
- Government initiatives
Preparation:
- 2nd ARC Reports (select chapters)
- Newspapers (government schemes)
- Parliamentary debates
Part C: Statutory Bodies
Commissions and Tribunals:
- Election Commission
- CAG, UPSC, Finance Commission
- National Commissions (SC, ST, OBC, Women, Minorities)
- State Public Service Commissions
Preparation:
- Laxmikanth
- Official websites for recent updates
Part D: Governance Issues
Transparency and Accountability:
- E-governance
- Right to Information
- Citizens' Charter
- Social audit
Corruption:
- Lokpal and Lokayuktas
- Whistleblower protection
- Black money
Preparation:
- Newspapers
- Government reports on governance reforms
Part E: International Relations
India and Neighborhood:
- Bilateral relations
- Regional cooperation (SAARC, BIMSTEC)
- Border disputes
Major Powers:
- India-US, India-China, India-Russia
- India-Europe, India-Japan relations
Multilateral Organizations:
- UN and its agencies
- WTO, IMF, World Bank
- BRICS, G20, SCO
Security Issues:
- Terrorism (cross-border, cyber)
- Internal security
- Border management
Preparation:
- Newspapers (mandatory)
- International relations books
- India Year Book
Paper 4 - General Studies III (250 marks)
Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management
Part A: Indian Economy
Economic Development:
- Planning and mobilization of resources
- Growth, development, employment
- Inclusive growth and issues arising from it
Government Budgeting:
- Budget components
- Fiscal policy
- Public finance
Mobilization of Resources:
- Land reforms
- Infrastructure
- Investment models
Sectors:
- Agriculture, industry, services
- Issues and challenges
Preparation:
- Ramesh Singh
- Economic Survey (mandatory)
- Union Budget
Part B: Science & Technology
S&T Developments:
- Applications and everyday life
- Indigenization of technology
- New technologies
Space Technology:
- ISRO missions and achievements
- Space policy
IT, Computers, Robotics:
- AI and machine learning
- Cybersecurity
- Digital India
Biotechnology:
- Genetic engineering
- Stem cell research
- GMOs
Defense Technology:
- Indigenous defense production
- Make in India in defense
Intellectual Property Rights:
- Patents, copyrights
- India's IPR regime
Preparation:
- NCERT Science
- The Hindu S&T section
- PIB releases
Part C: Environment
Conservation:
- Biodiversity conservation
- Wildlife Protection Act
- Forest Conservation Act
Environmental Pollution:
- Sources and effects
- Air, water, soil pollution
- Measures for control
Climate Change:
- Causes and effects
- Global warming
- Mitigation strategies
Disasters:
- Disaster management
- National Disaster Management Authority
- Vulnerability profiling
Preparation:
- Shankar Environment
- IPCC reports (summary)
- Government initiatives
Part D: Internal Security
Terrorism:
- Linkages with organized crime
- Cross-border terrorism
- Coastal security
Insurgency:
- Left-wing extremism
- Northeast insurgencies
- Role of external actors
Security Forces:
- Various forces and their mandate
- Border management
- Cyber security
Money Laundering:
- Hawala
- Black money
- Prevention mechanisms
Preparation:
- Newspapers (daily)
- Internal Security by Ashok Kumar
- Government reports
Paper 5 - General Studies IV (250 marks)
Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude
Part A: Ethics and Human Interface
Essence and Determinants:
- Ethics and moral philosophy
- Dimensions of ethics
- Ethics in private and public relationships
Human Values:
- Lessons from lives of great leaders
- Role of family, society, educational institutions
Attitude:
- Content, structure, function
- Influence and relation with thought and behavior
- Moral and political attitudes
Aptitude:
- Foundational values for Civil Service
- Integrity, impartiality, non-partisanship
- Objectivity, dedication to public service
- Empathy, tolerance, compassion
Emotional Intelligence:
- Concepts and applications
- Utilities and application in administration
Contributions of Moral Thinkers:
- Indian: Gandhi, Tagore, Aurobindo, Vivekananda, Ambedkar
- Western: Aristotle, Kant, Mill, Bentham
Preparation:
- Lexicon for Ethics
- Writings of thinkers
- Case studies
Part B: Ethics in Public Administration
Public Service Values:
- Status and problems
- Ethical concerns and dilemmas
- Laws, rules, regulations
- Conscience as source of ethical guidance
Governance and Probity:
- Probity in governance
- Ethical issues in government and private sector
- Ethical issues in international relations
- Corporate governance
Preparation:
- 2nd ARC Reports
- Real-life examples
- Current ethical issues
Part C: Case Studies
Application of Ethics:
- Ethical reasoning
- Analyzing real-life situations
- Suggesting solutions
Preparation:
- Practice case studies daily
- Write answers (250 words)
- Think of multiple perspectives
- Link with ethical theories
Paper 6 & 7 - Optional Subject (250 marks each = 500 marks)
Each optional has two papers of 250 marks each.
Popular Optionals:
- Public Administration
- Sociology
- Geography
- History
- Political Science & International Relations (PSIR)
- Psychology
- Anthropology
- Law
- Economics
- Literature subjects
Selection Criteria:
- Interest and background
- Availability of study material
- Overlap with GS papers
- Scoring potential
Subject-Wise Weightage Analysis
Prelims (Paper 1)
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Percentage |
|---|
| Polity | 25-30 | 50-60 | 25-30% |
| Current Affairs | 15-20 | 30-40 | 15-20% |
| Economy | 12-15 | 24-30 | 12-15% |
| Environment | 12-15 | 24-30 | 12-15% |
| History | 12-15 | 24-30 | 12-15% |
| Geography | 10-12 | 20-24 | 10-12% |
| Science & Tech | 12-15 | 24-30 | 12-15% |
Mains
| Paper | Marks | Percentage |
|---|
| Essay | 250 | 14.3% |
| GS 1 | 250 | 14.3% |
| GS 2 | 250 | 14.3% |
| GS 3 | 250 | 14.3% |
| GS 4 | 250 | 14.3% |
| Optional Paper 1 | 250 | 14.3% |
| Optional Paper 2 | 250 | 14.3% |
| Total | 1750 | 100% |
Preparation Strategy by Stage
For Prelims
- Focus on NCERTs first
- Standard books second
- Current affairs continuous
- PYQs practice mandatory
- Mock tests (at least 20)
For Mains
- Answer writing practice (most important)
- Multidimensional thinking
- Current affairs integration
- Optional subject strong focus
- Case study practice (for Ethics)
For Interview
- DAF filling (strategically)
- Current affairs mastery
- Hobbies depth knowledge
- Optional subject depth
- Personality development
Important Tips
-
Syllabus is Vast but Not Impossible
- Follow standard sources
- Revise multiple times
- Link subjects with each other
-
Current Affairs Integration
- Link with static portions
- Read newspapers daily
- Make connections
-
Previous Year Questions
- Solve all PYQs (last 10 years)
- Understand UPSC's expectation
- Identify important topics
-
Regular Revision
- Make short notes
- Revise weekly
- Strengthen weak areas
Conclusion
The UPSC syllabus is comprehensive but well-defined. Understanding what to study and what to skip is crucial. Follow standard books, focus on conceptual clarity, and integrate current affairs.
Start your focused preparation with our subject-wise notes and current affairs!
Download complete UPSC Syllabus PDF for offline reference.
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