Examination Structure
- Preliminary Examination
- Main Examination
- Personality Test / Interview
1. PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION
Paper I — General Studies
200 Marks | 2 Hours | Objective Type
Major Areas:
- Current Events of National & International Importance
- History of India & Indian National Movement
- Indian & World Geography
- Indian Polity & Governance
- Economic & Social Development
- Environment, Ecology, Biodiversity & Climate Change
- General Science
Paper II — CSAT
200 Marks | 2 Hours | Objective Type
Qualifying Paper — Minimum 33%
Major Areas:
- Comprehension
- Interpersonal Skills & Communication Skills
- Logical Reasoning & Analytical Ability
- Decision Making & Problem Solving
- General Mental Ability
- Basic Numeracy — Class X level
- Data Interpretation — Class X level
2. MAINS EXAMINATION
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
| Paper A | Indian Language | 300 |
| Paper B | English | 300 |
| Paper I | Essay | 250 |
| Paper II | General Studies I | 250 |
| Paper III | General Studies II | 250 |
| Paper IV | General Studies III | 250 |
| Paper V | General Studies IV | 250 |
| Paper VI | Optional Subject I | 250 |
| Paper VII | Optional Subject II | 250 |
Written Total: 1750 Marks
3. PERSONALITY TEST/INTERVIEW :
275 Marks
Final Ranking Total: 2025 Marks
PRELIMS — PAPER I
General Studies
1. Current Events of National & International Importance
Focus areas include:
- Government Schemes & Initiatives
- Constitutional Amendments
- Supreme Court & High Court Judgments
- Important Bills & Acts
- Economic Survey & Union Budget
- National & International Reports
- Global Indices
- International Summits & Conferences
- Bilateral & Multilateral Agreements
- Important Appointments
- Awards & Honours
- Sports Events
- Science & Technology Developments
- Natural & Man-made Disasters
- Social Issues
- International Conflicts & Peace Initiatives
- India’s Foreign Policy
- Health Emergencies
- Infrastructure & Development Initiatives
2. HISTORY OF INDIA & INDIAN NATIONAL MOVEMENT
A. Ancient India
Major Areas
- Prehistoric India
- Indus Valley Civilization
- Vedic Period
- Mahajanapadas
- Buddhism & Jainism
- Mauryan Empire
- Post-Mauryan Period
- Gupta Period
- Sangam Age
- Ancient Indian Art & Architecture
- Literature, Philosophy & Science
- Education & Knowledge Systems
B. Medieval India
- Early Medieval India
- Delhi Sultanate
- Mughal Empire
- Regional Kingdoms
- Bhakti Movement
- Sufi Movement
- Medieval Art & Architecture
- Literature & Cultural Developments
- Administrative & Economic Systems
C. Modern India
British Expansion
- Advent of Europeans
- British East India Company
- Carnatic Wars
- Bengal & Expansion of British Rule
- Subsidiary Alliance
- Doctrine of Lapse
Revolt of 1857
- Causes
- Major Centres
- Important Leaders
- Course of the Revolt
- Causes of Failure
- Consequences
Indian National Movement
- Formation of Indian National Congress
- Moderate & Extremist Phase
- Swadeshi Movement
- Home Rule Movement
- Gandhian Era
- Non-Cooperation Movement
- Civil Disobedience Movement
- Quit India Movement
- Revolutionary Movement
- Constitutional Developments
- Role of Women
- Peasant & Tribal Movements
- Independence & Partition
3. INDIAN & WORLD GEOGRAPHY
A. Physical Geography
- Earth & its Structure
- Geomorphology
- Rocks & Minerals
- Earthquakes
- Volcanoes
- Plate Tectonics
- Mountains, Plateaus & Plains
- Rivers & Drainage Systems
- Oceanography
- Ocean Currents
- Tides
- Atmospheric Structure
- Winds
- Pressure Belts
- Monsoon
- Cyclones
- Climate & Climatic Regions
- Natural Vegetation
- Soils
B. Indian Geography
- Physiographic Divisions of India
- Himalayan Region
- Northern Plains
- Peninsular Plateau
- Coastal Plains
- Islands
- Rivers & Drainage
- Indian Monsoon
- Soils
- Natural Vegetation
- Agriculture
- Mineral Resources
- Industries
- Transport & Communication
- Population & Settlements
C. World Geography
- Continents
- Major Physical Features
- Mountains
- Plateaus
- Plains
- Rivers & Lakes
- Climate Regions
- Natural Resources
