UPSC CSE Syllabus 2026: Detailed Prelims, Mains & Exam Scheme

Last reviewed: 11 October 2026. This guide explains the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination (CSE) scheme and syllabus for Prelims, Mains and the Personality Test, using the official UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 notification as the reference. It is written as a study-friendly guide; the official notification and any corrigendum remain authoritative.

Official source links: UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026 · UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026 · UPSC Revised Syllabus and Scheme · UPSC Previous Question Papers.

Scope: This page covers the Civil Services Examination for services such as IAS, Indian Foreign Service and IPS, along with other services allocated through CSE. It is not the syllabus for Indian Forest Service (IFoS), Engineering Services, CDS, CAPF or other separate UPSC examinations.

1. UPSC Civil Services Examination scheme at a glance

The CSE has three stages: Preliminary Examination (objective screening), Main Examination (written papers) and Personality Test/Interview. Candidates must qualify at each stage according to UPSC’s rules. Prelims marks do not count toward the final ranking.

• Prelims negative marking: for each wrong answer, one-third of the marks assigned to that question are deducted. No penalty applies to a question left blank. If more than one option is marked, it is treated as wrong under the applicable instructions.
• CSAT: Paper II is qualifying; a candidate needs at least 33%. Both Prelims papers must be attended as required by the notice.
• Prelims qualification: GS Paper I cut-off and CSAT qualifying requirements apply; the cut-off can change by category and year. Do not rely on unofficial predictions.
• Mains language papers: Paper A and Paper B are qualifying, and their marks are not added to the 1,750 merit total. Candidates must meet the minimum qualifying standard prescribed by UPSC.
• Eligibility and exemptions: language-paper exemptions, permitted language choices, attempts, age limits, category relaxations and service-specific conditions must be checked in the applicable year’s notification.

2. UPSC Prelims syllabus — detailed topic-wise guide

Prelims contains two compulsory objective papers. GS Paper I tests broad General Studies; GS Paper II (CSAT) tests comprehension, reasoning and basic quantitative aptitude. The topics below unpack the official headings into practical study areas.

Paper I — General Studies (200 marks)

A. Current events of national and international importance

• Major government policies, legislation, schemes, programmes and institutional changes.
• Important Supreme Court and constitutional developments; significant judgments and legal changes.
• International organisations, treaties, summits, geopolitical developments and India’s foreign relations.
• Economy, science and technology, environment, health, reports, indices and major national/international awards where relevant.
• Sports, books, people and events when they have broader national or international significance.
• Preparation approach: link a current event to the static concept behind it; verify facts through official releases and reliable primary sources.

B. History of India and Indian National Movement

• Ancient India: prehistoric cultures; Indus/Harappan civilisation; Vedic society; mahajanapadas; Buddhism and Jainism; Maurya and post-Maurya periods; Gupta and post-Gupta developments; ancient polity, economy, society, religion, art, architecture, literature and science.
• Medieval India: regional kingdoms; Delhi Sultanate; Vijayanagara and other regional powers; Mughal state and administration; Marathas; social, economic and cultural changes; Bhakti and Sufi traditions; art, architecture and literature.
• Modern India: European trading companies and British expansion; colonial administration and economic impact; land revenue systems; tribal and peasant resistance; social and religious reform movements; growth of nationalism; early political associations; formation and development of the Indian National Congress.
• National Movement: Moderates and Extremists; Swadeshi; revolutionary movements; Gandhian mass movements; Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience and Quit India; constitutional developments; role of women, workers, peasants and tribal communities; revolutionary and socialist streams; Subhas Chandra Bose and INA; partition and independence.
• How to prepare: organise timelines, causes, nature, leadership, participation, consequences and historical interpretations rather than memorising disconnected dates.

