UPSC Exam Syllabus (IAS, IPS, IFS Exam Syllabus)

Preparing for the IAS/UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) demands consistent and focused study, often spanning over a year or more. Given the competitive nature and vast scope of the exam, a clear understanding of the UPSC syllabus is essential for effective preparation.

The UPSC syllabus acts as a well-defined guide for aspirants, detailing the subjects, themes, and areas of knowledge that candidates are expected to master. It helps in streamlining preparation, allowing aspirants to concentrate on topics that are directly relevant to the examination, thereby saving valuable time and effort that might otherwise be spent on unrelated content.

The Civil Services Examination is conducted in three successive stages:

1. Preliminary Examination (Objective type)
2. Main Examination (Written, descriptive type)
3. Personality Test (Interview)

Each stage has its own distinct syllabus, which is provided in detail in the annual UPSC Examination Notification released by the Union Public Service Commission. This official document serves as the most authentic and updated source for the syllabus and exam-related guidelines.

Since 2014, the structure and content of the syllabus have remained unchanged. The design of the syllabus reflects the UPSC’s aim to evaluate candidates not just for their academic knowledge but also for their general awareness, critical thinking, analytical ability, and balanced judgment on various national and international issues.

Thus, a thorough and strategic understanding of the syllabus is a crucial first step for any aspirant aiming to succeed in one of India’s most prestigious and challenging examinations.

Syllabus For IAS/ UPSC CSE Prelims Exam

Importance of Understanding the Prelims Syllabus

Being well-versed with the Preliminary Examination syllabus is crucial for any UPSC aspirant. Knowing the syllabus thoroughly helps you streamline your preparation, stay focused, and avoid unnecessary distractions. It acts as your guiding framework, ensuring that your time and effort are invested in the most relevant topics.

In particular, when it comes to newspaper reading, a solid understanding of the syllabus enables you to filter out irrelevant news and focus only on those articles that are important from a civil services examination perspective. In this sense, the syllabus is your Bible—you must be completely familiar with it.

Structure of the Prelims Examination

The Preliminary Stage of the Civil Services Examination consists of two papers:

1. General Studies Paper-I (GS Paper 1): This is the core paper and plays a major role in determining your selection for the Mains stage. It includes a wide-ranging syllabus, broadly categorized as follows:
   1. Current Affairs:
      1. Events of national and international importance over the past 12–18 months.
      2. Government schemes, policies, international relations, and issues in governance.
   2. History of India and Indian National Movement:
      1. From Ancient and Medieval India to Modern Indian history.
      2. Includes cultural, political, economic, and social aspects.

• Freedom struggle and important personalities and events.

1. Geography:
   1. Physical Geography of India and the world – landforms, climate, rivers, vegetation.
   2. Human Geography – population, demography, urbanisation, and settlements.

• Resources and Drainage Systems.

1. Indian Polity and Governance:
   1. The Constitution of India, governance mechanisms, and public policy.
   2. Structure and functions of the executive, legislature, and judiciary.

• Features of federalism, Panchayati Raj, and significant amendments.

1. Economic and Social Development:
   1. Basic concepts of Indian economy, growth, development, and planning.
   2. Sectors of the economy—agriculture, industry, and services.

• Poverty, inclusion, demographics, and social sector initiatives.

1. Environment and Ecology:
   1. General issues related to ecology, biodiversity, and climate change.
   2. Environmental laws, international conventions, and current environmental concerns.
2. General Science:
   1. Basic concepts from physics, chemistry, biology, and technology.
   2. Focus is on application-based understanding, especially issues in news or NCERT fundamentals.
3. Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) – General Studies Paper II
   1. This paper tests comprehension, logical reasoning, basic numeracy, and decision-making skills.
   2. Though qualifying in nature (33% marks required), CSAT has become increasingly challenging in recent years.
   3. Many aspirants take it lightly, but due to its rising difficulty level, regular practice and mock tests are essential to ensure qualification.

Success in the UPSC Prelims demands more than just hard work, it requires smart preparation based on the syllabus. With the GS Paper I demanding vast coverage and analytical understanding, and CSAT testing aptitude and logic, both papers require balanced and consistent effort. Mastering the syllabus from Day 1 will help you stay focused, avoid redundancy, and build a strong foundation for the later stages of the exam.

