UPSC SYLLABUS | UPSC Prelims Syllabus | UPSC Mains Syllabus
The UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) conducts various exams for recruitment to various civil services in India. The syllabus for the UPSC exams varies depending on the exam, but the general pattern for the syllabus is as follows:
Preliminary Exam: The Preliminary exam consists of two papers: General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II (also known as CSAT - Civil Services Aptitude Test). The syllabus for these papers is as follows:
General Studies Paper I: Indian History and Culture, Indian and World Geography, Indian Polity and Governance, Economic and Social Development, Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change, Science and Technology, and Current Events of National and International Importance.
General Studies Paper II (CSAT): Comprehension, Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability, Decision-making and Problem-solving, General Mental Ability, Basic Numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.), and English Language Comprehension Skills (Class X level).
Mains Exam: The Mains exam consists of nine papers, which are as follows:
Paper I: Essay
Paper II: General Studies I - Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society
Paper III: General Studies II - Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations
Paper IV: General Studies III - Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management
Paper V: General Studies IV - Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude
Paper VI and VII: Optional Subject Paper I and II
Paper VIII: English Language (Compulsory)
Paper IX: Indian Language (Compulsory)
Personality Test/Interview: Candidates who clear the Mains exam are called for a personality test or interview, which is conducted to assess the candidate's suitability for the civil services.
The above-mentioned syllabus is not exhaustive, and the UPSC may make changes to the syllabus from time to time. Candidates should refer to the official UPSC notification for the latest syllabus and exam pattern.
UPSC Prelims Syllabus
The UPSC Preliminary Examination, also known as the Civil Services Preliminary Examination, consists of two papers - General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II (CSAT). The syllabus for these papers is as follows:
General Studies Paper I:
Current events of national and international importance
History of India and Indian National Movement
Indian and World Geography - Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and 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 and Climate Change - General issues on Environmental ecology, biodiversity and climate change, and their impact on the society and the economy
General Science
General Studies Paper II (CSAT):
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)
English Language Comprehension skills (Class X level)
It is important to note that the above-mentioned topics are not exhaustive, and the UPSC may make changes to the syllabus from time to time. Candidates should refer to the official UPSC notification for the latest syllabus and exam pattern.
UPSC Mains Syllabus
The UPSC Mains Examination is the second stage of the Civil Services Examination and consists of nine papers. The syllabus for these papers is as follows:
Paper I: Essay - Candidates have to write two essays, one from each section, each carrying 125 marks.
Section A: Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.
Section B: The Freedom Struggle - its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
Paper II: General Studies I - Indian Heritage and Culture, History, and Geography of the World and Society
Indian culture will cover the 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 the 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawing of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism, etc.
Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
Paper III: 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, devolution of 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.
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.
Development processes and the development industry- the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
Important aspects of governance, transparency, and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability, and institutional and other measures.
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 poverty and hunger.
Role of civil services in a democracy.
India and its neighborhood- 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.
Paper IV: General Studies III - Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management (contd.)
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 the 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.
Various security forces and agencies and their mandate.
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 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 sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance and public service; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.
Paper V: General Studies IV - Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude
Paper V of the UPSC Mains Examination is General Studies IV - Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude. The syllabus for this paper is as follows:
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 behavior; 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 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 sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance and public service; 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.
The Paper V is designed to evaluate the candidate's ability to understand ethical and moral issues, analyze and evaluate them critically, and apply their understanding to resolve real-world problems. It also tests the candidate's aptitude for governance and the ability to maintain ethical standards in the public service.
Paper VI and VII: Optional Subject Paper I and II
Paper VI and VII of the UPSC Mains Examination are the Optional Subject Papers I and II, respectively. Candidates can choose one optional subject from a list of subjects provided by the UPSC. The syllabus for each optional subject varies, but the general pattern for the papers is as follows:
Paper VI: Optional Subject Paper I - This paper is based on the candidate's chosen optional subject. It consists of three sections: Section A, B, and C. Each section carries 100 marks, and the total marks for the paper are 300. The syllabus for each optional subject is provided by the UPSC.
Paper VII: Optional Subject Paper II - This paper is also based on the candidate's chosen optional subject. It consists of three sections: Section A, B, and C. Each section carries 100 marks, and the total marks for the paper are 300. The syllabus for each optional subject is provided by the UPSC.
The optional subjects offered by the UPSC are:
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
Candidates can choose one optional subject from the list, and the syllabus for each subject is available on the UPSC's official website. The optional subject papers are designed to evaluate the candidate's in-depth knowledge of their chosen subject and their ability to analyze and critically evaluate problems related to the subject.
Paper VIII: English Language (Compulsory)
Paper VIII of the UPSC Mains Examination is the English Language (Compulsory) paper. The syllabus for this paper is as follows:
Comprehension of given passages
Precis Writing
Usage and Vocabulary
Short Essay Writing
The paper is designed to test the candidate's proficiency in the English language, including their understanding of English grammar, vocabulary, and usage. Candidates are required to demonstrate their ability to read and comprehend English passages, write clear and concise summaries of given passages, and write short essays on given topics.
Candidates must also demonstrate their ability to use correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation in their writing. The English Language paper is mandatory for all candidates, and its purpose is to ensure that candidates have a minimum level of proficiency in English, which is necessary for effective communication in the civil services.
Paper IX: Indian Language (Compulsory)
Paper IX of the UPSC Mains Examination is the Indian Language (Compulsory) paper. Candidates are required to choose one of the Indian languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. The purpose of this paper is to test the candidate's proficiency in the Indian language they have chosen.