C. Indian and World Geography — physical, social and economic

• Physical geography: Earth structure, geomorphology, plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, mountains, plateaus, plains, weathering, erosion and landforms.
• Climatology: atmosphere, pressure belts, winds, air masses, fronts, cyclones, monsoon, rainfall, climate classification and climate change.
• Oceanography: ocean-floor relief, temperature and salinity, currents, tides, marine resources and ocean–atmosphere interaction.
• World geography: distribution of major natural resources; location of primary, secondary and tertiary industries; population and settlement patterns; important regions and geographical features.
• Indian geography: physiographic divisions, drainage systems, monsoon, soils, natural vegetation, biodiversity, agriculture, irrigation, minerals, energy, industries, transport, urbanisation, population and regional development.
• Applied geography: maps and locations appearing in current affairs, resource distribution, hazards, disaster vulnerability and human–environment relationships.

D. Indian Polity and Governance — Constitution, political system, Panchayati Raj, public policy and rights issues

• Constitutional history, Constituent Assembly, Preamble, salient features and basic structure.
• Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, Fundamental Duties, citizenship and constitutional remedies.
• Union and State executive, Parliament and State legislatures, legislative procedure, federalism and Centre–State relations.
• Judiciary, judicial review, judicial activism, tribunals and constitutional bodies.
• Local government, Panchayati Raj, municipalities, decentralisation and grassroots democracy.
• Election Commission, CAG, Finance Commission, UPSC, constitutional and statutory commissions, regulators and other important bodies.
• Public policy, governance, transparency, accountability, e-governance, citizen charters, social audits, grievance redressal and rights issues.
• Political parties, pressure groups, representation, elections, anti-defection, electoral reforms and major constitutional/legal developments.

E. Economic and Social Development

• Sustainable development, poverty, inclusion, inequality, demographics and social-sector initiatives.
• Indian economy: national income, growth, inflation, employment, savings, investment, fiscal policy, monetary policy, banking and financial inclusion.
• Budgeting, taxation, public expenditure, fiscal deficit, public debt, subsidies and government finances.
• Agriculture, food security, procurement, storage, distribution, agricultural marketing, irrigation, land reforms and rural development.
• Industry, infrastructure, services, investment, external trade, balance of payments and global economic integration.
• Human development, health, education, nutrition, gender, vulnerable groups, social protection and government programmes.
• International institutions and economic developments where relevant to India.

F. Environment, ecology, biodiversity and climate change

• Basic ecology: ecosystems, food chains/webs, ecological pyramids, energy flow, nutrient cycles and ecological succession.
• Biodiversity: genetic, species and ecosystem diversity; hotspots; endemic and threatened species; protected areas; conservation approaches.
• Pollution: air, water, soil, noise, plastics and hazardous waste; causes, effects, prevention and control.
• Climate change, greenhouse gases, global warming, adaptation, mitigation, carbon markets and international climate frameworks.
• Environmental laws, institutions, impact assessment, forest and wildlife conservation, wetlands and environmental governance.
• Current environmental conventions, reports, protected species and conservation initiatives.

G. General Science

• Everyday physics, chemistry and biology; scientific principles behind common phenomena.
• Human physiology, nutrition, communicable and non-communicable diseases, immunity, vaccines and public health.
• Biotechnology, genetics, microbes, agriculture, food technology and applications of science.
• Space, satellites, launch vehicles, defence technology, nuclear science, energy and scientific institutions.
• Information technology, computers, telecommunications, artificial intelligence, robotics and emerging technologies.
• Scientific developments and their social, ethical, environmental and economic implications.

Paper II — General Studies (CSAT), 200 marks; qualifying at 33%

• Comprehension: read passages carefully; identify central idea, inference, author’s purpose, assumptions and conclusions. Practise without relying on outside knowledge not stated in the passage.
• Interpersonal skills including communication skills: interpretation of communication situations and effective interaction as tested in the paper.
• Logical reasoning and analytical ability: arguments, assumptions, inferences, syllogisms, statements and conclusions, arrangements, conditions, sequences and structured problem solving.
• Decision-making and problem-solving: assess options against stated constraints and priorities; follow the question’s facts and instructions.
• General mental ability: patterns, relationships, series, coding, ranking, directions and analytical puzzles.
• Basic numeracy (Class X level): numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, arithmetic, percentages, ratio and proportion, averages, profit and loss, interest, time and work, speed–distance–time, and elementary algebra.
• Data interpretation (Class X level): charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency and basic quantitative comparisons.
• Practical strategy: CSAT is qualifying but must not be ignored. Take timed tests early, calculate accuracy and time per question, and practise weak areas consistently.

