UPSC

Syllabus (English)
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UPSC Civil Services Exam Syllabus

The UPSC conducts the civil services examination (commonly called the IAS
exam) in three stages, which are:
♦ Preliminary examination (Prelims)
♦ Mains examination
♦ Personality Test (Interview)

UPSC Prelims Exam

The UPSC Prelims exam consists of two compulsory papers, namely:
♦ General Studies (GS) Paper 1
♦ General Studies (GS) Paper 2 (also called CSAT)

Both papers are generally held on the same day and the details are given in the
table below:

GS Paper 1 GS Paper 2 (CSAT)

Total Marks 200 200

Total No. of Questions 100 80

Negative Marking* Yes Yes

Duration 2 hours 2 hours

(9:30 AM - 11:30 AM) (2:30 PM – 4:30 PM)

* ⅓ of the total marks allotted to the question will be deducted for every
wrong answer.
• To further illustrate this, each questions would attract 2.5 marks
correctly answered GS I question each, while every wrongly marked
will be awarded 2 marks. So, 0.66 question would attract a penalty of
marks would be deducted from the 0.833 for each such wrong answer,
total for every question that is which will be deducted from the
wrongly marked. total.
• Similarly, in the CSAT paper, since • Unattempted questions will not
we have 80 questions for 200 attract any negative marks.
marks, correctly answered CSAT

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Syllabus for GS 1 Syllabus for GS 2 (CSAT)

Current events of national Comprehension

and international importance.
Interpersonal skills
History of India and Indian including communication
National Movement. skills

Indian and World Logical reasoning and

Geography - Physical, analytical ability
Social, Economic
Geography of India and Decision-making and
the World. problem-solving

Indian Polity and General mental ability

Governance - Constitution,
Political System, Panchayati Basic numeracy (numbers
Raj, Public Policy, Rights and their relations, orders
Issues, etc. of magnitude, etc.) (Class X
level), Data interpretation
(charts, graphs, tables, data
Economic and Social
sufficiency, etc. – Class X
Development - Sustainable
level)
Development, Poverty,
Inclusion, Demographics,
Social Sector Initiatives, etc. The preliminary examination is only
meant for screening a candidate for
the subsequent stages of the exam.
General issues on
The marks obtained in the Prelims will
Environmental Ecology,
not be added up while arriving at the
Biodiversity, and Climate
final rank list. Since UPSC CSAT is a
Change - that do not require
qualifying paper, one needs to score
subject specialisation
a minimum of 33% and only the marks
scored in GS paper 1 are considered
General Science for the ranking in the prelims.

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UPSC Mains Exam ♦ In case a candidate does not

qualify in these language papers,
The Mains examination constitutes
then the marks obtained by such
the 2nd phase of the Civil Services
candidates will not be
Examination. Only after successfully
considered or counted.
qualifying in the prelims exam would
the candidates be allowed to write
the IAS Mains. Structure of the Language
♦ The Mains exam tests the
Papers:
candidate’s academic talent in The types of questions asked are –
depth and his/her ability to 1. Essay – 100 marks
present his/her understanding
according to the requirements of 2. Reading comprehension –
the question in a time-bound 60 marks
manner.
3. Precis Writing – 60 marks
♦ The UPSC Mains exam consists
4. Translation:
of 9 papers, out of which two are
qualifying papers of 300 marks A. English to compulsory
each. language (e.g. Hindi) – 20
marks
♦ The two qualifying papers are:
Any Indian Language and B. Compulsory language to
English Language Paper. English – 20 marks
♦ Papers on Essay, General Studies 5. Grammar and basic
and Optional Subject of only language usage – 40 marks
such candidates who attain 25%
marks in both the language
papers as a minimum qualifying
standard in these qualifying
papers, will be taken cognizance
of, for evaluation.

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The rest of the seven papers can be written in any of the languages mentioned
under the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India or in English. The details of
the seven papers are as under:

Paper Subject Total Marks

Paper I Essay (can be written in the medium 250

of the candidate’s choice)

Paper II General Studies – I (Indian Heritage &

Culture, History & Geography of the 250
World & Society)

Paper III General Studies – II (Governance,

Constitution, Polity, Social Justice & 250
International Relations)

Paper IV General Studies – III (Technology,

S
Economic Development, Biodiversity, 250
Security & Disaster Management)

Paper V General Studies – IV (Ethics, Integrity 250

& Aptitude)
IA

Paper VI Optional Subject – Paper I 250

Paper VII Optional Subject – Paper II 250

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1. UPSC Exam Guide

The Civil Services Exam is conducted by the Union Public Service
Commission (UPSC) every year. It has three stages.