Syllabus For IAS/ UPSC CSE Mains Examination

Aspirants preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination should make it a priority to print the syllabus and place it somewhere clearly visible—such as your study wall or desk. Regularly seeing and revisiting the syllabus will help you internalize its structure and scope.

Thorough familiarity with the syllabus ensures that your preparation remains focused and relevant. Whether you’re reading newspapers, monthly magazines, reference books, or making notes, a deep understanding of the syllabus will act as your constant guide, helping you stay aligned with what is actually required in the exam.

While preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, it is essential to understand that not all topics in the syllabus are asked with equal weightage every year. A careful and analytical review of Previous Year Questions (PYQs) reveals that certain topics are consistently emphasized by the UPSC, while others appear less frequently.

By identifying these high-frequency themes, aspirants can prioritize their preparation, allocating more time to areas that have greater relevance in the actual exam. This strategic approach helps in managing time and effort efficiently, especially given the vastness of the syllabus and limited preparation time.

However, it is important to remember that no topic should be completely ignored. The UPSC has a reputation for being unpredictable, and even less-frequent topics can appear prominently in a given year. Hence, complete syllabus coverage is non-negotiable.

Aspirants should make it a habit to regularly refer to:

1. IAS/UPSC Mains Past Papers
2. IAS/UPSC Prelims Past Papers

These papers are easily available online and in compilation books. They serve as a valuable resource for:

1. Understanding the trend and pattern of questions
2. Improving answer-writing and elimination techniques
3. Building exam temperament and confidence

Syllabus For The UPSC Personality Test

The Personality Test, commonly known as the Interview, is the third and final stage of the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Unlike the Prelims and Mains stages, the Interview does not follow a defined syllabus. Instead, it is designed to assess the candidate’s personality traits, clarity of thought, ethical integrity, leadership skills, and ability to handle real-life situations.

Role of the Detailed Application Form (DAF)

The Interview questions are primarily based on the candidate’s Detailed Application Form (DAF), which is filled after clearing the Preliminary Examination. The DAF includes:

1. Personal details (name, place of birth, hobbies, etc.)
2. Educational qualifications (schooling, college, degrees obtained)
3. Work experience, if any
4. Optional subject chosen for Mains
5. Preferred services (e.g., IAS, IPS, IFS, etc.)
6. Cadre preferences (states for posting)

The Interview Board uses the DAF as a base to frame customized and probing questions to gauge a candidate’s depth of understanding, awareness of current affairs, and personal perspective.

How to Prepare for the Interview

1. Be thorough with every single word in your DAF. Even your hobbies or school motto can lead to questions.
2. Prepare short notes on each element of your DAF, linking them to:
   1. Current Affairs
   2. Historical background
   3. Policy issues
   4. Social and cultural aspects
3. Stay updated on national and international events, especially those relevant to your background, education, home state, and service preferences.
4. Work on your communication skills, composure, and logical reasoning.

Sample Interview Questions

Below are some examples of the diverse and unpredictable nature of Interview questions:

1. What is the toughest decision you have taken so far in your life?
2. Tell us about the economic profiling of your village.
3. You are a student of international relations. Do you think water can be a future cause of conflict? Discuss with respect to India–Pakistan, India–China, and India–Bangladesh relations.
4. What is G20 and when was it started?
5. Comment on the Amul vs. Nandini debate in Karnataka.
6. When do you think the Russia–Ukraine conflict will end? What role can India play in it?

These questions reflect the board’s intent to assess:

1. Depth of knowledge
2. Analytical ability
3. Awareness of socio-political realities
4. Value system and judgment

Final Tip

To perform well in the Interview:

1. Practice mock interviews with experienced mentors.
2. Go through Interview Transcripts of toppers to understand the range of questions and response strategies.
3. Be honest, calm, and composed during the actual Interview.
4. Remember, this stage is not just about knowledge—it is about how you think, react, and respond under pressure.

