UPSC new syllabus
The UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) Civil Services Examination is one of the most prestigious exams in India, conducted for the selection of officers for various Civil Services like IAS, IPS, IFS, etc. The exam is held in three stages: Preliminary, Mains, and Interview.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Structure
The exam comprises three stages:
⚫ Preliminary Examination (Objective-type, qualifying)
⚫ Main Examination (Descriptive, merit-based)
⚫ Personality Test/Interview (275 marks)
Preliminary Examination Syllabus:
Two papers (400 marks total, 2 hours each):
Paper I: General Studies (GS) – 200 marks
🔖 Current Events: National & international importance.
🔖 History of India: Ancient, medieval, modern (1750s–present), Indian National Movement, post-independence consolidation.
🔖 Indian & World Geography: Physical, social, economic geography, geophysical phenomena (earthquakes, cyclones).
🔖 Indian Polity & Governance: Constitution, political system, Panchayati Raj, public policy, rights issues.
🔖 Economic & Social Development: Poverty, inclusion, demographics, sustainable development.
🔖 Environment & Ecology: Biodiversity, climate change (no specialization required).
🔖 General Science: Basic concepts and applications.
Paper II: CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) – 200 marks
(Qualifying: 33% minimum)
🔖 Comprehension: Understanding the Central Idea or Theme, Inferences and Conclusions, Tone and Style of the Passage, Vocabulary and Meaning of Words in Context, Logical Flow of Ideas, Identifying Facts vs. Opinions, Purpose and Intent of the Author, Finding Specific Information, Summarization, Critical Thinking and Interpretation, Comparing Different Points of View, Understanding Contextual Examples of English/Hindi passages.
🔖 Logical Reasoning: Analogies, Series Completion, Logical Deductions, Venn Diagrams, Syllogisms, Blood Relations, Directions and Distances, Puzzle-based Problems, Coding-Decoding, Statement and Arguments, Statement and Assumptions, Cause and Effect Relationships, Clock and Calendar Problems, Data Sufficiency, Logical Connectives.
🔖 Numeracy & Data Interpretation: Class X-level Percentages, Profit and Loss, Simple and Compound Interest, Ratios and Proportions, Averages, Speed, Time, and Distance, Mixtures and Allegations, Time and Work, Probability, Basic Algebra, Bar Graphs, Pie Charts, Line Graphs, Tables, Caselets (Data in Paragraph Form), Frequency Distribution, Data Analysis and Comparison, Percentage Calculations from Data, Interpretation of Growth/Decline in Data, Visual Interpretation of Data.
🔖 Interpersonal Skills: Communication Skills, Active Listening, Conflict Resolution, Emotional Intelligence, Teamwork and Collaboration, Negotiation Skills, Leadership Qualities, Empathy and Understanding, Relationship Building, Assertiveness, Influence and Persuasion, Adaptability in Social Situations.
UPSC Mains Syllabus
Paper 1: Paper A: Indian Language (Any one of the languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India).
Qualifying___
🔖 This paper tests the candidate’s proficiency in an Indian language.
🔖 Note: Candidates can choose any language from the list of languages mentioned in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
🔖 Here is the list of languages included in the Eighth Schedule:
∎ Assamese
∎ Bengali
∎ Gujarati
∎ Hindi
∎ Kannada
∎ Kashmiri
∎ Konkani
∎ Maithili
∎ Malayalam
∎ Manipuri
∎ Marathi
∎ Nepali
∎ Odia
∎ Punjabi
∎ Sanskrit
∎ Santali
∎ Sindhi
∎ Tamil
∎ Telugu
∎ Urdu
∎ Bodo
∎ Sikkimese (recognized after the inclusion of Sikkim in 1975).
Paper 2: English
Qualifying___
Comprehension of a given passage:
🔖A passage will be provided, and candidates are required to answer questions based on it. This assesses the candidate’s ability to understand the content, draw inferences, and answer accordingly.
🔖 The questions will test the candidate’s:
🔖 Reading comprehension skills.
🔖 Ability to interpret and analyze written material.
🔖 Inference, analysis, and drawing conclusions from the given text.
Precis Writing:
🔖 Candidates are required to summarize a given passage in their own words.
🔖 This tests: Conciseness in writing, The ability to identify key points and eliminate unnecessary details. Clarity and the ability to retain the core message of the original passage.
