UPSC Prelims 2025 Syllabus, GS and CSAT Syllabus

Understanding the syllabus and exam pattern is essential for effective preparation for any exam. Here’s a simplified overview of the UPSC Prelims 2025 syllabus covering both papers- General Studies and CSAT.

UPSC Prelim 2025 Syllabus

UPSC Prelims 2025 syllabus covers a wide range of topics across two papers: General Studies Paper-I and CSAT Paper-II. Paper-I focuses on areas such as current events, Indian history, geography, polity, economics, environmental issues, and general science. Paper-II tests candidates’ aptitude, including logical reasoning, comprehension, and basic numeracy. The CSAT paper is qualifying, requiring candidates to score a minimum of 33% to proceed to the next stage of the examination.

UPSC Prelims 2025 Exam Pattern 

UPSC Prelims exam is the first stage of the Civil Services Examination, designed to select candidates for the Mains. Paper-I, known as the General Studies exam, assesses candidates’ understanding of current affairs, history, geography, polity, economics, and science. Paper-II, the CSAT, is a qualifying exam that tests aptitude, including reasoning, comprehension, and basic numeracy. To proceed to the next stage, candidates must secure at least 33% in Paper-II, while the performance in Paper-I determines eligibility for the Mains exam.

Key points to note for the Prelims Exam Pattern:

• The type of questions in both the papers are of objective type.
• The exam is conducted in both Hindi and English language.
• The total weightage of both the papers is 400 marks as set in the official notifications.
• ⅓ negative marking is done for each wrong answer. 
• The qualifying marks for the GS paper I is decided by the commission. 
• Qualifying marks are 33% in the CSAT examination.

UPSC IAS Prelims Syllabus 2025

UPSC Prelims Syllabus basically encompasses several key topics designed to evaluate candidates and their skills. There are two mandatory exams in UPSC prelims; the General Study exam and CSAT exam. Paper I contains intensified topics from key areas like Indian history, General Issues, Economic and social development, numeric and much more. General study exam also consists of current affairs and economy topics. 

CSAT syllabus contains comprehension, topics on decision making skills, communication skills, and logical abilities among others. Candidates should understand the syllabus in an ideal way so as to align their preparation accordingly.  Each year the syllabus of both papers stays the same. But in case of any changes expected, will be updated on the official website. 

UPSC Prelims GS Paper I Syllabus

General Study Paper I is the first exam of UPSC CSE prelims. There are many subjects and topics covered under the GS Paper I. The syllabus breakdown of several topics help candidates to plan their preparation strategy in the right way. These topics include;

• Current national and international events and their importance.
• Topics on Indian history and Indian National Movement.
• Indian Geography and World Geography by including topics such as Physical and Social Geography.
• Environmental Ecology related issues.
• Topics on Indian policy and governance
• Topics on Environment 
• General Science related topics.

UPSC CSE Prelims History Syllabus 

UPSC Civil Service Exam on history covers all key topics on Indian History and Indian National Movement. There are several important topics that are covered under this category for the preliminary exams.

Topics on Ancient History

• Prehistoric Indian Culture
• Topic on Indus Valley Civilization 
• History of Aryans 
• Topics on Buddhism
• Topics on administration and rise of Maurya destiny 
•  Post Mauryan destiny period
• Topics on Gupta Age

Topics on Medieval History

• Topic on early medieval period 
• Period of slave dynasty, Delhi sultanate, Tughlaq dynasty and Lodhi dynasty.
• Provincial kingdom topics 
• The establishment, administration and decline of Mughal empires
• The establishment, administration and decline of Marathas 
• Topics on the rise of South Indian Kingdom 

Topics on Modern History 

• The penetration of European into India and other important events 
• All about the British policies and the impact they made on the revenue system
• Major revolt against the Britishers including the Revolt of 1857 
• Socio-religious reforms and movements 
• Important movements related to the Britishers history
• Independence and Indian Partition 

UPSC Prelims Syllabus for Geography 

The Geography topics in the UPSC CSE Prelims syllabus comprises Physical and Economic Geography of India. Candidates can check all Geography related topics for the exam.

Topics on General Geography

• Universe 
• Biogeography 
• Earth 
• Vegetation Resources 
• Soil characteristics
• Geomorphic process 
• Earth’s interior 
• Earthquakes and volcanic events 
• Landforms across the World 
• Submarine features 
• Waves and Oceans 
• Marine resources 

Topics on Climatography

• Atmosphere 
• Temperature inversion 
• Air mass, Cyclones, Fronts and Jet Streams
• Wind and pressure belts 

Topics on Human and Economic Geography

• Huma development 
• Demography and Census 
• Economic Activities 
• International Trade 
• Transport and Communication 
• Settlement 

Topics on Indian Geography

• Indian Physiography 
• Climate 
• Drainage System
• Soils in India 
• Population 
• Natural Vegetation 
• Mineral Resources 
• Productivity of crops 
• Transport 
• Industry 
• Agriculture and its basic terminology 
• Recent developments in transport 

Topics on World Geography

• Continents and countries 
• Location news 
• Geographical terms 

Topics on Biodiversity

• Biodiversity basics 
• Animal and plant biodiversity 
• Estuaries 
• Coral reefs 
• Mangroves 
• Environmental Pollution
• Wetlands 
• Environmental Governance 

UPSC Prelims Syllabus for Polity 

UPSC Prelims Syllabus for polity mentions the broad range of topics on Indian politics, constitution, governance and other key topics. 

