UPSC Syllabus 2024, Download IAS Prelims & Mains Syllabus PDF

UPSC Syllabus

The UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) Syllabus consists of two compulsory papers, each carrying 200 marks, namely General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II. These papers comprise multiple-choice, objective-type questions. It’s important to note that the marks obtained in the preliminary examination will not be considered for the final ranking; their purpose is to qualify candidates for the main examination.

UPSC Syllabus 2024

The UPSC releases the Syllabus every year, along with the UPSC Notification for the upcoming exam, such as the UPSC Notification 2024 PDF which will be made available soon for the UPSC Exam 2024. The UPSC Syllabus serves as a comprehensive document that outlines the coverage areas and topics for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE).

Candidates preparing for the UPSC CSE should refer to the official syllabus released by the UPSC to better understand the subjects, areas of focus, and specific topics they need to prepare for the examination. Familiarity with the syllabus is essential for effective and targeted preparation to succeed in this highly competitive examination.

UPSC Notification 2023

UPSC Syllabus PDF

The official UPSC Syllabus PDF will be released on the official website upsc.gov.in. Familiarity with the UPSC IAS syllabus is crucial for success in the civil service exams. All successful IAS exam toppers have one thing in common: they take the syllabus seriously. The UPSC IAS examination syllabus varies at different stages. The UPSC examines various qualities and aspects of the candidates to select the right candidates from the large pool of applicants for the prestigious services

UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern

The UPSC CSE Prelims is divided into two papers: General Studies I and CSAT. The CSAT paper is of a qualifying nature, meaning you need to secure the minimum passing marks to move on to the next stage. However, your score in the General Studies Paper I will be crucial as it determines whether you qualify for the UPSC Mains.

UPSC Prelims Syllabus

The UPSC Prelims Syllabus consists of two compulsory papers, General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II, each carrying 200 marks. These papers include multiple-choice, objective-type questions. However, the marks obtained in the prelims will not be considered for the final ranking. Their purpose is to qualify candidates for the main exam.

UPSC Syllabus General Studies 1(GS-I)

The General Studies 1 of the UPSC Prelims Syllabus covers various important subjects such as History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment and Ecology, Science and Technology, General Science, and Current Affairs-based events. The UPSC has categorized the syllabus for the General Studies Prelims Paper 1 into specific broad categories.

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

UPSC CSAT Syllabus For Prelims(GS-II)

General Studies 2 of the UPSC CSE is commonly known as the CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) Paper. It became a mandatory qualifying paper for all candidates starting in 2011. This paper is a crucial part of the UPSC CSE Prelims exam and aims to evaluate the candidate’s aptitude, analytical skills, and reasoning ability. To pass this paper, every candidate must obtain at least 33% of the total marks (66 marks out of 200).

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

UPSC Syllabus for Mains

The UPSC Mains Syllabus comprises nine papers, but only seven of them are considered for the final merit ranking. For the remaining two papers, candidates must secure the minimum marks specified by the UPSC each year to be eligible for the final ranking.

In the UPSC Civil Service Exam, a candidate’s rank is determined solely by the marks obtained in the Main Exam and the Interview. The Main Exam carries a total of 1750 marks, while the Interview holds 275 marks.

UPSC Mains Essay Syllabus

The UPSC Essay Paper is divided into two sections, each containing four topics. For each essay written, candidates can earn a score out of 125, with a total of 250 marks available for both sections combined.

In the UPSC Civil Service Exam, candidates will be required to write essays on a variety of topics. The essays should be concise and directly address the given topic. Candidates should also organize their thoughts effectively. The essay paper offers an opportunity for candidates to score well and boost their overall rank with careful preparation.

UPSC General Studies Mains Syllabus

Once candidates clear the UPSC prelims, they become eligible to appear for the mains examination. These four papers cover a wide range of topics, including History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, Science, and Current Affairs, among others. It is essential for candidates to thoroughly prepare for these papers to improve their chances of success in the UPSC CSE.

To gain a better understanding of the General Studies paper for the mains, refer to the table below.

UPSC Syllabus For Mains General Studies I

The UPSC General Studies Paper I Syllabus deals with important subjects such as History, Heritage, Geography, and the Culture of the World and Society. This paper is designed to assess candidates’ knowledge and understanding of these diverse topics.

