UPSC Syllabus 2025, IAS Prelims And Mains Syllabus PDF

Get the UPSC Syllabus 2025 for IAS Prelims and Mains exams. Download the detailed syllabus PDF to understand the subjects and topics for preparation.

UPSC Syllabus 2025: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) organizes a well-known exam to select candidates for Group A and B government jobs. Every year, lakhs of people prepare for the UPSC exam, but only a few are chosen. The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) has two main parts: the Prelims and the Mains, followed by an interview.

The Prelims include two required papers: General Studies Paper-I and General Studies Paper-II (CSAT). The Mains exam is more detailed, with nine papers, including one essay paper and four General Studies papers. This article explains the UPSC Syllabus 2025 in detail.

UPSC Syllabus 2025

The UPSC Syllabus is designed to evaluate candidates’ knowledge, analytical skills, and problem-solving abilities. The examination process is divided into three stages:

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

UPSC Prelims Syllabus

The UPSC Prelims exam consists of two compulsory papers:

  • General Studies Paper-I
  • General Studies Paper-II (CSAT)

These papers cover a broad range of topics, including general knowledge, current affairs, history, geography, economics, environment, science, and more. The Prelims are objective-type questions and are used to shortlist candidates for the Mains.

Paper Topic Maximum Marks Duration
General Studies Paper-I National and International current events, History, Geography, Indian Polity, Environment 200 2 hours
General Studies Paper-II (CSAT) Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, Analytical Ability, Decision Making, Basic Numeracy 200 2 hours

UPSC Mains Syllabus

The UPSC Mains exam is more detailed and has nine papers. Some papers are qualifying, while others count for merit ranking. The Mains includes papers in General Studies, Essay, Optional Subject, and Language.

Qualifying Papers:

Paper Subject Marks
Paper-A Indian Language (Eighth Schedule) 300
Paper-B English 300

Merit-Counted Papers:

Paper Subject Marks
Paper-I Essay 250
Paper-II General Studies-I (Heritage, History, Society) 250
Paper-III General Studies-II (Governance, Polity) 250
Paper-IV General Studies-III (Technology, Economics) 250
Paper-V General Studies-IV (Ethics, Integrity) 250
Paper-VI & VII Optional Subject (Papers 1 & 2) 500
  • Total Marks for Written Test: 1750
  • Personality Test: 275
  • Grand Total: 2025

Important Points to Remember for UPSC Exam

The UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) exam is one of the most challenging exams in India. Below are some key points you should keep in mind while preparing:

  1. Qualifying Papers on Languages (Paper A & Paper B):
    • The Indian Language Paper (Paper A) and the English Paper (Paper B) are only for qualifying purposes. This means the marks you get in these papers do not affect your final ranking in the exam.
    • These papers are set at the level of Matriculation (10th grade), which makes them easier compared to other papers.
    • To pass these papers, you need to score at least 25% in both the Indian Language (Paper A) and English (Paper B). If you don’t meet this minimum, your other exam papers will not be considered.
    • The marks obtained in Paper I to VII are the ones that count towards your merit ranking.
  2. Exam Format:
    • The Main exam consists of essay-type question papers, each lasting 3 hours.
    • You can answer the questions in any language listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, or in English.
    • The papers, except for the qualifying language papers, are available in both Hindi and English.
  3. Extra Time for Disabled Candidates:
    • Candidates who are blind or have disabilities affecting their writing ability (like locomotor disabilities or cerebral palsy) will be given an extra 20 minutes per hour to complete their exams. This extra time is given for both the Preliminary and Main exams.

UPSC Syllabus for Qualifying Papers

These papers test your language skills in both English and an Indian language. The content includes:

Paper Topics
English Language
  • Reading comprehension
  • Writing summaries
  • Vocabulary and usage
  • Short essays
Indian Languages
  • Reading comprehension
  • Writing summaries
  • Vocabulary and usage
  • Short essays
  • Translation (English to Indian language and vice versa)

UPSC Essay Paper:

  • The Essay paper requires candidates to write on a variety of topics.
  • It is important to stay on topic, organize your ideas clearly, and express your thoughts in a simple, direct manner.
  • The focus is on the quality of your writing, with marks awarded for clear and effective expression.

UPSC General Studies Paper 1 (GS1) Syllabus

This paper covers a wide range of topics related to India’s history, culture, and geography. The key topics include:

Topic Description
Indian Heritage and Culture Covers art, literature, and architecture from ancient to modern India.
Modern Indian History Focuses on major events and figures from the 18th century to present, including the freedom struggle.
Freedom Struggle The stages of India’s independence movement, highlighting key contributors.
World History Discusses global events like industrial revolutions, world wars, and the effects of political philosophies.
Indian Society and Diversity Topics include social issues, roles of women, urbanization, and effects of globalization on Indian society.
Geography Covers physical geography, natural resources, and geographical phenomena like earthquakes and tsunamis.

