UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2026

Prelims Examination Overview

UPSC Prelims consists of two objective-type papers conducted on a single day. Paper 1 (GS) is counted for merit, while Paper 2 (CSAT) is qualifying.

Negative Marking: 1/3rd of marks deducted for each wrong answer. No penalty for unattempted questions.

GS Paper 1 – General Studies (200 Marks)

This paper tests your knowledge across 7 major areas. Questions are factual, conceptual, and application-based.

1. History of India and Indian National Movement

Ancient India

• Indus Valley Civilization — features, town planning, decline
• Vedic Period — Early and Later Vedic society, polity, economy
• Mahajanapadas and rise of Magadha
• Buddhism and Jainism — teachings, spread, decline
• Mauryan Empire — Chandragupta, Ashoka, administration, Dhamma
• Post-Mauryan Period — Sungas, Kushanas, Satavahanas
• Gupta Empire — Golden Age, art, science, literature
• South Indian Dynasties — Cholas, Chalukyas, Pallavas, Pandyas

Medieval India

• Delhi Sultanate — administration, economy, architecture, decline
• Mughal Empire — Akbar's policies, Aurangzeb, decline
• Bhakti and Sufi Movements
• Vijayanagara Empire
• Maratha Empire — Shivaji, Peshwas
• Regional kingdoms and culture

Modern India

• European penetration — Portuguese, Dutch, French, British
• British expansion — Subsidiary Alliance, Doctrine of Lapse
• Economic impact of British rule — drain of wealth, deindustrialization
• Socio-religious reform movements — Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Dayanand Saraswati, Vivekananda
• Revolt of 1857 — causes, nature, consequences
• Rise of Indian Nationalism — INC formation, Moderate and Extremist phases
• Gandhian Era — Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience, Quit India
• Revolutionary Movements — Bhagat Singh, Subhas Chandra Bose
• Communal politics and partition
• Post-independence consolidation — integration of states, constitution making

Art and Culture

• Indian art forms — paintings, sculptures, architecture (temples, mosques, forts)
• Classical and folk dances, music, theatre
• Literature — ancient to modern
• UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India
• Festivals, fairs, and traditions

2. Indian and World Geography — Physical, Social, Economic

Physical Geography

• Universe, Solar System — origin theories
• Earth's interior — structure, plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes
• Geomorphology — landforms, weathering, erosion
• Climatology — atmospheric circulation, pressure belts, winds, monsoons
• Oceanography — ocean currents, tides, coral reefs

Indian Geography

• Physical divisions — Himalayas, Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau, Coastal Plains, Islands
• Drainage system — Himalayan and Peninsular rivers
• Climate of India — monsoon mechanism, seasons, rainfall distribution
• Natural vegetation and wildlife
• Soil types and their distribution
• Mineral and energy resources — distribution, production
• Agriculture — types, cropping patterns, Green Revolution, irrigation
• Industries — location factors, major industrial regions
• Transport and communication
• Population — distribution, density, growth, migration

World Geography

• Continents and their features
• World climate types and regions
• Major rivers and lakes
• Distribution of natural resources globally

3. Indian Polity and Governance

Constitutional Framework

• Historical background — making of the Constitution, Constituent Assembly
• Preamble — philosophy, key words, amendments
• Fundamental Rights — Articles 12-35, exceptions, restrictions
• Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)
• Fundamental Duties
• Union and its territory
• Citizenship
• Constitutional amendments — significant amendments, basic structure doctrine

Union Government

• President — election, powers, emergency provisions
• Vice President and Prime Minister
• Council of Ministers — collective responsibility
• Parliament — Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, procedures, privileges
• Legislative process — types of bills, ordinances
• Supreme Court — jurisdiction, judicial review
• Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)
• Attorney General and Advocate General

State Government

• Governor — powers, role, controversies
• Chief Minister and State Council of Ministers
• State Legislature
• High Courts

Local Government

• Panchayati Raj — 73rd Amendment, structure, powers
• Municipalities — 74th Amendment, types, functions
• Scheduled and Tribal Areas

Constitutional Bodies

• Election Commission of India
• Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
• State Public Service Commissions
• Finance Commission
• National Commissions — SC, ST, OBC, Women, Minorities, Human Rights

Statutory and Other Bodies

• NITI Aayog
• Central Vigilance Commission
• Central Information Commission
• Lokpal and Lokayuktas
• Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)

4. Economic and Social Development

Basic Concepts

• National Income — GDP, GNP, NDP, NNP
• Economic growth vs development
• Poverty — measurement, alleviation programs
• Unemployment — types, causes, solutions
• Inflation — types, measurement (CPI, WPI), control

Indian Economy

• Planning in India — Five Year Plans, NITI Aayog
• Agriculture — contribution, issues, reforms, MSP, APMC
• Industry — Industrial Policy, Make in India, PLI Scheme
• Services sector
• Infrastructure — energy, transport, communication

Money and Banking

• Reserve Bank of India — functions, monetary policy
• Banking structure — commercial, cooperative, payment banks
• Non-Performing Assets (NPAs)
• Financial inclusion — Jan Dhan, MUDRA

