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UPSC Prelims Syllabus

Structured preparation resources for India's competitive examinations.

UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2027

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Preliminary Examination is the first stage of the Civil Services Examination. It screens candidates for the Main Examination through two objective-type papers: General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II (CSAT).

Official source: UPSC — Revised Syllabus and Scheme. Always verify the notification for your examination year.

Exam Pattern at a Glance

Paper Marks Duration Role
General Studies Paper I 200 2 hours Used to determine cut-off for qualifying for Mains
General Studies Paper II (CSAT) 200 2 hours Qualifying; minimum 33%

Both papers are objective-type. As per the standard scheme, incorrect answers attract negative marking; check the current notification for precise rules.

Paper I — General Studies

  1. Current Events: Events of national and international importance.
  2. History: History of India and the Indian National Movement.
  3. Geography: Indian and World Geography, including physical, social and economic geography.
  4. Polity and Governance: Constitution, political system, Panchayati Raj, public policy, rights issues and governance.
  5. Economic and Social Development: Sustainable development, poverty, inclusion, demographics and social-sector initiatives.
  6. Environment: Ecology, biodiversity, climate change and related general issues.
  7. General Science: General scientific developments and everyday applications.

Paper II — CSAT

  1. Comprehension.
  2. Interpersonal skills, including communication skills.
  3. Logical reasoning and analytical ability.
  4. Decision-making and problem-solving.
  5. General mental ability.
  6. Basic numeracy and data interpretation at the Class X level.

How to Prepare

  • Read the official syllabus before beginning a subject.
  • Connect current affairs with static topics in Polity, Economy, Geography and Environment.
  • Practise previous-year questions and timed mock tests.
  • Revise regularly and maintain an error notebook.
  • Prepare CSAT consistently; it is qualifying, but candidates must clear its minimum threshold.

Acadvik educational note: This page is a study guide and is not an official UPSC publication. The latest official notification takes precedence.

Continue: UPSC Mains Syllabus