3. UPSC Mains written examination — complete scheme

Mains has nine written papers. Two language papers are qualifying; seven papers count for merit. Each paper is normally three hours. The written merit total is 1,750, and the Personality Test carries 275 marks.

Paper I — Essay (250 marks)

Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics. The assessment emphasises relevance to the topic, orderly presentation of ideas, coherence, clarity, precision and effective expression. Prepare themes such as democracy, governance, society, education, women, science and technology, environment, economy, ethics, international relations and contemporary national challenges, but do not assume a fixed annual list.

Practice framework: interpret the topic; define the central idea; develop a balanced thesis; organise arguments into logical paragraphs; use relevant examples, constitutional values and evidence; acknowledge limitations or counterarguments; conclude with a realistic, constructive way forward.

Paper II — General Studies I (250 marks)

Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society.

• Indian culture: salient aspects of art forms, literature and architecture from ancient to modern times.
• Modern Indian history: significant events, personalities and issues from the middle of the eighteenth century to the present; stages of the freedom struggle and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
• Post-independence consolidation and reorganisation: integration of princely states, political and administrative consolidation and reorganisation within the country.
• World history: events, forms and effects of the Industrial Revolution, world wars, redrawing of national boundaries, colonisation, decolonisation, political philosophies such as communism, capitalism and socialism, and their forms and effects on society.
• Indian society: salient features and diversity; role of women and women’s organisations; population and associated issues; poverty and developmental issues; urbanisation, problems and remedies.
• Globalisation and society: effects on Indian society; social empowerment; communalism, regionalism and secularism.
• World physical geography: salient features of world physical geography; distribution of key natural resources across the world, including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent; factors responsible for location of primary, secondary and tertiary industries in different parts of the world.
• Geophysical phenomena: earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic activity, cyclones and other important geographical phenomena; changes in critical geographical features, water bodies, ice caps and flora/fauna, and their effects.

Paper III — General Studies II (250 marks)

Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations.

• Constitution: historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure; functions and responsibilities of the Union and States; federal challenges, devolution of powers and finances to local levels.
• Separation of powers: dispute-redressal mechanisms and institutions; comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with other countries where relevant.
• Parliament and State legislatures: structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers and privileges, and issues arising from their operation.
• Executive and judiciary: structure, organisation and functioning; ministries and departments; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in polity.
• Representation and electoral matters: salient features of the Representation of the People Act; appointment to constitutional posts and powers, functions and responsibilities of constitutional bodies.
• Statutory and regulatory bodies: statutory, regulatory and quasi-judicial bodies, their mandates and functioning.
• Government policies and interventions: design and implementation issues for development in various sectors; development processes and the role of NGOs, SHGs, groups, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
• Welfare and social justice: schemes for vulnerable sections; mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies constituted for protection and betterment; issues relating to health, education and human resources; poverty and hunger.
• Governance: transparency, accountability, e-governance applications, models, successes, limitations and potential; citizens’ charters, transparency and accountability; institutional and other measures.
• Civil services: role in a democracy and in development administration.
• International relations: India’s neighbourhood; bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements affecting India or its interests; policies and politics of developed and developing countries and their effect on India’s interests; Indian diaspora.
• International institutions: important international institutions, agencies and fora, their structure and mandate.

Paper IV — General Studies III (250 marks)

Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management.

