UPSC Civil Services Examination

The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is one of the most prestigious and competitive examinations in India. It is the gateway to top civil services like the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and others. For every aspirant embarking on this journey, a clear understanding of the UPSC exam pattern is essential.

Structure of UPSC Exam

The UPSC civils exam pattern consists of three stages. Each stage evaluates different skill sets and acts as a qualifying filter for the next stage.

1. Preliminary Examination (Prelims)
2. Mains Examination
3. Personality Test (Interview)

Number of Attempts

Eligible candidates are allowed 6 attempts at the CSE. However, relaxations are provided for reserved categories:

• SC/ST: Unlimited attempts (up to age limit)
• OBC: 9 attempts
• PwBD: Additional attempts as per category

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Part A: Preliminary Examination

The UPSC preliminary exam pattern includes two objective-type multiple-choice papers, each carrying 200 marks. It is only a screening test and marks are not counted in the final merit.

Prelims Paper Structure

Paper	Subject	Marks	Duration
Paper I	General Studies (GS)	200	2 Hours
Paper II	CSAT (Aptitude)	200	2 Hours

Syllabus: Preliminary Examination

Paper I (200 marks)

• 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)

• 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).

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Part B: Main Examination

Candidates who clear Prelims proceed to the Mains, which is descriptive in nature and evaluates intellectual depth and analytical ability.

Mains Paper Structure

Paper	Subject	Marks
Paper A	Indian Language (Qualifying)	300
Paper B	English (Qualifying)	300
Papers Counted for Merit
Paper I	Essay	250
Paper II	General Studies I	250
Paper III	General Studies II	250
Paper IV	General Studies III	250
Paper V	General Studies IV (Ethics)	250
Paper VI	Optional Subject Paper I	250
Paper VII	Optional Subject Paper II	250
Total (Written)		1750
Personality Test (Interview)		275
Grand Total		2025

Syllabus: Main Examination

Qualifying Papers (Indian Languages & English)

The aim is to test the ability to read and understand serious discursive prose, and to express ideas clearly. Marks obtained in these papers will not be counted for ranking.

Pattern (English & Indian Language):

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

Paper-I: 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.

Paper-II: General Studies-I

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

• Indian culture: Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
• Modern Indian history (mid-18th century to present): Significant events, personalities, issues.
• The Freedom Struggle: Stages and contributors.
• Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
• History of the world (18th century onwards): Industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies (communism, capitalism, socialism).
• Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
• Role of women, population issues, poverty, developmental issues, and urbanization.
• Effects of globalization on Indian society.
• Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
• Salient features of world’s physical geography.
• Distribution of key natural resources; location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries.
• Important Geophysical phenomena: Earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone, etc.

Paper-III: General Studies-II

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

• Indian Constitution: Evolution, features, amendments, basic structure.
• Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States; Federal structure challenges.
• Separation of powers, dispute redressal mechanisms, and institutions.
• Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with other countries.
• Parliament and State legislatures: Structure, functioning, powers & privileges.
• Structure/organization of the Executive and Judiciary.
• Representation of People’s Act.
• Appointment to various Constitutional posts; Constitutional Bodies.
• Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
• Government policies and interventions for development.
• Role of NGOs, SHGs, donors, charities, and institutional stakeholders.
• Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections.
• Issues relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
• Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
• Governance, transparency, accountability, e-governance, and citizens charters.
• Role of civil services in a democracy.
• India and its neighborhood relations.
• Bilateral, regional and global groupings involving India.
• Important International institutions, agencies and fora.

Paper-IV: General Studies-III

Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management.

• Indian Economy: Planning, resources, growth, development and employment.
• Inclusive growth and Government Budgeting.
• Major crops, cropping patterns, irrigation systems, storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce.
• Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and MSP; PDS; Food security.
• Food processing and related industries in India.
• Land reforms in India.
• Effects of liberalization on the economy; Industrial policy changes.
• Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
• Investment models.
• Science and Technology: Developments, applications, and effects in everyday life.
• Achievements of Indians in S&T; Indigenization of technology.
• Awareness in IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology, and IPR.
• Conservation, environmental pollution, degradation, and EIA.
• Disaster and disaster management.
• Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
• Role of external state and non-state actors in internal security.
• Challenges to internal security through communication networks, media, and cyber security; money-laundering.
• Security challenges in border areas; Organized crime and terrorism.

Paper-V: General Studies-IV

Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude.

• Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants, and consequences of Ethics in human actions.
• Human Values: Lessons from great leaders, reformers, and administrators.
• Attitude: Content, structure, function; political attitudes; social influence.
• Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service (integrity, impartiality, empathy, etc.).
• Emotional intelligence in administration.
• Contributions of moral thinkers from India and the world.
• Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration.
• Probity in Governance: Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Citizen’s Charters, Corruption challenges.
• Case Studies on the above issues.

Paper-VI & VII: Optional Subjects

Candidates may choose any one optional subject from the following list (Papers I & II):