UPSC Syllabus 2025: IAS Prelims, Mains and Optional
Subjects
adda247.com/upsc-exam/upsc-syllabus
By aditya November 18, 2024
The Union Public Service Commission releases the syllabus on its website every year.
The UPSC Syllabus 2025 is essential for candidates preparing for the Civil Services
Exam. Here, we have covered the UPSC 2025 Syllabus, including topics for both Prelims
and Mains, such as History, Polity, Geography, Economics, Current Affairs, Internal
Security, Environment, Science, Technology, and more, helping candidates plan their
studies accordingly.
UPSC Syllabus and Exam Pattern
The UPSC Civil Services Exam 2025 will be conducted on 25 May 2025 as per the
Updated UPSC Calander 2025. It will be a qualifying exam, and those who pass will
move on to the next stage, the Mains exam, which will be descriptive in nature and will be
accounted for in the final merit list.
UPSC New Syllabus Highlights
Particulars Prelims Mains
UPSC Exam Date 25 May 2025 22 August 2025
No. of Papers Two Nine
Types of Questions Objective Type Descriptive Type
Duration of Exam 2 hours each 3 hours each
Total Marks 400 1750
Medium of Exam English & Hindi English & Hindi (except language paper)
Negative Marking ⅓rd mark No negative marking
Marks Counted in Merit No Yes
UPSC Exam Pattern 2025
Stages Papers Total Papers Marks
Phase 1 UPSC Prelims 2 Papers 400
Phase 2 UPSC Mains 9 Papers 1750
Phase 3 UPSC Interview – 275
1/10
Final Merit List is based on UPSC Mains + Interview Marks = 2025 Marks
UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern 2025
The preliminary stage of the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is an important step
in selecting candidates for the main exam. This stage tests your knowledge of both
historical and current events in India and around the world.
UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern 2025
Paper Subjects Marks No. of Duration
Question
I General Studies 200 100 2 hours (9:30 AM to 11:30
(GS) AM)
II CSAT 200 80 2 hours (2:30 PM to 4:30
PM)
UPSC Prelims Exam details: Overview
Nature of Questions MCQ
Positive Marking General Studies: +2
CSAT: +2.5
Negative marking General Studies: -0.66
CSAT: -0.83
Syllabus for General Studies 1 Indian Polity
Geography
History and Art and Culture
Economy
Science and Technology
Environment and Ecology
International Relations
Current Affairs
Syllabus for CSAT Logical Reasoning
Comprehension
Data interpretation
Quantitative Aptitude
UPSC Syllabus 2025 for Prelims Exam
2/10
Studying the UPSC Syllabus 2025 along with the PYQs can help you excel with the exam
pattern and questions that have a high chance of repetition in the exam, below we have
provided the UPSC Syllabus of GS 1 and CSAT.
GS Paper 1 consists of the following topics as mentioned in the UPSC syllabus for
prelims.
Current events of National and international importance
Indian & World Geography
History of India & Indian National Movement
General Science
Economic and Social Development, Sustainable Development, Poverty,
Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
Indian Polity and Governance: Public Policy, Rights Issues, Panchayati Raj,
Political System, and Constitution, among Other
General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity & climate change – that
do not require subject specialization
GS Paper 2 (CSAT) covers the following topics for UPSC Syllabus 2025
The UPSC Syllabus 2025 for Prelims CSAT consists of 80 questions on specific
areas, with a maximum mark of 200. You have two hours to finish the questions.
UPSC administers the CSAT exam in the evening.
Logical reasoning & analytical ability.
Interpersonal skills including communication skills.
Basic numeracy and data interpretation.
Decision-making & problem-solving.
General mental ability.
UPSC Mains Exam Pattern 2025
Candidates who pass the UPSC Prelims can appear for the Mains exam. The Mains
consist of two qualifying papers and seven regular papers, and the marks from these
papers are used to prepare the final merit list.
