What is the Syllabus of the UPSC examination?

The term UPSC stands for Union Public Service Commission and it is the most eminent competitive Central Government exam. Every year UPSC conducts the CSE exam and recruits candidates for different services and posts in the Government sector. The UPSC Exam Syllabus is divided into two parts namely:

1. Preliminary Examination: This is the initial stage of UPSC which includes multiple-choice questions(MCQs). And the one who passes prelims can sit for the mains examination.
2.   Main Examination: It includes written exam followed by interviews for selected candidates. And after clearing the interview stage, candidates are allocated to different posts and services in the Government sector. UPSC Mains Syllabus is long as the questions asked are descriptive in nature.

The purpose of conducting the Civil Services Preliminary Examination is to shortlist candidates for the main examination. However, the prelims examination is qualifying in nature. The marks scored in Prelims are not counted in the final merit list.

UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern

The preliminary examination includes two papers- GS-1 and GS -2 or Paper 1 and Paper 2.

• of papers: Two mandatory papers.
• Question Type: MCQs.
• Total Marks: 400 ( 200 each paper).
• Medium of examination: Hindi or English.
• Duration of exam: Two hours each (20 minutes extra per hour for candidates with disabilities).
• Negative marking: 1/3rd of the marks on each question.

UPSC Syllabus for Prelims General Studies 1

This paper consists of 100 questions and the full mark is 200 with a time duration of two hours. Some topics occupying these 100 questions are enlisted below:

• Indian and World Geography.
• Current affairs related to national and international issues.
• History of India and Indian National Movement.
• General Science.
• Environmental issues, biodiversity, ecology, and climate change.
• Economic & Social Development, Sustainable development.

UPSC Syllabus for Prelims CSAT GS Paper 2

This paper is of 80 questions covering the below topics and the total marks are 200 with a time duration of 2 hours.

• Basic numeracy.
• Analytical ability & logical reasoning.
• General Mental ability.
• Problem-solving and decision making.
• Interpersonal skills.

UPSC Syllabus for Mains Examination 

The Civil Services Main examination includes the Written examination and the Interview. The papers in the main written examination are categorised into two parts: papers in which merits are counted and qualifying papers. The UPSC Mains Syllabus is given below.

Qualifying Papers 

Paper A: Candidates select any Indian language from the Eighth Schedule of the constitution.

Full marks: 300

Paper B: English.

Full marks: 300

Papers in which merits are counted :

Paper 1: Includes essay.

Full Marks: 250

Paper 2:  Topics- Indian history, Culture, Heritage, Geography of society and the world, Art forms, Literature, Architecture, Features of Indian society, Globalisation effects on Indian society, Women’s Organization, Social empowerment, secularism, communism, Natural calamities, Distribution of Natural Resources, etc.

Full Marks: 250

Paper 3: Topics- International relations, Polity, Social Justice, Governance, Constitution, important provisions, Federation, Features of Representation of People’s Act, Comparison of Indian constitution with other country’s constitution, Government welfare policies and interventions, Schemes for the deprived sections of the society, Organization of legislature and judiciary, Issues related to hunger and poverty,

Full Marks: 250

Paper 4:  Topics- Economic development, Environment, Biodiversity, Technology, disaster management, security, employment, Government Budgeting, Land Reforms in India, Industrialisation, liberalisation impact on the economy, Ports, Railways, Energy, Space, Computer, Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Environment pollution, Security forces and so on.

Full Marks: 250

Paper 5:  It consists of Aptitude, Integrity, and Ethics. Moral behavior, Political attitude, Public relationships, persuasion, empathy, service, dedication, tolerance, emotional intelligence, and Case studies on related topics.

Full Marks: 250

Paper 6:  This paper indulges optional subject paper 1.

Total number of optional subjects in the Main examination ( written):

1. Anthropology
2. Agriculture
3.  Political science
4. History
5. Animal husbandry and veterinary science
6. Geology
7. Accounts and commerce
8. Law
9. Chemistry
10. Civil engineering
11. Geography
12. Economics
13. Philosophy
14. Mathematics
15. Mechanical engineering
16. Management
17. Statistics
18. Political science and international relations
19. Sociology
20. Zoology
21. Public administration
22. Medical science
23. Physics
24. Psychology
25. Botany

Full Marks: 250

Paper 7: It also includes optional subject paper 2.

Full Marks:250

• Total marks of the main examination ( written): 1750.
• Total marks of Interview ( Personality Test): 275.

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