Are you preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025? Understanding the UPSC Syllabus is your first step toward cracking one of the most prestigious exams in India. This article provides the detailed UPSC Prelims and Mains Syllabus 2025, with downloadable PDF links and expert insights to streamline your preparation.
Contents
- 1 Download UPSC Syllabus 2025 PDF
- 2 Overview of UPSC Examination
- 3 UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2025
- 4 UPSC Mains Syllabus 2025
- 5 UPSC Essay Paper Syllabus 2025
- 6 UPSC General Studies Syllabus for Mains
- 7 UPSC Interview (Personality Test) – 275 Marks
- 8 Why is the UPSC Syllabus Important?
- 9 Target Keywords for SEO
- 10 Quick Links to Download PDFs
Download UPSC Syllabus 2025 PDF
- UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2025 PDF
- UPSC Mains Syllabus 2025 PDF
Overview of UPSC Examination
The UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE) is conducted in three stages:
- Preliminary Examination (Prelims) – Objective Type
- Main Examination (Mains) – Written (Descriptive)
- Personality Test (Interview)
This exam tests a candidate’s knowledge, aptitude, communication, and analytical abilities.
UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2025
The IAS Prelims is a qualifying screening test consisting of two objective-type papers:
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Studies (GS-I) | 200 | 2 Hours |
| Paper II | CSAT (GS-II – Qualifying Paper) | 200 | 2 Hours |
General Studies Paper-I Syllabus
- Current events of national and international importance
- History of India and Indian National Movement
- Indian and World Geography – Physical, Social, Economic
- Indian Polity and Governance
- Economic and Social Development
- Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change
- General Science
CSAT – General Studies Paper-II Syllabus
- Comprehension
- Interpersonal & Communication Skills
- Logical Reasoning & Analytical Ability
- Decision Making & Problem Solving
- General Mental Ability
- Basic Numeracy (Class X level)
- Data Interpretation (Class X level)
Note: CSAT is a qualifying paper. You must score 33% (66 marks) to qualify.
UPSC Mains Syllabus 2025
The IAS Mains Exam is descriptive in nature and consists of nine papers, out of which seven are counted for merit and two are qualifying.
Structure of UPSC Mains Exam
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper-A | Indian Language (Qualifying) | 300 |
| Paper-B | English (Qualifying) | 300 |
| Paper-I | Essay | 250 |
| Paper-II | General Studies-I (History, Geography, Society) | 250 |
| Paper-III | General Studies-II (Polity, Governance) | 250 |
| Paper-IV | General Studies-III (Economy, Tech, Environment) | 250 |
| Paper-V | General Studies-IV (Ethics) | 250 |
| Paper-VI | Optional Subject – Paper 1 | 250 |
| Paper-VII | Optional Subject – Paper 2 | 250 |
| Total (Mains) | 1750 | |
| Interview (PT) | 275 | |
| Grand Total | 2025 |
UPSC Essay Paper Syllabus 2025
- Candidates will write essays on multiple topics
- Focus on clarity, coherence, structure, and effective expression
- Marks: 250
UPSC General Studies Syllabus for Mains
GS Paper 1 – Indian Heritage, History & Geography
- Art & Culture
- Modern Indian History & Freedom Struggle
- World History from the 18th century
- Indian Society & Diversity
- Role of Women, Globalization, Urbanization
- Physical Geography and Natural Resources
- Geophysical Phenomena and Environmental Changes
GS Paper 2 – Governance, Polity & International Relations
- Indian Constitution and Amendments
- Federal Structure, Parliament, and Judiciary
- Local Governance and Welfare Schemes
- NGOs, SHGs, Civil Services
- International Relations and Global Institutions
GS Paper 3 – Economy, Technology, Environment & Security
- Indian Economy and Economic Planning
- Agriculture, Food Processing, Land Reforms
- Science and Technology
- Environmental Issues and Disaster Management
- Internal Security, Cybersecurity, Money Laundering
GS Paper 4 – Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude
- Ethics in Public and Private Life
- Attitude and Emotional Intelligence
- Moral Thinkers and Philosophers
- Public Service Values and Governance
- Case Studies on Ethical Dilemmas
UPSC Interview (Personality Test) – 275 Marks
This stage evaluates:
- Mental Alertness
- Critical Thinking
- Leadership & Decision-Making
- Communication Skills
- Personality and Suitability for Public Service
Why is the UPSC Syllabus Important?
- Provides a clear direction for preparation
- Helps filter the most relevant topics
- Enhances time and resource management
- Improves answer quality and relevance
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Quick Links to Download PDFs
UPSC Mains 2025 Syllabus PDF
UPSC Prelims 2025 Syllabus PDF
