The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the UPSC Syllabus for the prestigious Civil Services Examination (CSE), including the Indian Administrative Services (IAS). This exam is conducted annually and is considered one of the most competitive exams in the country. Candidates aspiring to appear for the UPSC CSE must be well-acquainted with the latest syllabus, exam pattern, and preparation strategies.
UPSC Syllabus Overview
The UPSC exam is held in three stages:
Preliminary Examination
Mains Examination
Personal Interview
A comprehensive understanding of each stage is crucial for effective preparation. Below is a brief overview:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Authority | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | Civil Services Examination (IAS, IPS, IFS, etc.) |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
| Exam Stages | Prelims, Mains, Interview |
UPSC Exam Pattern
IAS Prelims Exam Pattern
The Preliminary Exam is the first stage and is objective in nature.
| Paper | Subjects | Marks | Questions | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | General Studies-I | 200 | 100 | 2 hours |
| Paper-II | CSAT (Qualifying only) | 200 | 80 | 2 hours |
Note: Paper-II (CSAT) is qualifying in nature. Candidates must score a minimum of 33% to qualify.
IAS Mains Exam Pattern
The Mains Examination is descriptive and evaluates the academic understanding and writing ability of candidates.
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Compulsory Indian Language | 300 | 3 hours |
| II | English | 300 | 3 hours |
| III | Essay | 250 | 3 hours |
| IV | General Studies-I | 250 | 3 hours |
| V | General Studies-II | 250 | 3 hours |
| VI | General Studies-III | 250 | 3 hours |
| VII | General Studies-IV | 250 | 3 hours |
| VIII | Optional Subject – Paper I | 250 | 3 hours |
| IX | Optional Subject – Paper II | 250 | 3 hours |
Only marks obtained in Papers III to IX are considered for merit.
UPSC Syllabus
IAS Prelims Syllabus
General Studies Paper-I
Current events of national and international importance
History of India and Indian National Movement
Indian and World Geography – Physical, Social, Economic
Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System
Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, etc.
Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change
General Science
General Studies Paper-II (CSAT)
Comprehension
Interpersonal Skills & Communication
Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability
Decision Making and Problem Solving
General Mental Ability
Basic Numeracy and Data Interpretation
IAS Mains Syllabus
General Studies-I
Indian Heritage and Culture
History and Geography of the World and Society
General Studies-II
Governance, Constitution, Polity
Social Justice and International Relations
General Studies-III
Technology, Economic Development
Bio-Diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management
General Studies-IV
Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude
Essay
Candidates are required to write two essays, each on a different topic, based on provided prompts.
Optional Subjects for UPSC Mains
Candidates must choose one optional subject from the list provided below. Each subject consists of two papers (Paper I and II – 250 marks each).
| Arts & Literature | Engineering | Science | Humanities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit | Civil Engineering | Physics | History |
| Bengali | Mechanical Engineering | Chemistry | Geography |
| Hindi | Electrical Engineering | Zoology | Political Science |
| Assamese | — | Mathematics | Sociology |
| Urdu | — | Statistics | Public Administration |
| Punjabi | — | — | Anthropology |
UPSC Exam Calendar
Prelims Exam Date:
Mains Exam Date:
Application Start Date:
UPSC Exam Preparation Tips
Here are a few practical tips for candidates preparing for UPSC :
Read newspapers daily (The Hindu, Indian Express) to stay updated on current affairs.
Practice previous year’s papers to understand the question format and difficulty level.
Attempt mock tests regularly to improve time management and accuracy.
Make subject-wise notes and revise them regularly.
Focus on answer writing practice for Mains.
Best Books for UPSC Syllabus
Indian Polity – M. Laxmikanth
India’s Struggle for Independence – Bipin Chandra
Indian Art and Culture – Nitin Singhania
Certificate Physical and Human Geography – G.C. Leong
Objective General English – S.P. Bakshi
NCERT Books from Class 6–12 (History, Polity, Geography, Economics)
FAQs: UPSC Syllabus
Q1. When will the UPSC application process start?
A. The application process is expected to begin in year.
Q2. How many stages are there in the UPSC IAS Exam?
A. There are three stages – Prelims, Mains, and Interview.
Q3. What is the date of the UPSC Preliminary Exam
A. It is scheduled for May 26, .
Q4. What is the exam date for UPSC Mains ?
A. The Mains exam is tentatively scheduled for September .
Q5. Is there negative marking in Prelims?
A. Yes, 1/3rd of the marks are deducted for every wrong answer.
Conclusion:
Understanding the UPSC Syllabus is the first step toward structured and successful preparation. With the right resources, strategy, and consistent practice, cracking the UPSC exam is certainly achievable. Stay updated, stay focused, and begin your preparation today!