Download UPSC Syllabus 2025 PDF in English and Hindi now! The Union Public Service Commission announces the official Syllabus and Exam Pattern for the UPSC Civil Services Exam along with the official notification for the IAS Exam, which was released on 22 January, 2025. The latest UPSC Syllabus is divided into three sections – Prelims, Mains and the Interview/Personality Test round. Each with a unique syllabus designed to evaluate a candidate's knowledge, analytical skills, and overall suitability for a career in the Indian Civil Services. Understanding the detailed syllabus of UPSC Civil Services Exam is perhaps, one of the first steps for aspirants to devise a solid preparation strategy. Given the vast and complicated nature of the syllabus, several first-time aspirants are perplexed by questions like, “Where to Start UPSC Preparation?”, “What to Study First?” and “How to Cover the Entire UPSC Exam Syllabus?”

In this article, we will take you through the detailed UPSC Syllabus for Prelims, Mains & Interview one step at a time and help you take the first step in your journey of becoming an IAS Officer! Remember, the UPSC Syllabus is immense but with a combination of smart work, focus and determination, it is possible to crack your way through it and utilize it for effective UPSC Preparation!

Table of Contents

• 1. UPSC Syllabus 2025 for Civil Service Exam
• 2. UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2025
  • 2.1 UPSC Syllabus for General Studies Paper 1
  • 2.2 UPSC Syllabus for General Studies Paper 2 (CSAT)
• 3. UPSC Mains Syllabus 2025
  • 3.1 UPSC Syllabus for Qualifying Papers
  • 3.2 UPSC Syllabus 2025 For Essay
  • 3.3 IAS Syllabus for GS 1
  • 3.4 UPSC Syllabus 2025 for GS 2
  • 3.5 UPSC GS 3 Syllabus 2025
  • 3.6 IAS Syllabus 2025 for GS 4
  • 3.7 UPSC Syllabus 2025 For Optional Subjects
• 4. UPSC Syllabus for IAS Interview

What is the UPSC Syllabus?

Prelims is the 1st stage of the UPSC Exam. The UPSC IAS Syllabus for Prelims consists of two compulsory, objective-type papers – General Studies Paper-I and General Studies Paper-II (CSAT). 

• GS Paper-I [200 Marks] covers subjects like UPSC Current Affairs, history, geography, polity, economy, environment, and general science. 
• GS Paper-II or the UPSC CSAT [200 Marks] comprises questions based on three sections – English Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, Decision Making & Analytical Ability and Mathematics. 

The total marks of the Prelims are 400. While GS Paper 1 is used to shortlist candidates for the Mains, GS Paper 2 is qualifying in nature, requiring a minimum of 33% to pass.

The Mains Syllabus is more elaborate and comprehensive, comprising 09 subjective papers – 

• 02 Qualifying Language Papers (one Indian language and English)
• 01 Essay Paper
• 04 General Studies Papers – GS Paper 1, GS Paper 2, GS Paper and GS Paper 4 (covering Indian heritage and culture, governance, technology, ethics, etc.)
• 02 Optional Papers based on the optional subject chosen by the candidate

The total marks for the Mains are 1750. Candidates who clear the Mains are shortlisted for the Interview/Personality Test, which carries 275 marks. This final stage evaluates the candidate's Subject Knowledge as well as their Personality Traits, Communication Skills, and overall suitability for a career in public service. The final merit list is prepared based on the total marks obtained in the Mains and the Interview; which means that the UPSC Civil Services Exam is conducted for a total of 2025 marks. 

Download UPSC Syllabus 2025 PDF [in English]

Now that you have an overview of the UPSC Syllabus 2025, let us go through the detailed syllabus for each stage of the Civil Services Examination. 

Also check – UPSC Prelims Subject Wise Weightage for GS Paper 1 & CSAT

UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2025

The UPSC Prelims is the first stage of the Civil Services Examination, meant to shortlist candidates for the Mains exam. The includes two compulsory papers: General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II (also known as CSAT). Each paper is worth 200 marks and lasts for two hours. Both papers are objective (multiple-choice) in format and are important for moving on to the next stage. The detailed UPSC Prelims syllabus is given below.

UPSC Syllabus for General Studies Paper 1 

The General Studies Paper I of IAS Prelims syllabus covers a broad range of topics designed to test the candidate’s knowledge of important subjects related to India and the world. It carries 200 marks and the duration of the exam is 2 hours. There is no fixed qualifying mark, but your score determines whether you qualify for the Mains exam based on the overall cutoff decided by UPSC.

• Current events of National & International importance.
• History of India & Indian National Movement.
• Indian & World Geography – Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India & the World.
• Indian Polity & Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
• Economic & Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
• General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity & climate change – that do not require subject specialization.
• General Science

UPSC Syllabus for General Studies Paper 2 (CSAT)

The second paper in the UPSC Prelims is General Studies Paper 2 (CSAT), which is qualifying in nature. It consists of 80 objective-type questions, carries a total of 200 marks, and must be completed within 2 hours. Candidates are required to score a minimum of 33% (66 marks out of 200) to qualify in this paper.

