UPSC SYLLABUS

I.Civil Services Examinations

A nationwide competitive examination in India conducted by the UPSC for
recruitment to the various Civil Services of the Government of India, including
Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Revenue Service (IRS), Indian
Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS).

Eligibility Criteria
 Educational Qualification:
Candidate should be Graduate or pursued Degree in any discipline
from any recognized university in India and Final Year Candidates can
apply.

 Age Limit:
A candidate should be a minimum of 21 years and maximum 32
years
 The upper age limit prescribed above is relaxable for the following
candidates:
 5 Years - Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST)
 3 Years - Other Backward Classes (OBC) 3 Years - Defence Services
personnel
 5 Years - ex-servicemen including Commissioned Officers and
ECOs/SSCOs who have rendered at least 5 years Military Service as
per the notified date by UPSC.
 5 Years in the case of ECOs/SSCOs 10 Years - Blind, deaf- mute,
and orthopedically handicapped persons

 Upper Age Relaxation

•A maximum of three years for OBC candidates
 •A maximum of five years for candidates belonging to a SC/ST
candidates

 Number of attempts:
Restriction on the maximum number of attempts is effective since 1984:
 For General Candidates: 6 attempts (Up to 32 Years)
 Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Candidates (SC/ST): No Limits
(Up to 37 Years)
 Other Backward Classes (OBC): 9 attempts (Up to 35 Years)
 Physically handicapped- 9 attempts for general and
OBC, while unlimited for SC/ST

 Nationality
 The candidate should be a citizen of India

 Examination Process : Consists of Three stages

 Stage I : Preliminary examination
 Stage II: Main examination
 Stage III: Personality Test (Interview)

The UPSC competitive examination comprises three stages:

(1)Prelims Examination (Objective Multiple choice)

(2)Main Examination (Written)

(3)Interview (Oral)
 NOTE:
The written exam will consist of 9 papers of conventional essay
type out of which two papers will be of qualifying nature.
 Marks obtained in the Interview for Personality Test will be
counted for ranking.
 Candidates will be allotted to the various Services keeping
in view their ranks in the examination and the preferences
expressed by them for the various Services and posts.

IAS Syllabus for Preliminary Examination

Paper Questions & Time Marks

100 Questions - 2
General Studies Paper I 200
Hours
General Studies Paper-II (CSAT - 80 Questions - 2 200 ( Marks not
Qualifying only) Hours considered)
Total 200
Civil Services (Preliminary) Exam Pattern

No. of Papers Two (2) compulsory papers

Type of
Objective (MCQs)
Questions

Total Marks 200 marks each (400 marks)

 2 hrs. each (20 mins extra for a candidate with Locomotor
Disability & Cerebral Palsy.
Duration of 2 hour each; Both papers conducted on the same day;
Exam
Paper 1 – 9.30 AM – 11.30 AM

Paper 2 – 2.30 PM – 4.30 PM

Negative
Yes, one-third (0.33) as a penalty
Marking

Medium of
Bilingual (Hindi and English)
Exam

Preliminary Syllabus of Paper 1: General Studies

TOTAL MARKS – 50% - 52%

1. Current events of national and international importance

2. History of India and Indian National Movement
3. Indian and World Geography – Physical, Social, Economic Geography
of India and the World
4. Indian Polity & Governance -Constitution, Political System, Panchayati
Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
5. Economic and Social Development-Sustainable Development, Poverty,
nclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
6. General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate
Change – that do not require subject specialization and Climate.
7. General Science

CSAT - Civil Services Aptitude Test

Preliminary Syllabus of Paper 2

Number of Questions: 80 Needs to score: Minimum 33%

1. Comprehension
2. Interpersonal Skills including communication skills
3. Interpersonal Skills including communication skills
4. Logical reasoning and analytical study
5. Decision making and Problem solving
6. General mental ability
7. Basic numerical (numbers and its relations, orders of
magnitude)
8. Data Interpretation( charts , graphs, tables, data sufficiency)
9. Questions relation to English language comprehension skills (without
Hindi translation)
10. English language comprehension skills
Civil Services (Main) Exam Facts

No. of Papers written test (9 papers) and an Interview test

Type of
Subjective
Questions
Written Test: 1750 marks | Interview Test: 275 marks
Total Marks
(with no qualifying marks)
Duration of
3 hrs each
Exam
Medium of Hindi and English (other than the literature of language
Exam papers)
MAINS SUBJECTS

Papers Subjects Marks

Paper 1 Essay writing 250
General Studies I Indian Heritage and Culture,
Paper 2 History, and Geography of the World and 250
Society
General Studies II Governance, Constitution,
Paper 3 250
Polity, Social Justice and International relations
General Studies III Technology, Economic
Paper 4 Development, Bio‐diversity, Environment, 250
Security and Disaster Management
General Studies IV Ethics, Integrity, and
Paper 5 250
Aptitude
Paper 6 Optional Subject – Paper 1 250

