If you’re aiming for India’s most prestigious civil service posts like IAS, IPS, IFS, or IRS, then understanding the UPSC syllabus thoroughly is the first—and most crucial—step in your preparation journey.

At Rudra’s IAS, we help aspirants decode this vast syllabus in a structured, subject-wise, and stage-wise manner so that you don’t just read the syllabus—you master it.

📌 About UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE)

The UPSC Civil Services Examination is conducted annually by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and comprises three stages:

  1. Preliminary Examination (Objective Type)
  2. Main Examination (Descriptive Type)
  3. Interview / Personality Test

Let’s break down the complete UPSC syllabus as per the latest pattern and requirements.

🟡 UPSC Prelims Syllabus (Stage 1)

The Prelims stage acts as a screening test and is objective in nature. It consists of two papers:

✅ Paper I – General Studies (GS)

Duration: 2 hours
Marks: 200
Nature: Qualifying for Mains selection (cutoff-based)

📚 Topics Covered:

  • Current events of national and international importance
  • History of India and Indian National Movement
  • Indian and World Geography – Physical, Social, and Economic
  • Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Panchayati Raj, Political System, Rights Issues
  • Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives
  • General issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change (No subject specialization required)
  • General Science

✅ Paper II – CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test)

Duration: 2 hours
Marks: 200
Nature: Qualifying (Minimum 33% marks required)

📚 Topics Covered:

  • Comprehension
  • Interpersonal skills including communication skills
  • Logical reasoning and analytical ability
  • Decision-making and problem-solving
  • General mental ability
  • Basic numeracy (Class 10 level)
  • Data interpretation

🔔 Marks of CSAT are not counted in the prelims merit list, but failure to qualify leads to disqualification.

🟠 UPSC Mains Syllabus (Stage 2)

Only those who qualify Prelims appear for Mains. The Mains Exam is descriptive and tests depth of knowledge, analytical ability, and writing skills.

There are 9 papers in total:

📌 Qualifying Papers:

  • Paper A: Indian Language (One language chosen from the Eighth Schedule) – 300 Marks
  • Paper B: English – 300 Marks
    (Marks not counted in final merit but qualifying is compulsory)

📘 Papers Counted for Merit (Total: 1750 Marks)

✅ Paper I: Essay – 250 Marks

  • Candidates are required to write two essays, each from a different section.
  • Clarity of thought, coherence, and originality are evaluated.

✅ Paper II: General Studies I (GS1) – 250 Marks

  • Indian Heritage and Culture
  • History and Geography of the World and Society
  • Modern Indian History
  • Post-Independence India
  • World History
  • Indian Society
  • Women and Social Issues
  • Physical and Human Geography

✅ Paper III: General Studies II (GS2) – 250 Marks

  • Indian Constitution
  • Governance and Polity
  • Parliament and State Legislatures
  • Judiciary and Constitutional Bodies
  • Welfare Schemes
  • Role of Civil Services
  • International Relations

✅ Paper IV: General Studies III (GS3) – 250 Marks

  • Indian Economy
  • Infrastructure and Investment Models
  • Agriculture
  • Science and Technology
  • Environment and Biodiversity
  • Internal Security and Disaster Management

✅ Paper V: General Studies IV (GS4 – Ethics) – 250 Marks

  • Ethics and Human Interface
  • Attitude and Emotional Intelligence
  • Moral Thinkers and Philosophers
  • Civil Services Values and Code of Conduct
  • Case Studies on Ethics, Integrity, and Probity

✅ Papers VI & VII: Optional Subject Papers I & II – 250 Marks each

Candidates must choose one optional subject, which has two papers. Popular options include:

  • Public Administration
  • Geography
  • Sociology
  • Political Science
  • History
  • Anthropology
  • Philosophy
  • Literature (Hindi, English, etc.)

🎯 Choosing the right optional is crucial—at Rudra’s IAS, we guide each student in making an informed decision based on background, interest, and scoring trend.

🟢 UPSC Interview / Personality Test (Stage 3)

The final stage of the Civil Services Examination.

  • Marks: 275
  • Focus Areas:
    • Personality traits
    • General awareness
    • Mental alertness
    • Communication and leadership skills
    • Ethical and moral integrity
    • Understanding of national and international issues

🧮 Final Selection:

Total Marks = 1750 (Mains) + 275 (Interview) = 2025 Marks

🎓 How Rudra’s IAS Helps You Master the UPSC Syllabus

At Rudra’s IAS, we don’t just provide you with the syllabus—we help you conquer it, step by step.

🔹 What We Offer:

  • 📚 NCERT to Advanced Book Coverage
  • 🧾 Topic-wise Notes & Breakdown
  • 📅 Weekly Study Plans for Prelims + Mains
  • ✍️ Essay and Answer Writing Workshops
  • 🎯 Daily MCQs + Prelims & Mains Test Series
  • 🧠 Optional Subject Mentorship
  • 🧾 Current Affairs with Newspaper + Monthly Magazine Integration
  • 🎙️ Mock Interviews & Personality Development Training

“The UPSC syllabus is vast—but with the right approach, mentorship, and discipline, you don’t just study it, you own it.”