Usage and Vocabulary:
🔖 This section tests the candidate’s knowledge of the English language, including grammar, usage, and vocabulary.
🔖 Some of the common areas covered may include:
🔖 Correct usage of words (e.g., homophones, antonyms, synonyms).
🔖 Error correction in sentences.
🔖 Application of idioms and phrases.
🔖 Sentence formation and coherence.
Paragraph Writing:
🔖 Candidates may be asked to write a paragraph on a given topic.
🔖 The ability to organize thoughts.
🔖 Coherence and cohesion in writing.
🔖 Clarity of expression and relevance to the topic.
Translation (from English to Indian Language):
🔖 A passage will be given in English, and the candidate is required to translate it into one of the Indian languages (as chosen by the candidate in Paper A).
🔖 Understanding of the English passage.
🔖 Ability to translate it accurately, maintaining its meaning in the chosen language.
Translation (from Indian Language to English):
🔖 A passage will be given in the Indian language (chosen in Paper A), and the candidate is required to translate it into English.
🔖 Fluency in the English language.
🔖 The ability to accurately express the ideas from an Indian language into English.
Paper 3: Essay
🔖 Marks: 250
🔖 Topics: Candidates are required to write essays on multiple topics based on their understanding of contemporary issues, philosophy, literature, politics, and socio-economic topics. The essay should reflect the ability to present ideas logically, backed by evidence.
🔖 Examples: The Role of Indian Classical Arts in Preserving India’s Cultural Heritage, The Influence of Ancient Indian Philosophy on Modern Thought, Cultural Diversity in India: A Unifying Force, The Evolution of Indian Architecture: From Temples to Modern Structures, The Significance of Folk Culture in Modern India.
Paper 4: General Studies I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History, and Geography of the World and India.
Indian Art and Culture:
🔖 Architecture: Ancient, medieval, and modern Indian architecture, temple architecture, Islamic architecture, colonial-era buildings, and modern constructions.
🔖 Sculpture: Indian sculptures, rock-cut sculptures, and traditional sculpture styles (e.g., Gandhara, Mathura, and Gupta styles).
🔖 Painting: Different schools of painting (e.g., Mughal, Rajput, Pahari, and modern Indian art forms).
🔖 Performing Arts: Classical dance forms (e.g., Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Kathakali, etc.), music traditions (Hindustani and Carnatic), theatre, and folk arts.
🔖 Literature: Ancient, medieval, and modern Indian literature, the evolution of languages, and the development of prose, poetry, and drama.
🔖 Folk Arts: Folk music, dance, and theatre traditions in different regions of India.
🔖 Cultural Traditions: Religious festivals, rituals, traditions, and the role of various communities in preserving cultural heritage.
🔖 Impact of Colonialism on Indian Culture: Changes in cultural practices due to British influence and the modern cultural renaissance in India.
History of India and the Indian National Movement:
🔖 Prehistoric, Harappan Civilization, Vedic Age, and the rise of early kingdoms.
🔖 Mauryan Empire, Gupta Empire, and other significant empires in ancient India.
🔖 Social, cultural, and religious developments during ancient times (e.g., Buddhism, Jainism, Upanishads, and different schools of thought).
🔖 The advent of Islam in India, the Delhi Sultanate, and the Mughal Empire.
🔖 Major medieval dynasties, their rulers, and administrative systems.
🔖 Cultural developments during the medieval period (e.g., Indo-Islamic culture, the synthesis of Hindu and Muslim cultures).
🔖 Bhakti and Sufi movements and their impact on society.
Modern History:
🔖 The impact of British colonial rule on Indian society, economy, and polity.
🔖 Social reforms during the colonial period and the rise of Indian national consciousness.
🔖 The role of key figures like Rammohun Roy, Swami Vivekananda, and others in shaping modern India.
🔖 The Indian National Congress, the struggle for independence, and key events (e.g., Revolt of 1857, Non-Cooperation Movement, Civil Disobedience, Quit India Movement).
🔖 Prominent independence movement leaders (e.g., Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, Subhas Chandra Bose).
Post-independence India:
🔖 Integration of princely states and the formation of the Indian Union.
🔖 Major developments post-independence, including the Constitution of India, industrialization, and economic planning.
Geography of the World and India
Physical Geography:
🔖 Earth’s Structure: Lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.
🔖 Landforms: Mountains, plateaus, valleys, and plains; factors shaping landforms.
