Prelims Syllabus
UPSC Syllabus 2026
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination (CSE) is one of the most prestigious and competitive exams in India. It serves as the gateway to the country’s top administrative services, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and other Group A and Group B services. To succeed in this challenging examination, aspirants must have a thorough understanding of the UPSC syllabus.
This blog provides a detailed and updated overview of the Union Public Service Commission Syllabus 2026, covering all three stages of the examination: Preliminary, Mains, and Interview.
Understanding the Structure of UPSC Civil Services Examination
The structure of UPSC exam consists of three stages:
- Preliminary Examination (Prelims) – Objective Type (Qualifying in nature)
- Main Examination (Mains) – Descriptive Type
- Personality Test (Interview)
Each stage is designed to test different skills and competencies of an aspirant.
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UPSC Preliminary Exam Pattern 2026
The UPSC preliminary exam pattern includes two papers (UPSC Prelims Syllabus)
Paper I – (200 marks) Duration: Two hours
- 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, Bio-diversity and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialization.
- General Science.
Paper II-(200 marks) Duration: Two hours
- 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);
Note 1: Paper-II of the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination will be a qualifying paper with minimum qualifying marks fixed at 33%.
Note 2: The questions will be of multiple choice, objective type.
Note 3: It is mandatory for the candidate to appear in both the Papers of Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination for the purpose of evaluation. Therefore a candidate will be disqualified in case he/she does not appear in both the papers of Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination.
Master Prelims with Foundation, Practice & Revision: Prelims sometimes call for the ability to confidently and accurately attempt a wider range of questions. Although educated guessing is important, it has to be based on thorough practice on rigorous mock tests and strong conceptual knowledge.
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UPSC Mains Syllabus 2026
The Civil Services Main Examination is designed to evaluate not just the factual knowledge or memory of a candidate, but their overall intellectual capabilities and depth of understanding.
The General Studies papers (Paper II to Paper V) aim to test the awareness and analytical ability of a well-informed individual. These papers are framed in a way that a person with a good general education and a keen interest in current affairs and public issues should be able to handle them without the need for specialized study. The questions focus on assessing a candidate’s grasp of key issues, their analytical thinking, and their ability to offer balanced perspectives on complex socio-economic challenges and conflicting objectives. Responses are expected to be relevant, thoughtful, and concise.
For the optional subject papers (Paper VI and Paper VII), the level of the syllabus is broadly aligned with an honours degree—more advanced than a standard bachelor’s level but not as extensive as a master’s degree. In technical subjects such as Engineering, Medical Science, and Law, the level corresponds to that of a graduate program.
The detailed syllabus for each of the papers in the Civil Services (Main) Examination is outlined below.
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Qualifying Papers on Indian Languages and English
The aim of the paper is to test the candidates’ ability to read and understand serious discursive prose, and to express ideas clearly and correctly, in English and Indian language. The pattern of questions would be broadly as follows:
- Comprehension of given passages.
- Precis Writing.
- Usage and Vocabulary.
- Short Essays.
Indian Languages:—
- Comprehension of given passages.
- Precis Writing.
- Usage and Vocabulary.
- Short Essays.
- 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).
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.
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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 subcontinent); 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.
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 33 Government strives to have a workforce which reflects gender balance and women candidates are encouraged to apply. 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 neighbourhood- 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.
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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.
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.
PAPER-VI & PAPER VII
Optional Subject – Paper I and II
- Each paper carries 250 Marks
- Candidates can choose one optional subject from the list of subjects provided as under:-
List of optional subjects for Main Examination:
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- Agriculture
- Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science
- Anthropology
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Commerce and Accountancy
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering
- Geography
- Geology
- History
- Law
- Management
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medical Science
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science and International Relations
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Sociology
- Statistics
- Zoology
- Literature of any one of the following languages: Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu and English.
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UPSC Syllabus for Optional Subjects
UPSC Interview/Personality Test
- Marks: 275
- The Interview/Personality Test is conducted by a competent and impartial Board with access to the candidate’s career record. It assesses the personal suitability of the candidate for a career in public service. Unlike a strict cross-examination, it is a purposeful yet natural conversation aimed at evaluating the candidate’s mental calibre, intellectual traits, social awareness, and interest in current affairs. Key qualities judged include mental alertness, clarity of thought, critical assimilation, leadership, and moral integrity.
- This test does not assess specialized or general knowledge already evaluated in written exams. Instead, candidates are expected to show awareness of their academic subjects and display a well-rounded interest in national and global events, modern ideas, and recent developments relevant to a well-educated youth.
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Final Merit Calculation
The final merit list is prepared based on the marks obtained in the Mains examination (written) and the Interview. The marks for the Prelims are not counted in the final ranking.
Total Marks for Final Merit: 1750 (Mains) + 275 (Interview) = 2025 Marks
Tips to Navigate the UPSC Syllabus 2026
– Understand the syllabus deeply – It’s not enough to just read it. Break down each topic into sub-topics.
– Align current affairs with the syllabus – UPSC loves asking dynamic questions.
– Use standard books for both Prelims and Mains.
– Make concise notes – especially for GS and optional.
– Practice answer writing – Join a test series if possible.
– Revise multiple times – This is the key to retention.
– Previous Year Question (PYQ) analysis – a key to decoding trends and focus areas in the UPSC syllabus 2026 for smarter preparation
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Conclusion
The UPSC Civil Exam Pattern is meticulously designed to test the candidate’s intellectual traits, moral integrity, and suitability for public service. A clear understanding of the UPSC syllabus 2026 and strategic preparation based on its components is crucial for success. Stay consistent, stay curious, and keep learning. The journey to becoming a civil servant may be tough, but with the right guidance and perseverance, it is certainly achievable.
Good luck, future administrators!
