The UPSC exam pattern for the Preliminary stage consists of two papers, conducted on one day. Both the papers comprise objective type questions with multiple choice of answers. The prelims examination is a qualifying stage to filter candidates for the mains exam. The marks secured at this stage are not counted towards the final merit list, though candidates have to prepare well for this exam as cut-offs are unpredictable and depend on the average score every year. The details of UPSC prelims pattern is given below:

The UPSC exam pattern for the Mains stage consists of 9 papers conducted over 5-7 days. Only those candidates who secure at least the declared cut off in General Studies I and 33% in General Studies II in Prelims will be allowed to appear for the Mains Examination. 

As per the exam pattern of UPSC Mains, all of the papers consist of descriptive answer type questions. It is an exhaustive phase and the total marks in UPSC mains can directly affect your final scores. Thus, the UPSC exam marks for the mains phase are extremely valuable as it acts as a key factor in merit declaration. The details of UPSC syllabus with marks are given below

Note : –

• The UPSC Mains Exam Pattern consists of a total of 9 papers:

Compulsory Indian Language Paper 

English Paper

Essay Paper

General Studies Papers (GS1, GS2, GS3 & GS4)

Optional Papers

As per the UPSC Mains exam pattern, all the papers in the mains stage will be of descriptive type.

• The time duration for each paper is 3 hours. Extra 30 minutes will be given to the blind candidates.
• The total marks scored in the mains exam will be counted in the final merit list.
• The language papers (Mains Paper A & Paper B) are qualifying in nature.
• Paper A is not compulsory for candidates from the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim as well as candidates with hearing impairment. However, they have to provide confirmation about the exemption of such 2nd or 3rd language courses from their concerned university or board.
• Candidates can choose any one optional subject from the list of 48 optional subjects provided by UPSC.

Download subject-wise UPSC Mains Syllabus to streamline your preparation for UPSC Mains.

• Agriculture
• Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science
• Anthropology
• Botany
• Chemistry
• Civil Engineering
• Commerce and Accountancy
• Economics
• Electrical Engineering
• Geography
• Geology
• History
• Law
• Management
• Mathematics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Medical Science
• Philosophy
• Physics
• Political Science and International Relations
• Psychology
• Public Administration
• Sociology
• Statistics
• Zoology

Paper 1- (200 marks) Duration: Two hours

• 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. etc.
• Economic and Social Development-Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
• General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change that do not require subject specialization.General Science.

Paper II-(200 marks) Duration: Two hours

• 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);

Note 1: Paper-II of the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examina- tion will be a qualifying paper with minimum qualify- ing marks fixed at 33%.

Note 2: The questions will be of multiple choice, objective typ

Note 3: It is mandatory for the candidate to appear in both the Papers of Civil Services (Prelim) Examination for the purpose of evaluation. Therefore a candidate will be disqualified in case he/she does not appear in both the papers of Civil Services (Prelim) Examination.

The Main Examination is intended to assess the overall intellectual traits and depth of understanding of candidates rather than merely the range of their information and memory.

The nature and standard of questions in the General Studies papers (Paper II to Paper V) will be such that a well-educated person will be able to answer them without any specialized study. The questions will test a candidate’s general awareness of a variety of subjects, which will have relevance for a career in Civil Services. The questions are likely to test the candidate’s basic understanding of all relevant issues, ability to analyze, and take a view on conflicting socio-economic goals, objectives, and demands. The candidates must give relevant, meaningful, and succinct answers.

The scope of the syllabus for optional subject papers (Paper VI and Paper VII) for the examination is broadly of the honors degree level, i.e., a level higher than the bachelor’s degree and lower than the master’s degree. In the case of Engineering, Medical Science, and Law, the level corresponds to the bachelor’s degree.

Qualifying Papers on Indian Languages and English

The aim of the paper is to test the candidate’s ability to read and understand serious discursive prose and to express his ideas clearly and correctly, in English and Indian language concerned.

The pattern of questions would be broadly as follows:

• Comprehension of given passages.
• Precis Writing.
• Usage and Vocabulary.
• Short Essays.

Indian Languages:

• Comprehension of given passages.
• Precis Writing.
• Usage and Vocabulary.
• Short Essays.
• Translation from English to the Indian Language and vice-versa.

Note 1: The papers on Indian Languages and English will be of Matriculation or equivalent standard and will be of qualifying nature only. The marks obtained in these papers will not be counted for ranking.