• Indian economy: planning, resource mobilisation, growth, development and employment; inclusive growth and issues arising from it; government budgeting.
• Agriculture: major crops and cropping patterns; irrigation systems and storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce; e-technology for farmers; direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; public distribution system, buffer stocks, food security, technology missions, animal-rearing economics and food processing.
• Land and reforms: land reforms in India and related issues.
• Industry and infrastructure: effects of liberalisation; changes in industrial policy and their effects; infrastructure including energy, ports, roads, airports and railways; investment models.
• Science and technology: developments and applications in everyday life; achievements of Indians in science and technology; indigenisation and development of new technology; IT, space, computers, robotics, nanotechnology, biotechnology and intellectual property rights.
• Environment: conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment and related issues.
• Disaster management: disasters and disaster management.
• Internal security: linkages between development and spread of extremism; role of external state and non-state actors in creating internal security challenges; communication networks, media and social networking sites, cybersecurity, money laundering and prevention.
• Security institutions: security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organised crime with terrorism; various security forces and agencies and their mandate.

Paper V — General Studies IV: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude (250 marks)

• Ethics and human interface: essence, determinants and consequences of ethics in human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships; human values and lessons from the lives and teachings of leaders, reformers and administrators.
• Attitude: content, structure and function; influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
• Aptitude and foundational values: integrity, impartiality, non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion for weaker sections.
• Emotional intelligence: concepts and their utilities and application in administration and governance.
• Thinkers and philosophers: contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and the world.
• Public service values and ethics: 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 ethical and moral values in governance; 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; Right to Information; codes of ethics and conduct; citizen charters; work culture; quality of service delivery; utilisation of public funds; challenges of corruption.
• Case studies: apply ethical principles to real-world administrative dilemmas. Identify stakeholders, competing values, legal constraints, possible options, short- and long-term consequences, and a reasoned decision.

4. Qualifying language papers (Paper A and Paper B)

These papers test basic ability in the chosen Indian language and English. They are qualifying rather than merit-ranking papers, but failing to meet the required standard can prevent evaluation/consideration of merit papers as specified in the notification.

Paper A — Indian language (300 marks)

• Comprehension of passages.
• Precis writing.
• Usage and vocabulary.
• Short essays.
• Translation between English and the chosen Indian language, including English-to-language and language-to-English tasks as specified.

The Indian language is chosen from the languages listed in the Eighth Schedule, subject to notification rules and exemptions. Check the exact list and exemption provisions in the current notice.

Paper B — English (300 marks)

• Comprehension of passages.
• Precis writing.
• Usage and vocabulary.
• Short essays.

Use the official notification for the precise qualifying standard and any language-specific instructions. Practise clear expression, grammar, comprehension and concise writing rather than relying only on memorised formats.

5. Optional subject — Paper I and Paper II

Candidates choose one optional subject from UPSC’s prescribed list. The optional has two papers of 250 marks each, for a total of 500 merit marks. Both papers are normally three hours. The subject-specific syllabus is extensive; download the official syllabus and previous papers before finalising a subject.

Optional subjects available

• 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
• Literature of one prescribed language: Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu or English, subject to the official list and rules.

How to choose: interest in the subject, comfort with the syllabus, availability of reliable resources, overlap with GS, ability to write analytical answers, and the subject’s official syllabus should guide the decision. Do not choose only because someone claims a subject is scoring. The final subject list and any restrictions must be confirmed from the applicable notification.

6. Personality Test / Interview (275 marks)

The Personality Test is not intended to be another knowledge quiz alone. UPSC assesses suitability for public service through a conversation with the board. The board may explore the candidate’s record, educational and professional background, interests, home state/district, current events, views on public issues and responses to unfamiliar situations.

• Intellectual qualities: alertness, critical assimilation, clear and logical exposition, balance of judgement and breadth/depth of interest.
• Social qualities: ability to interact, leadership, social cohesion, integrity, initiative and awareness of contemporary issues.
• Communication: clarity, composure, listening, honest acknowledgement of uncertainty and ability to explain a reasoned view.
• Preparation: know the details in your Detailed Application Form, revise your background and home region, follow important issues, practise mock interviews and maintain authenticity.