Civil Services Examination

Preliminary Mains Personality

Examination Examination Test

GS CSAT
100 Questions 80 Questions
200 Marks 200 Marks

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GS
Current Affairs - Current events of national and international importance

History - History of India and Indian National Movement

Geography - Indian and World Geography - Physical, Social, Economic

Geography of India and the World

Indian Polity & Governance - Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj,

Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.

Economic & Social Development - Sustainable Development, Poverty,

Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.

Environment - General Issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and

Climate Change

Science - General Science

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CSAT

Logical
reasoning and
Comprehension
Interpersonal analytical
skills including ability
communication
skills

Decision
Making and Basic
problem numeracy
General
solving
mental
ability

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Things to note for Prelims of the year he/she is appearing in

examination the Preliminary Examination.

1. Questions relating to English Number of Attempts:

Language Comprehension skills
Category Age Limit Attempt
of Class X level (last item in the
General 32 6
syllabus of CSAT-II) will be tested
OBC 35 9
through passages in English
SC/ST 37 unlimited
Language only, without providing
Hindi translation thereof in the Disabled (HP) 42 9
(General)
question paper. Disabled (HP) 42 As per candidates
(Other category) category

2. The questions will be of Multiple

Choice and Objective Type.
5. • An attempt at a
It is important to note that there is Preliminary Examination
a negative marking for each shall be deemed to be an
wrong answer. A wrong answer attempt at the examination
will attract a penalty of 1/3rd of
• If a candidate actually appears
the marks allotted to that
in any one paper in the
particular question
Preliminary Examination,
he/she shall be deemed to
3. CSAT Paper II has been made have made an attempt at
qualifying from 2015. A candidate the examination
has to score a minimum of 33% of
• Notwithstanding the
the marks to qualify in this paper.
disqualification/ cancellation of
The marks scored in this paper
candidature, the fact of
will not be added to the marks
appearance of the candidate
scored in GS Paper I to arrive at
at the examination will count as
the cut-off to clear Prelims
an attempt

4. A candidate must have attained

the age of 21 years on 1st August,

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6. Preliminary Examination of the (xiii) Indian Railway Accounts Service,

Civil Services Examination shall Group 'A'
be held for recruitment to the
(xiv) Indian Railway Personnel Service
Services & Posts mentioned below: (xv) Post of Assistant Security
(i) Indian Administrative Service Commissioner in Railway
Protection Force, Group ‘A’
(ii) Indian Foreign Service
(xvi) Indian Defence Estates Service,
(iii) Indian Police Service Group ‘A’
(iv) Indian P & T Accounts & Finance (xvii) Indian Information Service
Service, Group ‘A’ (Junior Grade), Group ‘A’
(v) Indian Audit and Accounts (xviii) Indian Trade Service, Group 'A'
Service, Group ‘A’ (Gr. III)
(vi) Indian Revenue Service (xix) Indian Corporate Law Service,
(Customs and Central Excise), Group "A"
Group ‘A’
(xx) Armed Forces Headquarters
(vii) Indian Defence Accounts Civil Service, Group ‘B’ (Section
Service, Group ‘A’ Ocer’s Grade)
(viii) Indian Revenue Service (IT), (xxi) Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar
Group ‘A’ Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman &
Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli
(ix) Indian Ordinance Factories
Civil Service, Group 'B'
Service, Group ‘A’ (Assistant
Works Manager, Administration) (xxii) Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar
Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman &
(x) Indian Postal Service, Group ‘A’
Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli
(xi) Indian Civil Accounts Service, Police Service, Group 'B'
Group ‘A’
(xxiii) Pondicherry Civil Service, Group 'B'
(xii) Indian Railway Trac Service,
(xxiv) Pondicherry Police Service,
Group ‘A’
Group 'B

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2. Subject-wise Weightage
Here is an analysis of the number of questions from each subject in the last
nine UPSC Prelims (General Studies I) Exams:

Current Science &

Affairs History Geography Polity Economy Technology Environment
2011 13 11 11 12 19 19 15
2012 26 17 12 11 13 9 12
2013 28 11 9 13 15 11 13
2014 20 17 12 11 10 13 17
2015 29 14 14 13 13 7 10
2016 27 15 7 7 18 8 18
2017 34 14 7 22 8 11
*Analysis by BYJU’S IAS

4
2018 28 15 8 13 16 7 13
2019 22 17 14 15 14 7 11

In the past few years, Current Affairs has had the highest weightage in the
syllabus of Prelims Examination

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3. Mains Examination
(Subjective/Descriptive Type)

Mains Examination
(Subjective/Descriptive Type)

Qualifying Papers to be
Papers counted for Merit

Paper - A Paper - B Paper - 1 Paper - Paper -

2 to 5 6&7
(One of the Indian Languages English
to be selected by the 300 Marks Essay GS 1 Optional
candidate from the (3 hrs) 250 Marks (4 Papers) (2 Papers)
languages included in the (3 hrs)
Eighth Schedule to the
Constitution).
300 Marks (3hrs)