Note 2: The candidates will have to answer the English and Indian Languages papers in English and the respective Indian language (except where translation is involved).

Essay:

Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics. They will be expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay, to arrange their ideas in orderly fashion, and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.

General Studies-I:

Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society

Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature, and Architecture from ancient to modern times.

• Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present—significant events, personalities, issues.
• The Freedom Struggle—its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
• Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
• History of the world will include events from the 18th century, such as the industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, and political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism, etc.—their forms and effects on society.
• Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
• Role of women and women’s organizations, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization—their problems and their remedies.
• Effects of globalization on Indian society.
• Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism, and secularism.
• Salient features of the world’s physical geography.
• Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India).
• Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic activity, cyclones, etc., and geographical features and their location—changes in critical geographical features (including water bodies and ice caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.

General Studies-II:

Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations

Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions, and basic structure.

• Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues, and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels, and challenges therein.
• Separation of powers between various organs, dispute redressal mechanisms, and institutions.
• Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
• Parliament and State legislatures—structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges, and issues arising out of these.
• Structure, organization, and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary—Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity.
• Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
• Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions, and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
• Statutory, regulatory, and various quasi-judicial bodies.
• Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
• Development processes and the development industry—the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutions, and other stakeholders.
• Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions, and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
• Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, and Human Resources.
• Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
• Important aspects of governance, transparency, and accountability; e-governance—applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens' charters, transparency & accountability, and institutional and other measures.
• Role of civil services in a democracy.

General Studies-III:

Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management

• Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
• Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
• Government Budgeting.
• Major crops-cropping patterns in various parts of the country; different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers.
• Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.
• Food processing and related industries in India—scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
• Land reforms in India.
• Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
• Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
• Investment models.
• Science and Technology—developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
• Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
• Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
• Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
• Disaster and disaster management.
• Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
• Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
• Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention.
• Security challenges and their management in border areas - linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
• Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.

General Studies-IV:

Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

This paper will include questions to test the candidates’ attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and his problem-solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him in dealing with society. Questions may utilise the case study approach to determine these aspects. The following broad areas will be covered:

• Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in-human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships.
• Human Values - lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
• Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
• Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service: integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker-sections.
• Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance.
• Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
• Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.
• Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.
• Case Studies on above issues.

The UPSC Civil Services Interview, also known as the Personality Test, is the final stage of the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE). It carries 275 marks, and the final merit list is prepared based on the total score from the Mains exam (1750 marks) + Interview (275 marks).

• Purpose of the UPSC Interview

The interview is conducted to evaluate:Personality traits like confidence, communication skills, and decision-making abilitiesSuitability for administrative services (IAS, IPS, IFS, etc.)Logical thinking, leadership qualities, and problem-solving skills General awareness, balanced opinions, and ethical values

• The Interview Panel

A 5-member board appointed by UPSC

Headed by a chairperson (UPSC member)

Other members are experts from different fields

Duration: 30-40 minutes

• Interview Format

The interview is more of a personality assessment than a knowledge test. Questions are asked from:Detailed Application Form (DAF) – Your background, education, hobbies, work experience, etc.Current Affairs & General Awareness – National & international issuesSituational & Ethical Dilemmas – Hypothetical situations to test your decision-making skillsService Preference – Questions related to IAS, IPS, IFS, etc.State & Home Town – Questions related to your native place, language, and cultur

• Common Topics in the Interview

Questions from DAF (Your bio-data, education, hobbies, achievements)Current Affairs & Government Policies (Recent events, economy, governance)Optional Subject & Graduation BackgroundSituation-Based & Ethics QuestionsState-Specific Questions (Hometown, local issues, traditions)Personality & Behavioral Questions (Strengths, weaknesses, leadership skills)

• Important Tips for the UPSC Interview

Thoroughly review your DAF (Your answers should align with your profile)Stay updated with current affairs (Last 6 months)Maintain a balanced and positive approach (Avoid extreme opinions)Be confident but not overconfident (Speak clearly and logically) Honesty and humility are key (If you don’t know an answer, admit it)Prepare well for your hobbies & optional subject

• How Are Marks Awarded in the Interview?

The interview is subjective, and marks are based on:

Clarity of thought & logical reasoning

Confidence & communication skills

Decision-making ability

Overall personality & attitude

The board may award very high or very low marks, so preparation is crucial.

• Final Merit List

Mains (1750 marks) + Interview (275 marks) = 2025 marks

The final ranking is based on the total score

A strong interview performance can significantly improve your rank