UPSC Syllabus 2026: Complete IAS Prelims & Mains Syllabus Details
Study management during the UPSC Civil Services Examination is extremely important, as it directly influences an aspirant’s ability to cover the vast syllabus strategically and effectively. A clear understanding of the curriculum acts as the backbone of preparation, helping candidates plan their study schedule, prioritize subjects, and allocate time according to the weightage of topics. The UPSC syllabus serves as the gateway to both the Prelims and Mains examinations, offering a detailed outline of what needs to be studied and what can be safely ignored. Since the exam tests analytical ability, conceptual clarity, and in-depth knowledge, aspirants must channelize their efforts in the right direction, leaving no room for unnecessary study or confusion. In this scenario, the official syllabus copy becomes an indispensable guide, steering candidates toward the correct and essential path throughout their preparation journey. It ensures that every hour of study aligns with the examination’s demands, ultimately enhancing productivity and increasing the chances of success in this highly competitive exam.
UPSC IAS Syllabus 2026 – Full Prelims & Mains Syllabus Explained
UPSC IAS Prelims Exam Pattern
| Paper | Details |
|---|---|
| General Studies – I | Questions: 100 |
| Marks: 200 | |
| Duration: 2 hours | |
| Nature: Marks counted for ranking | |
| Qualifying: Cut-off decided by UPSC | |
| General Studies – II (CSAT) | Questions: 80 |
| Marks: 200 | |
| Duration: 2 hours | |
| Nature: Qualifying only | |
| Qualifying: 33% (66/200) |
General Studies -1 & General Studies -2 Syllabus:
General Studies Paper-1 (GS-1) Syllabus
| Topic |
|---|
| Current events of national and international importance |
| History of India and Indian National Movement |
| Indian & World Geography – Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India & the World |
| Indian Polity & Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues |
| Economic & Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives |
| Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity & Climate Change (No subject specialization needed) |
| General Science |
General Studies Paper-2 (CSAT) Syllabus
| Topic |
|---|
| Comprehension |
| Interpersonal skills including communication skills |
| Logical reasoning and analytical ability |
| Decision-making and problem-solving |
| General mental ability |
| Basic numeracy – Class X level |
| Data interpretation – Class X level (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency) |
| English language comprehension skills – Class X level |
UPSC IAS Mains Exam Pattern
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper A | Compulsory Indian Language | 300 | 3 Hours |
| Paper B | English | 300 | 3 Hours |
| Paper I | Essay | 250 | 3 Hours |
| Paper II | General Studies I | 250 | 3 Hours |
| Paper III | General Studies II | 250 | 3 Hours |
| Paper IV | General Studies III | 250 | 3 Hours |
| Paper V | General Studies IV | 250 | 3 Hours |
| Paper VI | Optional I | 250 | 3 Hours |
| Paper VII | Optional II | 250 | 3 Hours |
UPSC Mains General Studies (GS I–IV) Syllabus
General Studies Paper-I Syllabus
| Topics Included |
|---|
| Indian Heritage & Culture |
| Indian History (Ancient, Medieval & Modern) |
| Indian National Movement |
| World History (events, revolutions, wars, political philosophies) |
| Indian Society – Salient features, diversity, role of women |
| Effects of globalization on Indian society |
| Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism |
| Geography of the World – physical geography, geophysical phenomena |
| Distribution of key natural resources |
| Important geophysical features and their location |
General Studies Paper-II Syllabus
| Topics Included |
|---|
| Indian Constitution – features, amendments, significant provisions |
| Functions & responsibilities of Union and States |
| Separation of powers, dispute redressal mechanisms |
| Parliament & State Legislatures – structure, functioning |
| Executive & Judiciary – roles and functioning |
| Constitutional & statutory bodies |
| Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections |
| Issues relating to poverty, hunger, gender, and social justice |
| Governance – transparency, accountability, e-governance |
| International Relations – bilateral, regional & global groupings |
| India’s relations with neighboring countries |
| Important international institutions, treaties & laws |
General Studies Paper-III Syllabus
| Topics Included |
|---|
| Indian Economy & Economic Development |
| Inclusive growth & issues/challenges |
| Government budgeting |
| Food processing & related industries |
| Land reforms in India |
| Science & Technology – developments & applications |
| Robotics, nanotechnology, IT, space, biotechnology |
| Security – internal security challenges, cyber security |
| Role of external state & non-state actors |
| Disaster management – planning, mitigation, response |
| Biodiversity, environment, and climate change |
| Conservation, pollution, environmental impact assessment |
General Studies Paper-IV Syllabus (Ethics)
| Topics Included |
|---|
| Ethics & Human Interface |
| Human values – teachings of great leaders & reformers |
| Attitude – content, structure, influence on behavior |
| Emotional Intelligence – concepts & applications |
| Public/Civil Service values and ethics in public administration |
| Probity in Governance – transparency, accountability |
| Ethical issues in public institutions |
| Case Studies on above topics |
UPSC Paper Pattern : Optional Subjects:
| Category | Optional Subjects Included |
|---|---|
| Engineering Subjects | Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering |
| Science Subjects | Physics, Chemistry, Geology |
| Medical & Life Sciences | Medical Science, Zoology, Botany, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science |
| Humanities & Social Sciences | History, Geography, Sociology, Political Science & International Relations, Public Administration, Philosophy, Psychology, Anthropology |
| Commerce & Management | Commerce & Accountancy, Economics, Management |
| Mathematical Subjects | Mathematics, Statistics |
| Law | Law |
| Literature Subjects | Literature of one language from: Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, English |
UPSC Syllabus 2026 – FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is the UPSC Civil Services Examination?