- Agriculture
- Industries
- Population Distribution
- Important Geographical Locations
4. INDIAN POLITY & GOVERNANCE
Constitutional Framework
- Historical Background
- Making of the Constitution
- Salient Features
- Preamble
- Fundamental Rights
- Directive Principles of State Policy
- Fundamental Duties
- Constitutional Amendments
- Basic Structure
Political System
- Union Executive
- President
- Vice-President
- Prime Minister & Council of Ministers
- Parliament
- Supreme Court
- State Executive
- Governor
- Chief Minister & Council of Ministers
- State Legislature
- High Courts
Governance
- Constitutional & Statutory Bodies
- Local Government
- Panchayati Raj
- Municipalities
- Election System
- Transparency & Accountability
- E-Governance
- Citizen Charters
- Rights Issues
- Public Policy
5. ECONOMIC & SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Indian Economy
- Basic Economic Concepts
- National Income
- Growth & Development
- Inflation
- Fiscal Policy
- Monetary Policy
- Banking System
- Financial Markets
- Taxation
- Government Budget
- Public Finance
- External Sector
- Balance of Payments
- Foreign Trade
- Exchange Rates
- Infrastructure
Social Development
- Poverty
- Inclusion
- Demographics
- Population Issues
- Employment
- Human Development
- Education
- Health
- Social Sector Schemes
6. ENVIRONMENT, ECOLOGY, BIODIVERSITY & CLIMATE CHANGE
Ecology
- Ecosystem
- Food Chain & Food Web
- Ecological Pyramids
- Energy Flow
- Biogeochemical Cycles
- Ecological Succession
Biodiversity
- Genetic Diversity
- Species Diversity
- Ecosystem Diversity
- Biodiversity Hotspots
- Endangered Species
- Conservation
Environmental Issues
- Climate Change
- Global Warming
- Ozone Depletion
- Pollution
- Waste Management
- Deforestation
- Desertification
- Environmental Impact Assessment
Conservation
- National Parks
- Wildlife Sanctuaries
- Biosphere Reserves
- Ramsar Sites
- International Environmental Conventions
7. GENERAL SCIENCE
Physics
- Basic Physics
- Mechanics
- Heat
- Light
- Sound
- Electricity
- Magnetism
- Nuclear Physics
Chemistry
- Basic Chemistry
- Elements & Compounds
- Chemical Reactions
- Acids, Bases & Salts
- Metals & Non-metals
- Everyday Chemistry
Biology
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
- Human Physiology
- Diseases
- Nutrition
- Biotechnology
- Evolution
- Ecology
Science & Technology
- Space Technology
- Defence Technology
- Biotechnology
- Nanotechnology
- Artificial Intelligence
- Robotics
- Information Technology
- Emerging Technologies
PRELIMS — PAPER II
CSAT
1. Comprehension
- Reading Comprehension
- Main Idea
- Inference
- Conclusion
- Tone & Context
- Logical Interpretation
2. Interpersonal Skills & Communication
- Communication
- Verbal & Non-Verbal Communication
- Effective Communication
- Interpersonal Relations
3. Logical Reasoning & Analytical Ability
- Statements & Conclusions
- Statements & Assumptions
- Arguments
- Logical Sequences
- Coding-Decoding
- Blood Relations
- Directions
- Puzzles
- Analytical Reasoning
4. Decision Making & Problem Solving
- Situation Analysis
- Decision Making
- Problem Identification
- Alternative Solutions
- Ethical & Practical Choices
5. General Mental Ability
- Number Patterns
- Series
- Analogy
- Classification
- Basic Logical Operations
6. Basic Numeracy
Class X Level
- Number System
- Percentages
- Ratio & Proportion
- Average
- Profit & Loss
- Simple & Compound Interest
- Time & Work
- Time, Speed & Distance
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Mensuration
7. Data Interpretation
Class X Level
- Tables
- Charts
- Graphs
- Bar Graphs
- Pie Charts
- Data Comparison
- Data Sufficiency
MAINS — GENERAL STUDIES I
Indian Heritage & Culture, History & Geography of the World & Society
1. Indian Heritage & Culture
- Indian Art Forms
- Literature
- Architecture
- Classical & Folk Traditions
- Indian Philosophy
- Cultural Heritage
- Religion & Cultural Developments
2. Modern Indian History
- Significant Events
- Personalities
- Important Issues
- Freedom Struggle
- Post-Independence Consolidation
3. World History
