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The Union Public Service Commission conducts the UPSC Civil Service Examination (CSE) annually. If you’re aiming to become an IAS or IPS officer this year, it is important to prepare for the UPSC Examination 2025 in the right way. here we have discussed the UPSC Syllabus 2025, which covers both Prelims and main exams, along with all the topics and subjects such as History, Polity, Geography, Current Affairs, Economics, Internal security, Environment, Disaster management, science, and technology, that can help aspiring candidates score well in upsc exam.
Additionally, you’ll find a comprehensive Interview preparation guide. Preparing for UPSC can be challenging due to the vast UPSC syllabus. Understanding the syllabus is important as it will guide you in selecting the right study materials.
UPSC Syllabus 2025
The UPSC Civil Services Exam 2025 will be conducted on 25 May 2025 as per the Updated UPSC Calander 2025. It will be a qualifying exam, and those who pass will move on to the next stage, the Mains exam, which will be descriptive in nature and will be accounted for final merit list.
UPSC New Syllabus Highlights | ||
Particulars | Prelims | Mains |
UPSC Exam Date | 25 May 2025 | To be notified |
No. of Papers | Two | Nine |
Types of Questions | Objective Type | Descriptive Type |
Duration of Exam | 2 hours each | 3 hours each |
Total Marks | 400 | 1750 |
Medium of Exam | English & Hindi | English & Hindi (except language paper) |
Negative Marking | ⅓rd mark | No negative marking |
Marks Counted in Merit | No | Yes |
UPSC Syllabus 2025 for Prelims Exam
GS Paper 1 broadly consists of the following topics as mentioned in the UPSC Prelims syllabus.
- Current events of National and international importance
- Indian & World Geography
- History of India & Indian National Movement
- General Science
- Economic and Social Development, Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
- Indian Polity and Governance: Public Policy, Rights Issues, Panchayati Raj, Political System, and Constitution, among Other
- General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity & climate change – that do not require subject specialization
GS Paper 2 (CSAT) covers the following topics for UPSC Syllabus 2025
The UPSC Syllabus 2025 for Prelims CSAT consists of 80 questions on specific areas, with a maximum mark of 200. You have two hours to finish the questions. UPSC administers the CSAT exam in the evening.
- Logical reasoning & analytical ability.
- Interpersonal skills including communication skills.
- Basic numeracy and data interpretation.
- Decision-making & problem-solving.
- General mental ability.
UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern 2025
UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern 2025 | ||||
Paper | Subjects | Marks | No. of Question | Duration |
I | General Studies (GS) | 200 | 100 | 2 hours (9:30 AM to 11:30 AM) |
II | CSAT | 200 | 80 | 2 hours (2:30 PM to 4:30 PM) |
UPSC Syllabus 2025 for Mains Exam
The UPSC Mains Exam consists of 4 GS + 2 optional + 1 Essay paper + 2 qualifying papers. This section goes over the UPSC Mains syllabus for 2025 in great depth. It is advised that you thoroughly read this article to have a solid understanding of this section as this section will be crucial in deciding your ranking in the final merit list of the UPSC CSE 2025.
UPSC Syllabus for Mains Language Paper
The questions would follow the following general pattern in both the English Language and in Indian Language.
Section | Topic | Description |
English Language | Comprehension |
Understanding and interpreting given passages.
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Precis Writing |
Summarizing passages.
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Usage and Vocabulary |
Correct use of words and understanding their meanings.
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Short Essays |
Writing brief, coherent essays.
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Indian Languages | Comprehension |
Understanding and interpreting given passages.
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Precis Writing |
Summarizing passages.
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Usage and Vocabulary |
Correct use of words and understanding their meanings.
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Short Essays |
Writing brief, coherent essays.
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Translation |
Translating from English to the Indian language and vice-versa.
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UPSC Syllabus 2025 PDF Download
UPSC Syllabus 2025 for Essay
- Essays on a variety of subjects will be asked and are to be written within 1000-1250 words.
- Students must adhere closely to the essay’s topic, write briefly, and organize their thoughts logically.
- For clear and precise expression, credit will be granted.
- Tip – Students must focus on the philosophical topics while practicing.
UPSC Syllabus for General Studies I
Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society.
- Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature, and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
- Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, and issues.
- The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
- Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
- History of the world will include events from the 18th century such as the Industrial Revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism, etc.— their forms and effects on society.
- Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
- Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
- Effects of globalization on Indian society.
- Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
- Salient features of the world’s physical geography.
- 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).
- Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclones, etc., geographical features and their location-changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
UPSC Syllabus for General Studies II
Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations.
- Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions, and basic structure.
- Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges about the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels, and challenges therein.
- Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
- Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
- Parliament and State legislatures—structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges, and issues arising out of these.
- 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.
- Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
- Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions, and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
- Statutory, regulatory, and various quasi-judicial bodies.
- Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
- Development processes and the development industry —the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
- 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.
- Issues relating to the development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, and Human Resources.
- Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
- Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability, and institutional and other measures.
- Role of civil services in a democracy.
- India and its neighbourhood- relations.
- Bilateral, regional, and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
- 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.
UPSC Syllabus For General Studies III
Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management
Topic |
Description
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Indian Economy |
Issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development, and employment.
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Agriculture |
Major crop-cropping patterns, irrigation types and systems, storage, transport, and marketing of agricultural produce, issues, and constraints; e-technology in aid of farmers.
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Science and Technology |
Developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
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Science & Technology |
Achievements of Indians, indigenization of technology, development of new technology, Awareness in IT, Space, Computers, robotics, Nano-technology, biotechnology, and intellectual property rights issues.
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Environment |
Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
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Disaster Management | Disaster and disaster management. |
Internal Security |
Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges, challenges through communication networks, role of media and social networking, basics of cyber security, money-laundering prevention.
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UPSC Syllabus For General Studies IV
Topic |
Description
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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; the role of family, society, and educational institutions in inculcating values.
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Attitude |
Content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behavior; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
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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.
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Emotional Intelligence |
Concepts, utilities, and application in administration and governance.
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Moral Thinkers and Philosophers | Contributions from India and the world. |
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.
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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.
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Case Studies | Case studies on the above issues. |
UPSC Mains Exam Pattern 2025
Candidates who will be qualifying UPSC Prelims 2025 will be eligible to appear for Mains exam 2025. The UPSC Mains Exam Paper consists of two qualifying papers and seven conventional papers, marks of these papers are accounted while preparing the final merit list.
UPSC IAS Mains Exam Pattern | ||
Qualifying Papers | Marks | |
Paper-A | One of the Indian Language to be selected by the candidate from the Languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution | 300 |
Paper-B | English | 300 |
Papers Counted for Merit | ||
Paper-I | Essay | 250 |
Paper-II | General Studies-I (Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society) | 250 |
Paper-III | General Studies-II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations) | 250 |
Paper-IV | Genera Studies-III (Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management) | 250 |
Paper-V | General Studies-IV (Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude) | 250 |
Paper-VI | Optional Subject – Paper 1 | 250 |
Paper-VII | Optional Subject – Paper 2 | 250 |
Sub Total (Written Test) | 1750 | |
Personality Test | 275 | |
Grand Total | 2025 |
UPSC Optional 2025 Syllabus
The UPSC Mains Optional Subject Papers I and Paper II. Here you have to choose one subject from the list and the subject will have two papers. A candidate can choose any one of the following Optional Subjects below.
UPSC Mains Optional Subjects List 2025 | ||||
UPSC Agriculture Syllabus | UPSC Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Syllabus | UPSC Anthropology Syllabus | UPSC Botany Syllabus | UPSC Chemistry Syllabus |
UPSC Civil Engineering Syllabus | UPSC Commerce and Accountancy Syllabus | UPSC Economics Syllabus | UPSC Electrical Engineering Syllabus | UPSC Geography Syllabus |
Statistics | Sociology | Physics | Philosophy | Medical Science |
Political Science and International Relations | Public Administration | Psychology | Mechanical Engineering | Mathematics |
Zoology | Geology | History | Management | Law |
Literature in any of the following languages | ||||
English | Malayalam | Manipuri | Marathi | Nepali |
Odia | Punjabi | Sanskrit | Santhali | Sindhi |
Tamil | Telugu | Urdu | Assamese | Bengali |
Bodo | Dogri | Gujarati | Hindi | Kannada |
Kashmiri | Konkani | Maithili | Malayalam | – |
UPSC Exam Syllabus PDF Download 2025
Before taking the UPSC exam, candidates are urged to download the UPSC Syllabus 2025 in PDF format. The UPSC syllabus highlights certain topics that carry significant weight and are frequently the focus of exam questions. To do well in the UPSC CSE 2025, candidates should thoroughly study the syllabus and focus on frequently asked questions.
How to Download UPSC Syllabus PDF
- Step 1: Official UPSC Website
Go to the official website of the UPSC (https://www.upsc.gov.in/).
- Step 2: Click the Syllabus Section
On the homepage, find the Examination tab and click on it. From the drop-down menu, select Syllabus.
- Step 3: Choose the Civil Service Exam
In the Syllabus section, you will find a list of all UPSC examinations. Select the Civil Service Exam.
- Step 4: Download the Syllabus
Click on the link and the syllabus will be displayed in PDF format ready to be downloaded for your reference.