How To Use Syllabus Effectively

The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is one of the most prestigious and challenging exams in India. To crack it, aspirants must begin their journey by understanding and strategically using the syllabus. The syllabus is not just a list of topics—it is your roadmap, guiding you at every stage of the exam.

1. Know the Syllabus for All Three Stages:
   1. The Civil Services Examination is conducted in three stages:
      1. Preliminary Examination (Objective Type)
      2. Main Examination (Written – Descriptive)

• Personality Test (Interview)

1. Start by reading the syllabus carefully for each stage. Understand what UPSC expects in terms of knowledge, skills, and awareness.
2. Since preparation for all three stages is often integrated, it is important to know which topics are common, where depth is required, and what to emphasize at each stage.

2. Prioritize Based on Demand and Weightage
   1. Not all topics carry equal weight. Review Previous Year Questions (PYQs) to assess which areas are frequently asked.
   2. For example:
      1. In Prelims, factual and current affairs-oriented questions dominate.
      2. In Mains, analytical and conceptual understanding is tested.

• In the Interview, personality and opinion-based assessments take precedence.

1. Understanding this will help you focus your energy efficiently.

3. Break the Syllabus into Manageable Sections
   1. Divide the syllabus subject-wise and topic-wise.
   2. Create micro-targets and set weekly/monthly goals.
   3. Example:
      1. History: Ancient, Medieval, Modern, Post-Independence
      2. Polity: Constitution, Governance, Parliament, Judiciary, etc.

• Economy: Basic concepts, current issues, budgeting, sectors

4. Create a Realistic and Balanced Study Plan
   1. Allocate study time based on:
      1. Subject complexity
      2. Your own strengths and weaknesses

• Weightage in the exam

1. Ensure you include time for:
   1. Revision
   2. Answer writing

• Mock tests

1. A well-planned strategy improves retention and boosts confidence.

5. Choose the Right Study Material
   1. Pick resources that closely follow the syllabus and are frequently updated.
   2. Focus on NCERTs, standard reference books, government reports, and reliable current affairs magazines.
   3. Avoid outdated or irrelevant material, which leads to information overload and confusion.
6. Use the Syllabus as a Daily Reference Tool
   1. Keep a printed copy of the syllabus in your study area.
   2. Cross-check daily readings and notes with the syllabus to ensure relevance.
   3. This habit will help you stay focused, avoid deviation, and gain clarity.
7. Benefits of Using the Syllabus Effectively
   1. Provides a clear framework for preparation
   2. Helps in time management and prioritization
   3. Reduces anxiety by eliminating unnecessary material
   4. Boosts efficiency and confidence
   5. Increases chances of success in all stages of the exam

About the Civil Services Examination

Every year, UPSC conducts the Civil Services Examination (CSE) to recruit officers for prestigious services such as:

1. Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
2. Indian Police Service (IPS)
3. Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
4. And other Group A and Group B Central Services

Stages of the Examination

1. Preliminary Examination
   1. Comprises two compulsory papers, both of Objective Type (Multiple Choice Questions)
   2. Total: 400 marks (200 marks each)
   3. Papers:
      1. General Studies Paper I
      2. General Studies Paper II (CSAT) – qualifying in nature
   4. Acts as a screening test for the Main Examination
   5. Only marks from Paper I are counted for merit in Prelims; Paper II requires 33% qualifying marks.
2. Main Examination
   1. Nine papers in total, of which two are qualifying (Compulsory English and Indian Language).
   2. Seven papers are counted for merit:
      1. Essay
      2. General Studies Papers I to IV

• Optional Subject Paper I and II

3. Personality Test (Interview)
   1. No fixed syllabus
   2. Questions based on Detailed Application Form (DAF)
   3. Assesses candidate’s personality, decision-making, ethics, awareness, and communication skills

Syllabus for Civil Services Preliminary Examination

1. General Studies paper I (Total Marks- 200 & Duration- Two hours):
   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, Bio-diversity and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialization. General Science.
2. General Studies paper II (Total Marks- 200 & Duration- Two hours):
   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 compulsory for every candidate to appear in both Papers of the Civil Services Preliminary Examination — namely, General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II (CSAT).

