The UPSC Philosophy Syllabus 2026 is designed to test aspirants’ ability to think critically, analyze abstract concepts, and evaluate arguments with clarity. If you have a genuine interest in exploring questions of existence, knowledge, morality, and truth, then Philosophy can be an excellent optional subject. Unlike technical subjects, Philosophy allows you to engage in intellectual debates, abstract reasoning, and ethical analysis, which are equally rewarding in personal and professional life.
UPSC Philosophy Syllabus 2026 for Optional Papers 1 & 2
Why Choose UPSC Philosophy Syllabus 2026?
Choosing Philosophy as an optional subject under the UPSC Philosophy Syllabus 2026 can give aspirants a unique advantage. The subject not only enhances your analytical reasoning but also improves your ability to structure arguments logically. With a wide coverage of Western and Indian Philosophy, ethics, political thought, and religious philosophy, the syllabus provides multiple scoring opportunities. Furthermore, its concise nature makes it easier to revise compared to many other optional subjects.
Structure of UPSC Philosophy Syllabus 2026 The UPSC Philosophy Optional Syllabus is divided into two papers, i.e, Paper I and Paper II, each carrying 250 marks. Let’s look at the detailed structure of both papers.
| Overview of UPSC Philosophy Syllabus 2025 | |||
| S. 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 | ||
UPSC Philosophy Syllabus 2026 – Paper I
Paper I is further divided into two parts: Western Philosophy and Indian Philosophy
| Topics | Details |
| Western Philosophy | Plato and Aristotle: Ideas; Substance; Form and Matter; Causation; Actuality and Potentiality.Rationalism (Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz); Cartesian Method and Certain Knowledge; Substance; God; Mind-Body Dualism; Determinism and Freedom.Empiricism (Locke, Berkeley, Hume): Theory of Knowledge; Substance and Qualities; Self and God; Scepticism.Kant: Possibility of Synthetic a priori Judgments; Space and Time; Categories; Ideas of Reason; Antinomies; Critique of Proofs for the Existence of God.Hegel: Dialectical Method; Absolute Idealism.Moore, Russell and Early Wittgenstein: Defence of Common Sense; Refutation of Idealism; Logical Atomism; Logical Constructions; Incomplete Symbols; Picture Theory of Meaning; Saying and Showing.Logical Positivism: Verification Theory of Meaning; Rejection of Metaphysics; Linguistic Theory of Necessary Propositions.Later Wittgenstein: Meaning and Use; Language-games; Critique of Private Language.Phenomenology (Husserl): Method; Theory of Essences; Avoidance of Psychologism.Existentialism (Kierkegaard, Sartre, Heidegger): Existence and Essence; Choice, Responsibility and Authentic Existence; Being-in-the-world and Temporality.Quine and Strawson: Critique of Empiricism; Theory of Basic Particulars and Persons/ |
| Indian Philosophy | Carvaka: Theory of Knowledge; Rejection of Transcendent Entities.Jainism: Theory of Reality; Saptabhanginaya; Bondage and Liberation.Schools of Buddhism: PratItyasamutpada; Ksanikavada, Nairatmyavada.Nyaya—Vaiesesika: Theory of Categories; Theory of Appearance; Theory of Pramana; Self, Liberation; God; Proofs for the Existence of God; Theory of Causation; Atomistic Theory of Creation.Samkhya; Prakrit; Purusa; Causation; Liberation.Yoga; Citta; Cittavrtti; Klesas; Samadhi; Kaivalya.Mimamsa: Theory of Knowledge.Schools of Vedanta: Brahman; Isvara; Atman; Jiva; Jagat; Maya; Avida; Adhyasa; Moksa; Aprthaksiddhi; Pancavidhabheda.Aurobindo: Evolution, Involution; Integral Yoga |
UPSC Philosophy Syllabus 2026 – Paper II
Paper II focuses on Socio-Political Philosophy and Philosophy of Religion.