7. Practical UPSC preparation plan linked to the syllabus

Step 1 — Make the syllabus your master checklist

Copy each official syllabus heading into a tracker. Break it into subtopics and mark status as Not Started, Learning, First Revision, PYQs Practised, Answer Written or Test Reviewed. A topic is not mastered simply because it has been read once.

Step 2 — Build static foundations

• History and culture: create timelines, compare movements and dynasties, and connect art, society and economy.
• Geography: practise blank maps, diagrams, climate processes, resource locations and human–environment links.
• Polity and governance: understand constitutional provisions, institutions, processes, accountability and landmark developments.
• Economy: build concepts around growth, inflation, fiscal and monetary policy, banking, agriculture, employment and inclusion.
• Environment and science: learn core concepts first; use current affairs to add applications, institutions and policy context.
• Ethics: learn concepts and thinkers, then apply them to administrative situations through case studies.

Step 3 — Prepare Prelims and Mains together

For each topic, first understand the concept, then solve relevant previous-year MCQs, prepare concise revision notes and write a short Mains answer. This avoids treating Prelims and Mains as completely separate syllabi. Increase timed objective practice as Prelims approaches; maintain answer writing and essay practice throughout the cycle.

Step 4 — Practise previous-year questions

1. Attempt the question before checking the answer.
2. Identify the exact syllabus heading and concept being tested.
3. Explain why the correct answer is correct and why each distractor is wrong.
4. For Mains, outline a direct answer with a clear introduction, structured body, evidence/examples and a balanced conclusion.
5. Reattempt errors after a gap and record recurring weaknesses.

Step 5 — Weekly routine example

Step 6 — Track progress with evidence

• Syllabus coverage and date of last revision.
• Prelims accuracy, attempts, time per question and error category.
• Mains answer relevance, structure, examples, word-limit control and time management.
• Optional subject coverage and written practice.
• CSAT timed-test performance, ensuring the qualifying threshold is met with a safety margin.

8. Common mistakes to avoid

• Preparing from a coaching summary without reading the official syllabus.
• Ignoring CSAT because it is qualifying.
• Collecting multiple sources without revising any of them properly.
• Delaying answer writing, essays or optional subject preparation.
• Memorising current-affairs facts without understanding their policy, constitutional, economic or environmental context.
• Trusting unofficial exam dates, eligibility advice or predicted cut-offs instead of the current UPSC notice.

9. Acadvik UPSC preparation links

• UPSC Preparation for Beginners — a starting sequence for new aspirants.
• UPSC Prelims Revision Strategy — organise revision and consolidation.
• UPSC Practice Center — try objective practice.
• UPSC Prelims Practice Test Pack — check the current availability status before purchase.
• UPSC Polity & Governance Revision Pack — review the resource page and availability information.
• Daily Current Affairs, Previous Year Papers and Exam Preparation Hub.

10. Frequently asked questions

How many papers are there in UPSC CSE Prelims?

Two compulsory objective papers: General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II (CSAT). Each carries 200 marks and is normally two hours long.

Are CSAT marks added to the final merit?

No. CSAT is qualifying, with a minimum qualifying requirement of 33%. Candidates must also meet the applicable GS Paper I cut-off.

How many Mains papers count for merit?

Seven papers count for merit: Essay, four General Studies papers and two optional papers, totalling 1,750 marks. Two language papers are qualifying.

What is the total final score?

The written merit papers total 1,750 marks and the Personality Test carries 275 marks, making 2,025 marks for final ranking.

Can I use Hindi as the medium?

UPSC permits eligible candidates to use a permitted language medium under the rules. Check the current notification for medium choices, language-paper requirements and any exemptions. Literature and language choices have their own conditions.

Where can I download the official syllabus?

Start with the official Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026 notice and Civil Services Main Examination 2026 page linked at the top of this guide. Always verify the latest notification and corrigenda.

Source and update policy

This guide is aligned to the official UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 notification and official CSE examination pages available at the time of review. The UPSC notification, appendices, corrigenda and instructions for the specific examination year prevail over this explanatory guide. Acadvik will update the page if UPSC changes the scheme or syllabus.

Open official UPSC CSE 2026 notice →