UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is one of the world's most competitive examinations, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission to recruit officers to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and 24 other Central Services. The three-stage exam (Prelims → Mains → Interview) tests a broad range of academic and analytical skills.

UPSC CSE

Official 2025 syllabus extracted from https://upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/Notif-CSP-2025-Engl-220125.pdf

Preliminary: Paper-I (General Studies)

Current events of national and international importance

History of India and Indian National Movement

Indian and World Geography: Physical, Social and Economic Geography of India and the World

Indian Polity and Governance: Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues

Economic and Social Development: Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives

General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change (no specialization required)

General Science

General Studies

Preliminary: Paper-II (CSAT)

Comprehension

Interpersonal skills including communication skills

Logical reasoning and analytical ability

Decision making and problem solving

General mental ability

Basic numeracy (numbers and relations, orders of magnitude) — Class X level

Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency) — Class X level

Civil Services Aptitude Test

Main: Qualifying Papers (Indian Language and English)

Comprehension of given passages

Precis writing

Usage and vocabulary

Short essays

Translation from English to Indian Language and vice versa (Indian Language paper only)

Qualifying Papers

Main: Paper-I (Essay)

Essays on multiple topics

Orderly arrangement of ideas

Concise expression

Effective and exact expression

Essay

Main: Paper-II (GS-I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society)

Salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times

Indian Heritage and Culture

Modern Indian history from mid-eighteenth century to present: significant events, personalities, issues

Freedom Struggle: various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country

Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country

Modern Indian History and Freedom Struggle

Events from 18th century: industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries

Colonization and decolonization

Political philosophies: communism, capitalism, socialism — forms and effects on society

World History

Salient features of Indian society

Diversity of India

Role of women and women's organizations

Population and associated issues

Poverty and developmental issues

Urbanization, problems and remedies

Effects of globalization on Indian society

Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism and secularism

Indian Society

Salient features of world's physical geography

Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and Indian sub-continent)

Factors responsible for location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries

Important geophysical phenomena: earthquakes, tsunami, volcanic activity, cyclone

Geographical features and their location

Changes in critical geographical features, flora and fauna and effects of such changes

Geography

Main: Paper-III (GS-II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations)

Indian Constitution: historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions, basic structure

Functions and responsibilities of Union and States

Federal structure: devolution of powers and finances up to local levels

Separation of powers between organs

Dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions

Comparison of Indian constitutional scheme with other countries

Parliament and State legislatures: structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers and privileges

Executive and Judiciary: structure, organization and functioning

Pressure groups and formal/informal associations

Representation of People's Act

Indian Constitution and Polity

Appointment to Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities

Statutory, regulatory and quasi-judicial bodies

Constitutional and Statutory Bodies

Government policies and interventions for development

Development processes and the development industry: role of NGOs, SHGs, donors, charities, institutional stakeholders

Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections

Social Sector/Services: Health, Education, Human Resources

Issues relating to poverty and hunger

Governance, transparency, accountability

e-governance applications, models, successes, limitations

Citizens charters, RTI

Role of civil services in a democracy

Governance and Welfare

India and its neighborhood relations

Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India

Effect of developed and developing countries' policies on India's interests

Indian diaspora

Important International institutions, agencies and fora: structure, mandate

International Relations

Main: Paper-IV (GS-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management)

Issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment

Inclusive growth and issues arising from it

Government budgeting

Effects of liberalization on the economy

Changes in industrial policy and effects on industrial growth

Infrastructure: energy, ports, roads, airports, railways

Investment models

Indian Economy

Major crops and cropping patterns

Irrigation types and systems

Storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce

e-technology in aid of farmers

Direct and indirect farm subsidies and MSP

Public Distribution System: objectives, functioning, revamping

Buffer stocks and food security

Technology missions

Economics of animal rearing

Food processing and related industries: scope, significance, location, supply chain

Land reforms in India

Agriculture

Developments and applications in everyday life

Achievements of Indians in science and technology

Indigenization of technology

IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nano-technology, Bio-technology

Intellectual Property Rights issues

Science and Technology

Conservation

Environmental pollution and degradation

Environmental impact assessment

Disaster and disaster management

Environment and Disaster Management

Linkages between development and spread of extremism

Role of external state and non-state actors in internal security challenges

Communication networks and media in internal security

Basics of cyber security

Money-laundering and prevention

Security challenges in border areas

Organized crime and terrorism

Various security forces and agencies and their mandate

Internal Security

Main: Paper-V (GS-IV: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude)

Essence, determinants and consequences of ethics in human actions

Dimensions of ethics

Ethics in private and public relationships

Human values: lessons from great leaders, reformers and administrators

Role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values

Ethics and Human Interface

Attitude: content, structure, function

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, compassion

Emotional intelligence: concepts, utilities and application in administration

Attitude, Aptitude and Emotional Intelligence

Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world

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

Ethical issues in international relations and funding

Corporate governance

Public Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration

Concept of public service

Philosophical basis of governance and probity

Information sharing and transparency

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

Probity in Governance

Main: Paper-VI and Paper-VII (Optional Subject Papers)

Candidates choose one optional subject from the prescribed list

Scope: honours degree level (above bachelors, below masters)

Engineering, Medical Science and Law optionals correspond to bachelors degree level

UPSC CSE Syllabus 2025, 2026 and more: Subjects, Topics, and What to Study