Topics on Indian Constitution

• Historical background 
• Drafting committee of the constitution 
• Features of the constitution 
• Citizenship bold
• Fundamental Rights 
• Basic Structure Doctrine

Topics on Government Structure

• President 
• Council of Ministers 
• Composition and Functions of Parliament 
• Local Government 
• State Legislature and its composition topics 
• Union Territories 

Topics on Judiciary

• Supreme Court and its power 
• High court and its power
• Subordinate Courts 
• Judicial Activism 
• Judicial review 

Topics on Federal Structure

• Federalism and its relations 
• Inter-state relations 
• Constitutional bodies like Election Commission and UPSC 
• Non-constitutional Bodies 

Topics on Political Dynamics

• About political parties on National and Regional level
• Election reforms 
• Anti-defection laws
• Representation of People’s Act 
• Pressure group 
• Media and public opinion 

Topics on Governance

• E-governance 
• Good governance topics 
• Public policies 
• Institutions for the welfare SC/ST, women and vulnerable section of the society
• Social justice issues on vulnerable section 

UPSC Prelims Syllabus for Economy 

The UPSC prelim exam syllabus for the economy covers topics like Economic development, social development , Inclusion, Poverty, Demographics among others. 

Basic concepts on Economy

• Microeconomics concepts 
• Macroeconomics concepts 
• Inflation 
• National income and ways to calculate it 
• Economic development and the overall growth

Basic concepts on Banking

• Money functions
• Concepts related to banking 
• Banking structure of India 
• Financial market and its concepts 

Topics related to Public Finances and its methods in India

• All about budgeting 
• Fiscal policy 
• Financial issues 
• Tax structure of India 

Basic concepts related to Planning

• Meaning and importance of Planning 
• Basics and history 
• Planning Institutions 
• Niti Yoga 
• Five year plans of India 

Basic Concepts related to Open Economy

• Concepts on Foreign Trade 
• All about International Organizations 
• Recent Development 
• Trade Agreements 

Topics on Economic Sector such as

• Poverty 
• Unemployment and its key concepts 
• Government programs and the related schemes 

UPSC Prelims Syllabus for General Science 

Several General Science topics are also covered under paper I of UPSC prelims syllabus. These topics include broader areas on Science and Technology.

• IT and communication 
• Space 
• Defense 
• Material 
• Nuclear Technology 
• Nanotechnology and Robotics 
• Biotechnology 
• Intellectual Property Rights 

UPSC Prelims Syllabus for Art and Science 

Some of the vital topics related to Art and Technology are also included in the paper I of UPSC prelims. It is a wise idea to study all the important topics mentioned below:

Topics on Art and Culture:

• Architecture
• Paintings
• Sculptures
• Numismatics
• Pottery traditions
• Religions and Literature
• National and religious festivals

UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2025:

UPSC Prelims CSAT Syllabus

UPSC Prelims CSAT (Paper-II) is designed to assess candidates’ aptitude and reasoning skills. There are 80 objective-type questions in the CSAT exam. It’s a qualifying paper, and candidates need to score a minimum of 33% to qualify. CSAT Paper covers a variety of topics including comprehension, logical reasoning, basic numeracy, and data interpretation.

Below is a table summarizing the key topics included in the CSAT syllabus for 2025:

Topics You Should Prepare For UPSC CSE Prelims 

Preparing for crucial subjects for UPSC CSE prelims plays a key role in enhancing your success points to clear this round. These topics encompass all key areas required for Paper I and Paper II of UPSC CSE. Aspirants can easily search for all vital topics by having a look at the UPSC syllabus and previous year question. This gives a clear idea of all the important topics that you should prepare. 

• Current Affairs: Current affairs are crucial to prepare for the prelim and main exam. The number of questions related to current affairs have been enhanced in UPSC exams.
• Polity: topics on politics including fundamental rights, fundamental duties, constitutional bodies are most probably asked in UPSC prelims.
• Environment and Ecology topics like important environmental related issues, greenhouse gases, pollution, air quality etc are being asked in the prelims exam.
• Geography: Important topics on Indian and World Geography should be prepared by candidates as geography questions are more likely to appear in the UPSC exams.
• Science and Technology: There are so many important topics on Science and Technology like Gravitational waves, Metaverse, AI, Net Neutrality, ISRO topics, Nanotechnology, Coronavirus among others. You can prepare these topics for your UPSC exams.
• History and Art: History topics like Indus Valley Civilization, Mauryan Empire, The Charter Act, Swadeshi Movements are the topics that are being asked in the UPSC exams. 

UPSC Prelims Syllabus FAQ 

Q1. Is there negative marking in the UPSC prelims exam?

Ans. Yes there is the negative marking of ⅓ for wrong answers in the papers of UPSC CSE Prelims. 

Q2. From where can I download the UPSC Prelims syllabus to prepare for UPSC 2025 Prelims?

Ans. In order to download the syllabus of UPSC CSE prelims, you need to visit the official website.

Q3. Which paper is the qualifying paper in the UPSC Prelims?

Ans. CSAT Paper II is a qualifying paper. You need to score at least 33% to secure high marks in these exams.

Q4. Is one year’s current topics enough to study for UPSC prelims?

Ans. Yes, you should study extensively on one year’s current topics to prepare hard for the UPSC prelims.

Q5. Is it necessary to study all subjects for UPSC Prelims?

Ans. Yes, it is essential to cover all subjects listed in the syllabus for UPSC Prelims, including current affairs, history, geography, polity, economics, and general science, to ensure comprehensive preparation.