• Indian Culture: It covers the salient features of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient times to modern times.
• Modern Indian History: It includes the significant events, personalities, and issues from the middle of the 18th century until the present.
• In The Freedom Struggle, Various stages and important contributors and contributions from different parts of the country.
• Consolidation and Reorganisation of the country after independence.
• Events from the 18th century will be included in the history of the world, such as the industrial revolution, world wars, redrawing of national borders, colonisation, and decolonization, as well as political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism, and others—their manifestations and social effects.
• Important characteristics of Indian society and India’s diversity.
• The role of women and the organisation of women, population and related issues, poverty and developmental challenges, urbanisation, related issues, and solutions.
• The social effects of globalisation in India.
• Communalism, Regionalism, Secularism, and Social Empowerment.
  Important physical geography characteristics of the world.
• Distribution of major natural resources worldwide (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent); determinants of where primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries are located globally (including India).
• Critical geographic features and their location-changes in flora and fauna, as well as in water bodies and ice caps and the impact of such changes.
• Important geophysical phenomena include earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic activity, cyclones, etc.

UPSC Syllabus For Mains General Studies II

The UPSC Mains Syllabus for General Studies II Paper includes essential subjects like Polity, Governance, Constitution, Social Justice, and Interrelations. This paper is designed to evaluate candidates’ understanding of these significant topics.

Governance, Polity, Constitution, Social Justice and International Relations:

• The basic structures, features, modifications, major provisions, and historical context of the Indian Constitution.
• Functions and duties of the Union and the States, problems and difficulties with the federal system, and obstacles with the devolution of authority and resources to local levels.
• Power separation between multiple organs, conflict resolution procedures, and institutions.
• Comparing the Indian constitutional design to other countries’ systems
  Structure, administration, business practises, powers, and privileges of the Parliament and State Legislatures, as well as challenges resulting from these.
• Governmental Ministries and Departments; Pressure Group organisations and formal/informal associations; and their purpose in the Polity.
• Structure, organisation, and operation of the Executive and the Judiciary.
  The Representation of People’s Act’s key characteristics.
• Appointment to several constitutional Bodies, as well as their respective duties and responsibilities.
• Statutory, regulatory, and various quasi-judicial agencies; Government interventions for development in many sectors; Problems resulting from the planning and execution of these interventions.
• The role of NGOs, SHGs, diverse groups and associations, funders, charities, institutional, and other stakeholders in development processes and the development industry.
• Welfare programmes put in place by the federal government and individual states for the population’s most vulnerable groups, as well as the effectiveness of these programmes; institutions, laws, and other organisations created to safeguard and improve the lives of these vulnerable groups.
• Issues pertaining to the growth and administration of the social sector and services in the fields of health, education, and human resources.
• Hunger and poverty-related issues.
• Transparency and accountability are crucial components of governance, as are e-governance applications, models, accomplishments, limitations, and possibilities; citizens’ charters, transparency & accountability, and institutional and other measurements.
• The function of the civil service in a democracy
• India’s relationship with its neighbours.
• Groupings and agreements at the bilateral, regional, and international levels involving or impacting India and/or its interests.
• Effect of developed and developing countries’ policies and politics on India’s interests and the Indian diaspora.
• Important international organisations, agencies, and forums: their makeup and objectives.

UPSC Syllabus For Mains General Studies III

The UPSC Mains General Studies III Syllabus covers a wide range of subjects, including Science, Technology, Economics, Defense, Disaster Management, and Nature. In the Science and Technology segment, candidates are expected to have knowledge of recent advancements, innovations, and their impact on society.

Economic Development, Technology, Environment, Bio-diversity, Security and Disaster Management:

• Indian Economy, including planning, resource mobilisation, growth, development, and employment difficulties.
• Inclusive growth and the problems it raises.
  Budgeting of Government.
• Major crops, patterns of cropping in various regions of the nation, various types of irrigation and irrigation systems, challenges with storage, transport, and marketing of agricultural products, and related limitations; the use of e-technology by farmers.
• Concerns about buffer stocks and food security, direct and indirect farm subsidies, and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System goals, operations, and shortcomings; Technology missions; and the economics of animal husbandry.
• Food processing and related sectors in India: their size and importance, where they are, what is needed in the upstream and downstream, and supply chain management.
• Indian land reforms.
• The economic implications of liberalisation, changes to industrial policy, and how these affect the expansion of the industrial sector.
• Infrastructure includes things like ports, roads, airports, and railroads.
  Models for investments.
• Science and technology breakthroughs, as well as how they are used and impact daily life.
• Scientific and technological advances made by Indians; indigenization of technology; and the creation of new technology.
• Awareness of issues relating to intellectual property rights as well as IT, space, computers, robotics, nanotechnology, and biotechnology.
• Environmental impact assessment, pollution and degradation of the environment, and conservation.
• Disasters and disaster management; Relationships between extremism’s growth and dissemination.
• The contribution of non-state and state actors from outside to the problems with domestic security.
• Threats to internal security posed by communication networks, the media’s and social media’s role in such threats, the fundamentals of cyber security, and money laundering and its prevention.
• Security issues and how to manage them in border regions – connections between organised crime and terrorism.
• The function of various security agencies and organisations.

