Exam Guidance

The UPSC Civil Services Examination Syllabus

The UPSC Civil Services Examination is conducted in three stages: Preliminary, Mains, and Interview. The syllabus for each stage is as follows:

UPSC Preliminary Examination Syllabus

• General Studies Paper I: This paper tests the candidate’s knowledge on current events, history, geography, Indian polity and economy, and general science.
• General Studies Paper II (CSAT): This paper tests the candidate’s aptitude and skills in areas such as comprehension, interpersonal skills, logical reasoning, analytical ability, and decision-making.

UPSC Mains Examination Syllabus

• General Studies Paper I: This paper covers topics like Indian heritage and culture, world history, Indian society, and Indian polity and governance.
• General Studies Paper II: This paper tests the candidate’s knowledge on topics like India’s economy, social justice, international relations, and environmental issues.
• General Studies Paper III: This paper covers subjects like technology, internal security, disaster management, and environmental conservation.
• General Studies Paper IV: This paper assesses the candidate’s ethical, moral, and behavioral competence through case studies and short essays.
• Optional Subject Papers: Candidates can choose one optional subject from a list of 48 subjects, and appear for two papers in that subject.

Recent Updates in the UPSC Syllabus

• In 2022, the UPSC introduced a new paper on ‘Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude’ in the Mains examination, which tests the candidate’s ethical and moral decision-making abilities.
• The UPSC has also been emphasizing the importance of current affairs and has been asking questions related to recent events and developments in the country and the world.
• For example, in the 2022 UPSC Mains examination, questions were asked about the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the COVID-19 pandemic, and India’s G20 presidency.

Conclusion
The UPSC Civil Services Examination syllabus is comprehensive and covers a wide range of subjects, testing the candidate’s knowledge, skills, and aptitude. UPSC Mains aspirants should stay updated on current affairs and continuously revise and strengthen their understanding of the core subjects covered in the syllabus.