Complete UPSC Syllabus
Prelims + Mains (2026)

Why the Syllabus Is Your Best Friend

The UPSC syllabus is deliberately broad. At first glance it can feel overwhelming — "Indian society" or "Issues of federalism" can mean anything. But every experienced topper will tell you: the syllabus is the single most important document in your preparation.

Read it. Tape it to your wall. Whenever you read a newspaper article or a textbook chapter, ask: "Where does this fit in the syllabus?" If it doesn't fit, it probably isn't worth memorising.

This guide walks through Prelims Paper I, CSAT, and each Mains GS paper, plus the Essay and Optional structure.

Prelims Paper I — General Studies

100 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours. Officially the syllabus is:

Prelims Paper II — CSAT

80 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours. Qualifying at 33% (66 marks).

• • Comprehension — 5-6 passages (25-30 questions)
• • Interpersonal skills including communication skills — rare
• • Logical reasoning and analytical ability — 10-15 questions
• • Decision-making and problem-solving — 3-5 questions (no negative marking on these)
• • General mental ability — 3-5 questions
• • Basic numeracy (numbers, orders of magnitude, Class 10 level) — 15-20 questions
• • Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, Class 10 level) — 3-5 questions

Mains Paper I — Essay (250 marks)

Two essays of ~1000 words each, from two sections of four topics each. Topics range across philosophy, governance, society, technology, and current events.

Evaluation: idea, substance, examples, structure, language.

No dedicated "essay syllabus" exists. Your General Studies reading feeds essay content; essay-specific practice builds structure and narrative flow.

Mains GS-I — Indian Heritage, History, Geography, Society (250 marks)

• • Indian culture — art forms, literature, architecture from ancient to modern times
• • Modern Indian history (mid-18th century onwards): significant events, personalities, issues
• • Freedom struggle — its various stages, contributors from different parts
• • Post-independence consolidation and reorganisation
• • World history from the 18th century — Industrial Revolution, world wars, colonisation, redrawal of boundaries
• • Indian society — salient features, diversity
• • Role of women, women's organisations; population and associated issues; poverty and developmental issues
• • Urbanisation — problems and remedies
• • Effects of globalisation on Indian society
• • Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism, secularism
• • Salient features of world's physical geography, distribution of natural resources
• • Geophysical phenomena (earthquakes, tsunami, cyclones, volcanoes), changes in geographical features

Mains GS-II — Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, IR (250 marks)

• • Indian Constitution — historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions, basic structure
• • Functions and responsibilities of the Union and States; issues and challenges pertaining to federal structure
• • Separation of powers, dispute redressal mechanisms
• • Comparison of Indian constitutional scheme with other countries
• • Parliament and State legislatures — structure, functioning, conduct, privileges
• • Structure, organisation and functioning of the Executive and Judiciary
• • Salient features of Representation of People's Act
• • Appointments to constitutional posts, statutory/regulatory/quasi-judicial bodies
• • Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors
• • Development processes — the role of NGOs, SHGs, donors, charities, institutional stakeholders
• • Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections; performance, mechanisms, bodies
• • Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector — Health, Education, Human Resources
• • Issues relating to poverty and hunger
• • Important aspects of governance, transparency, accountability; e-governance, citizens' charters, RTI
• • Role of civil services in a democracy
• • India and its neighbourhood; bilateral, regional and global groupings
• • Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests, diaspora
• • Important international institutions (UN, WTO, IMF, BRICS, G-20)

Mains GS-III — Technology, Economy, Environment, Security, Disaster Management (250 marks)

• • Indian Economy — issues relating to planning, mobilisation of resources, growth, development, employment
• • Inclusive growth and issues arising from it
• • Government Budgeting
• • Major crops, cropping patterns, irrigation; storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce
• • Issues of buffer stocks, food security; technology missions; animal-rearing economics
• • Food processing industries — scope, significance, location
• • Land reforms in India
• • Effects of liberalization on the economy
• • Infrastructure — Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
• • Investment models — BOT, PPP etc.
• • Science and Technology — developments and applications in everyday life
• • Indigenisation of technology; awareness in IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nano-technology, Biotechnology, IPR
• • 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
• • Money-laundering; security challenges and their management in border areas
• • Various security forces and agencies and their mandate

Mains GS-IV — Ethics, Integrity, Aptitude (250 marks)

Split into Section A (theory, ~125 marks) and Section B (6 case studies, ~125 marks).

• • Ethics and Human Interface — essence, determinants, consequences of ethics; dimensions in private and public relationships
• • Attitude — content, structure, function; influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; persuasion
• • Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Services — integrity, impartiality, objectivity, dedication, empathy, tolerance, compassion
• • Emotional intelligence — concepts and utilities in administration and governance
• • Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and the world
• • Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration — ethical concerns and dilemmas, accountability, corporate governance
• • Probity in Governance — concept of public service; philosophical basis; information sharing and transparency; RTI; codes of ethics and conduct; Citizen's Charters; challenges of corruption
• • Case Studies on the above issues

Optional Subject (500 marks)

You pick one optional from a list of ~48 subjects (26 main subjects + literatures of various languages). It has two papers of 250 marks each.

Popular optionals include: PSIR, Sociology, Anthropology, Geography, History, Public Administration, Philosophy, Law, Economics, Mathematics, Literature (English, Hindi, regional).

Syllabus varies drastically by subject. Each optional has roughly 80-120 pages of detailed syllabus — read your chosen optional's syllabus line-by-line before committing.