The UPSC Law Optional Syllabus plays a vital role for aspirants while choosing law as their optional subject in the Civil Services Examination. Law is among the 48 optional subjects offered by UPSC, and it carries a total of 500 marks in the Mains exam. It is divided into two papers of 250 marks each, Paper 1 and Paper 2. A good score in this subject not only boosts your chances of clearing the exam but also strengthens your preparation for the interview and essay papers. Law is considered a relatively straightforward subject with abundant study resources available. Moreover, it overlaps with several areas of General Studies, making it an attractive option for many candidates. To succeed, it is crucial to understand the UPSC Law Optional Syllabus 2025 in detail and prepare strategically.
Overview of UPSC Law Optional Syllabus 2025
The law paper of the UPSC Optional is descriptive and analytical. It overlaps General Studies, Essay, and also helps in the Interview. Here is the complete overview of the UPSC Law Optional Papers.
| Overview of History Syllabus for UPSC 2025 | |||
| Sl. No. | UPSC IAS Mains Papers | Subject | Marks |
| 1 | Paper VI | Optional Subject Paper-I | 250 |
| 2 | Paper VII | Optional Subject Paper-II | 250 |
| TOTAL | 500 | ||
| Time Duration | 3 hours | ||
Check the official UPSC website for the latest syllabus updates.
UPSC Law Optional Syllabus 2025 for Paper 1
The Paper 1 focuses on two broad areas, Constitutional and Administrative Law, and International Law. Each section is rich in concepts that often overlap with topics in GS Paper 2.
| Unit / Section | Syllabus Details |
| Syllabus Details | • Constitution and Constitutionalism: The distinctive features of the Constitution.• Fundamental Rights – Directive Principles – Fundamental Duties.• Union and State Executive and their interrelationship.• Union and State Legislative Relations; distribution of legislative powers.• Union and State Judiciary; Separation of Powers.• Emergency provisions.• Constitutional Amendments.• Parliamentary privileges and immunities.• Judicial Review and Judicial Activism.• Principles of natural justice, delegated legislation, administrative discretion, and judicial control of administrative discretion. |
| International Law | • Nature and Basis of International Law.• Sources of International Law.• Recognition of States and Governments.• State Succession.• Law of the Sea; Airspace and outer space.• Individuals in International Law: Extradition and Asylum.• Treaties.• United Nations.• Settlement of disputes – peaceful and coercive.• International Human Rights.• International Humanitarian Law.• World Trade Organization (WTO). |
UPSC Law Optional Syllabus 2025 for Paper 2
Paper 2 is divided into four major parts: Law of Crime, Law of Torts, Law of Contracts and Mercantile Law, and Contemporary Legal Developments. Law of Crimes
| Unit / Section | Syllabus Details |
| Law of Crimes | • General principles of criminal liability – actus reus, mens rea, preparation, and attempt.• General exceptions.• Joint and constructive liability.• Offences against the State.• Offences against public tranquility.• Offences against the human body.• Offences against property.• Offences against women and children.• Offences against religion.• Criminal conspiracy.• Abetment.• Criminal breach of trust and misappropriation.• Defamation.• Attempt to commit offences.• Recent legislation on crimes. |
| Law of Torts | • Nature and definition of Torts.• Liability based on fault and strict liability.• Vicarious liability.• Absolute liability.• Defenses in tort.• Nuisance.• Negligence.• Defamation.• Trespass to the person and property.• Consumer Protection Act and Motor Vehicles Act.• Emerging trends in the law of torts. |
| Law of Contracts and Mercantile Law | • General principles of contract – offer, acceptance, consideration, capacity, free consent, void agreements.• Contract of indemnity, guarantee, bailment, pledge, and agency.• Contract of partnership.• Sale of goods.• Contract relating to carriage of goods.• Contract relating to insurance.• Negotiable instruments.• Company law – incorporation, prospectus, shares, duties of directors, winding up. |
| Contemporary Legal Developments | • Public Interest Litigation.• Intellectual Property Rights – Copyright, Patent, and Trademark.• Information Technology Law.• Cyber crimes.• Competition Law.• Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) – Arbitration, Conciliation, Mediation.• Environmental Law.• Human Rights.• Corporate Governance.• Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Act.• Right to Information Act.• Lokpal and Lokayukta.• Tribunals. |
UPSC Law Optional Syllabus 2025 PDF
Aspirants can download the UPSC Law Optional Syllabus 2025 PDF for both Paper 1 and Paper 2. If you have a PDF copy, it will help you in planning your preparation, revise quickly, and align our studies with the UPSC exam requirements. Also, here are the previous years’ question papers in PDF version, so that you can get a perfect analysis of the exam pattern.