🔖 Climates: Types of climate zones, global climate patterns, and their impact on agriculture and human activity.
🔖 Natural Resources: Distribution and utilization of water, minerals, energy resources, and forests.
🔖 Oceanography: Ocean currents, tides, waves, and marine resources.
India’s Physical Geography:
🔖 Indian Geography: Major physical features of India, including the Himalayas, Indo-Gangetic Plain, Deccan Plateau, and coastal regions.
🔖 Rivers and Water Resources: Major river systems (e.g., Ganges, Brahmaputra, Indus, Narmada) and water management issues.
🔖 Soils and Agriculture: Types of soils, major crops, irrigation methods, and challenges in Indian agriculture.
🔖 Natural Hazards: Natural disasters such as earthquakes, cyclones, floods, and droughts in India.
Human Geography:
🔖 Population: Growth, distribution, migration, and its impact on society and economy.
🔖 Urbanization: Trends in urban growth, urban problems, and the rural-urban divide.
🔖 Settlements: Types of settlements in India and the world, their evolution and patterns.
Environmental Issues:
🔖 Ecology: Ecosystem, biodiversity, and conservation.
🔖 Environmental Degradation: Causes and impact of deforestation, pollution, soil erosion, and climate change.
🔖 Sustainable Development: Strategies for environmental conservation, renewable energy, and sustainable agricultural practices.
Geographical Features of the World:
🔖 World Geography: Continents, major mountain ranges, rivers, and oceans.
🔖 Climatic Zones: Tropical, temperate, and polar climates and their geographical features.
🔖 Political Geography: Understanding political boundaries and territories.
Paper 5: General Studies II. Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations.
The Constitution of India:
🔖 Historical background of the Constitution.
🔖 Making of the Constitution.
🔖 Salient features of the Constitution.
🔖 Preamble of the Constitution.
🔖 Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles of State Policy, and Fundamental Duties.
🔖 Amendment process of the Constitution.
Indian Political System:
🔖 Structure, organization, and functioning of the Union and State Governments.
🔖 Separation of powers between various organs of the government.
🔖 Parliament and State Legislature: Structure, functioning, and powers.
🔖 Judiciary: Structure and functioning, judicial review, judicial activism.
🔖 Electoral system in India: Elections, representation, and the role of the Election Commission.
Polity and Governance:
🔖 Federal structure of the Indian Constitution.
🔖 Role of the President, Prime Minister, and the Council of Ministers.
🔖 Governor, Chief Minister, and State Executive.
🔖 Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha: Powers and functions.
🔖 Various Constitutional and Non-Constitutional bodies (e.g., Election Commission, CAG, UPSC, etc.).
Public Policy, Legal Framework, and Reforms:
🔖 The role of the civil services in governance.
🔖 Anti-corruption measures: Lokpal, RTI, etc.
🔖 Issues related to the delivery of public services.
🔖 Key features of public policy and policy-making.
🔖 Reforms in the administration, police, and electoral system.
Social Justice:
🔖 Social empowerment, communal harmony, and secularism.
🔖 Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population: Women, Children, SCs, STs, OBCs, Minorities, and differently-abled persons.
🔖 Role of NGOs, Self-Help Groups, and other civil society organizations in social development.
🔖 Rights and protection for marginalized communities.
🔖 Policies and strategies for addressing social inequality.
🔖 Health, education, and employment schemes for marginalized groups.
Issues Related to the Development and Management of Social Sectors:
🔖 Issues in health, education, and poverty alleviation.
🔖 Gender, social justice, and related issues.
🔖 Legislation and initiatives aimed at protecting human rights.
International Relations:
🔖 India’s foreign policy objectives, challenges, and strategies.
🔖 Bilateral, regional, and international relations: India’s relationship with neighboring countries (Pakistan, China, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, etc.).
🔖 India’s participation in global organizations: United Nations, WTO, BRICS, G20, etc.
🔖 India’s defense, security, and strategic relations with other countries.
Global Issues:
🔖 International and regional issues impacting India’s foreign policy.
🔖 Security concerns such as terrorism, nuclear proliferation, and border disputes.
🔖 Climate change, environmental issues, and India’s role in international agreements.
🔖 Global economic issues: Trade, finance, and technology.
Diplomacy and Global Challenges:
🔖 Role of diplomacy in resolving global issues.
🔖 Globalization and its impact on India’s foreign relations.
🔖 India’s soft power: Culture, education, and international cooperation.
