UPSC CSE Syllabus 2026
The UPSC Civil Services Prelims has two papers — General Studies Paper I (merit) and CSAT Paper II (qualifying at 33%). The syllabus is deliberately broad; the Mains stage adds nine descriptive papers including an optional subject.
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UPSC CSE exam pattern
| Section | Questions | Duration |
|---|
| GS Paper I (100 Q · 200 marks · 2 hours) | 100 | 120 min |
| CSAT (80 Q · 200 marks · 2 hours) | 80 | 120 min |
| Total | 180 | 240 min |
Marking: 2 marks per correct answer, -0.66 per wrong answer (negative marking). Scale: 0–200.
UPSC CSE syllabus — topic-wise
GS Paper I
- Current Events of National & International Importance
- History of India & Indian National Movement
- Indian & World Geography (Physical, Social, Economic)
- Indian Polity & Governance (Constitution, Panchayati Raj, Rights)
- Economic & Social Development (Sustainable Development, Poverty, Demographics)
- Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity & Climate Change
- General Science
CSAT Paper II (Qualifying)
- Comprehension
- Interpersonal Skills & Communication
- Logical Reasoning & Analytical Ability
- Decision-Making & Problem-Solving
- General Mental Ability
- Basic Numeracy & Data Interpretation (Class X level)
Mains (overview)
- Essay
- GS-I: Heritage, History, Geography & Society
- GS-II: Governance, Constitution, Polity & International Relations
- GS-III: Economy, Environment, Security & Technology
- GS-IV: Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude
- Optional Subject (Paper I & II)
- Qualifying Language Papers
How to cover the UPSC CSE syllabus
UPSC Civil Services is a three-stage marathon (Prelims → Mains → Interview) run over nearly a year, and the syllabus is deliberately open-ended. The candidates who clear it are rarely the ones who read the most — they are the ones who revise a limited set of sources many times and can write coherent answers under time pressure.
✅ Preparation tips
- Build a daily current-affairs habit from one newspaper plus a monthly compilation — link static topics to what is in the news.
- Start Mains answer-writing early, in parallel with Prelims prep; it is a skill that only improves with reps.
- Do not ignore CSAT — every year candidates with strong GS fail Prelims because they treated the qualifying paper as an afterthought.
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Endlessly collecting new books and resources instead of revising a fixed, limited set until it is second nature.
- Postponing answer writing until "after the syllabus is done" — the syllabus is never done.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UPSC CSE syllabus?
The UPSC CSE syllabus covers GS Paper I, CSAT Paper II (Qualifying), Mains (overview). The UPSC Civil Services Prelims has two papers — General Studies Paper I (merit) and CSAT Paper II (qualifying at 33%). The syllabus is deliberately broad; the Mains stage adds nine descriptive papers including an optional subject.
What is the UPSC CSE exam pattern?
UPSC Civil Services Prelims has 180 questions across 2 sections in 240 minutes, with negative marking of -0.66 per wrong answer.
How many sections are there in UPSC CSE?
UPSC CSE is organised into 2 sections: GS Paper I (100 Q · 200 marks · 2 hours), CSAT (80 Q · 200 marks · 2 hours).
Where can I practise the full UPSC CSE syllabus for free?
Wrexa Edge offers 10 free full-length UPSC CSE mock tests that cover the entire syllabus in the real exam interface, with instant scoring and topic-wise analysis.
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