The UPSC Syllabus 2026 is designed to evaluate a candidate’s aptitude, knowledge, and analytical ability across multiple subjects. The Union Public Service Commission conducts the Civil Services Examination every year to recruit officers for Group A and Group B services such as IAS, IPS, and IFS. Since this exam stands among the toughest competitive exams in India, it attracts thousands of aspirants every year, yet only a few reach the final merit list. Therefore, the UPSC Syllabus plays a crucial role in guiding aspirants through the three-stage selection process, Prelims, Mains, and Interview, while testing conceptual clarity, reasoning ability, and decision-making skills. If you are preparing for CSE 2026, understanding the UPSC Syllabus and exam pattern becomes the first and most important step toward success.
What is there in UPSC Syllabus 2026
The UPSC Syllabus 2026 serves as a complete guide for aspirants preparing for the Civil Services Examination. It clearly outlines detailed topics for both Prelims and Mains while covering core subjects such as Polity, History, Economy, Environment, Ethics, and optional papers. Moreover, the Syllabus helps aspirants structure their preparation, prioritize important areas, and track progress effectively. This page provides the full IAS Syllabus 2026 PDF, exam pattern details, and optional subject lists to support focused and organized preparation.
UPSC Syllabus 2026 – Overview
The UPSC Syllabus acts as a structured roadmap for candidates preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026. It clearly defines subjects, topics, and subtopics that assess knowledge depth, analytical skills, and problem-solving ability. Additionally, the UPSC Syllabus 2026 divides the exam into two main written stages, Prelims and Mains, followed by the Interview. By downloading and studying the detailed UPSC Syllabus 2026 PDF, aspirants stay focused and plan their preparation in a disciplined manner throughout the UPSC journey.
UPSC Syllabus 2026 Overview
Here is the complete overview of the syllabus
| Particular | Detail |
| Exam | Civil Services Exam 2026 |
| Authority | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Stages | PrelimsMainsInterview |
| Total Papers | Prelims: TwoMains: Nine |
| Exam Mode | Offline, Pen and Paper |
| Type of Questions | Prelims: Objective TypeMains: Subjective Type |
| Link to Download UPSC Syllabus | upsc.gov.in |
UPSC Syllabus 2026 PDF Download
Candidates must download the UPSC Syllabus PDF to gain a complete understanding of the Civil Services Examination. The syllabus PDF includes all subjects, topics, and subtopics for both Prelims and Mains. Furthermore, aspirants can access the UPSC Syllabus PDF in both English and Hindi directly from the official website upsc.gov.in.
UPSC Syllabus PDF Links
| IAS Syllabus 2026 PDF Download | |
| UPSC CSE Syllabus 2026 PDF | UPSC Syllabus PDF Download 2026 |
| UPSC Syllabus 2026 PDF (Hindi) | UPSC Syllabus PDF Download 2026 (Hindi) |
How to Download UPSC Syllabus 2026 PDF
To download the UPSC Syllabus PDF, follow these steps carefully:
- First, visit upsc.gov.in
- Click on Examinations → Syllabus
- Then, select Civil Services Examination
- Click on Download PDF
- Lastly, save and print the file for quick revision
UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2026
The UPSC Syllabus 2026 for Prelims includes two compulsory papers, General Studies Paper I and CSAT. This stage works as the first filter in the selection process. While GS Paper I covers History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, Science, and Current Affairs, CSAT tests aptitude skills such as reasoning, comprehension, and basic numeracy. Therefore, mastering the UPSC Syllabus for Prelims becomes essential for qualifying for the Mains stage.
UPSC Prelims General Studies Paper I Syllabus
The UPSC Syllabus 2026 for GS Paper I includes:
- Current events of national and international importance.
- History of India and the 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
UPSC CSAT Syllabus 2026
The UPSC Syllabus for CSAT requires candidates to score a minimum of 33% marks. This paper includes:
- 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)
UPSC Mains Syllabus 2026
The UPSC Syllabus for Mains includes nine papers, out of which seven contribute to the merit list. While Paper A and Paper B remain qualifying in nature, the remaining papers carry 1750 marks in total. Therefore, the UPSC Syllabus 2026 for Mains demands deep understanding, answer writing practice, and consistent revision.