Paper 6: General Studies III. Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management.
Technology:
🔖 Developments in the field of science and technology.
🔖 Recent advancements in various sectors of technology.
🔖 Science and technology in everyday life.
🔖 Technology and its impact on society, economy, and governance.
🔖 Innovations and challenges in technology development.
🔖 Technology-driven solutions to various challenges faced by India and the world.
🔖 Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Robotics, Biotechnology, and their applications.
🔖 Impact of emerging technologies on human life and work.
Economic Development:
🔖Indian Economy: Issues and challenges related to economic growth, poverty, inequality, and unemployment.
🔖 Economic planning and its importance in India.
🔖 Inclusive growth and its challenges.
🔖 Sustainable development and its role in India’s growth.
🔖 Growth models and economic reforms.
🔖 Economic policy in India: Industrial, agricultural, and services sector policies.
🔖 Fiscal policy and budgetary measures for development.
🔖 Monetary policy and the role of RBI.
🔖 Role of public and private sectors in economic development.
🔖 Economic impact of globalization, liberalization, and privatization.
🔖 Recent trends in India’s GDP growth, inflation, and unemployment rates.
🔖 Trade and foreign investment policies.
Bio-diversity:
🔖 Conservation of bio-diversity in India and globally.
🔖 Importance of biodiversity in maintaining ecological balance.
🔖 India’s bio-diversity: Flora, fauna, and ecosystems.
🔖 National parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves in India.
🔖 Endangered species and conservation programs.
🔖 Impact of human activities on biodiversity (deforestation, pollution, poaching, etc.).
🔖 Threats to biodiversity: Climate change, habitat destruction, etc.
🔖 International treaties on biodiversity: Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), etc.
🔖 Biodiversity management in India: Policies and institutions.
Environment:
🔖 Environmental pollution and degradation: Causes, effects, and measures to control pollution.
🔖 Climate change and its global impact.
🔖 Climate change in the context of India: Challenges, policies, and global cooperation.
🔖 Global warming, greenhouse gases, and their impact on the environment.
🔖 Environmental policies and initiatives in India.
🔖 The role of NGOs and civil society in environmental conservation.
🔖 Environmental protection laws and regulations in India.
🔖 Waste Management: Solid waste, e-waste, and plastic pollution.
🔖 Water management: Scarcity, conservation, and sustainable practices.
🔖 Soil conservation and management.
🔖 Sustainable development goals (SDGs) and India’s efforts towards them.
Security:
🔖 Internal security challenges in India: Terrorism, insurgency, and extremism.
🔖 Cyber security: Importance, challenges, and solutions.
🔖 Border security and the role of the armed forces, paramilitary forces, and police.
🔖 Organized crime and its impact on security.
🔖 Disaster response and crisis management in India.
🔖 Legislations and security forces: Role of the police and armed forces in maintaining peace and order.
🔖 Civil-military relations and defense policies.
🔖 International security issues affecting India: Regional security, border disputes, and defense cooperation.
🔖 Counterterrorism strategies and national security measures.
Disaster Management:
🔖 Types of natural and man-made disasters: Earthquakes, floods, droughts, cyclones, landslides, etc.
🔖 Disaster preparedness and response mechanisms in India.
🔖 Disaster risk reduction strategies and sustainable development.
🔖 Role of central and state governments in disaster management.
🔖 National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMA).
🔖 Disaster management frameworks and legislation in India.
🔖 Climate-induced disasters and mitigation strategies.
🔖 Role of NGOs, community participation, and civil society in disaster relief and rehabilitation.
This paper assesses a candidate’s understanding of the economic, technological, and environmental challenges facing India, as well as its capacity for addressing security concerns and managing disasters effectively. It’s crucial for candidates to keep themselves updated with the latest developments in these areas, including government policies, international agreements, and ongoing issues.
Paper 7: General Studies IV. Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude.
Ethics and Human Interface:
🔖 Essence, determinants, and consequences of ethics in human actions.
🔖 Understanding ethics in the context of human actions, the nature of ethical behavior, and its impact.
🔖 Exploration of various dimensions of ethics including moral, legal, and professional ethics.
🔖 Ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions.
🔖 Analysis of ethical challenges in public administration, business, and other sectors.
🔖 Ethical issues in international relations and funding.
🔖 Ethical issues related to global governance, aid, and international partnerships.