General General General General

Studies – I Studies – II Studies – III Studies – IV
250 Marks (3 hrs) 250 Marks (3 hrs) 250 Marks (3 hrs) 250 Marks (3 hrs)
(Indian Heritage and (Governance, (Technology, Economic (Ethics, Integrity and
Culture, History and Constitution, Polity, Development, Aptitude)
Geography of the Social Justice and Biodiversity,
World and Society) International Relations) Environment,
Security and Disaster
Management)

Optional Paper-1 Optional Paper-2

250 Marks (3 hrs) 250 Marks (3 hrs)

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Mains Exam Syllabus

GS Paper-I

HISTORY century such as the industrial

revolution, world wars, redrawal
Art & Culture of national boundaries,
 Salient Aspects of Art Forms colonization, decolonization,
political philosophies like
 Literature and Architecture from communism, capitalism,
ancient to modern times socialism, etc, their forms and
 Ancient & Medieval History effects on the society

Modern History
GEOGRAPHY
 Mid 18th century to present-
significant events, Personalities, World & Indian Physical Geography
and Issues  Salient Features of the World's
 The Freedom Struggle- its Physical Geography
various stages and important  Distribution of key natural
contributors/contributions from resources across the world
different parts of the country (including South Asia and the
 Post-independence Indian sub-continent)
consolidation and reorganization  Factors responsible for the
within the country location of primary, secondary,
and tertiary sector industries in
World History various parts of the world
 The history of the world will (including India)
include events from the 18th

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Important Geophysical Phenomenon  Role of Women & Women

Empowerment
 Earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic
activity, Cyclone, etc.  Population and Associated
Issues
 Geographical features and their
location- changes in critical  Poverty & Developmental Issues
geographical flora and fauna and
 Urbanization
the effects of water-bodies and
ice-caps) and in features  Effects of Globalization on Indian
(including such changes) Society

 Social empowerment,
communalism, regionalism &
GEOGRAPHY secularism
 Salient Feature of Indian Society,
Diversity of India

GS Paper-II

INDIAN POLITY levels, and challenges therein

 Indian Constitution- historical  Separation of powers between

underpinnings, evolution, various organs, dispute redressal
features, amendments, mechanisms, and institutions
significant provisions, and basic  Comparison of the Indian
structure constitutional scheme with that
 Functions and responsibilities of of other countries
the Union and the States, issues,  Parliament and State Legislatures -
and challenges pertaining to the structure, functioning, the conduct
federal structure, devolution of of business, powers & privileges
powers and finances up to local and issues arising out of these

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 Structure, organization, and  Bilateral, regional and global

functioning of the Executive and groupings and agreements
the Judiciary, Ministries, and involving India and/or affecting
Departments of the Government; India's interests. Effects of
pressure groups and policies and politics of
formal/informal associations and developed and developing
their role in the Polity countries on India's interests,
Indian diaspora
 Salient features of the
Representation of People's Act  Important International
institutions, agencies and their
 Appointment to various
structure, mandate
Constitutional posts, powers,
functions, and responsibilities of
various Constitutional Bodies
Social Justice
 Statutory, regulatory, and various
 Welfare schemes for vulnerable
quasi-judicial bodies
sections of the population by the
Centre and States and the
performance of these schemes;
Governance
mechanisms, laws, institutions
 Important aspects of and bodies constituted for the
governance, transparency and protection and betterment of
accountability, e-governance these vulnerable sections
applications, models, successes,
 Issues relating to development
limitations, and potential; citizens
and management of Social
charters, transparency &
Sector/Services relating to
accountability and institutional
Health, Education, Human
and other measures
Resources
 Role of civil services in a
democracy

International Relations

 India and its neighborhood

relations

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GS Paper-III

ECONOMY industries in India- scope and

significance, location, upstream
 Indian Economy and issues and downstream requirements,
relating to planning, mobilization supply chain management
of resources, growth,
development and employment  Land reforms in India

 Inclusive growth and issues  Effects of liberalization on the

arising from it economy, changes in industrial
policy and their effects on
 Government Budgeting industrial growth
 Major crops, cropping patterns in  Infrastructure: Energy, Ports,
various parts of the country, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
different types of irrigation and
irrigation systems storage,  Investment models
transport and marketing of
agricultural produce and issues
and related constraints; SCIENCE AND
e-technology in the aid of TECHNOLOGY
farmers
 Science and Technology-
 Issues related to direct and developments and their
indirect farm subsidies and applications and effects in
minimum support prices; Public everyday life
Distribution System objectives,
 Achievements of Indians in
functioning, limitations,
science & technology;
revamping; issues of buffer
indigenization of technology and
stocks and food security;
developing new technology
Technology missions; economics
of animal-rearing  Awareness in the fields of IT,
space, computers, robotics,
 Food processing and related

