Overview of the UPSC Civil Services Examination Syllabus

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is responsible for conducting the Civil Services Examination (CSE), which is a critical pathway for individuals aspiring to enter the Indian Civil Services. The syllabus is vast and requires a comprehensive understanding of a wide range of topics. This article provides a detailed guide to the UPSC Syllabus, covering both the Preliminary and Main Examination phases.

Preliminary Examination

The Preliminary Examination is the initial step in the UPSC Civil Services Examination, and it comprises two papers:

Paper-I: General Studies

Topic areas include:

Current events of national and international importance History of India and Indian National Movement Indian and world geography Indian Polity and Governance Economic and Social Development Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change General Science

Paper-II: CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test)

The CSAT paper evaluates a candidate's mental and analytical abilities through the following areas:

Comprehension Interpersonal skills including communication skills Logical reasoning and analytical ability Decision making and problem-solving General mental ability Basic numeracy

Main Examination

The Main Examination is the most crucial phase of the UPSC Civil Services Examination, consisting of nine papers, which are segregated into qualifying and merit-based papers:

Qualifying Papers

Paper-A: Indian Language (Qualifying Nature) Paper-B: English (Qualifying Nature)

Merit-Based Papers

Paper-I: Essay Paper-II: General Studies-I Indian Heritage and Culture History and Geography of the World and Society Paper-III: General Studies-II Governance Constitution Poltiy Public Administration Social Justice and International Relations Paper-IV: General Studies-III Technology Economic Development Biodiversity Environment Security and Disaster Management Paper-V: General Studies-IV Ethics Integrity Aptitude Optional Subject - Paper I Optional Subject - Paper II

Personal Interview/Personality Test

Candidates who qualify the Main Examination are called for a Personal Interview, which further assesses their personality, communication skills, and suitability for a career in public service.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it is essential to refer to the official UPSC website, as the syllabus may be subject to changes.