The UPSC Civil Services Main Examination is a written descriptive test consisting of 9 papers (7 merit-ranking papers and 2 qualifying language papers) for a total of 1,750 marks.
| Paper | Subject | Duration | Nature | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper A | Compulsory Indian Language (from $8^{\text{th}}$ Schedule) | 3 Hours | Qualifying (Minimum 25%) | 300 |
| Paper B | English | 3 Hours | Qualifying (Minimum 25%) | 300 |
| Paper I | Essay | 3 Hours | Merit-Ranking | 250 |
| Paper II | General Studies I (GS-1) | 3 Hours | Merit-Ranking | 250 |
| Paper III | General Studies II (GS-2) | 3 Hours | Merit-Ranking | 250 |
| Paper IV | General Studies III (GS-3) | 3 Hours | Merit-Ranking | 250 |
| Paper V | General Studies IV (GS-4) | 3 Hours | Merit-Ranking | 250 |
| Paper VI | Optional Subject – Paper 1 | 3 Hours | Merit-Ranking | 250 |
| Paper VII | Optional Subject – Paper 2 | 3 Hours | Merit-Ranking | 250 |
| Total Written Marks | 1,750 |
(Note: The Personality Test / Interview carries 275 marks, bringing the Grand Total to 2,025 marks.)
Paper A (Selected Indian Language): Comprehension, Precis Writing, Usage and Vocabulary, Short Essay, Translation from English to Indian Language and vice-versa.
Paper B (English): Comprehension, Precis Writing, Usage and Vocabulary, Short Essay.
Candidates are required to write two essays from a choice of topics (usually divided into Section A and Section B, often touching upon philosophical ideas, society, policy, economy, and global issues).
Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society
Indian Culture: Art forms, literature, and architecture from ancient to modern times.
Modern Indian History: Significant events, personalities, and issues from the mid-$18^{\text{th}}$ century to the present.
The Freedom Struggle: Various stages, key contributors, and contributions from different parts of the country.
Post-Independence: Consolidation and reorganization within the country.
World History: Events from the $18^{\text{th}}$ century onwards (Industrial Revolution, World Wars, redrawing of national boundaries, colonization & decolonization), political philosophies (capitalism, communism, socialism—their forms and effects on society).
Indian Society: Salient features, diversity of India; Role of women and women’s organizations; Population and associated issues; Poverty and developmental issues; Urbanization (problems and remedies); Globalization’s impact on Indian society; Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism, and secularism.
Geography: Salient features of world 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; Important geophysical phenomena (earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic activity, cyclones); Critical geographical features and changes in flora and fauna.
Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations
Indian Constitution: Historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions, basic structure doctrine.
Union and States: Functions and responsibilities, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels, and challenges therein.
Structure & Separation of Powers: Dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
Parliament and State Legislatures: Structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers, privileges, and issues arising out of these.
Executive and Judiciary: Structure, organization, functioning; Ministries and Departments; Pressure groups and formal/informal associations.
Representation of People’s Act: Salient features.
Constitutional & Non-Constitutional Bodies: Appointment to various constitutional posts, powers, functions, and responsibilities of statutory, regulatory, and quasi-judicial bodies.
Government Policies & Governance: Interventions for development in various sectors; Development processes and the development industry (NGOs, SHGs, donors, charities); E-governance (applications, models, successes, limitations); Transparency, accountability, citizens' charters, institutional measures; Role of civil services in a democracy.
Social Justice: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections (Union and States); Performance and mechanisms protecting these sections; Issues relating to development and management of social sector/services (Health, Education, Human Resources); Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
International Relations: 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/developing countries on India's interests and the Indian diaspora; Important international institutions, agencies, and fora (structure, mandate).
Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management
Indian Economy: Issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development, and employment; Inclusive growth and arising issues; Government budgeting.
Agriculture: Major cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems; Storage, transport, and marketing of agricultural produce; Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and MSP; Public Distribution System (PDS) objectives, functioning, limitations, food security, buffer stocks; Technology missions; Economics of animal-rearing; Land reforms in India.
Industrial Sector & Infrastructure: Effects of liberalization on the economy, industrial policy changes and their impact on industrial growth; Infrastructure (Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways); Investment models.
Science and Technology: Developments and their applications/effects in everyday life; Achievements of Indians in S&T; Indigenization of technology and developing new technology; Awareness in fields like IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).
Environment & Disaster Management: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA); Disaster and disaster management.
Internal Security: Linkages between development and the spread of extremism; Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security; Challenges through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in security challenges; Basics of cyber security; Money-laundering and its prevention; Border areas security challenges and their management; Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.
Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude (Includes direct theoretical questions and practical Case Studies)
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 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 behavior; Moral and political attitudes; Social influence and persuasion.
Aptitude & Foundational Values for Civil Services: Integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance, and compassion towards weaker sections.
Emotional Intelligence: Concepts, utilities, and application in administration and governance.
Philosophical Thinkers: Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and the world.
Public/Civil Service Values & 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 ethical values in governance; Ethical issues in international relations and funding.
Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; Information sharing and transparency; Right to Information (RTI); Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen's Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, Challenges of corruption.
