The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is one of the most prestigious and challenging competitive exams in India. Conducted in three stages – Prelims, Mains, and Interview – the exam aims to select candidates for various prestigious posts in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and other central services. Understanding the syllabus is the first step towards cracking this exam. Let’s delve into the detailed syllabus for both the Prelims and Mains stages:

UPSC Preliminary Examination Syllabus:

The UPSC CSE Prelims consists of two papers, each carrying 200 marks. It serves as a screening test and consists of objective-type questions. The syllabus for the Prelims includes:

Paper-I: General Studies

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

Paper-II: Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT)

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

It is important to note that Paper-II is qualifying in nature (33% qualifying marks) and its score is not considered for determining the cutoff for the Prelims.

UPSC CSE Mains Examination Syllabus:

The UPSC CSE Mains is a written exam consisting of nine papers, out of which seven papers are considered for ranking purposes. The Mains syllabus includes:

Paper-A: Indian Language (Qualifying) Candidates need to choose one Indian language from the languages included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

Paper-B: English (Qualifying) Candidates need to write an essay and English comprehension and precise writing.

Paper I – Essay

This paper is designed to test the candidate’s ability to:

• write coherent and grammatically correct English
• express his/her thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively
• develop a logical argument
• present a balanced and unbiased view
• write within the prescribed time limit

Candidates are expected to write an essay on one of the following topics:

1. The challenges and opportunities of technology in shaping the future of India.
2. The role of education in fostering a just and equitable society.
3. The importance of preserving the environment for sustainable development.
4. The challenges of combating corruption and fostering good governance.
5. The challenges and opportunities of India’s demographic transition.

Paper II – General Studies 1: Indian Society

This paper is designed to test the candidate’s knowledge of:

• Indian history, culture, and heritage
• Indian society, its structure and organization
• Social issues and problems
• Social justice and human rights
• Gender equality
• Women’s empowerment
• Role of media and civil society

Paper III – General Studies 2: Governance, International Relations

This paper is designed to test the candidate’s knowledge of:

• Indian Polity and Governance
• Government and politics
• Constitution, administration, and legislation
• International relations
• India and the world
• India’s relations with countries
• India’s position in the world

Paper IV – General Studies 3: Economy and Development

This paper is designed to test the candidate’s knowledge of:

• Indian economy and its development
• National income and public finance
• Money and banking
• International trade and economic relations
• Sustainable development
• Ecology and environment
• Disaster management

Paper V – General Studies 4: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

This paper is designed to test the candidate’s:

• ability to make moral judgments
• ability to apply ethical principles to specific situations
• ability to reason logically
• ability to present arguments clearly and effectively
• ability to work with people from different backgrounds

Language Papers

In addition to the above papers, candidates have to choose one Indian language from the following:

• Assamese
• Bengali
• Bhojpuri
• Gujarati
• Hindi
• Kannada
• Kashmiri
• Konkani
• Maithili
• Malayalam
• Manipuri
• Marathi
• Mizo
• Nepali
• Odia
• Punjabi
• Sanskrit
• Santali
• Sindhi
• Tamil
• Telugu
• Urdu

Optional Papers

Candidates have to choose two optional subjects from a list of 26 subjects. The list of subjects is as follows:

• Agriculture
• Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science
• Anthropology
• Arabic
• Botany
• Chemistry
• Civil Engineering
• Commerce
• Computer Science and Informatics
• Economics
• Electrical Engineering
• English Literature
• Geography
• Geology
• History
• Law
• Management
• Mathematics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Medicine
• Philosophy
• Physics
• Political Science and International Relations
• Psychology
• Public Administration
• Sociology
• Statistics
• Zoology

The syllabus for each subject can be found on the UPSC website.

Note:

• The syllabus for the UPSC CSE Mains 2023 examination is a reflection of the government’s policies and priorities.
• The syllabus is also designed to test the candidate’s broad knowledge and understanding of various subjects.
• Candidates are advised to carefully read the syllabus and plan their preparation accordingly.

 

Preparation Strategy for UPSC CSE Mains

Master the Blueprint

Know the Landscape:

• Understand the Syllabus: Familiarize yourself with the comprehensive Mains syllabus.

Strategic Planning:

• Build a Timetable: Develop a realistic timetable for a balanced approach.

Crafting a Strong Foundation

General Studies (GS) Focus:

• Strengthen GS: Read newspapers daily, refer to standard textbooks, and practice answer writing.

Optional Subject Mastery:

• Focus on Optional: Master your optional subject with thorough understanding and regular practice.

Sharp Current Affairs Acumen

Stay Current:

• Current Affairs Mastery: Stay updated with daily newspapers and integrate current affairs into your answers.

Hone Your Writing Skills

Answer Writing Precision:

• Practice Writing: Regularly practice writing answers to previous years’ questions.

Essay Excellence:

• Mastering Essays: Develop a good understanding of various topics and practice essay writing.

Strategic Review and Reinforcement

Effective Revision:

• Revision Routine: Regularly revise and create concise notes for quick recall.

Test Yourself Regularly

Time Management Skills:

• Mock Tests: Practice time management with regular mock tests and solve previous years’ papers.

Embrace a Positive Lifestyle

Holistic Wellness:

• Stay Healthy: Maintain a healthy lifestyle with proper sleep and exercise.

Positivity Matters:

• Stay Positive: Cultivate a positive mindset for effective learning.

Seek Guidance and Learn from Mistakes

Expert Insight:

• Guidance and Feedback: Seek guidance from mentors and learn from your mistakes.

Final Preparations for the Ultimate Challenge

Mock Interviews:

• Prepare for Interview: Participate in mock interviews for better communication skills and confidence.

Adaptability is Key

Continuous Improvement:

• Learn from Mistakes: Analyze mistakes and focus on continuous improvement.