UPSC Mains Paper Structure
Here is the mains paper complete structure
| Qualifying Papers | Subject | Marks |
| Paper-A | One of the Indian languages to be selected by the candidate from the Languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution | 300 |
| Paper-B | English | 300 |
| Papers to be 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 | 2026 | |
UPSC Mains Qualifying Papers – UPSC Syllabus 2026
The UPSC Syllabus includes two qualifying papers in the Mains examination. Although these papers do not count toward the final merit list, candidates must clear them to move ahead. Therefore, focused preparation for these papers becomes extremely important.
Paper A – English (Qualifying)
According to the UPSC Syllabus, Paper A tests basic English language skills through the following components:
- Comprehension of given passages
- Precis Writing
- Usage and Vocabulary
- Short Essays
Paper B – Indian Languages (Qualifying)
As per the UPSC Syllabus 2026, candidates must choose one Indian language listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. This paper evaluates language proficiency through:
- Comprehension of given passages
- Precis Writing
- Usage and Vocabulary
- Short Essays
- Translation from English to the Indian Language and vice versa
UPSC Essay Syllabus 2026
The UPSC Syllabus does not prescribe fixed topics for the Essay paper. As mentioned in the official notification:
“Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics. They will be expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay, arrange their ideas in an orderly fashion, and write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.”
Therefore, aspirants must practice structured thinking, clarity of ideas, and concise writing while preparing according to the UPSC Syllabus.
UPSC CSE General Studies Papers I to IV Syllabus – UPSC Syllabus 2026
The UPSC Syllabus includes four General Studies papers in the Mains examination, each carrying 250 marks. These papers test a candidate’s understanding of society, governance, economy, ethics, science, and security issues.
IAS Syllabus for Mains General Studies Paper I – UPSC Syllabus
Under the UPSC Syllabus, General Studies Paper I covers:
- Indian culture, including Art Forms, literature, and Architecture from ancient to modern times
- Modern Indian history from the mid-eighteenth century to the present
- The Freedom Struggle and contributions from different regions
- Post-independence consolidation and reorganization
- World history events since the 18th century, including industrial revolution, world wars, colonization, decolonization, and political philosophies
- Salient features of Indian Society and diversity
- Role of women, population issues, poverty, urbanization, and development
- Effects of globalization on Indian society
- Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism, and secularism
- World physical geography
- Distribution of natural resources and industrial location factors
- Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, tsunamis, cyclones, volcanic activity, and environmental changes
IAS Syllabus for Mains General Studies Paper II – UPSC Syllabus
According to the UPSC Syllabus, GS Paper II includes:
- Indian Constitution: evolution, features, amendments, and basic structure
- Union and State functions, federal issues, and devolution
- Separation of powers and dispute redressal mechanisms
- Comparison of Indian constitutional system with other countries
- Parliament and State legislatures: structure and functioning
- Executive and Judiciary roles and responsibilities
- Pressure groups and associations in polity
- Representation of People’s Act
- Constitutional and statutory bodies
- Government policies and development interventions
- Role of NGOs, SHGs, donors, and stakeholders
- Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections
- Social sector issues related to health, education, and human resources
- Poverty and hunger
- Governance, transparency, accountability, and e-governance
- Role of civil services in democracy
- India’s relations with neighboring and global countries
- International institutions and organizations
IAS Syllabus for Mains General Studies Paper III – UPSC Syllabus
The UPSC Syllabus for GS Paper III focuses on:
- Indian economy, planning, growth, and employment
- Inclusive growth and budgeting
- Agriculture, irrigation, subsidies, MSP, PDS, and food security
- Food processing industries and supply chain management
- Land reforms
- Industrial policy and liberalization
- Infrastructure development
- Science and technology advancements
- Indian achievements in science and indigenization
- IT, space, robotics, biotechnology, and IPR
- Environmental conservation and impact assessment
- Disaster management
- Internal security challenges
- Cybersecurity and money laundering
- Border security and terrorism
- Role of security forces and agencies
IAS Syllabus for Mains General Studies Paper IV – UPSC Syllabus 2026
The UPSC Syllabus for Ethics focuses on integrity and decision-making through:
- Ethics and human interface
- Human values and moral teachings
- Attitude and social influence
- Civil service values and foundational principles
- Emotional intelligence
- Contributions of moral thinkers
- Ethics in public administration
- Probity in governance
- Transparency, RTI, codes of conduct, and citizen charters
- Case studies on ethical issues
UPSC Optional Syllabus 2026
Under the UPSC Syllabus, candidates select one optional subject consisting of two papers of 250 marks each.
