UPSC Syllabus 2026

Quick Overview: UPSC CSE 2026 Exam Structure

UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2026

The Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination consists of two papers held on the same day. Only candidates who clear the Prelims cutoff are eligible for Mains. The Prelims score is not counted in final merit.

Paper I — General Studies (200 marks)

• Duration: 2 hours | Questions: 100 | Negative Marking: 1/3 mark
• 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
• Economic and Social Development — Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives
• General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change — that do not require subject specialization
• General Science

Paper II — CSAT (200 marks)

• Duration: 2 hours | Questions: 80 | Qualifying: 33% minimum (66 marks)
• 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

UPSC Mains Syllabus 2026

The Mains examination consists of 9 papers: 2 qualifying papers and 7 merit papers. The maximum marks for Mains (merit papers only) is 1,750. The qualifying papers (Paper A & B) have a minimum eligibility requirement of 25% each.

Qualifying Papers (Not Counted for Merit)

Paper A — Indian Language (300 marks)

• Duration: 3 hours
• Comprehension of given passages
• Precis writing
• Usage and vocabulary
• Short Essays
• Translation from English to the chosen language and vice versa
• Language Options: Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu
• Exemption: Candidates from Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim are exempt
• Minimum Qualifying: 25% (75 marks required to pass)

Paper B — English (300 marks)

• Duration: 3 hours
• Comprehension of given passages
• Precis writing
• Usage and vocabulary
• Short Essays
• Minimum Qualifying: 25% (75 marks required to pass)

Merit Papers (Counted for Final Selection)

Paper I — Essay (250 marks)

• Duration: 3 hours
• Format: Two essays required — one from Section A and one from Section B (approximately 1,000-1,200 words each)
• Essay topics drawn from current events, philosophy, socio-economic issues, political scenarios, environment, governance
• Tests candidate's ability to think clearly, present ideas coherently, and demonstrate analytical depth

Paper II — GS-I: Indian Heritage & Culture, History, Geography (250 marks)

• Duration: 3 hours
• Indian Culture & Salient Aspects:
  • Art forms and architecture from ancient to modern times (sculpture, painting, dance, music)
  • Literature and philosophical traditions
• History of India:
  • Ancient India: major empires, dynasties, and developments
  • Medieval India: political, social, economic structures
  • Modern India: from mid-18th century onwards — significant events, personalities, issues
• Freedom Struggle: Various stages, regional contributions, important leaders from all parts of India
• Post-Independence: Consolidation, reorganization, political integration of India
• World History: Events from 18th century onwards — Industrial Revolution, World Wars, decolonization, redrawal of national boundaries
• Political Philosophies: Communism, Capitalism, Socialism — forms and effects on society
• Indian Society: Diversity, role of women and women's organizations
• Population Issues: Demographics, poverty, urbanization, effects of globalization
• Social Issues: Communalism, regionalism, secularism, empowerment
• Physical Geography: Geomorphology, climatology, oceanography
• World Geography: Distribution of key natural resources, environmental patterns

Paper III — GS-II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice & International Relations (250 marks)

• Duration: 3 hours
• Indian Constitution:
  • Historical underpinnings and evolution
  • Salient features and key provisions
  • Constitutional amendments and basic structure doctrine
• Federal Structure: Functions and responsibilities of Union and States, devolution of powers
• Separation of Powers: Disputes redressal mechanisms between organs of government
• Parliament & State Legislatures: Structure, functioning, powers, privileges
• Executive & Judiciary: Organization, functioning, accountability
• Ministries & Departments: Government structure and functioning
• Pressure Groups: Formal and informal associations and their role
• Electoral Processes: Representation of People's Act, appointment to constitutional posts
• Government Policies: Interventions for various sectors — public services, welfare, development
• Development Processes: Role of NGOs, SHGs, civil society
• Vulnerable Sections: Welfare schemes and social safety nets
• Key Sectors: Health, education, human resources
• Governance Issues: Transparency, accountability, e-governance, RTI, corruption
• Civil Services: Role in democracy and public administration
• International Relations:
  • India and neighborhood relations
  • Bilateral, regional, and global groupings involving India
  • Impact of developed/developing country policies on India's interests
  • Important international institutions, agencies, and forums

Paper IV — GS-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security & Disaster Management (250 marks)