UPSC IAS Mains Exam Pattern
Qualifying Papers Marks
Paper- One of the Indian Language to be selected by the candidate from the 300
A Languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution
Paper- English 300
B
Papers Counted for Merit
Paper- Essay 250
I
3/10
Paper- General Studies-I (Indian Heritage and Culture, History and 250
II Geography of the World and Society)
Paper- General Studies-II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice 250
III and International Relations)
Paper- Genera Studies-III (Technology, Economic Development, Bio- 250
IV diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management)
Paper- General Studies-IV (Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude) 250
V
Paper- Optional Subject – Paper 1 250
VI
Paper- Optional Subject – Paper 2 250
VII
Sub Total (Written Test) 1750
Personality Test 275
Grand Total 2025
UPSC Syllabus 2025 for Mains Exam
The UPSC Mains Exam consists of 4 GS + 2 optional + 1 Essay paper + 2 qualifying
papers. This section goes over the UPSC syllabus for mains in great depth. It is advised
that you thoroughly read this article to have a solid understanding of this section as this
section will be crucial in deciding your ranking in the final merit list of the UPSC CSE
2025.
UPSC Syllabus for Mains Language Paper
The questions would follow the following general pattern in both the English Language
and in Indian Language.
Section Topic Description
English Comprehension Understanding and interpreting given passages.
Language
Precis Writing Summarizing passages.
Usage and Correct use of words and understanding their
Vocabulary meanings.
Short Essays Writing brief, coherent essays.
Indian Comprehension Understanding and interpreting given passages.
Languages
Precis Writing Summarizing passages.
4/10
Usage and Correct use of words and understanding their
Vocabulary meanings.
Short Essays Writing brief, coherent essays.
Translation Translating from English to the Indian language
and vice-versa.
UPSC Syllabus 2025 for Essay
Essays on a variety of subjects will be asked and are to be written within 1000-1250
words.
Students must adhere closely to the essay’s topic, write briefly, and organize their
thoughts logically.
For clear and precise expression, credit will be granted.
Tip – Students must focus on the philosophical topics while practicing.
UPSC Syllabus for 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, and 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 the 18th century such as the
Industrial Revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization,
decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism, etc.
— their forms and effects on society.
6. Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
7. Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues,
poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems, and their
remedies.
8. Effects of globalization on Indian society.
9. Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
10. Salient features of the world’s physical geography.
11. 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).
12. Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, tsunamis, Volcanic
activity, cyclones, etc., geographical features and their location-changes in critical
geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and flora and fauna
and the effects of such changes.
UPSC Syllabus for General Studies II
5/10
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
about the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels,
and challenges therein.
3. Separation of powers between various organs disputes 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.
8. Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions, and
responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
9. Statutory, regulatory, and various quasi-judicial bodies.
10. Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and
issues arising out of their design and implementation.
11. Development processes and the development industry —the role of NGOs,
SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other
stakeholders.
12. 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.
13. Issues relating to the development and management of Social Sector/Services
relating to Health, Education, and Human Resources.
14. Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
15. Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance-
applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters,
transparency & accountability, and institutional and other measures.
16. Role of civil services in a democracy.
17. India and its neighborhood- relations.
18. Bilateral, regional, and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or
affecting India’s interests.
19. Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s
interests, Indian diaspora.
20. Important International institutions, agencies, and fora – their structure, mandate.
UPSC Syllabus For General Studies III
Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster
Management
Topic Description
Indian Issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth,
Economy development, and employment.
6/10
Agriculture Major crop-cropping patterns, irrigation types and systems, storage,
transport, and marketing of agricultural produce, issues, and
constraints; e-technology in aid of farmers.
Science and Developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
Technology
Science & Achievements of Indians, indigenization of technology, development of
Technology new technology, Awareness in IT, Space, Computers, robotics, Nano-
technology, biotechnology, and intellectual property rights issues.
Environment Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental
impact assessment.
Disaster Disaster and disaster management.
Management
Internal Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges,
Security challenges through communication networks, role of media and social
networking, basics of cyber security, money-laundering prevention.