| Topics | Details |
| Socio-Political Philosophy | Social and Political ideals: Equality, Justice, Liberty.Sovereignty: Austin, Bodin, Laski, Kautilya.Individual and State: Rights, Duties and Accountability.Forms of Government: Monarchy, Theocracy, and Democracy.Political Ideologies: Anarchism, Marxism, and Socialism.Humanism; Secularism; Multiculturalism.Crime and Punishment: Corruption, Mass Violence, Genocide, Capital Punishment.Development and Social Progress.Gender Discrimination: Female Foeticide, Land and Property Rights; Empowerment.Caste Discrimination: Gandhi and Ambedkar |
| Philosophy of Religion | Notions of God: Attributes; Relation to Man and the World. (Indian and Western).Proofs for the Existence of God and Their Critique (Indian and Western).Problem of Evil.Soul: Immortality, Rebirth, and Liberation.Reason, Revelation, and Faith.Religious Experience: Nature and Object (Indian and Western).Religion without God.Religion and Morality.Religious Pluralism and the Problem of Absolute Truth.Nature of Religious Language: Analogical and Symbolic; Cognitivist and Non-cognitive |
UPSC Philosophy Syllabus 2026
You can access the UPSC Philosophy Syllabus 2026 PDF for structured preparation. The PDF will provide a well-organized overview of Paper I and Paper II, making it easier to plan study schedules, identify focus areas, and revise before the exam.
Preparation Strategy for UPSC Philosophy Syllabus 2026
- Focus on Indian and Western Thinkers: You should follow standard books and follow our SPM IAS Academy class materials.
- Link Philosophy with Current Affairs: Secondly, you must also follow current affairs , relating philosophical debates to modern issues boosts answer quality.
- Practice Answer Writing: Try to use clear arguments with examples to fetch better marks.
- Take Mock Tests: Moreover, try to identify weak areas and work on time management.
- Keep Short Notes: Lastly, summarize theories, thinkers, and critiques for last-minute revision.
Conclusion
The UPSC Philosophy Syllabus 2026 is concise, logical, and deeply enriching for aspirants who wish to engage with abstract thought. It sharpens your reasoning, enhances essay-writing skills, and provides an edge in Ethics and GS papers. With a proper balance of concept clarity, answer practice, and critical analysis, Philosophy can become one of the most rewarding optional subjects in UPSC CSE.
Previous Years’ Question Papers
| 2024 Philosophy Optional Paper | |
| 2024 Philosophy Optional Paper- 1 | 2024 Philosophy Optional Paper- 2 |
| 2023 Philosophy Optional Paper | |
| 2023 Philosophy Optional Paper- 1 | 2023 Philosophy Optional Paper- 2 |
| 2022 Philosophy Optional Paper | |
| 2022 Philosophy Optional Paper- 1 | 2022 Philosophy Optional Paper- 2 |
| 2021 Philosophy Optional Paper | |
| 2021 Philosophy Optional Paper- 1 | 2021 Philosophy Optional Paper- 2 |
| 2020 Philosophy Optional Paper | |
| 2020 Philosophy Optional Paper- 1 | 2020 Philosophy Optional Paper- 2 |
| 2019 Philosophy Optional Paper | |
| 2019 Philosophy Optional Paper- 1 | 2019 Philosophy Optional Paper- 2 |
| 2018 Philosophy Optional Paper | |
| 2018 Philosophy Optional Paper- 1 | 2018 Philosophy Optional Paper- 2 |
| 2017 Philosophy Optional Paper | |
| 2017 Philosophy Optional Paper- 1 | 2017 Philosophy Optional Paper- 2 |
| 2016 Philosophy Optional Paper | |
| 2016 Philosophy Optional Paper- 1 | 2016 Philosophy Optional Paper- 2 |
UPSC Philosophy Syllabus 2026 FAQs
It includes Indian Philosophy, Western Philosophy, Socio-Political Philosophy, and Philosophy of Religion, divided into Paper I and Paper II.
Philosophy is considered one of the easier optional subjects because of its concise syllabus and overlapping themes with Ethics and GS.
It is an optional subject in the UPSC Mains Exam that covers fundamental questions about reality, knowledge, society, and religion.
Begin with standard books for Indian Philosophy and Western Philosophy, then practice answer writing regularly.
Many toppers have scored above 300 marks in Philosophy optional, making it a highly scoring subject with the right preparation.
