UPSC Syllabus 2025 for Prelims, Mains & Interview – Download PDF

What is the UPSC Syllabus 2025?

Preparing for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) can seem daunting at first, but with a clear understanding of the exam structure and syllabus, plus a disciplined study plan, success is within reach. Below is a detailed breakdown of every stage, paper, marking scheme, and key pointers—nothing has been left out. Read carefully and refer back as you build your preparation schedule.

UPSC Examination Overview

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services Examination in three successive stages:

• Preliminary Examination (Prelims) – a 400-mark, purely objective screening test designed to shortlist candidates for the Main Examination.
• Main Examination (Mains) – nine conventional (essay-type) papers totaling 1,750 marks, followed by
• Personality Test (Interview) – 275 marks.

Only those who qualify Prelims are admitted to Mains. Crucially, Prelims marks do not contribute to your final ranking; they simply determine whether you progress to the next stage.

Final ranking = Mains written (1,750) + Interview (275) = 2,025 marks

UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2025

2.1 Scheme & Structure

The Preliminary Examination consists of two papers, each carrying 200 marks and lasting 2 hours. Both are multiple-choice questions (objective type) and are set in Hindi and English.

Key Notes

• Negative marking: For every wrong answer across both papers, ⅓ mark is deducted.
• No penalty for unanswered questions.
• If more than one option is marked on a question, it is treated as wrong (penalty applies).
• Paper II (CSAT) is a qualifying paper. You must obtain at least 33% (66 out of 200) to have your Paper I evaluated.
• The number of candidates to be shortlisted for Mains is approximately 12–13 times the total vacancies expected.

2.2 UPSC Prelims Syllabus for Paper 1: General Studies (GS)

Paper I tests your knowledge of current and static subjects:

• Current Affairs (national & international events of the past year; government schemes; economic policies).
• History of India (ancient, medieval, modern up to the freedom struggle) & Indian National Movement (major events, personalities, outcomes).
• World History (18th century onwards: industrial revolution, world wars, colonization/decolonization).
• Indian and World Geography – physical, social, economic aspects; distribution of resources; environmental issues.
• Indian Polity & Governance – Constitution, legal framework, decentralization (Panchayati Raj), rights issues.
• Economic & Social Development – sustainable development, poverty, inclusion, demographics, social sector initiatives.
• Environment & Ecology – biodiversity, climate change, conservation, natural disasters.
• General Science – fundamentals of physics, chemistry, biology as relevant to everyday life.

Tip: Diversify your reading—newspapers, government reports (Economic Survey, Budget), NCERTs for basics.

UPSC Prelims Syllabus for Paper 2: Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT)

Paper II assesses your aptitude and reasoning skills:

• Comprehension – passage-based questions to test reading speed and understanding.
• Interpersonal & Communication Skills – basics of effective communication.
• Logical Reasoning & Analytical Ability – puzzles, syllogisms, data sufficiency.
• Decision Making & Problem Solving – case studies, situational judgment.
• General Mental Ability – series, pattern recognition.
• Basic Numeracy & Data Interpretation – percentages, ratios, graphs, charts (Class X level).

Tip: Practice CSAT extensively; it is qualifying in nature, but failing it eliminates you regardless of your GS score.

UPSC Mains Syllabus 2025

The Main stage tests your depth of understanding, clarity of thought, and writing skills over nine papers.

3.1 Mains Syllabus and Format and Marking

In the Mains stage, you must clear two language papers—one Indian language (from the Eighth Schedule) and English. Each paper tests your command over composition, comprehension, précis writing, translation, and basic grammar.

• Essay (100 marks): Pick one topic from a choice of prompts and craft a well‐structured essay.
• Reading Comprehension (60 marks): Answer 5–6 questions on a provided passage to demonstrate understanding and inference skills.
• Précis Writing (60 marks): Condense a given passage onto special grid‐lined answer sheets, capturing essential ideas succinctly.
• Translation (2×20 = 40 marks): Translate a passage from English into your chosen Indian language and another from your Indian language into English.
• Grammar & Usage (40 marks): Tackle questions on syntax, synonyms/antonyms, sentence correction and other fundamental language mechanics.

Note: Essay, comprehension and translation assess your expressive and interpretive skills, while the précis and grammar sections gauge precision and accuracy in language use.