• Comprehension
• Interpersonal skills including communication skills
• Logical reasoning & analytical ability
• Decision making & problem solving
• General mental ability
• Basic numeracy (numbers & their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc. – Class X level)

UPSC Mains Syllabus 2025

UPSC Mains Syllabus 2025 consists of nine papers, out of which seven are counted for merit, while two are qualifying in nature (English and an Indian Language). The exam is designed to assess a candidate’s academic knowledge, critical thinking, and ability to present well-structured arguments. The detailed UPSC IAS syllabus 2025 for Mains are explained below.

UPSC Syllabus for Qualifying Papers

Candidates who fail to secure the minimum marks set by UPSC in either of the qualifying papers will be disqualified from further evaluation. Although each paper carries 300 marks, the scores obtained in these papers are not considered for merit ranking. The UPSC Civil Services Syllabus for Qualifying papers is given below.

English Language

• Comprehension of given passages.
• Precise Writing.
• Usage and Vocabulary.
• Short Essays

Indian language 

• Comprehension of given passages.
• Precise Writing.
• Usage and Vocabulary.
• Short Essays.
• Translation from English to the Indian Language and vice-versa.

UPSC Syllabus 2025 For Essay

The UPSC Essay syllabus generally covers areas like society, politics, economy, philosophy, environment, etc. This paper carries a total of 250 marks, and candidates must write two essays in three hours, selecting topics from a given list. Candidates are expected to stick closely to the topic, organize their thoughts in a structured manner, and write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and precise expression.

IAS Syllabus for GS 1 

The UPSC Exam Syllabus 2025 for General Studies Paper-I focuses on Indian Heritage and Culture, History, and Geography of the World and Society. The UPSC Mains GS 1 syllabus broadly includes:

• Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
• Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.
• The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
• Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
• History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.— their forms and effect on the society.
• Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
• Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
• Effects of globalization on Indian society.
• Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
• Salient features of world’s physical geography.
• Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India).
• Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., geographical features and their location-changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.

UPSC Syllabus 2025 for GS 2

UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 syllabus focuses on topics related to governance, constitution, polity, social justice, and international relations. It tests a candidate’s understanding of the political and administrative systems of India and their global connections.

• Indian Constitution —historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
• Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.
• Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
• Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
• Parliament and State legislatures—structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
• Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary—Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity.
• Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
• Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
• Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
• Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
• Development processes and the development industry —the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
• Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
• Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
• Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
• Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
• Role of civil services in a democracy.
• India and its neighborhood- relations.
• Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
• Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
• Important International institutions, agencies and fora - their structure, mandate.

UPSC GS 3 Syllabus 2025

UPSC Mains GS Paper 3 syllabus deals with subjects like economy, agriculture, environment, science & technology, internal security, and disaster management. Check the UPSC CSE Syllabus for general studies 3 from below.

• Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
• Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
• Government Budgeting.
• Major crops-cropping patterns in various parts of the country, - different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers.
• Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System-objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.
• Food processing and related industries in India- scope’ and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
• Land reforms in India.
• Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
• Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
• Investment models.
• Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
• Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
• Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, Nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
• Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
• Disaster and disaster management.
• Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
• Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
• Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention.
• Security challenges and their management in border areas - linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
• Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.

IAS Syllabus 2025 for GS 4

UPSC Mains GS Paper 4 focuses on ethics, integrity, and aptitude in public life. It assesses a candidate’s moral thinking, attitude, and problem-solving approach in governance and public administration. The GS 4 syllabus of UPSC is given below.

• Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in-human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships. Human Values - lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
•  Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
• Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker-sections.
• Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance.
• Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
• Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.
• Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.
• Case Studies on above issues.

Estimate your Prelims Marks with UPSC Marks Calculator & UPSC Negative Marking Calculator.

UPSC Syllabus 2025 For Optional Subjects 

Candidates can choose one optional subject from the list of 48 subjects provided by UPSC. There are two papers for the chosen optional subject (Paper I and Paper II), each carrying 250 marks. The marks obtained in these papers are counted towards the final merit. Candidates can select their UPSC optional subject list from the table below.

UPSC Syllabus for IAS Interview 

The IAS Interview is also known as the Personality Test. Candidates who qualify the UPSC Mains Examination are called for the Interview. This is the final stage of the selection process of UPSC Civil Service Exam.

• There is no defined syllabus for this stage, and questions can be asked from a wide range of topics, including current affairs, personal background, and general awareness.
• The primary objective of the interview is to assess the candidate’s suitability for a career in the civil services.
• The Interview carries 275 marks, while the Mains written examination carries 1750 marks, making the total 2025 marks. The final merit list is prepared based on the combined score of the Mains and the Interview.

Hope you found this article on UPSC CSE Syllabus informative and helpful. Download the IAS Syllabus PDF provided in this article above and refer to it while preparing for the IAS Exam 2024. If you have any doubts, do let us know in the comment section below. Start preparing for various competitive examinations with the help of the Testbook App for free.