What is the UPSC syllabus for Prelims and Mains?

The UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) syllabus covers Prelims (objective General Studies and CSAT) and Mains (descriptive papers). Prelims tests History, Geography, Polity, Economics, Science, Current Affairs, and state-specific GK. Mains includes essay, detailed GS papers, and optional subjects. See the full paper-wise breakdown below.

How many papers are in the UPSC exam?

UPSC has two stages with papers: Prelims has 2 papers (GS and CSAT, where CSAT is qualifying) and Mains has multiple descriptive papers including essay, GS papers, and optional subject papers. The exact number varies by exam notification.

What are the most important UPSC syllabus topics?

Based on PYQ frequency analysis, the highest-weight topics vary by paper. For Prelims, History, Polity, and Geography consistently carry the most questions. State-specific GK is a standalone scoring block. Use the topic weightage data on this page to prioritise your preparation.

Also on pscprep:Attempt UPSC PYQs online·Current affairs for UPSC·Compare other State PCS exams

UPSC · Detailed Syllabus

UPSC Paper-wise Syllabus

UPSC CSE is India's premier three-stage exam (Prelims, Mains, Interview) for IAS, IPS, IFS, and other central services. It tests breadth across General Studies, depth in an optional subject, and communication skills in the personality test.

11 subtopics across 2 papers

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Paper I — General Studies

7 topics

Topics

7 topics

Current events of national and state importance
History of India and state history/culture
Indian polity, constitution, governance, and social justice
Indian economy, budgeting, development, and inclusion
Geography of India and state-specific geography
Environment, biodiversity, climate change, and disaster management
General science and applied science basics

Paper II — Aptitude (where applicable)

4 topics

Topics

4 topics

Comprehension and communication
Interpersonal skills and decision making
Logical reasoning and analytical ability
Basic numeracy, data interpretation, and mental ability

Mains papers

Essay

Society, governance, economy, and development themes
State-focused essay themes for UPSC Civil Services (CSE)
Balanced argumentation, examples, and policy-oriented conclusion

General Studies Paper I

Indian heritage, culture, and modern history
Socio-cultural history and movements relevant to UPSC Civil Services (CSE)
World and Indian geography with map-linked clarity

General Studies Paper II

Constitution, polity, governance, and public administration
Welfare schemes, institutions, and accountability frameworks
State administration and local governance priorities in UPSC Civil Services (CSE)

General Studies Paper III

Economy, agriculture, infrastructure, and technology
Environment, disaster management, and internal security basics
State economy, resources, and development challenges in UPSC Civil Services (CSE)

General Studies Paper IV (Ethics)

Ethics, integrity, and aptitude in public life
Case studies on governance dilemmas and decision-making
Probity, emotional intelligence, and leadership in administration

Interview focus areas

Current affairs articulation with balanced viewpoints
State-specific governance awareness for UPSC Civil Services (CSE)
Situational judgment, communication, and administrative temperament

Ready to start preparing?

Turn this syllabus into a study plan with subtopic-level practice, PYQ analysis, and adaptive revision milestones.

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