Case Studies: Practical scenarios testing the application of the above principles in administrative decision-making.
Candidates can choose one optional subject from a list of 26 subjects (or literature of one language) prescribed by UPSC. The two papers test deep academic and analytical knowledge of that chosen discipline up to an honors/post-graduate degree level.
List of Available Optionals:
Agriculture, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Anthropology, Botany, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Commerce & Accountancy, Economics, Electrical Engineering, Geography, Geology, History, Law, Management, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Medical Science, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science & International Relations (PSIR), Psychology, Public Administration, Sociology, Statistics, Zoology.
The UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination consists of two compulsory objective-type papers: Paper I (General Studies) and Paper II (CSAT).
| Parameter | Paper I: General Studies (GS) | Paper II: CSAT |
|---|---|---|
| Questions | 100 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) | 80 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Total Marks | 200 marks | 200 marks |
| Duration | 2 Hours | 2 Hours |
| Negative Marking | $1/3^{\text{rd}}$ of assigned marks per wrong answer | $1/3^{\text{rd}}$ of assigned marks per wrong answer |
| Nature | Merit-ranking (determines cutoff for Mains) | Qualifying (Minimum 33% / 66 marks required) |
The official UPSC syllabus outlines seven key thematic areas:
Current Events of National and International Importance
Bilateral relations, multilateral summits, major policy updates, international organizations, and government schemes.
History of India and Indian National Movement
Ancient & Medieval India: Harappan civilization, Vedic age, Buddhism/Jainism, Mauryas, Guptas, regional dynasties, Sultanate and Mughal administration, Bhakti & Sufi movements.
Art & Culture: Indian architecture, classical dance forms, music, literature, painting styles, and philosophy.
Modern Indian History: Advent of Europeans, British colonial policies, socio-religious reform movements, revolt of 1857.
Indian National Movement: Rise of nationalism, Congress formations, Swadeshi, Home Rule, Gandhian phases (Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience, Quit India), and tribal/peasant movements leading to independence.
Indian and World Geography – Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World
Physical Geography: Geomorphology, climatology, oceanography, biogeography, physical features of India, drainage systems, monsoons, and extreme weather events.
Social & Economic Geography: Demographics, human migration, spatial distribution of natural and mineral resources, agriculture, industries, and infrastructure networks.
Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
Constitution: Preamble, Fundamental Rights, DPSP, Fundamental Duties, basic structure doctrine, and constitutional amendments.
Executive, Legislature, & Judiciary: President, Prime Minister, Parliament procedures, State Executives/Legislatures, Supreme Court, High Courts, and judicial remedies.
Local Governance: $73^{\text{rd}}$ & $74^{\text{th}}$ Constitutional Amendments, Panchayati Raj Institutions, and Urban Local Bodies.
Bodies: Constitutional, statutory, regulatory, and quasi-judicial institutions.
Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
Macroeconomics: National income accounting, economic growth, inflation, monetary and fiscal policies, RBI mechanisms, banking sector, and money markets.
Social Sector: Poverty indices, demographic dividend, human capital development, inclusive growth frameworks, and government schemes.
External Sector: Balance of Payments, trade policies, international financial bodies (IMF, World Bank, WTO), foreign reserves, and exchange rates.
General Issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change (No subject specialization required)
Ecology Basics: Ecosystem dynamics, food webs, nutrient cycles, ecological succession.
Biodiversity: Flora and fauna distribution, endangered species, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, biosphere reserves.
Environmental Issues & Conventions: Climate change mitigation, pollution control, international treaties (UNFCCC, CBD, Ramsar, CITES), domestic acts (Wildlife Protection Act, Environment Protection Act).
General Science
Foundational Science: Fundamentals of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (Class VI to X level).
Science & Technology: Space missions (ISRO), biotechnology, genetic engineering, defense technology, IT & telecommunications, AI, quantum computing, emerging technologies, and IP rights.
CSAT is a qualifying paper designed to test analytical ability and basic aptitude:
Comprehension: Reading comprehension passages across varied subjects (social, economic, scientific, political) requiring factual, inference-based, and analytical reasoning.
Interpersonal Skills including Communication Skills
Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability: Syllogisms, statements and assumptions, coding-decoding, blood relations, seating arrangements, directions, and blood relations.
Decision-making and Problem-solving
General Mental Ability: Series completion, analogies, spatial orientation, clocks, calendars, venn diagrams, and puzzles.
Basic Numeracy: Numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, percentages, ratios & proportions, averages, simple & compound interest, time & work, speed & distance, permutations & combinations, probability (Class X Level).
Data Interpretation: Charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency (Class X Level).
Polity: Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth
History: Class VI–XII NCERTs; A Brief History of Modern India (Spectrum)
Geography: Class XI & XII NCERTs (Fundamentals of Physical Geography, India: Physical Environment); Certificate Physical and Human Geography by G.C. Leong
Economy: Class XI–XII NCERTs; Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh / Nitin Singhania; Union Budget & Economic Survey
Environment: Environment by Shankar IAS / PMF IAS
Art & Culture: Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania / Class XI NCERT (An Introduction to Indian Art)