The UPSC full syllabus is the foundation for every aspirant preparing for the Civil Services Examination (CSE). The Union Public Service Commission conducts the exam in three stages – Prelims, Mains, and Interview. Understanding the complete and updated UPSC full syllabus is crucial to crack IAS, IPS, IFS, and other central services.
Many candidates fail not due to lack of effort, but due to incomplete syllabus coverage. This article provides the complete UPSC full syllabus 2026, explained subject-wise, paper-wise, and stage-wise, in an easy and exam-oriented format.
UPSC Civil Services Exam Overview
| Exam Stage | Papers | Nature |
|---|---|---|
| Prelims | 2 Papers | Objective |
| Mains | 9 Papers | Descriptive |
| Interview | Personality Test | Qualifying |
The UPSC full syllabus remains almost the same every year, but current affairs weightage keeps changing, so aspirants must study dynamically.
UPSC Full Syllabus – Prelims Examination
The UPSC Prelims syllabus consists of two compulsory papers.
UPSC Prelims Paper-I (General Studies – I)
This paper tests general awareness and analytical ability.
UPSC Prelims GS-I Syllabus
| Subjects | Topics Included |
|---|---|
| History | Ancient, Medieval, Modern Indian History |
| Indian National Movement | Freedom struggle, Congress sessions, leaders |
| Geography | Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India & World |
| Polity | Constitution, Panchayati Raj, Rights, Parliament |
| Economy | GDP, Budget, Banking, Inflation, Planning |
| Environment | Ecology, Climate Change, Biodiversity |
| Science & Tech | Developments, IT, Space, Biotechnology |
| Current Affairs | National & International events |
📌 Focus Area: Modern History, Polity, Economy, and Current Affairs
UPSC Prelims Paper-II (CSAT) – Qualifying
CSAT is qualifying in nature (33% minimum).
UPSC CSAT Syllabus
| Topics | Details |
|---|---|
| Comprehension | Reading passages |
| Logical Reasoning | Analytical ability |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Class X level Maths |
| Decision Making | Problem solving |
| Data Interpretation | Charts, tables |
UPSC Full Syllabus – Mains Examination
The UPSC Mains syllabus is the most detailed and important part of the Civil Services Examination.
UPSC Mains Paper Structure
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper-A | Indian Language | 300 |
| Paper-B | English | 300 |
| Paper-I | Essay | 250 |
| GS-I | History, Geography | 250 |
| GS-II | Polity, Governance | 250 |
| GS-III | Economy, Environment | 250 |
| GS-IV | Ethics | 250 |
| Optional I | Optional Subject | 250 |
| Optional II | Optional Subject | 250 |
UPSC Mains Paper-I (Essay)
Candidates must write two essays.
Essay Topics Include
- Social issues
- Political themes
- Economic reforms
- Philosophical ideas
- Current national and global issues
📌 Evaluation Focus: Structure, coherence, examples, and clarity.
UPSC Mains GS-I Full Syllabus
Subjects Covered in GS-I
| Area | Topics |
|---|---|
| Indian History | Ancient, Medieval, Modern |
| World History | 18th century events |
| Art & Culture | Architecture, Literature |
| Geography | Physical, Human, Economic |
| Society | Women, Poverty, Globalization |
UPSC Mains GS-II Full Syllabus
This paper focuses on Polity and Governance.
GS-II Subject Table
| Section | Topics |
|---|---|
| Indian Constitution | Features, Amendments |
| Governance | Policies, Schemes |
| Social Justice | Education, Health |
| International Relations | Bilateral, Global groups |
UPSC Mains GS-III Full Syllabus
This paper tests economic and scientific understanding.
GS-III Subject-Wise Table
| Topics | Description |
|---|---|
| Indian Economy | Growth, Planning |
| Agriculture | Cropping patterns |
| Science & Tech | IT, Space, AI |
| Environment | Climate change |
| Disaster Management | Natural & Man-made |
| Security | Terrorism, Cybersecurity |
UPSC Mains GS-IV (Ethics) Full Syllabus
This paper evaluates integrity and moral values.
GS-IV Syllabus Table
| Topics | Details |
|---|---|
| Ethics | Human values |
| Attitude | Emotional intelligence |
| Aptitude | Moral reasoning |
| Case Studies | Practical situations |
UPSC Optional Subject Syllabus
Candidates must choose one optional subject.
Popular Optional Subjects
- History
- Geography
- Public Administration
- Sociology
- Political Science
- Anthropology
- Economics
- PSIR
📌 Optional subjects have two papers (Paper-I & II) of 250 marks each.
UPSC Interview (Personality Test)
The final stage is the UPSC Interview.
Interview Assessment Areas
- Mental alertness
- Critical thinking
- Ethical integrity
- Leadership quality
- Communication skills
There is no fixed syllabus, but questions are based on:
- DAF (Detailed Application Form)
- Current affairs
- Optional subject
- Personal background
UPSC Full Syllabus Preparation Strategy
Smart Preparation Tips
- Study syllabus line-by-line
- Integrate current affairs with static topics
- Make subject-wise notes
- Practice answer writing
- Revise weekly and monthly
Importance of UPSC Full Syllabus
Understanding the UPSC full syllabus helps aspirants to:
- Avoid irrelevant study
- Save preparation time
- Improve answer quality
- Score higher marks
UPSC Full Syllabus PDF Download
UPSC releases the syllabus officially along with the notification. Candidates should always rely on the official UPSC full syllabus PDF and align preparation accordingly.
Important Link
| Official Website | Click Here |
| Syllabus PDF | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Is UPSC full syllabus same every year?
Yes, the UPSC full syllabus remains mostly unchanged, but current affairs vary.
Q2. Is CSAT compulsory?
Yes, but it is qualifying in nature
Q3. How many subjects are in UPSC Mains?
There are 9 papers including optional subjects.
Q4. Is optional subject important?
Yes, optional papers carry 500 marks
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