• Both papers are of Matriculation or equivalent standard.
• Minimum 25% required in each to have your merit papers evaluated.
• Marks not counted toward final ranking.

General Studies Paper I – Indian Heritage, Culture, History & Geography

The first General Studies paper in the UPSC Mains covers four broad domains: India’s cultural legacy, its political and social evolution, and both Indian and world geography.

1. Indian Culture

• Artistic Traditions: Survey of major classical and folk art forms (dance, music, painting, sculpture).
• Architectural Heritage: From Indus Valley cities and Buddhist stupas to temple complexes and colonial-era monuments.
• Literary Streams: Evolution of Sanskrit, regional and English literature; their impact on society.

2. Modern Indian History

• Colonial Encounter: Key leaders, movements and milestones from the mid-1700s through Independence.
• Freedom Struggle Phases: Early revolt, mass movements (Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience), final push.
• Post-1947 Nation-Building: Reorganization of states, integration of princely territories, and consolidation of democracy.

3. World History

• Global Transformations: Industrial Revolution, the two World Wars, decolonization, Cold War dynamics.
• Nation-State Formation: Redrawing of borders; rise and fall of empires.
• Political Ideologies: Spread and influence of capitalism, socialism, communism, and other mass-mobilizing doctrines.

4. Indian Society

• Diversity & Demography: Caste, tribe, language, religion and regional identities.
• Social Change: Urbanization, migration, changing gender roles, the drive for social inclusion.
• Contemporary Issues: Poverty, communal and regional tensions, secularism versus identity politics, globalization’s social impact.

5. Geography

• Resource Distribution: Global and Indian patterns of minerals, water, forests; factors shaping economic activities.
• Physical Processes: Earthquakes, tsunamis, cyclones, volcanic eruptions—their causes and global impact.
• Regional Landscapes: Mountains, rivers, coasts and deserts; changes in polar ice, sea-level fluctuations and their ecological consequences.

General Studies Paper II – Governance, Constitution, Polity & International Relations

Paper II tests your grasp of India’s constitutional framework, governance models, social justice mechanisms and our place in global affairs.

1. Indian Polity & Constitution

• Federal Structure: Distribution of legislative, financial and administrative powers among Union, States and local bodies.
• Separation of Powers: Roles and interactions between Executive, Legislature and Judiciary; checks and balances.
• Key Legislation: Representation of People’s Act, Right to Information, 73rd & 74th Amendments, major constitutional amendments.

2. Governance & Public Policy

• Mechanisms of Accountability: E-governance, citizen charters, anti‐corruption institutions.
• Civil Services: Their centrality in policy formulation and delivery; challenges of bureaucracy in a democracy.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Role of NGOs, self‐help groups, cooperatives and the private sector in development.

3. Social Justice

• Welfare Schemes: Evaluation of major central and state programs for SC/ST/OBC/EWS and persons with disabilities.
• Legal Safeguards: Statutory bodies, commissions and legal frameworks protecting vulnerable groups.
• Social Sector Challenges: Health, education, nutrition and rural livelihoods; understanding policy gaps.

4. International Relations

• Neighbourhood Ties: India’s diplomatic, security and economic links with South Asian neighbours.
• Strategic Partnerships: India’s role in BIMSTEC, ASEAN, QUAD, BRICS, SCO and the UN system.
• Global Dynamics: How foreign policy, diasporic communities and global economic trends shape India’s interests.

General Studies Paper III – Technology, Economic Development, Environment, Security & Disaster Management

The third paper brings together India’s economic trajectory, technological progress, environmental concerns and internal security architecture.

1. Indian Economy & Infrastructure

• Growth & Planning: Role of five-year plans, NITI Aayog and challenges of inclusive development.
• Financial Management: Budgetary framework, fiscal federalism, public debt and taxation policy.
• Infrastructure Networks: Roads, rail, ports, airports, energy and digital connectivity; PPP models.

2. Agriculture & Food Security

• Farming Systems: Cropping patterns, irrigation methods, post‐harvest management and agri‐tech innovations.
• Rural Livelihoods: Animal husbandry, fisheries, horticulture, agro‐processing, marketing and storage challenges.
• Support Mechanisms: Minimum support prices, public distribution, crop insurance, watershed and land‐reform policies.