As per UPSC guidelines, failure to appear in either one of the papers will result in the candidate being disqualified, and their candidature will not be evaluated for the Preliminary stage.

About the Civil Services Main Examination

The Civil Services (Main) Examination is the second stage of the UPSC selection process and consists of a set of nine descriptive (essay-type) papers. This stage plays a crucial role in determining the candidate’s rank and service allocation.

Structure of the Mains Examination

1. The examination comprises 9 papers, out of which:
   1. Two papers are Qualifying in nature:
      1. Paper A: Compulsory Indian Language
      2. Paper B: English Language
   2. Seven papers are counted for merit:
      1. Paper I: Essay
      2. Paper II to V: General Studies (GS I to GS IV)

• Paper VI & VII: Optional Subject (two papers)

2. Each paper is of 3 hours duration.
3. Papers are of conventional, descriptive type, requiring structured and coherent written answers.

Purpose and Nature of the Examination

1. The Main Examination is designed not just to test factual knowledge, but to assess:
   1. The candidate’s intellectual depth
   2. Analytical and critical thinking
   3. Logical reasoning
   4. Ability to articulate thoughts clearly
   5. Balanced understanding of complex socio-economic and political issues
2. It focuses more on the quality of understanding and expression, rather than mere information recall.

General Studies Papers (Paper II to Paper V)

1. The nature and standard of questions are such that a well-educated individual, with a general awareness of issues, should be able to attempt them without any specialized academic background.
2. The emphasis is on conceptual clarity, application of knowledge to real-world problems, and balanced viewpoints.

Optional Subject Papers (Paper VI and VII)

1. The syllabus for the optional subject is broadly at the Honours degree level (i.e., above a Bachelor’s degree and below a Master’s level).
2. However, for professional subjects like Engineering, Medical Science, and Law, the level corresponds to the graduate degree standard in those disciplines.
3. Candidates are expected to demonstrate in-depth understanding, structured presentation, and analytical depth in these papers.

Syllabus for Civil Services Main Examination

Syllabus of the papers included in the scheme of Civil Services (Main) Examination are given as follows:

1. English paper
   1. Comprehension of given passages.
   2. Précis Writing.
   3. Usage and Vocabulary.
   4. Short Essays
2. Indian Languages paper:
   1. Comprehension of given passages.
   2. Precis Writing.
   3. Usage and Vocabulary.
   4. Short Essays.
   5. Translation from English to the Indian Language and vice-versa.
3. Essay paper:
   1. There is no prescribed syllabus for the Essay Paper (Paper I) in the Civil Services (Main) Examination.
   2. Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics, drawn from a wide range of contemporary, philosophical, social, political, or abstract themes.
   3. They will be expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in orderly fashion, and to write concisely.
   4. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.
4. General Studies-I (Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society)
   1. Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
   2. Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present significant events, personalities, issues.
   3. The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
   4. Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
   5. History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.- their forms and effect on the society.
   6. Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India. .
   7. Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
   8. Effects of globalization on Indian society.
   9. Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
   10. Salient features of world’s physical geography.
   11. 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).
   12. 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.
5. General Studies-II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations)
   1. Indian Constitution-historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
   2. 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.
   3. Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions
   4. Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
   5. Parliament and State legislatures-structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
   6. 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.
   7. Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
   8. Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
   9. Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
   10. Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
   11. Development processes and the development industry -the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders
   12. 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.
   13. Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
   14. Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
   15. Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
   16. Role of civil services in a democracy.
   17. India and its neighbourhood-relations.
   18. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
   19. 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.
6. General Studies-III (Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management)
   1. Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
   2. Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
   3. Government Budgeting.
   4. 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.
   5. 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.
   6. Food processing and related industries in India- scope’ and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
   7. Land reforms in India.
   8. Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
   9. Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
   10. Investment models.
   11. Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
   12. Achievements of Indians in science & technology, indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
   13. Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
   14. Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
   15. Disaster and disaster management.
   16. Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
   17. Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
   18. 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.
   19. Security challenges and their management in border areas – linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
   20. Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.
7. General Studies- IV: (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude)
   1. This paper will include questions to test the candidates’ attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and his problem solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him in dealing with society. Questions may utilise the case study approach to determine these aspects. The following broad areas will be covered :
   2. 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
   3. Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour, moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion
   4. 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.
   5. Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance
   6. Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
   7. 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.
   8. 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.
   9. Case Studies on above issues.
8. Optional Subject Papers I & II: Candidate may choose any optional subject from amongst the List of Optional Subjects:
   1. Psychology
   2. Public Administration
   3. Sociology
   4. Statistics
   5. Zoology
   6. Management
   7. Mathematics
   8. Medical Science
   9. Philosophy
   10. Physics
   11. Geology
   12. History
   13. Law
   14. Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science
   15. Mechanical Engineering
   16. Political Science and International relations
   17. Anthropology
   18. Civil Engineering
   19. Chemistry
   20. Botany
   21. Commerce & Accountancy
   22. Electrical Engineering
   23. Geography
   24. Literature of any one of the following languages: Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu and English.

