UPSC Mains Syllabus PDF 2026, Check Paper-Wise Mains Syllabus

UPSC Mains Syllabus is an important component of the Civil Services Examination 2026, meticulously designed to test a candidate’s intellectual depth, writing skills, and comprehensive understanding of a wide range of subjects. Unlike the Preliminary stage, which is objective in nature, the Mains examination is subjective and analytical, requiring candidates to write elaborate answers within a stipulated time.

Understanding what is UPSC Mains Syllabus and preparing accordingly is essential for every serious aspirant aiming to succeed in one of the most prestigious competitive exams in India. Interested candidates read on to get a detailed and structured overview of the UPSC Mains Syllabus 2026, including its paper-wise breakup, qualifying criteria, and topic-wise coverage.

What is UPSC Mains Exam?

The UPSC Mains refers to the second stage of the Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission. It comprises nine papers, including two qualifying papers and seven papers that are counted for merit. These papers are aimed at evaluating a candidate’s academic capabilities, coherence of thought, critical thinking, and ability to express ideas effectively. The UPSC Mains Syllabus 2026 is structured as follows:

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Structure of UPSC Mains Examination

The UPSC Mains Examination consists of nine papers, out of which seven papers are counted for merit and two are qualifying in nature. These nine papers are:

Qualifying Papers

1. Paper A – Indian Language: 300 marks
   
2. Paper B – English: 300 marks

These papers must be cleared with a minimum of 25% marks. Failure to do so results in disqualification, irrespective of performance in merit papers.

Papers Counted for Merit

1. Paper I – Essay: 250 marks
   
2. Paper II – General Studies I: 250 marks
   
3. Paper III – General Studies II: 250 marks
   
4. Paper IV – General Studies III: 250 marks
   
5. Paper V – General Studies IV: 250 marks
   
6. Paper VI – Optional Subject Paper I: 250 marks
   
7. Paper VII – Optional Subject Paper II: 250 marks
   

Each paper in the UPSC Mains Syllabus requires a comprehensive understanding and focused preparation. To ensure holistic coverage, many aspirants rely on upsc syllabus paper-wise preparation strategies.

UPSC Mains Syllabus PDF Download 2026

The UPSC Mains Syllabus PDF 2026 will be released soon by the Union Public Service Commission on its official website. Candidates preparing for the Civil Services Examination 2026 will be able to access the complete syllabus covering General Studies papers, Essay paper, Optional subjects, and Language papers in a consolidated format.

Once available, downloading the UPSC Mains Syllabus PDF will help aspirants plan structured preparation and understand the scope of each subject clearly. Candidates are advised to rely only on the official UPSC syllabus PDF to ensure accuracy and effective study planning.

For the convenience of aspirants, we have provided a direct link below. The link will become active once the syllabus is officially released. Candidates can use it to easily access the syllabus PDF

UPSC Syllabus for Compulsory Language Paper

The UPSC syllabus for the compulsory language paper includes:

• Paper A (Indian Language): Candidates must select one language from the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. It tests comprehension, precise writing, and translation skills.
  • Comprehension of given passages
  • Precise Writing
  • Usage and Vocabulary
  • Short Essays
  • Translation from English to the Indian Language and vice versa
• Paper B (English): Evaluates proficiency in reading and writing serious discursive prose, similar to the Indian language paper.
  • Comprehension of given passages
  • Precise Writing
  • Usage and Vocabulary
  • Short Essays

Languages in the Eighth Schedule include Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam, Gujarati, and more. Here is the list of all 22 languages mentioned in the Eighth Schedule:

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UPSC Syllabus Essay Paper

The UPSC Syllabus Essay requires writing two essays, one from each section provided in the question paper. These essays evaluate the candidate’s ability to structure arguments, present viewpoints, and write clearly. Topics may include:

• Social and political issues
• Environmental concerns
• Philosophical reflections

This paper significantly contributes to the final score and is a necessary area of focus in the UPSC Mains Syllabus.

UPSC Syllabus for General Studies

The UPSC Mains Syllabus for General Studies comprises four distinct papers (GS Paper I to GS Paper IV), each tailored to assess a candidate’s depth of knowledge, analytical thinking, and awareness of societal issues. 

These papers cover a broad spectrum of disciplines, from history and geography to ethics and governance. Mastering each of these sections is critical for aspirants aiming to secure high ranks in the Civil Services Examination.

General Studies Paper I (Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society)

This paper assesses knowledge of India’s cultural legacy, modern history, societal issues, and geography.

• 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 reorganisation within the country.
• The history of the world will include events from the 18th century, such as the industrial revolution, world wars, the redrawal of national boundaries, colonisation, decolonisation, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism, etc., their forms and effects on society.
• Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
• Role of women and women’s organisations, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanisation, their problems and their remedies.
• Effects of globalisation on Indian society.
• Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
• Salient features of the 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, tsunamis, Volcanic activity, cyclones, 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.

General Studies Paper II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations)

This paper focuses on the political-administrative framework and India’s external relations.

• 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 disputes 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, organisation 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 the 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 the development and management of the Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, and 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 neighbourhood- 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, the Indian diaspora.
• Important International institutions, agencies and fora – their structure, mandate.

General Studies Paper III (Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management)

This section evaluates understanding of modern issues such as the economy, technology, and the environment.

• Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilisation 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, significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
• Land reforms in India.
• Effects of liberalisation 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; indigenisation 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, and environmental impact assessment.
• Disaster and disaster management.
• Linkages between development and the 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 organised crime with terrorism.
• Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.

General Studies Paper IV (Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude)

This paper tests moral thinking and administrative ethics.

• 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, their utilities and applications in administration and governance.
• Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and the 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, Citizens’ Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilisation of public funds, challenges of corruption.
• Case Studies on the above issues.

UPSC Mains Optional Syllabus 2026

Candidates must choose one optional subject from a list of 48 subjects for the two papers (Paper VI and VII). The UPSC Mains Optional Syllabus is designed to test specialisation and depth of knowledge in a particular field, such as:

Each optional subject has its distinct syllabus and weightage, contributing 500 marks to the total.

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Conclusion

The UPSC Mains Syllabus is vast, multidisciplinary, and intellectually demanding. It requires a methodical approach to learning, strong writing ability, and a keen understanding of both static and dynamic subjects. Whether one is tackling the UPSC syllabus for General Studies, the UPSC syllabus essay, or preparing for the UPSC syllabus for compulsory language paper, thorough preparation aligned with the syllabus framework is key to success.

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