UPSC CSE syllabus

The Civil Services Examination for IAS, IFS, IPS and other services: a two-paper objective Prelims, then Mains and a personality test. Prelims Paper II (CSAT) is qualifying.

Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination

General Studies Paper I

100 questions, 200 marks · 2 hours

2 marks for a right answer. A wrong answer takes away one-third of 2 marks. Four options. Set in Hindi and English. These marks, with the cut-off the Commission fixes, decide who is called for the Main Examination.

  • Current events of national and international importance
  • History of India and the Indian National Movement
  • Indian and world geography
  • Indian polity and governance
  • Economic and social development
  • Environment, ecology, biodiversity and climate change
  • General science

General Studies Paper II (CSAT)

80 questions, 200 marks · 2 hours

Qualifying only: 33% of 200 marks, which is 66. 2.5 marks for a right answer. A wrong answer takes away one-third of 2.5 marks. Not counted in the Prelims total. Set in Hindi and English.

  • Comprehension
  • Interpersonal skills and communication
  • Logical reasoning and analytical ability
  • Decision-making and problem solving
  • General mental ability
  • Basic numeracy (Class X level)
  • Data interpretation (Class X level)

Civil Services (Main) Examination — written papers and personality test

Paper A: Indian language (qualifying)

300 marks · 3 hours

Matriculation standard. One language from the Eighth Schedule, chosen by the candidate. Qualifying at 25% (75 marks). Not counted for merit. Not compulsory for candidates from Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim, or for the hearing-impairment exemption in the notice.

  • Comprehension
  • Precis
  • Usage and vocabulary
  • Short essays
  • Translation

Paper B: English (qualifying)

300 marks · 3 hours

Matriculation standard. Qualifying at 25% (75 marks). Not counted for merit. Answered in English.

  • Comprehension
  • Precis
  • Usage and vocabulary
  • Short essays

Paper I: Essay

250 marks · 3 hours

Counts for merit. May be written in English or in a language of the Eighth Schedule.

  • Essays

Paper II: General Studies I

250 marks · 3 hours

Counts for merit.

  • Indian heritage and culture
  • History and geography of the world and society

Paper III: General Studies II

250 marks · 3 hours

Counts for merit.

  • Governance
  • Constitution
  • Polity
  • Social justice
  • International relations

Paper IV: General Studies III

250 marks · 3 hours

Counts for merit.

  • Technology
  • Economic development
  • Biodiversity
  • Environment
  • Security
  • Disaster management

Paper V: General Studies IV

250 marks · 3 hours

Counts for merit.

  • Ethics, integrity and aptitude
  • Case studies

Paper VI: Optional subject, Paper 1

250 marks · 3 hours

Counts for merit. Honours-degree level, or bachelor's level for engineering, medical science and law.

  • One optional subject chosen from the list in the notice

Paper VII: Optional subject, Paper 2

250 marks · 3 hours

Counts for merit.

  • The same optional subject

Personality test

275 marks · A board interview, not a written paper

Counts for merit. The notice fixes no minimum qualifying mark for the interview. About twice the number of vacancies are called.

  • A conversation on matters of general interest, to judge suitability for public service