Public Finance

• Union Budget — receipts, expenditure, types of deficits
• Taxation — direct and indirect taxes, GST
• Fiscal policy and FRBM Act

External Sector

• Balance of Payments
• Foreign trade — exports, imports, trade agreements
• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI)
• Exchange rate and forex reserves

Social Sector

• Human Development Index (HDI)
• Demographic transition
• Health, education, and skill development initiatives
• Social sector schemes — MGNREGA, PM-KISAN, Ayushman Bharat
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

5. Environment, Biodiversity, and Climate Change

Ecology Basics

• Ecosystem — structure, functions, types
• Food chains, food webs, ecological pyramids
• Biogeochemical cycles — carbon, nitrogen, water
• Ecological succession

Biodiversity

• Types of biodiversity — genetic, species, ecosystem
• Biodiversity hotspots
• Endemic and endangered species
• IUCN Red List categories
• Conservation — in-situ (National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Biosphere Reserves) and ex-situ (zoos, gene banks)

Environmental Issues

• Pollution — air, water, soil, noise
• Solid waste management
• Ozone depletion
• Climate change — causes, impacts, mitigation
• Global warming and greenhouse effect

Environmental Governance

• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
• Environmental laws — EPA, Wildlife Protection Act, Forest Conservation Act
• International conventions — UNFCCC, Paris Agreement, CBD, Ramsar, CITES
• National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)
• Renewable energy — solar, wind, biofuels

6. General Science

Physics

• Laws of motion and gravitation
• Light — reflection, refraction, optical instruments
• Sound — waves, acoustics
• Electricity and magnetism
• Nuclear physics — fission, fusion, radioactivity
• Modern physics applications

Chemistry

• Atomic structure and periodic table
• Chemical bonding and reactions
• Acids, bases, and salts
• Metals and non-metals
• Carbon compounds — hydrocarbons, polymers
• Everyday chemistry — soaps, detergents, fertilizers

Biology

• Cell biology — structure, functions, cell division
• Genetics — DNA, heredity, genetic disorders
• Human body systems — digestive, circulatory, nervous, reproductive
• Diseases — communicable, non-communicable, deficiency
• Nutrition and vitamins
• Plant biology — photosynthesis, respiration

Science & Technology (Applications)

• Space technology — ISRO missions, satellites
• Defence technology — missiles, indigenous development
• Biotechnology — genetic engineering, GMOs, CRISPR
• Nanotechnology
• Information technology — AI, blockchain, cybersecurity
• Health technology — vaccines, diagnostics
• Nuclear technology — energy, applications

7. Current Events of National and International Importance

• Government schemes and policies launched in the last 12-18 months
• Important summits — G20, BRICS, SCO, COP, etc.
• International organizations and their reports
• Awards and honors — Padma, Nobel, Booker, etc.
• Sports events — Olympics, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games
• Science & Technology achievements
• Important appointments and resignations
• Bilateral and multilateral agreements
• National and international conflicts/issues
• Economic developments — budget highlights, RBI policies

Tip: Stay updated with Clarity UPSC News for daily curated current affairs.

CSAT Paper 2 – Civil Services Aptitude Test (Qualifying)

Qualifying Mark: 33% (66 out of 200). Marks are NOT added to merit. However, you MUST qualify this paper.

Comprehension

• Reading comprehension passages (typically 8-10 passages)
• Understanding author's intent, tone, and inference
• Vocabulary in context

Interpersonal Skills and Communication

• Basic communication concepts
• Interpersonal dynamics

Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability

• Syllogisms
• Statements and conclusions/assumptions
• Cause and effect
• Logical sequence of words
• Blood relations
• Direction sense
• Coding-decoding
• Analogies
• Venn diagrams

Decision Making and Problem Solving

• Administrative decision scenarios
• Ethical dilemma-based questions
• Prioritization and judgment

General Mental Ability

• Number series
• Letter series
• Puzzles and seating arrangements
• Pattern recognition

Basic Numeracy (Numbers and their Relations, Orders of Magnitude)

• Number system — HCF, LCM, fractions, decimals
• Percentages, ratios, and proportions
• Profit and loss
• Simple and compound interest
• Time and work, time and distance
• Averages, mixtures, and alligations
• Mensuration — area, volume of basic shapes
• Permutations and combinations (basic)
• Probability (basic)

Data Interpretation

• Charts — bar, line, pie
• Tables
• Graphs
• Data sufficiency

Marking Scheme Summary

Prelims preparation: where to begin

Start with a few questions after studying a small topic. Read the explanations and work on anything you got wrong. As the basics become clear, try harder questions. After studying more subjects, take tests that mix those subjects. Then use full-length mock tests for the upcoming exam to practise within the time limit. You do not need to finish the whole syllabus before trying topic questions.

No. A high GS I score cannot make up for failing CSAT. CSAT tests comprehension, reasoning and basic mathematics, and you must score at least 33% separately. Add a little CSAT after one or two weeks of GS study. Start with four or five questions without a time limit. Work on the parts you find difficult before moving to timed practice and full papers.

Follow the full preparation guide for the NCERT foundation, books, current affairs and a flexible study routine.