How Final Ranking is Decided?

The final ranking of candidates in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is determined solely on the basis of marks obtained in the Main Examination (written) and the Personality Test (Interview). The Preliminary Examination is a qualifying stage only and its marks are not counted towards the final merit.

Stages Considered for Final Ranking

1. Written Part of the Mains (1750 Marks)
   1. Includes 7 papers that are counted for merit:
      1. Essay (Paper I)
      2. General Studies Papers I–IV (Paper II to V)

• Optional Subject Papers I & II (Paper VI and VII)

1. Each paper is of 250 marks, totaling 1750 marks.

2. Interview / Personality Test (275 Marks)
   1. Conducted by the UPSC Board after the candidate qualifies the written examination.
   2. There is no minimum qualifying mark for the interview.
   3. Focuses on the candidate’s personality traits, communication skills, ethics, decision-making, and awareness of issues.

Eligibility for Interview

1. Only those candidates who obtain minimum qualifying marks in the written part of the Mains, as fixed by the Commission at its discretion, are called for the Personality Test.
2. Generally, the number of candidates called for the interview is about twice the number of total vacancies.

Determining the Final Merit List

1. The total marks out of 2025 (i.e., 1750 for Mains + 275 for Interview) are used to prepare the final merit list.
2. Candidates are then ranked in order of their total marks.
3. Service and cadre allocation (e.g., IAS, IPS, IFS, etc.) is done based on:
   1. The candidate’s final rank
   2. Category (General/OBC/SC/ST/EWS)
   3. Preferences indicated by the candidate in the DAF (Detailed Application Form)

FAQs

Q1. What is the structure of the UPSC Civil Services Examination?

It is conducted in three stages: (1) Preliminary Examination (Objective), (2) Main Examination (Written), and (3) Personality Test (Interview).

Q2. Do marks from the Preliminary Exam count in the final ranking?

No. Prelims is a qualifying stage. Only marks from the Mains (1750) and Interview (275) are counted for final ranking.

Q3. Is there a fixed syllabus for the UPSC Interview?

No. The Interview has no fixed syllabus. Questions are mainly based on the candidate’s Detailed Application Form (DAF), current affairs, and general awareness.

Q4. Is CSAT Paper in Prelims qualifying or merit-based?

CSAT (Paper II) is a qualifying paper. You must score 33% (66 marks out of 200) to qualify. Only GS Paper I marks are counted for selection to Mains.

Q5. Can I choose any optional subject in Mains?

Yes, you can choose any subject from the list of 48 optionals given by UPSC, regardless of your graduation background.

Q6. What are the qualifying papers in Mains?

– Paper A: Compulsory Indian Language

– Paper B: English

Both are qualifying. Marks are not added to merit but failing them leads to disqualification.

Q7. How are services like IAS, IPS, IFS allotted?

Allocation is based on final rank, category, and service preferences given by candidates in the DAF.

Q8. Can final year students apply for UPSC CSE?

Yes. Final-year students can apply, provided they produce proof of passing before the Mains application deadline.

Q9. Where can I find authentic Previous Year Question Papers (PYQs)?

PYQs are available on the official UPSC website (upsc.gov.in) and in standard UPSC preparation books and coaching portals.