Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Syllabus 2025 encompasses a wide range of subjects designed to test candidates’ understanding, analytical abilities, and general knowledge, with a focus on national and international issues, ethics, and problem-solving. The syllabus is divided into three stages: Prelims, Mains, and the Interview (Personality Test).

Here, we provide a comprehensive breakdown of UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2025, UPSC Mains Syllabus 2025, UPSC Essay Syllabus, UPSC English Compulsory Paper Syllabus,  UPSC Language Syllabus 2025.

UPSC Syllabus 2025

The UPSC Syllabus 2025 is structured into three stages in the UPSC Civil Services Examination, which are as follows:

1. Preliminary Examination 

Prelims: Objective-type questions.

Prelims exam consists of two papers: General Studies Paper I (covering subjects like History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Science, and Current Affairs) and General Studies Paper II (commonly known as CSAT, focusing on Aptitude, Reasoning, and English comprehension).

2. Mains Examination

Mains: Descriptive answers, including essay writing and optional subjects.

Main exam includes nine papers, with a mix of compulsory and optional subjects. Key papers include Essay, General Studies (spanning topics like Indian heritage, governance, ecology, and international relations), and an optional subject paper chosen by the candidate.The paper also tests candidates’ English and regional language proficiency.

3. Personality Test 

Interview: A personality test assessing suitability for administrative roles.

Interview evaluates the candidate’s overall suitability for a career in the civil services, assessing qualities such as leadership, decision-making, and integrity.

UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2025 Subject-Wise

Prelims stage has two papers: General Studies I and Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT).

General Studies I

• History: Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Indian history.
• Geography: Indian and World Geography (physical, social, and economic).
• Polity: Indian Constitution, governance, and political system.
• Economy: Macroeconomics, sustainable development, and poverty alleviation.
• Environment: Biodiversity, climate change, and ecological issues.
• Science and Technology: General awareness of scientific developments and applications.

CSAT Syllabus 2025

CSAT focuses on testing a candidate’s aptitude, logical reasoning, decision-making, and basic numerical abilities. Key sections include:

• Comprehension: Understanding passages and drawing inferences.
• Interpersonal Skills: Communication, emotional intelligence, and social sensitivity.
• Logical Reasoning & Analytical Ability: Deductive reasoning, problem-solving, and puzzles.
• Basic Numeracy: Arithmetic, number systems, and time-related problems.
• English Language Comprehension: Grammar, vocabulary, and passage understanding.

It is important to note that CSAT is only a qualifying paper, and its marks do not count toward the final ranking of the candidate. However, you must clear this paper to be eligible for the General Studies Paper I.

General Studies I and Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT).

UPSC Mains Syllabus 2025

UPSC Mains Syllabus comprises nine papers: two qualifying and seven merit-based papers.

UPSC Mains General Studies I Syllabus

UPSC General Studies (GS) Paper 1 encompasses the Culture, History, Heritage, and Geography of India and the World. The detailed breakdown is as follows:

1. Indian Culture

• Major aspects of Indian art forms, architecture, and literature from ancient to modern times.

2. Modern Indian History

• Prominent personalities, key events, and issues from the mid-18th century to the present.
• Stages of the Indian freedom struggle and the contributions of various individuals.
• Post-independence history, including the reorganization and consolidation of Indian states.

3. World History

• Significant global events from the 18th century onward and their societal impact.
• Topics include the Industrial Revolution, World Wars, boundary delineation, colonization, decolonization, and the evolution of political ideologies like communism and capitalism.

4. Society

• Features of Indian society, including its diversity and key aspects.
• Issues related to population, poverty, urbanization, and their possible solutions.
• The role of women and women-led organizations in Indian society.
• Themes like communalism, regionalism, secularism, social empowerment, and the effects of globalization on Indian society.

5. Geography

• Distribution and significance of natural resources globally, with a focus on South Asia and the Indian subcontinent.
• Factors influencing the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary industries worldwide, including in India.
• Causes and effects of geographical phenomena such as tsunamis, earthquakes, cyclones, and volcanic activity.
• Study of various geographical features, their locations, and changes over time (e.g., water bodies, polar ice caps) and their impact on flora and fauna.
• Key elements of physical geography.