List of Optional Subjects
Agriculture, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Anthropology, Botany, Chemistry, Commerce and Accountancy, Civil Engineering, Economics, Electrical Engineering, Geology, Geography, History, Philosophy, Public Administration, Political Science and International Relations, Psychology, Physics, Sociology, Law, Mathematics, Management, Medical Science, Mechanical Engineering, Statistics, Zoology.
UPSC Literature Syllabus 2026
The UPSC Syllabus also includes literature subjects:
Assamese, Bodo, Bengali, Dogri, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Maithili, Marathi, Manipuri, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sindhi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu.
UPSC Interview Syllabus 2026
The UPSC Syllabus for the Interview stage evaluates personality traits such as leadership, integrity, judgment, communication skills, and awareness of current affairs. The board assesses suitability for public service by testing mental alertness, social skills, moral integrity, and clarity of thought.
UPSC Exam Pattern 2026
The UPSC Syllabus aligns closely with the official exam pattern:
| Stages | Name | No. of Papers | Type of Exam | Marks |
| Stage 1 | UPSC Prelims | 2 Papers | Objective | 400 |
| Stage 2 | UPSC Mains | 9 Papers | Descriptive | 1750 |
| Stage 3 | UPSC Interview | – | Personality Test | 275 |
| Final Merit List | UPSC Mains + Interview Marks = 2026 Marks | |||
Final Merit List = UPSC Mains + Interview = 2025 Marks
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Conclusion
The UPSC Syllabus 2026 acts as the foundation of every successful Civil Services preparation strategy. When aspirants clearly understand the syllabus, they avoid unnecessary distractions and focus only on what truly matters for the exam. Since the UPSC exam tests knowledge, analysis, ethics, and decision-making at multiple levels, a thorough understanding of the UPSC Syllabus helps candidates plan their study schedule in a structured and realistic manner. Moreover, regular syllabus-based revision and answer writing improve confidence and clarity over time.
Instead of chasing random sources, aspirants should repeatedly refer to the official UPSC Syllabus PDF and align their preparation with current affairs and previous year questions. With consistency, discipline, and smart planning based on the syllabus, cracking the Civil Services Examination becomes achievable. Ultimately, those who respect the syllabus and prepare with patience stand the best chance of success in UPSC CSE 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions:
The UPSC Syllabus covers the complete structure of the Civil Services Examination, which includes three stages, Prelims, Mains, and Interview. The Prelims syllabus focuses on General Studies and CSAT, testing basic awareness, reasoning ability, and aptitude. The Mains syllabus goes deeper and includes Essay, four General Studies papers, two optional subject papers, and two qualifying language papers. Finally, the Interview stage evaluates personality traits such as leadership, judgment, and clarity of thought. Overall, the UPSC Syllabus tests not just knowledge but also analytical ability, ethical understanding, and decision-making skills required for public service.
UPSC does not change the syllabus frequently. In most years, the UPSC Syllabus remains largely the same as previous years. However, UPSC may subtly shift the focus or relevance of certain topics based on current events and national priorities. Therefore, while the syllabus framework stays stable, aspirants should prepare dynamically by linking static topics with current affairs. This approach helps candidates stay aligned with the evolving nature of questions without worrying about major syllabus changes.
The CSAT syllabus remains consistent and also applies to the UPSC Syllabus. It includes comprehension passages, logical reasoning, analytical ability, decision-making, general mental ability, basic numeracy, and data interpretation at the Class X level. Since CSAT is a qualifying paper, candidates need to score at least 33 percent marks. Although it does not count toward the merit list, CSAT plays a crucial role because failure to qualify can disqualify an otherwise strong candidate. Hence, regular practice is essential.
The UPSC Syllabus includes a wide range of subjects. For Prelims, it covers History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, Science, and Current Affairs. For Mains, it expands into Indian Society, Governance, Ethics, International Relations, Internal Security, Disaster Management, Science and Technology, and more. Additionally, candidates choose one optional subject from a list of 48 subjects, including humanities, sciences, engineering, and literature. This broad subject coverage ensures that UPSC selects candidates with a balanced and holistic understanding of society and administration.
Candidates can download the UPSC Syllabus PDF directly from the official UPSC website, upsc.gov.in. By visiting the “Examinations” section and selecting “Syllabus,” aspirants can access the Civil Services Examination syllabus in both English and Hindi. Downloading the official UPSC Syllabus PDF is highly recommended because it provides an authentic and detailed reference that helps aspirants plan their preparation accurately and avoid unnecessary study material.
