UPSC Syllabus 2026-27 (Prelims & Mains Syllabus PDF)

UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2025

UPSC Syllabus: Prelims, Mains, Optional & Micro Details

UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2026

The UPSC Syllabus for Prelims is the first and most important step in your Civil Services journey. It covers two papers, General Studies Paper I and CSAT (Paper II), both essential to qualify for the Mains. A clear understanding of the Prelims syllabus helps you focus on high-weightage areas like Polity, Economy, Environment, and Current Affairs.

To make your preparation more focused, you can download the UPSC Prelims syllabus PDF, curated by GS SCORE. It also includes a detailed, topic-wise micro syllabus to help with structured planning and quick revision. Perfect for serious aspirants aiming to stay ahead.

No. of Papers	General Studies Paper-I, General Studies Paper-II (CSAT)
Type of Questions	Objective (MCQ) Type
Number of Questions asked in GS Paper-I	100
Number of Questions asked in CSAT	80
Total Marks	400 (200 marks each paper)
Negative Marking	1/3 of the total marks allotted to the question will be deducted for every wrong answer
Medium of Exam	Hindi & English
Time Allotted	GS Paper-I – 2 Hours (9:30 AM -11:30 AM), CSAT – 2 Hours (2:30 PM – 4:30 PM), 20 Minutes Per Hour Extra Time for Blind Candidates & Candidates with Locomotor Disability & Cerebral Palsy (Minimum 40% Impairment)

General Studies Paper - I Syllabus

This paper aims to evaluate candidates' general awareness and understanding of a wide range of topics. The syllabus covers areas such as:

Current Events: National and international importance events, issues, and developments.
History: Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Indian history.
Geography: Physical, Human, and Economic Geography of India and the World.
Polity: Indian constitution, governance, and political system.
Economy: Basic concepts of economics, government schemes, and policies.
Environment: Ecology, biodiversity, climate change, and related issues.
Science and Technology: Developments in science and technology, advancements, and their applications.
General Knowledge: Miscellaneous topics of significance.

General Studies Paper - II Syllabus

CSAT is a qualifying paper that tests candidates' aptitude and reasoning skills. The syllabus covers:

Comprehension: Ability to comprehend and analyze given passages.
Logical Reasoning: Critical thinking, analytical, and deductive reasoning.
Quantitative Aptitude: Basic mathematics, numerical ability, and data interpretation.

UPSC Mains Syllabus 2025

The UPSC Mains syllabus 2026 isn’t just a list of topics; it’s a roadmap for how UPSC wants you to think, write, and analyse. Covering GS Papers I to IV, Essay, and the Optional subject, the exam demands depth, clarity, and structured presentation. That’s why understanding the UPSC syllabus for Mains is non-negotiable if you want to write answers that actually score.

To make things simpler, GS SCORE has compiled the UPSC Mains syllabus into an easy-to-use PDF. A complete set with micro-topic breakdowns and paper-wise coverage. It’s not just a syllabus document—it’s the first step to strategic preparation.

Qualifying Papers	Subject	Marks
Paper-A	One of the Indian languages to be selected by the candidate from the Languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution	300
Paper-B	English	300

Paper	Subject	Marks
Paper-I	Essay (can be written in the medium of the candidate’s choice)	250
Paper-II	General Studies – I (Indian Heritage & Culture, History & Geography of the World & Society)	250
Paper-III	General Studies – II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice & International Relations)	250
Paper-IV	General Studies – III (Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Security & Disaster Management)	250
Paper-V	General Studies – IV (Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude)	250
Paper-VI	Optional Subject – Paper I	250
Paper-VII	Optional Subject – Paper II	250

UPSC Syllabus 2025 for Qualifying Papers (Indian Languages and English)

Qualifying Paper I – Indian Language (300 Marks)

Nature: Qualifying only (marks not counted for ranking; passing is mandatory)

Standard: Matriculation level or equivalent

Syllabus Includes:

Comprehension of given passages
Precis Writing
Usage and Vocabulary
Short Essay
Translation (English to Indian Language and vice versa)

Important Notes:

This paper must be written in the selected Indian language (from the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution).
Candidates must answer in the respective Indian language, except in translation sections.

Qualifying Paper II – English (300 Marks)

Nature: Qualifying only (marks not counted for ranking; passing is mandatory)

Objective: To assess the candidate’s ability to understand serious prose and express ideas clearly in English

Syllabus Includes:

Comprehension of given passages
Precis Writing
Usage and Vocabulary
Short Essay

UPSC Essay Syllabus

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 an orderly fashion, and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.

UPSC GS 1 Syllabus 2025 (Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society)

Indian Culture - 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 the 18th century, such as the Industrial Revolution, world wars, Redrawal of National Boundaries, Colonization, Decolonization, political philosophies like Communism, Capitalism, Socialism, etc.— their forms and effects on 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 the 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 GS 2 Syllabus 2025 (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 the 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 GS 3 Syllabus 2025 (Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, 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.

GS Paper 4 Syllabus 2025 (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude)

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 the above issues.