The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is a national-level competitive exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission to recruit candidates for prestigious posts such as IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, and other Group A & B services. It consists of three stages—Prelims, Mains, and Interview.
2. Is the UPSC syllabus the same every year?
The core UPSC syllabus does not change frequently. Minor updates or clarifications may be issued by UPSC, but the overall framework for Prelims, Mains, and the Interview remains largely consistent each year.
3. What are the papers included in the UPSC Prelims exam?
The UPSC Prelims exam includes two objective-type papers:
- General Studies Paper-I (counts for merit)
- CSAT Paper-II (qualifying only, requires 33% marks)
4. What are the qualifying marks for CSAT?
Candidates must score 33% (66 out of 200) in CSAT (Prelims Paper-II) to qualify for the Prelims stage, regardless of the Paper-I score.
5. How many papers are there in the UPSC Mains exam?
The UPSC Mains includes 9 papers:
- Paper A: Indian Language
- Paper B: English
- Paper I–V: General Studies (GS1–GS4) + Essay
- Paper VI–VII: Optional Subject Papers (2 papers)
Only seven papers count for merit; Papers A & B are qualifying.
6. Is the optional subject important in UPSC Mains?
Yes. The optional subject contributes 500 marks (two papers of 250 marks each), and it can significantly impact the final merit ranking. The choice of optional subject often depends on a candidate’s background, interest, and scoring trends.
7. What is the syllabus for General Studies (GS) in Mains?
The GS syllabus includes:
- GS I: History, Geography, Indian Society, Indian Culture
- GS II: Polity, Governance, Constitution, Social Justice, International Relations
- GS III: Economy, Science & Technology, Environment, Security, Disaster Management
- GS IV: Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude
8. What is the total marks calculation in UPSC?
- Written Mains Exam: 1750 marks
- Interview (Personality Test): 275 marks
- Total: 2025 marks
Final ranking is based on written marks + interview marks.
9. Is there negative marking in UPSC Prelims?
Yes.
- GS Paper-I: 1/3rd negative marking
- CSAT Paper-II: 1/3rd negative marking
Wrong answers reduce your score, so guessing must be done carefully.
10. What is the minimum educational qualification required for UPSC?
Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university. Final-year students can also apply, provided they submit proof of graduation before Mains.
11. Can I choose a different optional subject than my graduation subject?
Yes. Candidates can choose any optional subject from the list provided by UPSC, regardless of their educational background.
12. How many attempts are allowed in UPSC?
- General Category: 6 attempts till age 32
- OBC: 9 attempts till age 35
- SC/ST: Unlimited attempts till age 37
- PwD: Relaxation depends on category
13. Is CSAT difficult?
CSAT has become relatively tougher in recent years, especially in reading comprehension and logical reasoning. Despite being qualifying, it requires consistent practice to secure 33%.
14. Does UPSC release a detailed syllabus officially?
Yes, UPSC publishes an official and comprehensive syllabus for both Prelims and Mains in the exam notification. Candidates must follow it strictly to avoid studying unnecessary topics.
15. When should I start UPSC preparation?
Most aspirants start preparation one year before the exam. However, early preparation (during graduation) provides enough time for conceptual clarity, revision, and solving mock tests.