Paper 7 Optional Subject – Paper 2 250

Personal Interview 275
Grand Total 2025
 Main Examination – The written exam will consist of the
following papers:
Paper A (Indian Language) – Check
Qualifying Papers Languages
Paper B (English)
Paper to be counted for
Paper I – Paper VII
Merit
Interview Personality Test

MAINS EXAMINATION

Paper 1 : ESSAY
Paper 2 : General Studies I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History, and
Geography of the World and Society
Paper 3 : General Studies II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice
and International relations
Paper 4: General Studies III: Technology, Economic Development,
Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management.
Paper 5 : General Studies IV: Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude
Paper 6: Optional Subject-
SUBJECT 1 :
 Agriculture,
 Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science,
 Anthropology,
 Botany,
 Chemistry,
 Civil Engineering,
 Commerce and Accountancy,
 Economics,
 Electrical Engineering,
 Geography,
 Geology,
 History,
 Law,
 Management,
 Mathematics,
 Mechanical Engineering,
 Medical Science,
 Philosophy,
 Physics,
 Political Science and International Relations,
 Psychology,
 Public Administration,
 Sociology,
  Statistics
 Zoology
SUBJECT 2 :
The literature of any one of the following languages:
 Assamese,
 Bengali,
 Bodo,
 Dogri,
 Gujarati,
 Hindi,
 Kannada,
 Kashmiri,
 Konkani,
 Maithili,
 Malayalam,
 Manipuri,
 Marathi,
 Nepali,
 Oriya,
 Punjabi,
 Sanskrit,
 Santhali,
 Sindhi,
 Tamil,
 Telugu,
  Urdu
 English.

General Studies-I
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 18th century such as
Industrial Revolution, world wars, Redrawal of National Boundaries,
Colonization, Decolonization, political philosophies like Communism,
Capitalism, Socialism etc.— their forms and effect on the 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 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.

General Studies-II
(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, Devolutionof
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 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 Neighbourhood- 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.

General Studies-III
(Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, 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.

General Studies-IV
(Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude)

This paper will include questions to test the candidates’ attitude and approach
to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and his problem solving
approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him in dealing with society.
Questions may utilize the case study approach to determine these aspects.
The following broad areas will be covered:
 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 above issues.

INTERVIEW PROCESS
A UPSC Civil Services interview lasts for about 30 minutes. The purpose of
the interview is to check whether the candidate is suitable for a career in the
civil services. That is, whether the candidate has the potential to demonstrate
good administrative skills. The interview carries 275 marks out of the total
2025. The candidate’s score in the Mains examination does not play any role
in deciding the course of the interview, though the marks of both Mains and
Personality Test are considered for ranking.
Many students have a misconception that the CSE interview is a knowledge
test. It is not a knowledge test but a personality test. There is no one definite
right or wrong answer. The interview panel just observes how a candidate
approaches a question. The panel doesn’t check the knowledge of the
candidates. Rather, it assesses a few personality traits of the candidates.
Another misconception is that the panel awards marks subjectively.
Candidates who score low marks usually have a tendency to blame the
interview board or luck. The members of the panel are highly objective. I
strongly believe that it is the candidate who decides the marks based on
his/her performance/personality traits
Servicewise Category Rank wise
1. Indian Administrative Service
2. Indian Foreign Service
3. Indian Police Service
4. Indian P&T Accounts & Finance Service, Group 'A'
5. Indian Audit & Accounts Service, Group 'A'
6. Indian Customs & Central Excise Service, Group 'A'
7. Indian Defence Accounts Service, Group 'A'
8. Indian Revenue Service (IT), Group 'A'
9. Indian Ordnance Factories Service, Group 'A'
10. Indian Postal Service, Group 'A'
11. Indian Civil Accounts Service, Group 'A'
12. Indian Railway Traffic Service, Group 'A'
13. Indian Railway Accounts Service, Group 'A'
14. Indian Railway Personnel Service, Group 'A'
15. Posts of Assistant Security Commissioner in Railway Protection Force,
Group 'A'
16. Indian Defence Estates Service, Group 'A'
17. Indian Information Service, (Junior Grade), Group 'A'
18. Indian Trade Service, Group 'A'
19. Indian Corporate Law Service, Group 'A'
20. Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service, Group 'B'
21. Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, D D & NH Civil
Service, Group 'B'
22. Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, D D & NH Police
Service, Group 'B'
23. Pondicherry Civil Service, Group 'B'
24. Pondicherry Police Service, Group 'B'