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nano-technology, bio-technology  Challenges to internal security

and issues relating to intellectual through communication
property rights International networks, role of media and
Relations social networking sites in internal
security challenges

 Basics of cyber security;

ENVIRONMENT & money-laundering and its
ECOLOGY prevention

 Security challenges and their

 Conservation
management in border areas;
 Environmental pollution and linkages of organized crime with
degradation terrorism
 Environmental impact  Various Security forces and
assessment agencies and their mandate

INTERNAL SECURITY DISASTER

 Linkages between development
and spread of extremism
MANAGEMENT
 Disasters and disaster
 Role of external state and
management
non-state actors in creating
challenges to internal security

GS Paper-IV
ETHICS, INTEGRITY consequences of Ethics in
human actions; dimensions of
AND APTITUDE ethics; ethics in private and
 Ethics and Human Interface: public relationships. Human
Essence, determinants, and Values – lessons from the lives

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and teachings of great leaders, sources of ethical guidance;

reformers, and administrators; accountability and ethical
the role of family, society, and governance; strengthening of
educational institutions in ethical and moral values in
inculcating values governance; ethical issues in
international relations and
 Attitude: content, structure,
funding; corporate governance
function; its influence and
relation with thought and  Probity in Governance: Concept
behavior; moral and political of public service; Philosophical
attitudes; social influence basis of governance and probity;
and persuasion Information sharing and
transparency in government,
 Aptitude and foundational
Right to Information, Codes of
values for Civil Service, integrity,
Ethics, Codes of Conduct,
impartiality and non-partisanship,
Citizen’s Charters, Work culture,
objectivity, dedication to public
Quality of service delivery,
service, empathy, tolerance, and
Utilization of public funds,
compassion towards the
challenges of corruption
weaker sections
 Case Studies on the
 Emotional intelligence-concepts,
above issues
and their utilities and application
in administration and governance

 Contributions of moral thinkers

and philosophers from India and
the 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

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List of Optional Subjects

Candidates may choose any optional subject from amongst the list of
subjects given below

Group 1

1. Agriculture 14. Management

2. Animal Husbandry and 15. Mathematics

Veterinary Science
16. Mechanical
3. Anthropology Engineering

4. Botany 17. Medical Science

5. Chemistry 18. Philosophy

6. Civil Engineering 19. Physics

7. Commerce and 20. Political Science and

Accountancy International Relations

8. Economics 21. Psychology

9. Electrical Engineering 22. Public Administration

10. Geography 23. Sociology

11. Geology 24. Statistics

12. History 25. Zoology

13. Law

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Group 2

1. Assamese 13. Marathi

2. Bengali 14. Nepali

3. Bodo 15. Oriya

4. Dogri 16. Punjabi

5. Gujarati 17. Sanskrit

6. Hindi 18. Santhali

7. Kannada 19. Sindhi

8 Kashmiri 20. Tamil

9. Konkani 21. Telugu

10. Maithili 22. Urdu

11. Malayalam 23. English

12. Manipuri

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Personality Test (Interview)

1. The candidate who has cleared 5. The technique of the interview
the Mains examination will be is not that of a strict
interviewed by a board who will cross-examination but of a
have before them a record of natural, well-directed, and
his/her career. He/she will be purposive conversation which is
asked questions on matters of intended to reveal the mental
general interest. qualities of the candidate.

2. The objective of the interview is 6. The interview test is not intended

to assess the personal suitability to be a test either of the
of the candidate for a career in specialized or general
public services by a board of knowledge of the candidates
competent and unbiased which has already been tested
observers. through their written papers.

3. The test is intended to judge the 7. Candidates are expected to have

mental caliber of a candidate. In taken an intelligent interest not
broad terms, this is really an only in their special subjects of
assessment of not only his/her academic study but also in the
intellectual qualities but also events which are happening
social traits and his/her interest in around them both within and
current affairs. outside their own state or country
as well as in modern currents of
4. Some of the qualities to be thought and in new discoveries
judged are mental alertness, which should arouse the curiosity
critical powers of assimilation, of well-educated youth
clear and logical exposition,
the balance of judgment, variety,
and depth of interest, the ability Note:
for social cohesion and The interview carries 275 marks
leadership, and intellectual and
moral integrity. Grand Total: 2025

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Legacy of Success Continues
Our Top Performers in UPSC CSE 2022

RANK RANK RANK

05
Mayur Hazarika
08
Aniruddh Yadav
09
Kanika Goyal

266 Total Ranks out of 933 vacancies

03 Ranks in
Top 10 06 Ranks in
Top 25 30 Ranks in
Top 100

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