The UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination consists of two compulsory objective-type papers Paper I (General Studies) and Paper II (CSAT).

Exam Pattern Overview:

Paper I: General Studies (GS) Syllabus

The official UPSC syllabus outlines seven key thematic areas:

1.  Current Events of National and International Importance : Bilateral relations, multilateral summits, major policy updates, international organizations, and government schemes. Practice Current based MCQs

2. 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. Practice Ancient History MCQs
• Art & Culture: Indian architecture, classical dance forms, music, literature, painting styles, and philosophy. Practice Art and Culture MCQs
• Modern Indian History: Advent of Europeans, British colonial policies, socio-religious reform movements, revolt of 1857. Practice Modern History MCQs
• 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. 
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3. Indian and World Geography – Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World   Practice Geography MCQs

• 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.

  
   

  4. Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.     Practice Polity and Governance MCQs

   

• 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 rd & 74 th Constitutional Amendments, Panchayati Raj Institutions, and Urban Local Bodies.

• Bodies: Constitutional, statutory, regulatory, and quasi-judicial institutions.

  
   

  5. Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.         Practice Economy MCQs

   

• 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.

  
   

  6. General Issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change (No subject specialization required)         Practice Environment MCQs

   

• 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).

  
   

7. General Science       Practice Science and Technology MCQs

• 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.

  
   

Paper II: Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) Syllabus    Practice CSAT MCQs

CSAT is a qualifying paper designed to test analytical ability and basic aptitude:

1. Comprehension: Reading comprehension passages across varied subjects (social, economic, scientific, political) requiring factual, inference-based, and analytical reasoning.
2. Interpersonal Skills including Communication Skills 
3. Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability: Syllogisms, statements and assumptions, coding-decoding, blood relations, seating arrangements, directions, and blood relations. 
4. Decision-making and Problem-solving 
5. General Mental Ability: Series completion, analogies, spatial orientation, clocks, calendars, venn diagrams, and puzzles.
6. 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). 

7. Data Interpretation: Charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency (Class X Level).

    

    

Standard Booklist Reference

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  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) 
• Science & Tech: Class VI–X NCERTs + Current Affairs updates