UPSC Mains General Studies II Syllabus

UPSC Syllabus GS Paper 2 encompasses topics such as Polity, Constitution, Governance, International Relations, and Social Justice. Below is a detailed breakdown of these topics:

1. Polity and Indian Constitution

• Union and State Relations:
  • Responsibilities and functions of the Union and States.
  • Challenges and issues related to the federal structure.
  • Financial devolution and local-level empowerment, along with associated challenges.
• Separation of Powers:
  • Division of powers among various government bodies.
  • Conflict resolution and dispute redressal mechanisms through institutions.
• Key Institutions:
  • Organization, structure, and functions of the Judiciary, Legislature, and Executive.
  • State and Parliamentary legislatures.
  • Functions of government departments and ministries.
• Pressure Groups:
  • Roles and associations of formal and informal pressure groups in the polity.
• Legislation and Constitutional Posts:
  • Key provisions of the Representation of the People Act.
  • Appointment, powers, and functions of constitutional posts and bodies.
• Quasi-Judicial, Statutory, and Regulatory Bodies:
  • Roles and significance of such bodies in governance.
• Government Policies and Interventions:
  • Policies aimed at sectoral development.
  • Role of Self-Help Groups (SHGs), NGOs, institutions, and stakeholders in developmental processes.

2. Social Justice

• Welfare and Protection for Vulnerable Sections:
  • Welfare schemes by the Centre and States for vulnerable groups and the performance of these schemes.
  • Laws, mechanisms, and institutions for the protection and development of vulnerable populations.
• Social Sector Challenges:
  • Issues in the development and management of social and service sectors.
  • Problems related to hunger and poverty.

3. Governance

• Governance and E-Governance:
  • Key aspects of governance, including e-governance applications, successes, and potential.
  • Transparency, accountability, and models of governance, along with their limitations.
• Citizen Engagement:
  • Citizen charters and other initiatives to ensure public accountability.
• Role of Civil Services:
  • Significance of Civil Services in a democracy.

4. International Relations

• India and Its Neighbors:
  • Bilateral relations and regional cooperation with neighboring countries.
• Global Groupings and Agreements:
  • India’s participation in international groupings and agreements.
• Global Impact on India:
  • Effects of foreign policies and politics on Indian interests and the Indian diaspora.
• Key International Institutions:
  • Mandates, structures, and roles of prominent international organizations and agencies.

UPSC Mains General Studies III Syllabus

The GS Paper 3 syllabus for the UPSC Mains Examination covers the topics of Economic Development, Environment, Disaster Management, Security, Technology, and Biodiversity. Below is a detailed breakdown of each section:

1. Economy

• Indian economy and issues related to planning.
• Government budgeting processes and concepts.
• Inclusive growth: issues, challenges, and measures.
• Liberalization and its impact on the Indian economy (post-1991 reforms).
• Infrastructure: Development of ports, airports, roads, energy, railways, etc.
• Investment models, including Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).

2. Agriculture

• Cropping patterns across India and associated irrigation methods.
• Storage, marketing, and transportation of agricultural produce.
• Challenges in the agricultural sector and the role of e-technology.
• Animal husbandry and its economic implications.
• Food processing industries in India: significance, scope, and supply chain management.
• Issues related to subsidies (direct and indirect) and minimum support prices (MSP).
• Public Distribution System (PDS): objectives, limitations, and potential reforms.
• Food security, buffer stock management, and technological missions.
• Land reforms in India.

3. Science & Technology

• Recent advancements in science and technology and their implications.
• Indian contributions and achievements in science and technology.
• Development and innovation in indigenous technologies.
• Awareness of developments in space science, IT, robotics, biotechnology, nanotechnology, and computers.
• Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) issues and challenges.

4. Environment

• Conservation and sustainable management of natural resources.
• Environmental pollution and degradation.
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
• Disaster management: relevant acts, laws, and policies.

5. Security

• Internal security challenges, including threats from non-state and external actors.
• Development and spread of extremism.
• Challenges related to communication network security.
• Basics of cybersecurity and prevention of money laundering.
• Border security challenges and their management.
• Links between organized crime and terrorism.
• Overview of security agencies and forces in India, along with their mandates.

UPSC Mains General Studies IV Syllabus

The syllabus for General Studies (GS) Paper 4 of the IAS exam focuses on evaluating your sense of integrity, ethics, and aptitude. It includes questions designed to assess your approach, attitude, and decision-making skills in situations demanding uprightness and problem-solving capabilities. Additionally, the paper includes case studies to test practical applications.

Below is a detailed breakdown of the major topics covered in the syllabus:

1. Ethics and Human Interface

• Essence of Ethics: Understanding the determinants and consequences of ethics in human interaction.
• Dimensions of Ethics: Exploring its various facets.
• Ethics in Relationships: Role of ethics in public and private interactions.
• Human Values: Contribution of family, society, and educational institutions in nurturing ethical and moral values.

2. Attitude

• Components of Attitude: Content, structure, and characteristics.
• Influence on Thought and Behavior: Relationship between attitude, behavior, and decision-making.
• Types of Attitudes: Political and moral attitudes.
• Persuasion and Social Influence: Mechanisms and applications in ethical decision-making.