UPSC Syllabus For Mains General Studies IV

The UPSC Mains Syllabus For GS Paper 4 includes topics Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude paper in UPSC Mains aims to evaluate the candidate’s values, ethical standards, and problem-solving abilities in various situations. It focuses on assessing how candidates handle integrity and probity in public life and deal with challenges and disputes in society. The paper often uses a case study approach to test these elements comprehensively.

• Ethics and Human Interaction: The purpose, factors, and outcomes of ethical behaviour in people; the dimensions of ethics; and the application of ethics in both personal and professional settings. The importance of family community and educational institutions in instilling values may be seen in the study of human values, which draws lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers, and administrators.
• Moral and political attitudes, social influence, and persuasion are all aspects of attitude that include its content, structure, and function as well as its relationship to cognition and behaviour.
• Civil service aptitude and core principles, including honesty, objectivity, and non-partisanship; dedication to public service; empathy; tolerance; and compassion for the weaker groups.
• Emotional intelligence concepts, as well as their benefits and use in governance and administration.
• Contributions from moral philosophers and thinkers in India and around the world.
• Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration: Status and Issues; Ethical Issues in International Relations and Funding; Corporate Governance; Laws, Rules, Regulations, and Conscience as Sources of Ethical Guidance. Accountability and Ethical Governance.
• Probity in governance includes the idea of public service, the philosophical underpinnings of governance and probity, information sharing and transparency in government, the right to information, codes of ethics and conduct, citizen’s charters, workplace culture, the effectiveness of service delivery, the use of public resources, and challenges posed by corruption.
• Case Studies on the aforementioned concerns.

UPSC Mains Syllabus For Qualifying Papers

The aim of these papers is to assess a candidate’s ability to read and understand serious discursive prose and to express ideas clearly and precisely in both Indian and English languages. However, the marks obtained in these papers will not be considered for ranking. These papers are of a qualifying nature, meaning candidates need to secure a minimum of 25% marks in each paper to pass.

UPSC Syllabus For Indian Language

The UPSC Mains Indian Language Paper covers various important topics, including:

1. Comprehension of given passages.
2. Precis Writing.
3. Usage and Vocabulary.
4. Short Essays.
5. Translation from English to the Indian Language and vice-versa.

Candidates have the option to choose any of the Indian Languages listed in the provided table for this paper. The paper assesses their language skills, comprehension, and ability to express ideas effectively in the chosen Indian language.

UPSC Syllabus for English Language

The UPSC Mains English Paper serves as a qualifying paper that includes the following main components:

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

Candidates must clear this paper to meet the qualifying criteria. It assesses their language comprehension, writing skills, and vocabulary usage in English. However, the marks obtained in this paper do not contribute to the final ranking; its purpose is to ensure candidates have a satisfactory command of the English language.

Also Check: SSC MTS Result 2023

UPSC Syllabus Optional Subjects List

UPSC Syllabus Optional Subjects List: In the UPSC Syllabus, Papers 6 and 7 consist of optional subject papers, and these are compulsory for candidates. These papers offer an opportunity for candidates to score well, as they usually cover subjects that align with their graduation or areas of interest.

Each optional subject has its own detailed syllabus, which candidates should carefully review before making their selection. Several factors, like the subject’s syllabus, available resources for preparation, and the time required for studying, should be considered when choosing the best optional subject for the UPSC Mains exam.

UPSC Syllabus for Interview

The UPSC Interview, also known as the Personality Test, is the final stage of the examination. Unlike the earlier stages, there is no specific syllabus for the interview. The questions asked cover a wide range of issues.

Candidates who pass the UPSC Mains Exam will be called for the Personality Test or interview, conducted by a board appointed by the UPSC. The main objective of this interview is to assess the candidate’s suitability for a career in civil services, and it is conducted by a group of unbiased observers.

The interview is more like a purposeful conversation designed to explore the candidate’s mental qualities and analytical abilities. It is not a standard question-answer session but a chance to understand the candidate’s overall personality.

The Interview test carries 275 marks, while the total marks for the written examination are 1750, making the Grand Total of 2025 Marks. This total determines the final merit list.

Candidates should note that the UPSC Syllabus for 2023 remains the same as that of 2022 and 2021; there are no changes in the syllabus.

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