- Industrial Revolution
- World Wars
- Nationalism
- Colonisation & Decolonisation
- Political Philosophies
- Major Political Events
4. Indian Society
- Salient Features
- Diversity of India
- Women & Women’s Issues
- Population Issues
- Poverty
- Urbanization
- Globalization
- Social Empowerment
- Communalism
- Regionalism
- Secularism
5. Geography
- Physical Geography
- Natural Resources
- Industrial Location
- Geographical Phenomena
- Earthquakes
- Tsunamis
- Cyclones
- Volcanic Activity
- Changes in Water Bodies, Ice Caps & Flora/Fauna
MAINS — GENERAL STUDIES II
Polity, Governance, Social Justice & International Relations
Indian Constitution & Polity
- Constitution
- Federalism
- Parliament
- Judiciary
- Executive
- Constitutional Bodies
- Statutory Bodies
- Representation of People
- Important Constitutional Issues
Governance
- Government Policies
- Transparency
- Accountability
- E-Governance
- Citizen Charters
- Role of Civil Services
Social Justice
- Welfare Schemes
- Vulnerable Sections
- Health
- Education
- Poverty
- Hunger
- Social Sector Issues
International Relations
- India’s Neighbourhood
- Bilateral Relations
- Regional Groupings
- International Institutions
- Global Politics
- International Agreements
- India’s Foreign Policy
MAINS — GENERAL STUDIES III
Economy, Technology, Environment, Security & Disaster Management
Indian Economy
- Growth & Development
- Employment
- Inclusive Growth
- Budgeting
- Agriculture
- Food Processing
- Infrastructure
- Investment Models
Science & Technology
- Developments & Applications
- Indigenization
- IT
- Space
- Robotics
- Biotechnology
- Nanotechnology
- Intellectual Property Rights
Environment
- Conservation
- Pollution
- Environmental Impact
- Climate Change
- Environmental Governance
Internal Security
- Extremism
- Cyber Security
- Money Laundering
- Border Management
- Organized Crime
- Security Challenges
Disaster Management
- Disaster Preparedness
- Disaster Response
- Mitigation
- Recovery
- Institutional Mechanisms
MAINS — GENERAL STUDIES IV
Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude
1. Ethics & Human Interface
- Essence of Ethics
- Determinants of Ethical Behaviour
- Consequences of Ethics
- Human Values
- Lessons from Great Leaders
- Role of Family & Society
- Ethical Dilemmas
2. Attitude & Aptitude
- Attitude
- Content & Structure of Attitude
- Influence on Thought & Behaviour
- Moral & Political Attitudes
- Emotional Intelligence
- Aptitude & Foundational Values
3. Integrity in Public Administration
- Ethical Governance
- Probity
- Accountability
- Transparency
- Code of Ethics
- Code of Conduct
- Public Service Values
- Corruption
- Ethical Issues in Governance
4. Case Studies
Focus on:
- Ethical Dilemmas
- Stakeholder Identification
- Options Available
- Consequences
- Ethical Principles
- Practical Solutions
- Decision Making
- Justification of Decisions
OPTIONAL SUBJECT
Candidates choose one optional subject, consisting of two papers of 250 marks each.
Optional Subjects
- Agriculture
- Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science
- Anthropology
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Commerce & Accountancy
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering
- Geography
- Geology
- History
- Law
- Management
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medical Science
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science & International Relations
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Sociology
- Statistics
- Zoology
- Literature of any one language included in the Eighth Schedule
PERSONALITY TEST / INTERVIEW
The Personality Test assesses qualities such as:
- Mental Alertness
- Critical Powers of Assimilation
- Clear & Logical Exposition
- Balance of Judgment
- Variety & Depth of Interest
- Leadership Qualities
- Social Traits
- Capacity for Leadership
- Intellectual Integrity
- Moral Integrity
FINAL UPSC CSE SYLLABUS 2027 STRUCTURE
PRELIMS → MAINS → INTERVIEW → FINAL RANK
Prelims: Screening Stage
Mains: 1750 Written Marks
Interview: 275 Marks
Final Total: 2025 Marks
