UPSC CSE Exam Pattern

1. Stages of Examination

Preliminary Examination (Prelims)

 Objective type (Multiple Choice Questions - MCQs).

 Consists of two papers: General Studies Paper-I and General Studies Paper-II (CSAT).
 Paper-I covers subjects like History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment,
Science and Technology, etc.
 Paper-II (CSAT) tests aptitude and comprehension skills.
 Both papers are of 200 marks each.
 Paper-II (CSAT) is qualifying in nature (33% marks required).

Main Examination (Mains)

 Descriptive type (essay/answers).

 Consists of 9 papers (7 are counted for merit):
1. Paper A: Indian Language (qualifying)
2. Paper B: English (Qualifying)
3. Papers I to VII: General Studies (each paper 250 marks)
4. Papers VIII & IX: Optional subjects (each paper 250 marks)
 Papers include subjects like Essay, GS (I to IV), and Optional subjects chosen by the
candidate.
 The total marks for mains is 1750 (excluding language papers).

Personality Test (Interview)

 Conducted for candidates who qualify in the Mains exam.

 Tests candidates' personality, aptitude, and suitability for a career in public service.
 Marks allotted for the interview are 275.

2. Language of Examination

 Preliminary exam: Bilingual (English and Hindi).

 Main exam: Candidates can choose the language of their answer paper for Papers A
and B (Indian Language and English).

3. Marking Scheme

 Each correct answer in Prelims carries +2 marks.

 Negative marking: 1/3rd of the marks assigned to that question (0.66 marks deducted
for each wrong answer).
 4. Duration

 Prelims: Each paper is of 2 hours duration.

 Mains: Each paper varies in duration (usually 3 hours per paper).

5. Optional Subjects

 Candidates choose one optional subject from a list of subjects provided by UPSC.
 Examples of optional subjects include History, Geography, Public Administration,
Sociology, Political Science, etc.

6. Syllabus

 The syllabus for both Prelims and Mains covers a wide range of topics related to Indian
and World History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, Science and
Technology, Current Affairs, etc.

7. Qualifying Criteria

 Candidates must qualify each stage of the examination (Prelims, Mains, and Interview)
separately.

8. Final Merit List

 The final merit list is prepared based on marks obtained in the Main Examination
(written exam) and Interview (Personality Test).

Paper I: General Studies

 Current events of national and international importance

 History of India and Indian National Movement
 Indian and World Geography - Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India sand the
World
 Indian Polity and Governance - Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public
Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
 Economic and Social Development - Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion,
Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
 Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity & Climate Change - General issues on
Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change - that do not require subject
specialization
 General Science
 Paper II: CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test)

 Comprehension
 Interpersonal skills including communication skills
 Logical reasoning and analytical ability
 Decision-making and problem-solving
 General mental ability
 Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level),
Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc. - Class X level)

UPSC CSE Mains Exam Syllabus

1. Paper A: Indian Language (Qualifying)

This paper tests the candidate's ability to read and understand serious discursive prose,
and to express his ideas clearly and correctly, in English and Indian language
concerned.

2. Paper B: English (Qualifying)

This paper tests the candidate's ability to read and understand serious discursive prose,
and to express his ideas clearly and correctly, in English.

3. Paper I: Essay

Candidates will be required to write essays on multiple topics. They will be expected to
keep closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in orderly fashion, and to
write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.

4. Paper II: General Studies I

 Indian Heritage and Culture, History, and Geography of the World and Society.
1. Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature, and Architecture
from ancient to modern times.
2. Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present-
significant events, personalities, issues.
3. The Freedom Struggle - its various stages and important contributors/contributions from
different parts of the country.
4. Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
5. 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.

5. Paper III: General Studies II

 Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International relations.
1. Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments,
significant provisions, and basic structure.
2. Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues, and challenges
pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels
and challenges therein.
3. Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and
institutions.
4. Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
5. Parliament and State Legislatures- structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers
& privileges and issues arising out of these.
6. 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.
7. Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.

6. Paper IV: General Studies III

 Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster

Management.
1. Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth,
development, and employment.
2. Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
3. Government Budgeting.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location,
upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
7. Land reforms in India.
8. Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on
industrial growth.
9. Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways, etc.
10. Investment models.
11. 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.

7. Paper V: General Studies IV

 Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude.

1. 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.

8. Papers VI & VII: Optional Subject

 Candidates may choose any optional subject from the list provided by UPSC. Each
optional subject consists of two papers (Paper VI and Paper VII), each of 250 marks.
1. The list of optional subjects includes subjects like History, Geography, Public
Administration, Sociology, Political Science and International Relations, Philosophy,
Anthropology, Commerce and Accountancy, Mathematics, etc.

1. Paper A: Indian Language (Qualifying)

This paper tests the candidate's ability to read and understand serious discursive prose, and to
express his ideas clearly and correctly, in English and Indian language concerned.

2. Paper B: English (Qualifying)

This paper tests the candidate's ability to read and understand serious discursive prose, and to
express his ideas clearly and correctly, in English.

3. Paper I: Essay
Candidates will be required to write essays on multiple topics. They will be expected to keep
closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in orderly fashion, and to write
concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.

4. Paper II: General Studies I

 Indian Heritage and Culture, History, and Geography of the World and Society.
1. Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature, and Architecture from
ancient to modern times.
2. Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present-
significant events, personalities, issues.
3. The Freedom Struggle - its various stages and important contributors/contributions from
different parts of the country.
4. Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
5. 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.
 5. Paper III: General Studies II

 Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International relations.

1. Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant
provisions, and basic structure.
2. Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues, and challenges pertaining to
the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges
therein.
3. Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
4. Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
5. Parliament and State Legislatures- structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers &
privileges and issues arising out of these.
6. 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.
7. Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.

6. Paper IV: General Studies III

 Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster

Management.
1. Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth,
development, and employment.
2. Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
3. Government Budgeting.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location, upstream and
downstream requirements, supply chain management.
7. Land reforms in India.
8. Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on
industrial growth.
9. Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways, etc.
10. Investment models.
11. 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.

7. Paper V: General Studies IV

 Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude.

1. 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.

8. Papers VI & VII: Optional Subject

 Candidates may choose any optional subject from the list provided by UPSC. Each optional
subject consists of two papers (Paper VI and Paper VII), each of 250 marks.
1. The list of optional subjects includes subjects like History, Geography, Public Administration,
Sociology, Political Science and International Relations, Philosophy, Anthropology, Commerce
and Accountancy, Mathematics, etc.