• Duration: 3 hours
• Indian Economy:
  • Planning, resources, and growth
  • Inclusive development and poverty alleviation
  • Government budgeting and fiscal policy
• Agriculture:
  • Major crops and cropping patterns
  • Irrigation systems and storage infrastructure
  • Transport and marketing of agricultural produce
  • Farm subsidies, MSP, PDS, buffer stocks, and food security
• Liberalization & Industrial Policy: Effects on economy and structural changes
• Infrastructure Development: Energy, ports, roads, airports, railways, and investment models
• Science & Technology:
  • Developments and applications in everyday life
  • Indian achievements in S&T and indigenization
  • IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nano-technology, Bio-technology
  • Intellectual property rights
• Environment & Conservation:
  • Environmental pollution and degradation
  • Environmental impact assessment (EIA)
  • Biodiversity and natural resource management
  • Climate change and global environmental issues
• Disaster Management: Disaster mitigation, prevention, and management
• Internal Security:
  • Linkages between development and extremism
  • Role of state and non-state actors
  • Communication networks, media, and cyber security
  • Money-laundering and prevention
  • Border area security and various security forces

Paper V — GS-IV: Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude (250 marks)

• Duration: 3 hours
• Ethics & Human Interface: Essence, determinants, and consequences of ethics
• Dimensions of Ethics: Private and public relationships
• Human Values: Role of family, society, and educational institutions
• Attitude: Content, structure, function, and influence on thought and behavior
• Aptitude for Civil Service: Foundational values, emotional intelligence, and suitability for public service
• Contributions of Moral Thinkers: From India and the world
• Public/Civil Service Values: In public administration and governance
• Probity in Governance: Transparency, accountability, Right to Information (RTI)
• Codes & Standards: Ethics codes, codes of conduct, citizen's charters
• Challenges: Corruption and integrity issues in governance
• Case Studies: Usually 6 case study questions (Section B) testing ethical decision-making

Paper VI & VII — Optional Subject (250 marks each, Total 500 marks)

Candidates choose ONE optional subject from the list of 48 available subjects. Each optional subject has two papers (Paper VI and Paper VII) of 250 marks each, for a total of 500 marks. The syllabus for optional subjects varies significantly, so detailed breakdowns for each subject are available separately.

Complete List of UPSC Optional Subjects 2026

Candidates must select ONE optional subject from the 48 available options. The choice of optional subject can significantly impact your final score, so select based on your strengths and background.

25 Core Optional Subjects

23 Literature Subjects

Choose from any of the following literature subjects based on your linguistic competency and preference:

Interview / Personality Test (275 marks)

The final stage of UPSC CSE is the Personality Test, also known as the Interview. It is conducted after the Mains examination for candidates who qualify with sufficient merit. The interview tests your suitability for a career in public service.

Purpose of the Interview

• Tests candidate's mental qualities and analytical ability
• Assesses suitability for a career in Indian Civil Service
• Not just a knowledge test — evaluates personality traits and soft skills
• Conducted by a panel of 4-5 examiners for approximately 25-30 minutes

What is Evaluated

• Mental Alertness: Ability to grasp questions quickly and respond thoughtfully
• Critical Powers of Assimilation: Understanding complex information and synthesizing insights
• Clear & Logical Exposition: Ability to express ideas clearly and coherently
• Balance of Judgment: Fairness, impartiality, and considered decision-making
• Variety & Depth of Interest: Broad knowledge, intellectual curiosity, and depth in chosen areas
• Social Cohesion & Leadership: Ability to work with others, inspire, and lead teams
• Intellectual & Moral Integrity: Honesty, ethical standards, and principled approach

Complete Summary Table: All UPSC Mains Papers

Key Points to Remember

• Prelims is Screening Only: Your Prelims marks are not counted in the final merit list. Only qualifying candidates proceed to Mains.
• CSAT Qualifying Nature: CSAT (Paper II) requires minimum 33% (66 marks) to qualify. Scoring below this eliminates you, regardless of General Studies marks.
• Mains Qualifying Papers: Paper A (Indian Language) and Paper B (English) each require 25% minimum (75 marks) to qualify. Marks are not counted in merit.
• Merit Calculation: Final ranking is based on: Mains Merit Papers (1,750) + Interview (275) = 2,025 marks total.
• Optional Subject Strategy: Choose your optional subject wisely. It represents 500 marks (24.6% of Mains merit score). Align it with your strengths and background.
• Negative Marking in Prelims: Paper I has 0.66 mark deduction per wrong answer. Paper II (CSAT) has 0.83 mark deduction. Answer carefully.
• Important Dates 2026:
  • Prelims Exam: May 24, 2026
  • Mains Exam: August 21, 2026
  • Interview: Expected mid-late 2026
• Exam Duration: Total written exam time across all papers = 54 hours (27 papers × 2-3 hours each).
• Interface Language: Except English, all other papers can be answered in Hindi or English (candidate's choice).
• Attempt Strategy: Quality over quantity. It's better to answer fewer questions correctly than attempt all with wrong answers.