UPSC Syllabus 2026 PDF, IAS Syllabus for Prelims & Mains Exam

The syllabus for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) plays a crucial role in guiding aspirants toward effective preparation. The UPSC syllabus outlines the specific topics that candidates need to cover. It acts as a roadmap, ensuring aspirants stay focused on relevant subjects. Here below is the UPSC CSE Syllabus 2025 for the Aspirants because without a well-defined syllabus, candidates might waste time studying unrelated topics. UPSC Syllabus 2025 covers a wide range of subjects, including history, geography, polity, economy, science, and current affairs. IAS Syllabus is important because with a clear syllabus, candidates can allocate time effectively to different subjects. Remember that understanding the UPSC Syllabus 2025 thoroughly is essential.

Download UPSC Syllabus 2025 PDF

UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2026

The UPSC prelims syllabus 2026 is the foundation for the next examination stages of the civil services. The UPSC prelims syllabus covers a variety of subjects, including history, geography, Indian polity, economy, environment, current affairs, and general science, along with aptitude skills tested through the CSAT paper. Understanding the IAS prelims syllabus before preparation helps aspirants prepare effectively, consider relevant topics and decide how much time to dedicate to each subject. Let’s take a look at the UPSC Prelims syllabus subject wise in detail-

UPSC Prelims GS Paper 1 Syllabus (General Studies)

Current Events of National & International Importance: Recent government schemes, major national issues, India’s relations with other countries and important international happenings.
History of India and Indian National Movement: Ancient, medieval, and modern Indian history, along with the freedom struggle and the role of important leaders in the Indian national movement.
Indian & World Geography: Physical geography (earth, climate, and natural resources). Indian geography (agriculture, industries, population) and world geography (maps, resources, human geography).
Indian Polity and Governance: The Indian constitution, parliament, state legislatures, public policies, panchayati raj and issues related to the rights of people.
Indian Economy and Development: Economic growth, poverty, inclusiveness, economic trends, budgeting, planning processes, and sustainable development.
Environment, Ecology & Biodiversity: Climate change, pollution, wildlife, environmental conservation, and major international environmental reforms.
Science & Technology: Recent advancements in biotechnology, information technology, space, defence, and other important scientific concepts.

UPSC Prelims CSAT Syllabus

Comprehension Skills: Reading passages and writing answers accordingly.
Interpersonal Skills: Decision making, conflict resolution, communication-based questions.
Logical Reasoning & Analytical Ability: Statements, assumptions, coding, decoding questions, puzzles.
Decision Making & Problem-Solving: Real life situation-based questions.
General Mental Ability: Logical puzzles and basic intelligence questions.
Basic Numericals: Numbers, ratios, averages, percentages, graphs, charts and tabular data analysis.

Why Understanding the UPSC Prelims Syllabus is Crucial?

Understanding the UPSC Prelims syllabus is important because it acts as your strategic roadmap, helping finalize topics, preventing crucial effort by defining what to study, identifying candidate’s strengths and weaknesses, and aligning your upsc prelims preparation with the exam's demands for knowledge, analytical skills, and aptitude. It reduces anxiety, builds confidence, and guides resource selection, making your vast preparation focused and efficient.
The UPSC prelims syllabus PDF holds immense significance for aspirants preparing for the civil services examination. Let’s delve into why understanding the UPSC Syllabus 2026 is crucial:

1. Guidance and Focus

Understanding the UPSC civil services prelims syllabus offers clear guidance and focus, helping aspirants study strategically, avoid irrelevant topics, and allocate time effectively. The syllabus acts as a roadmap, providing a clear direction for aspirants. It outlines the specific topics to be covered, ensuring focused preparation.

2. Comprehensive Coverage

Knowing the UPSC cse prelims syllabus enables comprehensive coverage, ensuring aspirants study essential areas thoroughly without missing crucial topics at scale. The upsc prelims detailed syllabus encompasses various subjects, including history, geography, polity, economy, science, and current affairs. Aspirants gain a holistic understanding of diverse disciplines.

3. Effective Time Management

Understanding the upsc cse prelims syllabus helps aspirants manage time effectively by prioritizing important topics, planning study schedules, and avoiding unnecessary effort waste. With a well-defined IAS syllabus, candidates can allocate time efficiently to different subjects. Proper time management is essential due to the vast UPSC exam syllabus.

4. Strategic Approach

Understanding the upsc prelims syllabus pdf enables a strategic approach, helping aspirants plan efficiently, link concepts, and optimize their overall preparation. The prelims syllabus of upsc helps aspirants prioritize topics based on their weightage and relevance. Candidates can strategize their study plan accordingly.

5. Avoiding Irrelevant Topics

Knowing the prelims syllabus of upsc helps aspirants avoid irrelevant topics and stay focused on essential exam areas. The upsc prelims syllabus prevents aspirants from wasting time on unrelated or out-dated material. It ensures focused and relevant preparation.

