UPSC Syllabus 2025 contains the topics to be studied for Prelims and Mains exams. Download the UPSC Syllabus PDF from the direct link here to boost your IAS preparation journey.
theIAShub | 17 Oct, 2025 | 21470 | 0 |
UPSC Syllabus 2026, 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.
For the 2026 exam, the syllabus for General Studies (GS) in both Prelims and Mains stages remains unchanged from recent years, emphasizing a broad understanding of current affairs, history, polity, economy, and more. This structure tests candidates’ analytical skills and knowledge depth. The information is drawn from official and reliable sources.
The Civil Services Examination comprises two successive stages:
(i) Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination (Objective Type) for the selection of candidates for Civil Services (Main) Examination; and
(ii) Civil Services (Main) Examination (Written and Interview/Personality Test) for the selection of candidates for the various Services and posts.
Also Read: UPSC Exam Syllabus 2026
The UPSC Syllabus 2026 is designed to evaluate candidates’ knowledge, analytical skills, and problem-solving abilities. The examination process is divided into three stages:
Also Read: UPSC Exam Pattern
The Examination shall comprise of two compulsory Papers of 200 marks each.
(i) Both the question papers will be of the objective type (multiple choice questions) and each will be of two hours duration.
(ii) The General Studies Paper-II of the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination will be a qualifying paper with minimum qualifying marks fixed at 33%.
(iii) The question papers will be set both in Hindi and English.
The UPSC Syllabus 2026 for 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 | UPSC Syllabus 2026 | Maximum Marks | Duration |
| UPSC Syllabus 2026 General Studies Paper-I | National and International current events, History, Geography, Indian Polity, Environment | 200 | 2 hours |
| UPSC Syllabus 2026 General Studies Paper-II (CSAT) | Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, Analytical Ability, Decision Making, Basic Numeracy | 200 | 2 hours |
Also Read: UPSC Syllabus 2026 Prelims
The main examination is intended to assess the overall intellectual traits and depth of understanding of candidates rather than merely the range of their information and memory.
The Civil Services (Main) Examination will consist of a Written Examination and an Interview/Personality Test. The Written Examination will consist of 9 papers of conventional essay type in the subjects, out of which two papers will be of qualifying in nature. Marks obtained for all the compulsory papers (Paper-I to Paper-VII) and Marks obtained in Interview/Personality Test will be counted for ranking.
You need to score only 25% marks in the exam. Failure to do so will lead to disqualification from the process.
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
| Paper-A | Indian Language (Eighth Schedule) | 300 |
| Paper-B | English | 300 |
The UPSC Syllabus 2026 for these papers test your language skills in both English and an Indian language. The content includes:
| Paper | UPSC Syllabus 2026 |
| English Language |
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| Indian Languages |
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There are 7 papers in total with each being worth 250 marks:
| 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 |
This UPSC Syllabus 2026 for paper covers a wide range of topics related to India’s history, culture, and geography. The key topics include:
| Topic | UPSC Syllabus 2026 |
| 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. |
The UPSC Syllabus 2026 for paper deals with governance, the Indian Constitution, and social justice. Topics include:
| Topic | UPSC Syllabus 2026 |
| 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. |
The UPSC Syllabus 2026 for this paper focuses on technology, economic development, and environmental issues. The key areas are:
| Topic | UPSC Syllabus 2026 |
| 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. |
The UPSC Syllabus 2026 for paper tests your ethical understanding and ability to deal with public issues. The topics include:
| Topic | UPSC Syllabus 2026 |
| 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. |
Also Read: UPSC Syllabus 2026 Sociology optional syllabus
Candidates appearing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) can choose one optional subject from a wide range of subjects. The UPSC syllabus 2026 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.
The List of Optional Subjects and UPSC Syllabus 2026 for CSE provides candidates with 48 subject choices, ranging from literature of various languages to core disciplines like history, sociology, and public administration. Understanding the UPSC syllabus 2026 helps aspirants align preparation with exam requirements.
| Subject | UPSC Syllabus 2026 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. |
Also Read: UPSC Syllabus 2026 Geography optional Syllabus
Candidates may also choose literature as their optional subject. The languages available include: Following is the list of Optional Syllabus and their UPSC Syllabus 2026 brief description:
| Language | UPSC Syllabus 2026 Description |
| Assamese | Literature and grammar of Assamese language and its cultural background. |
| Bengali | Covers prose, poetry, and literary traditions of Bengali. |
| Bodo | Focus on grammar, folk traditions, and Bodo literature. |
| Dogri | Includes classical Dogri texts and modern literary works. |
| Gujarati | Gujarati prose, poetry, and historical evolution. |
| Hindi | Covers Hindi literature, grammar, and essay-based analysis. |
| Kannada | Emphasis on classical and modern Kannada literature. |
| Kashmiri | Literature, poetry, and cultural roots of Kashmiri. |
| Konkani | Prose, poetry, and regional literary developments. |
| Maithili | Classical Maithili texts, poetry, and grammar. |
| Malayalam | Modern, medieval, and folk traditions in Malayalam. |
| Manipuri | Literature, culture, and historical evolution of Manipuri. |
| Marathi | Classical, medieval, and modern Marathi literature. |
| Nepali | Poetry, grammar, and Nepali prose traditions. |
| Odia | Classical Odia literature and modern literary works. |
| Punjabi | Punjabi prose, poetry, and literary movements. |
| Sanskrit | Classical texts, philosophy, and ancient traditions. |
| Santhali | Santhali folk literature, oral traditions, and grammar. |
| Sindhi | Literature in Devanagari and Arabic script traditions. |
| Tamil | Classical Sangam texts and modern Tamil literature. |
| Telugu | Classical texts, folk culture, and modern Telugu literature. |
| Urdu | Poetry, prose, and cultural traditions of Urdu. |
| English | English literature, grammar, and critical analysis. |
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Choosing the right optional subject is crucial as it plays a significant role in the overall UPSC CSE preparation and final result.
You can download the UPSC Syllabus 2026 PDF from the official website upsc.gov.in under the “Examinations” section.
The UPSC Syllabus 2026 for Mains includes nine papers covering Essay, General Studies Papers I–IV, and optional subjects.
As per the UPSC notification, the UPSC Syllabus 2026 remains the same as 2025, with no major changes in structure or subjects.
Understanding the UPSC Syllabus 2026 helps aspirants focus on relevant topics, avoid unnecessary study, and plan their preparation effectively.
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