The syllabus for this paper includes:
Comprehension of given passages
Precis Writing
Usage and Vocabulary
Short Essay Writing
The paper is designed to test the candidate's proficiency in the Indian language, including their understanding of grammar, vocabulary, and usage. Candidates are required to demonstrate their ability to read and comprehend passages in the Indian language, write clear and concise summaries of given passages, and write short essays on given topics.
Candidates must also demonstrate their ability to use correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation in their writing. The Indian Language paper is mandatory for all candidates, and its purpose is to ensure that candidates have a minimum level of proficiency in an Indian language, which is necessary for effective communication in the civil services.
UPSC Personality Test/Interview:
The UPSC Personality Test/Interview, also known as the Civil Services Interview, is the final stage of the UPSC selection process. After clearing the UPSC Preliminary and Mains examinations, candidates who meet the cut-off criteria are called for the Personality Test/Interview.
The Personality Test/Interview is conducted by a panel of experts, including retired bureaucrats, academicians, and psychologists. The purpose of the interview is to evaluate the candidate's personality traits, including their communication skills, leadership qualities, social skills, decision-making ability, and overall suitability for a career in the civil services.
The interview panel assesses the candidate's understanding of current affairs, general awareness, and knowledge of their chosen optional subject. Candidates are also asked questions related to their educational background, work experience, and hobbies.
The interview panel evaluates the candidate's body language, facial expressions, and other non-verbal cues to assess their level of confidence and honesty. The duration of the interview is usually between 25-30 minutes, but it may vary based on the panel's discretion.
The marks obtained in the Personality Test/Interview are added to the candidate's scores in the UPSC Mains Examination to determine their final rank. The final rank list is based on the total marks obtained by the candidate in all stages of the selection process.
83 TOP QUESTIONS UPSC Personality Test/Interview:
I can provide a list of 83 potential questions that could be asked during the UPSC Personality Test/Interview:Can you tell us about yourself?
Why did you choose to pursue a career in the civil services?
What do you think are the qualities of a good civil servant?
How do you keep yourself updated with current affairs and events?
What is your opinion on the current state of the economy?
Can you explain the current geopolitical situation?
What are the biggest challenges facing India today?
What is your opinion on the government's policies on education?
Can you tell us about your educational background and achievements?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
What are your long-term career goals?
Can you tell us about any experience you have in public service or community work?
What do you think is the role of civil society in governance?
What is your opinion on India's foreign policy?
How do you deal with stress and pressure?
Can you tell us about a time when you had to make a difficult decision?
What is your leadership style?
How do you handle criticism and feedback?
What do you think are the qualities of a good team member?
How do you prioritize and manage your time effectively?
Can you tell us about any challenges you have faced in your personal or professional life and how you overcame them?
How do you deal with failure?
What is your opinion on the reservation policy in India?
Can you explain a concept that you have studied in your optional subject?
How do you think technology is changing the way we live and work?
Can you tell us about any social or environmental causes that you are passionate about?
What is your opinion on the current state of the healthcare system in India?
Can you tell us about any international experience you have had?
What is your opinion on the role of women in society?
How do you think India can achieve inclusive growth?
Can you tell us about a book that you have recently read and your opinion on it?
What is your opinion on the current state of the Indian judiciary?
Can you tell us about any extracurricular activities or hobbies that you have pursued?
What is your opinion on the government's policies on the environment and climate change?
Can you tell us about any innovative solutions that you have come up with for a problem?
How do you think India can improve its ease of doing business?
What is your opinion on the current state of the Indian media?
Can you tell us about a project or initiative that you have worked on that you are particularly proud of?
How do you think India can improve its education system?
What is your opinion on the government's policies on the rural economy?
Can you tell us about any challenges that you have faced while preparing for the UPSC exams?
How do you think India can achieve energy security?
What is your opinion on the government's policies on defence and security?
Can you tell us about a person who has been a role model for you and why?
How do you think India can improve its infrastructure?
What is your opinion on the government's policies on labour and employment?
Can you tell us about a time when you had to work in a team and how you contributed to the team's success?
How do you think India can promote tourism?
What is your opinion on the current state of the Indian banking system?
How do you manage conflicts in the workplace?
Can you explain your strategy for time management?
What is your opinion on the reservation system in the country?
Can you give an example of a time when you had to make a difficult decision?
How do you deal with failure?
What is your opinion on the recent environmental policies of the government?
Can you explain your experience working in a team?
How do you handle a situation where you have to compromise on your values?
What is your opinion on the recent healthcare policies of the government?
Can you give an example of a time when you had to think out of the box?
How do you prioritize your work?
What is your opinion on the recent foreign policy decisions of the government?
Can you explain your experience of managing a project?
How do you deal with difficult people?
What is your opinion on the recent social welfare schemes of the government?
Can you give an example of a time when you had to take a calculated risk?
How do you handle ambiguity?
What is your opinion on the recent defense policies of the government?
Can you explain your experience of working in a multicultural environment?
How do you deal with uncertainty?
What is your opinion on the recent trade policies of the government?
Can you give an example of a time when you had to collaborate with others?
How do you handle cultural differences?
What is your opinion on the recent infrastructure development policies of the government?
Can you explain your experience of handling a crisis situation?
How do you deal with change?
What is your opinion on the recent digitalization policies of the government?
Can you give an example of a time when you had to adapt to a new situation?
How do you handle failure in a team?
What is your opinion on the recent energy policies of the government?
Can you explain your experience of mentoring or coaching others?
How do you handle a situation where you have to work with someone you don't like?
What is your opinion on the recent agricultural policies of the government?
Can you give an example of a time when you had to negotiate a difficult situation?