UPSC Syllabus 2026: IAS Prelims and Mains Syllabus PDF
The UPSC Syllabus 2026 for the Civil Services Examination is explained in detail in this article. Candidates preparing for the Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission must understand the latest exam pattern and subject-wise syllabus to prepare effectively.
The Civil Services Examination is conducted to recruit candidates for various UPSC services such as the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Police Service, Indian Foreign Service, and Indian Revenue Service.
UPSC Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026 – Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | Civil Services Examination (CSE) |
| Services | IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS and other Civil Services |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Written Examination) |
| Stages of Exam | Prelims, Mains and Interview |
| Total Marks | Prelims – 400Mains – 1750Interview – 275 |
| Negative Marking | 1/3rd marks deducted for each incorrect answer |
| Selection Process | Prelims Exam, Mains Exam and Personality Test |
UPSC IAS – Exam Pattern 2026
The Civil Services Examination consists of three stages. Candidates must qualify each stage to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process.
- Personality Test (Interview)
- Preliminary Examination
- Mains Examination
Prelims Exam
The Preliminary Examination is the first stage of the UPSC Civil Services Examination. It consists of two objective-type papers designed to test a candidate’s general awareness, reasoning ability, and decision-making skills.
- Total Marks: 400
- Total Papers: 2
- Type of Questions: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Exam Mode: Offline (OMR Based)
- Exam Duration: 2 Hours for each paper
- Negative Marking: 1/3rd marks deducted for incorrect answers
- Qualifying Paper: Paper 2 (CSAT) requires at least 33% marks
UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern
| Paper | Subject | Total Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | General Studies | 200 | 2 Hours |
| Paper 2 | CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) | 200 | 2 Hours |
| Total | 400 |
Mains Exam
Candidates who qualify the Preliminary Examination are eligible to appear in the UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination. The mains exam consists of descriptive papers that evaluate a candidate’s knowledge, writing ability, and analytical skills.
- Total Papers: 9
- Total Marks for Merit: 1750
- Exam Mode: Offline (Descriptive)
- Exam Duration: 3 Hours for each paper
- Qualifying Papers: Paper A and Paper B
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper A | Indian Language (Qualifying) | 300 | 3 Hours |
| Paper B | English (Qualifying) | 300 | 3 Hours |
| Paper 1 | Essay | 250 | 3 Hours |
| Paper 2 | General Studies I | 250 | 3 Hours |
| Paper 3 | General Studies II | 250 | 3 Hours |
| Paper 4 | General Studies III | 250 | 3 Hours |
| Paper 5 | General Studies IV | 250 | 3 Hours |
| Paper 6 | Optional Subject Paper 1 | 250 | 3 Hours |
| Paper 7 | Optional Subject Paper 2 | 250 | 3 Hours |
| Total | 1750 |
UPSC IAS Syllabus 2026 – Syllabus 2026
The UPSC syllabus is divided into two stages: Preliminary syllabus and Mains syllabus. The syllabus covers topics from history, geography, polity, economy, environment, science, ethics, and current affairs.
Prelims Exam Syllabus
The UPSC Preliminary Examination syllabus mainly focuses on general awareness and analytical ability.
General Studies Paper I
- Current Events of National and International Importance
- History of India and the Indian National Movement
- Indian and World Geography
- Indian Polity and Governance
- Economic and Social Development
- Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change
- General Science
CSAT (Paper II)
- Comprehension
- Interpersonal skills including communication skills
- Logical reasoning and analytical ability
- Decision making and problem solving
- General mental ability
- Basic numeracy and data interpretation
UPSC IAS Mains Syllabus
The UPSC Mains examination evaluates a candidate’s analytical ability, subject knowledge, and writing skills. Candidates are required to write essays on multiple topics to test their ability to organize ideas clearly and present arguments effectively.
General Studies Paper I
- Indian Heritage and Culture
- Modern Indian History
- World History
- Indian Society
- Geography of India and the World
General Studies Paper II
- Indian Constitution
- Governance and Public Policy
- Social Justice
- International Relations
General Studies Paper II
- Indian Economy
- Agriculture and Food Security
- Science and Technology
- Environment and Biodiversity
- Disaster Management
- Internal Security
General Studies Paper IV
Ethics and Human Interface
- Integrity and Aptitude
- Emotional Intelligence
- Attitude and Moral Values
- Case Studies on Ethics in Public Administration
Optional Subject
Candidates must select one optional subject from the list provided by UPSC. Each optional subject consists of two papers of 250 marks each.
- Geography
- Public Administration
- Political Science
- Sociology
- History
- Anthropology
- Psychology
- Mathematics
UPSC IAS Interview (Personality Test)
Candidates who qualify the Mains Examination are called for the Personality Test. The interview assesses a candidate’s personality, communication skills, decision-making ability, and suitability for administrative services.
- Total Marks: 275
FAQs
What are the stages in the UPSC Civil Services Examination?
The UPSC Civil Services Examination consists of three stages: Prelims, Mains, and Interview.
Is there negative marking in the UPSC Prelims exam?
Yes. One-third of the marks assigned to a question are deducted for each incorrect answer.
Is CSAT qualifying in the UPSC exam?
Yes. Paper 2 (CSAT) is qualifying in nature and candidates must score at least 33% marks.
What is the total marks of the UPSC Mains examination?
The UPSC Mains examination carries 1750 marks for merit ranking.