3. Science & Technology

• Research & Development: India’s achievements in space, defense, biotech, IT and emerging fields (AI, nanotech).
• Innovation Ecosystem: Start-ups, incubators, technology parks and intellectual property rights regime.
• Tech for Public Good: E-governance platforms, telemedicine, digital payments and smart city initiatives.

4. Environment & Disaster Management

• Ecology & Conservation: Biodiversity hotspots, protected areas, wildlife corridors and afforestation drives.
• Pollution & Climate Change: Air, water and soil pollution control;Mitigation/adaptation strategies, National Action Plans.
• Disaster Preparedness: Legal framework (Disaster Management Act), risk assessment, early warning and response systems.

5. Internal Security

• Threat Landscape: Extremism, insurgency, left‐wing radicalism and cyber‐crime.
• Border Management: Coastal, land and trans‐border challenges; coordination among security agencies.
• Crime & Technology: Money laundering, human trafficking, digital forensics and security in communication networks.

Notes & Special Provisions

• UPSC may fix minimum qualifying marks in any of Papers I–VII at its discretion.
• Candidates who meet the cut-off in written are typically twice the number of vacancies for the Interview.
• Bilingual merit papers: set in both Hindi & English.
• Language medium: You may write Papers I–VII in English or any Eighth Schedule language, but misuse (irrelevant non-script matter, signs that reveal identity) can lead to penalty or non-valuation.
• Paper A exemptions:
  • Candidates from Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland & Sikkim are exempt from Indian Language paper.
  • Hearing-impaired PwBD candidates (2nd/3rd language exemptions) may be exempt upon self-declaration.
• Scripts for literature papers are prescribed per language (e.g. Manipuri: Bengali or Meitei Mayek; Santhali: Devanagari or Olchiki).

UPSC Mains Syllabus for Optional subject (2 papers – Paper 1 and paper 2)

In the UPSC Mains you must select one subject—from 26 available disciplines—in which you have thorough knowledge. You will then sit for two papers on that topic (Paper 1 and Paper 2), each worth 250 marks.

• Subject Selection: Pick the optional that best matches your academic background, interests, and overlaps with the General Studies syllabus to maximize efficiency.
• Exam Structure:
  • Paper VI (Optional 1) – 250 marks
  • Paper VII (Optional 2) – 250 marks

Tip: Review past UPSC trends, paper difficulty, and the availability of standard references and mentors before finally choosing your optional.

Selecting an Optional

• Consider overlap with GS syllabus and your academic background.
• Ensure availability of quality study material and mentors.

4. Interview Syllabus

The final stage examines your suitability for a career in public service:

• Marks: 275
• No minimum qualifying marks (besides being among the top written scorers).
• Focus areas: Mental alertness; critical reasoning; clarity of expression; balance of judgment; leadership traits; social awareness; ethical integrity; overall personality and fit for civil services.
• Process: A panel of UPSC members questions you on your background, current affairs, opinions on social and governance issues, and hypothetical scenarios.

Preparation Tips for Interview

• Stay current on national & international events.
• Develop a clear, respectful communication style.
• Reflect on your hobbies, achievements, and life experiences—they often form the basis of personal questions.
• Practice mock interviews with mentors or peers.

5. Preparation Syllabus

• Thoroughly map the syllabus for Prelims & Mains, breaking it into manageable subtopics.
• Create a balanced timetable allocating slots for GS papers, Optional, and current affairs.
• Choose the right resources:
  • NCERTs for fundamentals
  • Standard reference books for depth
  • UPSC reports (Economic Survey, Budget, India Year Book)
  • Reputable monthly current affairs digests
  • Maintain concise notes: Handwritten or digital—focus on definitions, dates, diagrams.
  • Regular revision: Weekly + monthly + pre-test cycles to cement memory.
• Mock practice:
  • Prelims: 2-hour timed MCQ tests under negative-marking conditions.
  • Mains: 3-hour answer-writing practice, honing structure (introduction → headings → conclusion).
  • Analyze performance: Identify weak areas and adjust study plan.
  • Stay healthy: Balanced diet, adequate sleep, short breaks, and mild physical activity to sustain focus.