🔖 Principles and practices of ethical governance within corporate structures, accountability, transparency, etc.
Attitude: Content, Structure, and Function:
🔖 Content of attitude and its influence on behavior.
🔖 Understanding the concept of attitude, how it is formed, and its role in influencing behavior.
🔖 Moral and political attitudes: Influence on behavior.
🔖 The impact of moral values and political perspectives on a person’s actions and decisions.
🔖 Role of family, society, and educational institutions in the development of attitudes.
🔖 The influence of external factors like family, society, and education in shaping one’s attitudes and values.
Aptitude and Foundational Values for Civil Service:
🔖 The significance of honesty, truthfulness, and adherence to ethical principles in civil services.
🔖 The importance of being fair, objective, and neutral in the discharge of public duties.
🔖 The importance of being rational, unbiased, and objective in decision-making processes.
🔖 A focus on commitment and devotion to public service, prioritizing the public good over personal interests.
🔖 Moral courage and ability to take ethical decisions.
🔖 Standing by ethical choices even in the face of adversity or opposition.
Emotional Intelligence:
🔖 Concepts of emotional intelligence (EI): Self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills.
🔖 An understanding of EI components and their relevance in managing personal and professional relationships.
🔖 Emotional intelligence in decision-making and leadership.
🔖 How emotional intelligence impacts the process of leadership, conflict resolution, and decision-making.
🔖 EI and its application in governance.
🔖 The role of emotional intelligence in effective governance, maintaining harmonious relations, and ethical decision-making.
Contributions of Moral Thinkers and Philosophers:
🔖 Ethical theories and thinkers.
🔖 Exploration of moral philosophers (e.g., Socrates, Plato, Kant, Aristotle, Mahatma Gandhi) and their contributions to ethics.
🔖 Application of their ethical principles in governance and public service.
🔖 How the moral and ethical ideas of these thinkers can be applied in real-world governance and public life.
Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration:
🔖 Status and associated problems of public/civil service values.
🔖 Examining the ethical challenges and dilemmas faced by civil servants in upholding values like transparency, accountability, and justice.
🔖 Ethical concerns in the administration of public services.
🔖 Issues related to corruption, accountability, and ethical conduct in government functioning.
🔖 Role of civil servants in promoting ethical governance.
🔖 Civil servants’ responsibility in upholding high ethical standards in their conduct and decisions.
🔖 Challenges of ethical governance: Accountability, transparency, probity, etc.
🔖 Understanding the obstacles faced in creating and maintaining ethical governance, including systemic issues and external pressures.
Probity in Governance:
🔖 Concept of probity and its role in ethical governance.
🔖 Probity refers to the integrity and honesty required in public life and governance.
🔖 Probity in decision-making.
🔖 Maintaining ethical standards while making decisions in public administration and governance.
🔖 Transparency and accountability in public life.
🔖 The importance of openness, honesty, and accountability in governance to build trust in public institutions.
🔖 Integrity in administrative procedures and policies.
🔖 Ensuring fairness, transparency, and adherence to ethical standards in administrative operations.
Case Studies:
🔖 Application of ethical concepts.
🔖 In-depth analysis of real-life situations and ethical dilemmas faced by individuals or public institutions.
🔖 Ethical decision-making frameworks.
🔖 Practical application of ethical reasoning and principles to arrive at just and moral decisions.
🔖 Handling ethical challenges in public life.
🔖 Case studies that focus on challenges like corruption, moral dilemmas, conflicts of interest, and the application of values like integrity and fairness.
🔖 Solutions based on ethical reasoning.
🔖 Demonstrating how ethical theories and approaches can be applied to resolve practical issues in public administration and governance.
This paper evaluates a candidate’s understanding of ethics and integrity, as well as their ability to apply ethical reasoning in decision-making, especially in the context of public administration. The focus is on building a strong ethical foundation for civil servants, understanding emotional intelligence, and dealing with real-world ethical dilemmas.
Paper 8 : Optional Subject Paper 1
🔖 Candidates choose one subject from a list of optional subjects and are tested on their understanding of the chosen subject.
🔖 The optional subjects offered by UPSC include a wide variety of fields such as anthropology, sociology, geography, history, political science, law, and more.
Paper 9 : Optional Subject Paper 2
🔖 This is the continuation of the same optional subject chosen in Paper 8.
🔖 It further tests the depth of the candidate’s knowledge and understanding of the subject.