3. Aptitude for Civil Services

• Core Values: Foundational principles of civil services, including:
  • Integrity
  • Non-partisanship and impartiality
  • Objectivity
  • Dedication to public service
  • Compassion for vulnerable sections of society

4. Emotional Intelligence (EI)

• Concept: Understanding emotional intelligence and its components.
• Applications: Practical utility of EI in administration and interpersonal relationships.

5. Contributions of Thinkers and Philosophers

• Insights from Indian and global philosophers on morality and ethics.

6. Ethics in Public Administration and Civil/Public Service Values

• Challenges and Status: Ethical dilemmas in government and private institutions.
• Ethical Governance: Role of regulation, conscience, and accountability in governance.
• Key Areas:
  • Ethical concerns in funding and international relations
  • Corporate governance
  • Consolidation of moral and ethical values in administration

7. Probity in Governance

• Public Service and Governance: Philosophical foundations and concepts of probity.
• Transparency and Accountability:
  • Right to Information (RTI)
  • Ethical codes of conduct and behavior
  • Citizen charters
  • Work culture and quality of service delivery
  • Ethical utilization of public funds
• Addressing Corruption: Challenges and solutions.

UPSC Mains Language Papers Syllabus

Literature subjects, like the UPSC optional subjects, form a part of the Mains Examination. In the language papers, you will encounter the following components:

• Essay Writing

1. 1. • One essay question worth 100 marks.
      • You must choose one topic from a selection provided.

• Reading Comprehension

1. 1. • 5-6 questions, with a maximum total of 60 marks.

• Precis Writing

1. 1. • Precis writing questions worth 60 marks.
      • These answers must be written on special answer sheets with grid lines.

• Translation

1. 1. • Translation from English to the chosen Indian language and vice versa.
      • Each is worth 20 marks, totaling 40 marks.

• Language Skills

1. • Questions on grammar, synonyms, sentence correction, and basic language usage.
   • These are worth 40 marks in total.

While English is a compulsory subject in the language paper, candidates can choose their literature subject from the following 22 options:

Guidelines for Selecting Optional and Language Subjects

Choosing the right optional and language subjects for the UPSC Mains Exam requires thoughtful consideration. Here are some factors to keep in mind:

• Syllabus Analysis:

1. 1. • Review the syllabus of optional subjects carefully.
      • Evaluate its length and the overlap with General Studies subjects.

• Subject Familiarity:

1. 1. • Leverage your educational background or prior knowledge.
      • Opt for a subject that aligns with your strengths.

• Availability of Study Materials:

1. 1. • Ensure access to high-quality and reliable resources.
      • Preparing for a 500-mark optional paper requires adequate materials.

• Personal Interest:

1. • Choose a subject you are genuinely interested in, rather than one with a high success ratio.
   • Interest and comfort with the subject will reflect in the quality of your answers.

UPSC Essay Syllabus

UPSC Essay Syllabus focuses on testing a candidate’s ability to think critically and articulate ideas effectively.

• Write two essays on topics related to social, political, or philosophical issues.
• Essays are evaluated for structure, clarity, coherence, and balanced perspectives.

UPSC English Compulsory Paper Syllabus

UPSC English Compulsory Paper Syllabus is part of the qualifying papers and assesses:

• Comprehension passages: Understanding and interpretation.
• Precis writing: Summarizing ideas concisely.
• Short essays: Analytical writing on general topics.
• Grammar: Sentence construction, vocabulary, and usage.

How to Download UPSC Syllabus PDF

Downloading the UPSC Syllabus PDF is simple and ensures you have a handy reference:

1. Visit the official UPSC website: https://www.upsc.gov.in.
2. Navigate to the ‘Examinations’ section.
3. Click on the syllabus link under “Civil Services Examination.”
4. Download the UPSC Syllabus Mains or Prelims PDF as required.

UPSC Syllabus 2025 FAQs

Q1: What are the main components of the UPSC Syllabus 2025?
Answer: The syllabus includes Prelims (General Studies and CSAT) and Mains (nine papers) along with the Interview stage.

Q2: What topics are covered in the UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2025?
Answer: The Prelims syllabus includes History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, and Science and Technology for General Studies, and reasoning and aptitude for CSAT.

Q3: How is the UPSC Mains Syllabus different from Prelims?
Answer: The Mains syllabus focuses on descriptive answers across essay writing, general studies, and optional subjects, while Prelims is objective.

Q4: How can I download the UPSC Syllabus PDF?
Answer: Visit the official UPSC website, go to the “Examinations” section, and download the PDF for Prelims and Mains.

Q5: What does the UPSC English Compulsory Paper Syllabus include?
Answer: It includes comprehension, precise writing, essay writing, and grammar-based questions.