UPSC CSE Syllabus 2027

UPSC CSE Syllabus

The UPSC Civil Services Examination syllabus is divided into the Preliminary Examination and the Main Examination. The Main Examination assesses the intellectual traits and depth of understanding of candidates rather than merely their range of information and memory.

The General Studies papers are designed to test general awareness, understanding of relevant issues, analytical ability and the ability to take a view on conflicting socio-economic goals, objectives and demands.

Part A

Preliminary Examination

The Preliminary Examination comprises two compulsory papers of 200 marks each. Both papers are objective-type, multiple-choice papers.

Paper I - 200 Marks

General Studies Paper I

The Preliminary Examination Paper I covers current affairs, history, geography, polity, economic and social development, environment and general science.

Current events of national and international importance.
History of India and Indian National Movement.
Indian and World Geography - Physical, Social and Economic Geography of India and the World.
Indian Polity and Governance - Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
Economic and Social Development - Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector initiatives, etc.
General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change that do not require subject specialization.
General Science.

Paper II - 200 Marks

General Studies Paper II (CSAT)

The second Preliminary Examination paper assesses comprehension, reasoning, analytical ability, decision-making, problem-solving, numeracy, data interpretation and English language comprehension.

Comprehension.
Interpersonal skills including communication skills.
Logical reasoning and analytical ability.
Decision-making and problem-solving.
General mental ability.
Basic numeracy - numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc. at Class X level.
Data interpretation - charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc. at Class X level.
English Language Comprehension skills at Class X level.

Part B

Main Examination

The Main Examination is intended to assess the overall intellectual traits and depth of understanding of candidates rather than merely the range of their information and memory.

Paper I

Essay

Candidates will be required to write an essay on a specific topic. The choice of subjects will be given.

Candidates are expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay.
Ideas should be arranged in an orderly fashion.
Candidates are expected to write concisely.
Credit is given for effective and exact expression.
English Comprehension and English Precis test English language comprehension and précis writing skills at the 10th standard level.

Paper II

General Studies I - Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society

Indian culture covering 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, including significant events, personalities and issues.
The Freedom Struggle - its various stages and important contributors and contributions from different parts of the country.
Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
History of the world including events from the 18th century such as the Industrial Revolution, World Wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization and political philosophies such as communism, capitalism and socialism.
Salient features of Indian Society and Diversity of India.
Role of women and women's organizations, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and remedies.
Effects of globalization on Indian society.
Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism and secularism.
Salient features of the world's physical geography.
Distribution of key natural resources across the world, including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent.
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 and cyclones.
Geographical features and their location, including changes in critical geographical features such as water bodies and ice-caps, and changes in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.

Paper III

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 pertaining to 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 and 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 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 and accountability and institutional and other measures.
Role of civil services in a democracy.
India and its neighborhood - 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 and Indian diaspora.
Important International institutions, agencies and fora - their structure and mandate.

Paper IV

General Studies III - Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management

Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
Government Budgeting.
Major crops and cropping patterns in various parts of the country; different types of irrigation and irrigation systems; storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and related issues and constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers.
Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System - objectives, functioning, limitations and revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.
Food processing and related industries in India - scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements and supply chain management.
Land reforms in India.
Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
Infrastructure - Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
Investment models.
Science and Technology - developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
Achievements of Indians in science and technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, biotechnology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Disaster and disaster management.
Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
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.
Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.

Paper V

General Studies IV - Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

This paper tests candidates' attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and problem-solving in dealing with society. Questions may use the case study approach.

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.
Attitude - content, structure and function; influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
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.
Emotional intelligence - concepts, utilities and application in administration and governance.
Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers 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.
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.
Case Studies on the above issues.

Papers VI & VII

UPSC CSE Optional Subjects

Candidates may choose one optional subject for Papers VI and VII. The optional subject has two papers, each carrying 250 marks.

The syllabus for optional subjects is broadly at honours degree level. For Engineering, Medical Science and Law, the level corresponds to the bachelor's degree.

Group 1 - Optional Subjects

Choose one subject from the following list.

Group 2 - Literature Subjects

Candidates who have graduated in one of the listed literatures with that literature as their main subject may opt for the corresponding literature subject.

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