| 2024 Law Optional Paper | |
| 2024 Law Optional Paper- 1 | 2024 Law Optional Paper- 2 |
| 2023 Law Optional Paper | |
| 2023 Law Optional Paper- 1 | 2023 Law Optional Paper- 2 |
| 2022 Law Optional Paper | |
| 2022 Law Optional Paper- 1 | 2022 Law Optional Paper- 2 |
| 2021 Law Optional Paper | |
| 2021 Law Optional Paper- 1 | 2021 Law Optional Paper- 2 |
| 2020 Law Optional Paper | |
| 2020 Law Optional Paper- 1 | 2020 Law Optional Paper- 2 |
| 2019 Law Optional Paper | |
| 2019 Law Optional Paper- 1 | 2019 Law Optional Paper- 2 |
| 2018 Law Optional Paper | |
| 2018 Law Optional Paper- 1 | 2018 Law Optional Paper- 2 |
| 2017 Law Optional Paper | |
| 2017 Law Optional Paper- 1 | 2017 Law Optional Paper- 2 |
| 2016 Law Optional Paper | |
| 2016 Law Optional Paper- 1 | 2016 Law Optional Paper- 2 |
Preparation Strategy for UPSC Law Optional Syllabus 2025
- Understand the syllabus clearly: Firstly, break it down topic-wise and align your notes with it.
- Integrate current affairs: Secondly, you can also link constitutional law and contemporary developments with ongoing legal debates and landmark judgments.
- Practice case laws: Third, you should study landmark judgments and quote them in your answers.
- Revise regularly: Fourth, keep revising class notes, self-notes, and bare acts.
- Solve previous year papers: Fifth, analyze past trends and practice answer writing.
- Daily writing practice: Lastly, focus on structured answers with legal provisions and examples.
Important Topics Frequently Asked in UPSC Law Optional
- Firstly, the Fundamental Rights and DPSP
- Then, the Supreme Court and High Court powers
- Emergency provisions
- Judicial review
- International Law and UN reforms
- General principles of criminal liability
- Law of Torts: Negligence and Liability
- Public Interest Litigation
- Cyber laws and IPR
- RTI and environmental law
Conclusion
The syllabus for the UPSC Law optional offers immense opportunities for aspirants who are aiming to crack the Civil Services Examination. With its 500-mark weightage, strong overlap with GS, and a practical approach to real-world issues, law proves to be a reliable option. By combining conceptual clarity, answer-writing practice, and current legal developments, candidates can secure high marks and strengthen their overall UPSC performance.
FAQs on UPSC Law Optional Syllabus 2025
Yes, law is a scoring optional with clear concepts, overlap with GS papers, and abundant resources.
It includes Paper 1 (Constitutional & Administrative Law, International Law) and Paper 2 (Law of Crimes, Torts, Contracts, and Contemporary Developments).
Yes, with proper preparation, law can fetch high marks because of its structured nature.
Yes, it overlaps with GS Paper 2, parts of GS Paper 3, essays, and interview topics.
Yes, any aspiring individual can opt for a career in law. Through systematic study, even non-law graduates can achieve good scores.
