UPSC Prelims and Mains Syllabus 2026 - Overview
Before diving into the detailed syllabus, candidates should understand the basic exam structure. The table below provides essential information about the UPSC CSE recruitment exam 2026.
Exam Name | UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 / IAS Exam |
Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
Post Name | IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, and other Group A & B Services |
Exam Mode | Offline (Pen & Paper) |
Exam Type | Prelims: Objective (MCQ); Mains: Descriptive |
Total Questions (Prelims) | GS Paper 1: 100; CSAT: 80 |
Total Marks | Prelims: 400 (qualifying); Mains + Interview: 2025 (merit) |
Exam Duration | Prelims: 2 hours each paper; Mains: 3 hours per paper |
Negative Marking | Yes in Prelims (1/3 marks deducted for wrong answers) |
Selection Process | Prelims (screening) + Mains (written) + Interview/Personality Test |
Exam Language | English/Hindi (Prelims & Mains); Optional regional languages for some papers |
Official Website |
UPSC Syllabus 2026 - Subject Wise Topics
The UPSC syllabus 2026 is vast and integrated. Below is the complete breakdown.
1. Prelims - General Studies Paper 1 (GS-1)
Current events of national and international importance
History of India and Indian National Movement
Indian and World Geography – Physical, Social, 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
2. Prelims - CSAT (General Studies Paper 2 - Qualifying)
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.) (Class X level)
Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc. – Class X level)
3. Mains - Qualifying Papers (Indian Language & English)
Comprehension of given passages
Précis Writing
Usage and Vocabulary
Short Essays
Translation from English to Indian Language and vice-versa
4. Mains - Essay Paper
Write two essays on topics from society, governance, economy, philosophy, environment, etc. Emphasis on clarity, coherence, and balanced views.
5. Mains - General Studies 1 (GS-1)
Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society (detailed topics as per official: Art forms, Modern History, Freedom Struggle, World History, Society issues, Physical Geography, Resources, Geophysical phenomena)
6. Mains - General Studies 2 (GS-2)
Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations (detailed: Constitution features, Federalism, Parliament, Judiciary, Policies, Welfare schemes, IR with neighbors, Global groupings)
7. Mains - General Studies 3 (GS-3)
Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management (detailed: Economy, Agriculture, Infrastructure, S&T, Environment, Internal Security)
8. Mains - General Studies 4 (GS-4 - Ethics)
Ethics and Human Interface, Attitude, Aptitude, Emotional Intelligence, Contributions of Thinkers, Public/Civil service values, Probity in Governance, Case Studies
9. Mains - Optional Subject (Two Papers)
Choose one from 48 subjects (e.g., History, Geography, Public Administration, Sociology, PSIR, Anthropology, Literature languages, etc.). Each paper 250 marks; detailed syllabus per subject available in official notification.