UPSC Mains Syllabus 2026

UPSC Mains Structure – 9 Papers

UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination consists of 9 papers. Two are qualifying (language papers), and seven are counted for the final merit ranking with a total of 1750 marks.

Total Merit Marks: 1750 (Essay + 4 GS Papers + 2 Optional Papers)

Qualifying Language Papers

These papers test basic language competency. You must secure qualifying marks (usually 25%) for your GS, Essay, and Optional papers to be evaluated.

• Paper A – Indian Language: One of the 22 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution (candidates from certain states/regions are exempt)
• Paper B – English: Tests comprehension, precis writing, grammar, and essay

Note: Marks of these papers are NOT added to the final merit.

Essay Paper (Paper I) – 250 Marks

Candidates have to write two essays from given topics. Each section provides a choice of topics.

• Section A: Choose 1 essay from 4 topics (1000-1200 words) – 125 Marks
• Section B: Choose 1 essay from 4 topics (1000-1200 words) – 125 Marks

Essay themes typically cover: Philosophy, Society, Economy, Polity, International Affairs, Science & Technology, Environment, Women & Social Issues, Culture & Heritage, Abstract/Thought-provoking topics.

GS Paper I – Indian Heritage & Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society

Paper II in actual exam sequence | 250 Marks | 3 Hours

Indian Culture

• Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times

Modern Indian History

• Significant events, personalities, issues from mid-18th century to the present
• The Freedom Struggle — various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country

Post-Independence India

• Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country

World History

• Events from 18th century: Industrial revolution, World Wars, redrawal of national boundaries
• Colonization and decolonization
• Political philosophies — Communism, Capitalism, Socialism and their forms and effect on society

Indian Society

• Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India
• Role of women and women's organizations
• Population and associated issues
• Poverty and developmental issues
• Urbanization — problems and remedies
• Effects of globalization on Indian society
• Social empowerment, Communalism, Regionalism & Secularism

Geography

• Salient features of world's physical geography
• Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent)
• Factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India)
• Important Geophysical phenomena — Earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, Cyclones
• Geographical features and their location — changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes

GS Paper II – Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations

Paper III in actual exam sequence | 250 Marks | 3 Hours

Indian Constitution

• Historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure
• Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries

Federal Structure & Governance

• 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

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

Executive and Judiciary

• 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

Constitutional and Statutory Bodies

• Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies
• Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies

Government Policies and Governance

• Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation
• Development processes and the development industry — 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
• Role of civil services in a democracy

Welfare and Social Justice

• Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States
• Performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of vulnerable sections
• Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources
• Issues relating to poverty and hunger

International Relations

• 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
• Important International institutions, agencies and fora — their structure, mandate

GS Paper III – Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management

Paper IV in actual exam sequence | 250 Marks | 3 Hours

Indian Economy

• Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment
• Inclusive growth and issues arising from it
• Government Budgeting

Agriculture

• Major crops, cropping patterns in various parts of the country
• Different types of irrigation and irrigation systems — storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints
• E-technology in the aid of farmers
• Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices
• Public Distribution System — objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security
• Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing
• Food processing and related industries in India — scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management
• Land reforms in India

Industry and Infrastructure

• Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth
• Infrastructure — Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
• Investment models

Science and Technology

• 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
• Issues relating to Intellectual Property Rights

Environment and Biodiversity

• Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation
• Environmental impact assessment

Disaster Management

• Disaster and disaster management

Internal Security

• 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 — linkages of organized crime with terrorism
• Various security forces and agencies and their mandate

GS Paper IV – Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

Paper V in actual exam sequence | 250 Marks | 3 Hours

This paper tests candidates' attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and their problem-solving approach to various issues and conflicts.

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 of emotional intelligence and their utilities and application in administration and governance

Contributions of Moral Thinkers and Philosophers

• Contributions 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
• 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

• Case studies on the above issues (typically 6-7 case studies carrying 20-25 marks each)

Optional Subject Papers (Paper VI & VII)

Candidates choose one optional subject from a list of 48 subjects. The optional exam consists of two papers (Paper I and Paper II), each of 250 marks.

List of Optional Subjects

Tip: Choose your optional based on interest, academic background, overlap with GS syllabus, availability of study material, and past scoring trends.