6. Clarity on Exam Structure

It provides clear insight into the exam structure, helping aspirants grasp question patterns, subject weightage, and preparation priorities effectively. The upsc cse prelims syllabus clarifies the exam pattern, including the number of papers, marks distribution, and qualifying criteria. Candidates can prepare effectively for both prelims and mains.

7. Staying Updated

The UPSC CSE Prelims syllabus keeps aspirants updated on evolving exam trends and ensures preparation stays aligned with current requirements. The upsc civil services prelims syllabus evolves over time, reflecting changes in society, technology, and governance. Aspirants must stay updated with any modifications.

In summary, understanding the UPSC Prelims syllabus is not just about knowing what to study; it’s about understanding why and how to study. Regularly revisiting the upsc civil services prelims syllabus ensures aspirants remain on track and cover all relevant topics.

UPSC Mains syllabus

The UPSC Mains syllabus is of paramount importance for aspirants preparing for the Civil Services Examination (CSE). Let’s delve into why understanding the Mains syllabus is crucial:

Comprehensive Coverage:

The Mains syllabus covers a wide range of subjects, including essay writing, general studies, and optional subjects.
It ensures that aspirants acquire an in-depth understanding of various disciplines.

Depth of Knowledge:

Unlike the Prelims, which test basic understanding, the Mains examination demands in-depth knowledge.
Aspirants must delve into critical analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of information.

Essay Writing Skills:

The essay paper assesses candidates’ articulation, coherence, and analytical abilities.
Aspirants must practice writing essays on diverse topics to excel in this section.

Optional Subjects:

The Mains syllabus allows aspirants to choose optional subjects based on their strengths and interests.
Scoring well in optional papers significantly impacts overall rankings.

Answer Writing Practice:

Mains papers require structured and well-articulated answers.
Regular practice enhances writing skills and time management.

Current Affairs Integration:

Mains questions often link current affairs with static topics.
Aspirants must stay updated and connect real-world events to their preparation.

Holistic Approach:

The Mains syllabus integrates general studies, ethics, and optional subjects.
Aspirants should prepare holistically to excel in all papers.

UPSC Mains syllabus GS-I

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, re-drawal 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 Mains syllabus GS-II

Constitution of India —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 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, Indian diaspora.
Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.

UPSC Mains syllabus GS-III

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.

UPSC Mains syllabus GS-IV

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 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, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.
Case Studies on the above issues.

In summary, the UPSC Mains syllabus is not just about memorizing facts; it’s about critical thinking, expression, and depth of understanding. Aspirants should master each topic, practice answer writing, and enroll in the best UPSC Coaching in Delhi.

List of Vajirao & Reddy IAS Institute’s UPSC Optional Subjects Syllabus

HISTORY

History constitutes a large part of the General Studies (GS) syllabi in both the Prelims and Mains examinations. Whenever you write the History as an optional subject, you are actually simultaneously preparing for the corresponding subjects in the GS. Hence, it can also reduce the time and energy needed to achieve your goal.

PSIR

The acronym PSIR can be expanded political science and international relations and it contains politics, political theory, comparative politics, international relations, and some other related topics. It is like the mix of philosophy, politics and geopolitical tendencies. Political Theory, Indian Government and Politics, Comparative Politics and India & the World courses has its own topics.

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

Public Administration has a direct link with governmental organizations, policies, and bureaucracies. Thus, as future administrators one needs to have sufficient knowledge of how the government machinery operates. This subject provides you with knowledge as to what governance entails bureaucracy and the practice of public policy.

SOCIOLOGY

Sociology has always been known to be among the best scoring optional subject for the civil services examination. The statistics reflect that, every year, many a number of students, who have chosen Sociology as their optional subject, emerge as the toppers in the UPSC CSE. In fact, some toppers have even crossing 300- mark in this subject. Therefore, if success is the target, Sociology provides a suitable ground.

ANTHROPOLOGY

Anthropology is also characterized by objective and factual questions in the UPSC exam. Unlike some of the other subjects where answers can be more in a grey area, then anthropology is more colourful subject. If you are a person who likes to work with facts, tribes, culture, marriage etc, rather than with large amounts of uncertainty, then anthropology may be a suitable optional for you.

GEOGRAPHY

Geography is a science, which brings it more in line with other academic disciplines than humanities. The candidates with the technical background such as science, medical or engineers can do well in the subject. This optional is majorly for people who like comprehending the physical environment, natural processes, and spatial orientation.

HINDI LITERATURE

Hindi Literature is generally very effective among dedicated UPSC candidates. The subject is quite clear and hence, with adequate preparation the candidates can perform well in the optional paper. As for the optional, doing well in it can make a huge difference in your final performance in the exam.