UPSC General Studies Paper 2 (GS2) Syllabus

This paper deals with governance, the Indian Constitution, and social justice. Topics include:

Topic Description
Indian Constitution Covers the history, evolution, and features of the Indian Constitution, along with its amendments.
Governance and Polity Explores the roles of Union and State governments, Parliament, and the judicial system.
Social Justice Discusses welfare schemes, development of vulnerable sections of society, and social empowerment.
International Relations Focuses on India’s relationships with other countries and international organizations.

UPSC General Studies Paper 3 (GS3) Syllabus

This paper focuses on technology, economic development, and environmental issues. The key areas are:

Topic Description
Economic Development Covers topics like economic growth, budgeting, subsidies, and food security.
Technology and Innovation Discusses advancements in science and technology and their real-life applications.
Environment and Biodiversity Focuses on pollution, conservation, and managing environmental issues.
Disaster Management Deals with handling natural disasters and security challenges.

UPSC General Studies Paper 4 (GS4) Syllabus: Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude

This paper tests your ethical understanding and ability to deal with public issues. The topics include:

Topic Description
Ethics in Human Actions Looks at ethical decisions in personal and public life and their consequences.
Attitude and Values Explores how values and emotions affect decision-making and governance.
Integrity and Public Service Focuses on maintaining integrity, transparency, and accountability in public life.
Case Studies Involves analyzing ethical dilemmas through real-world case studies.

UPSC Optional Syllabus

 

Candidates appearing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) can choose one optional subject from a wide range of subjects. The syllabus for each optional subject is divided into two compulsory papers (Paper I and Paper II). Below is a list of available subjects along with a brief description of each.

List of Optional Subjects for UPSC CSE:

Subject Description
Agriculture Focuses on agricultural science, farming techniques, and crop production.
Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Covers topics related to livestock, veterinary practices, and animal care.
Anthropology Deals with human evolution, society, culture, and anthropology.
Botany Focuses on plant biology, plant anatomy, and the study of plants.
Chemistry Involves the study of organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry.
Civil Engineering Covers structural engineering, construction materials, and civil infrastructure.
Commerce and Accountancy Focuses on financial accounting, business law, and economics in business.
Economics Deals with microeconomics, macroeconomics, economic policies, and economic growth.
Electrical Engineering Focuses on electrical circuits, power systems, and electrical machines.
Geography Covers physical geography, human geography, and environmental geography.
Geology Focuses on earth sciences, rocks, minerals, and geological processes.
History Involves the study of ancient, medieval, and modern Indian history along with world history.
Law Covers various aspects of constitutional law, criminal law, and legal principles.
Management Focuses on organizational behavior, management strategies, and business administration.
Mathematics Covers topics in algebra, calculus, geometry, and mathematical reasoning.
Mechanical Engineering Deals with thermodynamics, mechanics, and design engineering.
Medical Science Involves the study of medical topics including anatomy, surgery, and health-related subjects.
Philosophy Focuses on ethics, logic, and the works of philosophers across history.
Physics Covers classical and modern physics, including quantum mechanics, electricity, and magnetism.
Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) Deals with political theory, governance, and international diplomacy.
Psychology Focuses on the study of human behavior, mind, and psychological theories.
Public Administration Covers public policy, governance, and the functioning of government bodies.
Sociology Involves the study of society, social structures, and human behavior in social contexts.
Statistics Covers statistical methods, data analysis, and probability.
Zoology Focuses on animal biology, zoological studies, and animal physiology.

Literature Subjects:

Candidates may also choose literature as their optional subject. The languages available include:

  • Assamese
  • Bengali
  • Bodo
  • Dogri
  • Gujarati
  • Hindi
  • Kannada
  • Kashmiri
  • Konkani
  • Maithili
  • Malayalam
  • Manipuri
  • Marathi
  • Nepali
  • Odia
  • Punjabi
  • Sanskrit
  • Santhali
  • Sindhi
  • Tamil
  • Telugu
  • Urdu
  • English

UPSC Optional Paper Important Points:

  • Each subject has two papers: Paper I and Paper II are compulsory for each optional subject.
  • Choice of subject: The choice of optional subject depends on a candidate’s interest, background, and strength in the subject.

Choosing the right optional subject is crucial as it plays a significant role in the overall UPSC CSE preparation and final result.

UPSC Syllabus FAQs

Yes, the UPSC exam will be held in 2025. According to the official schedule, the UPSC Prelims exam will take place on 25th May 2025.

To start preparing for UPSC 2025, first complete relevant NCERT books and join a General Studies foundation course. Then, focus on your optional subject and stay updated with current affairs until October 2025.

Yes, it is possible to crack the UPSC in six months, although it is very challenging. The syllabus is vast, and a lot of preparation is required. However, with strong focus, discipline, and a well-planned strategy, it can be done.

UPSC has announced a total of 1056 vacancies for the UPSC 2025 exam. Out of these, 40 vacancies are reserved for candidates with benchmark disabilities (PwBD category).

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