UPSC Syllabus For General Studies IV
The Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude paper tests candidates on their attitude towards
honesty, moral values in public life, and their ability to solve problems related to social
issues and conflicts. It may include case studies to evaluate these qualities. The
following key areas will be covered:
Topic Description
Ethics and Essence, determinants, and consequences of Ethics in human
Human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public
Interface relationships. Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings
of great leaders, reformers, and administrators; the role of family,
society, and educational institutions in inculcating values.
Attitude Content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought
and behavior; moral and political attitudes; social influence and
persuasion.
Aptitude and Integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to
Foundational public service, empathy, tolerance, and compassion towards the
Values for weaker sections.
Civil Service
Emotional Concepts, utilities, and application in administration and governance.
Intelligence
Moral Contributions from India and the world.
Thinkers and
Philosophers
7/10
Public/Civil Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government
Service Values and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations, and conscience as
and Ethics in sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance;
Public strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical
Administration issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.
Probity in Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and
Governance 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 Case studies on the above issues.
UPSC Syllabus for Optional Subjects
In the UPSC Mains, there are two Optional Subject papers (Paper I and Paper II).
Candidates must choose one subject from the list provided, and the chosen subject will
have two papers. The following are the available Optional Subjects:
UPSC Mains Optional Subjects List 2025
UPSC UPSC Animal UPSC UPSC UPSC
Agriculture Husbandry and Anthropology Botany Chemistry
Syllabus Veterinary Science Syllabus Syllabus Syllabus
Syllabus
UPSC Civil UPSC Commerce UPSC UPSC UPSC
Engineering and Accountancy Economics Electrical Geography
Syllabus Syllabus Syllabus Engineering Syllabus
Syllabus
Statistics Sociology Physics Philosophy Medical
Science
Political Science Public Administration Psychology Mechanical Mathematics
and Engineering
International
Relations
Zoology Geology History Management Law
Literature in any of the following languages
English Malayalam Manipuri Marathi Nepali
Odia Punjabi Sanskrit Santhali Sindhi
Tamil Telugu Urdu Assamese Bengali
Bodo Dogri Gujarati Hindi Kannada
Kashmiri Konkani Maithili Malayalam –
8/10
UPSC Interview Syllabus
The UPSC Interview is the final step in the exam process. Unlike the written exams, there
is no specific syllabus for the interview. It covers various topics, including current affairs
and general knowledge. The main aim is to assess whether a candidate is suitable for a
civil service role. The interview is worth 275 marks, while the written exams are worth
1750 marks, making the total marks for the entire process.
UPSC Syllabus for Interview
Total Marks 275
Location Union Public Service Commission Head Office, New Delhi
Dress Code Formal Attire
UPSC Exam Syllabus 2025 PDF Download
Before the UPSC exam, candidates should download the UPSC Syllabus 2025 PDF. To
succeed, candidates should first clear all the topics available in the syllabus thoroughly
and focus on frequently asked questions.
How to Download UPSC CSE Syllabus PDF
Step 1: Official UPSC Website
Go to the official website of the UPSC (https://www.upsc.gov.in/).
Step 2: Click the Syllabus Section
On the homepage, find the Examination tab and click on it. From the drop-down menu,
select Syllabus.
Step 3: Choose the Civil Service Exam
In the Syllabus section, you will find a list of all UPSC examinations. Select the Civil
Service Exam.
Step 4: Download the Syllabus
Click on the link and the syllabus will be displayed in PDF format ready to be downloaded
for your reference.
Preparation Tips to Cover the UPSC Syllabus 2025 Effectively
To cover the UPSC syllabus effectively, here are some good strategies:
Read the newspaper daily to stay updated on world affairs.
9/10
Complete NCERTs from classes 6 to 12 for a strong base in History, Polity,
Geography, and Economics.
Solve Previous Year Papers to understand the exam pattern and question types.
After completing the syllabus, candidates should do daily mock tests.
Revise regularly daily, weekly, and monthly to boost your learning.
Related Articles
UPSC Mains Exam Syllabus UPSC Preparation
UPSC Previous Question Paper UPSC Best Books
UPSC CMC 2024 Answer Key UPSC Mains Question Paper
Sharing is caring!
10/10
