UPSC Civil Services Exams, 2026
Prelims and Mains Integrated
IAS Exam Structure
The IAS exam consists of THREE successive stages : (1) Preliminary, (2) Main , and (3) Interview/Personality Test.
Preliminary
Preliminary is an objective type screening exam for the selection for Main exam. It has TWO papers of 200 marks each (Duration: 2 hours each). Paper I : General Studies and Paper II : CSAT ( Civil Services Aptitude Test). CSAT is only a qualifying paper requiring minimum pass marks of 33 %. CSAT score is not included in selection for Main.Prelim papers will have negative marking. Negative marking is the penalty for wrong answers in objective type exams. Prelims will have one-third (0.33) of the marks assigned as penalty for wrong answering. The number of candidates selected for Main exam will be about 12 to 13 times the number of vacancies announced for the year.
Main
Main exams are conventional written exams. It has TWO qualifying papers, ONE Essay paper, FOUR GS papers, and TWO papers of optional subject.
Qualifying papers are for one Indian language and English. Both the papers carry 300 marks each and 3 hours of duration. The candidates have to qualify in these papers by scoring 25% marks in each.
The Essay paper, the four GS papers and two optional papers carry 250 marks each and each of 3 hours duration. Main exam is for selection for Interview. About TWICE of vacancies announced will be called for Interview from main exam rankings.
Interview
Interview is the final stage. Interview is for the selection for the posts to be filled, based on the combined score of Main and Interview(275 marks)
Syllabus
Prelims
Paper I : General Studies
Current events of national and international importance, History of India and Indian National Movement, Indian and World Geography (physical,social,economic geography of India and the world), Indian Polity and Governance (Constitution,Political System, Panchayati Raj,Public Policy, Rights issue,etc.), Economic and Social Development ( sustainable development,poverty,Inclusion,Demographics, social sector initiatives, etc.) , General Issues on Environment and Ecology, Bio diversity and climate change, and General Science.
Paper II : CSAT (Civil Service Aptitude Test)
Comprehension, Interpersonal Skills including communication skills, Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability , Decision making and Problem solving , General Mental Ability, Basic numeracy -numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude ( class X level ), Data Interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency ( class X level ).
Mains
Qualifying Papers and Essay Paper
Paper A: Indian Language
Comprehension of given passages, precis writing , usage and vocabulary , short essays , translation from English to Indian Language and vice-versa.
Paper B: English
Comprehension of given passages , precis writing , usage and vocabulary. Short essays.
Paper I : Essay
Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics.They will be expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in orderly fashion, and write concisely.Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.
GS Papers
Paper II (GS-I ) : Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society
Indian Culture- salient aspects of art forms, literature , and Architecture from ancient to modern times ; Modern Indian History from about middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues; The Freedom Struggle -Its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country ; Post Independence consolidation and reorganization within the country ; History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, de colonization , political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism, etc- their forms and effect on the society; Salient features of Indian Society-Diversity of India; Role of women and women’s organizations, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and remedies; Effects of globalization on Indian Society; Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism and secularism; Salient features of world’s physical geography; Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian Sub continent ); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India); Important Geographical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, volcanic activity, cyclone etc; geographical features and their location changes in critical geographical features ( including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
Paper III (GS-II ) : Governance, Constitution,Polity, Social Justice,and International Relations
Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure; Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein; Separation of powers between various organs, dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions; Comparison of the Indian Constitutional scheme with that of other countries; Parliament and State legislatures – Structures , functioning , conduct of business, powers and privileges and issues arising out of these; Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary – Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal and informal associations and their role in the polity; Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act;Appointment to various constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various constitutional bodies; Stautory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies; Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation; Development processes and the development industry- the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stake holders; Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes, mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections; Issues relating to development and management of social sector/services relating to Health, Education, Human resources; Issues relating to poverty and Hunger; Important aspects of governance, transparency and accuntability, e-governance: applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters,transparency , accountability and institutional and other measures; Role of civil services in a democracy; India and its neighborhood relations; Bilateral , regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests; Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora; Important international institutions, agencies and fora- their structure and mandate.
Paper IV (GS-III) : Technology, Economic Development, Bio Diversity , Environment, Security and Disaster Management
Indian Economy and Issues relating to planning , mobilization of resources , growth , development and employment; Inclusive growth and issues relating from it; government Budgeting ; Major crops, cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems, Storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers. Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices ; Public distribution system – objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping, issues of buffer stocks and food security. Technology Missions. Economics of animal rearing. Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements ; supply chain management. Land reforms in India. Effects of liberalization on the economy , changes in the industrial policy and their effect on industrial growth. Infrastructure : Energy, Ports, roads, Air ports, Railways etc. Investment models. Science and Technology- development and their applications and effects in everyday life. Achievements of Indians in science and technology . Indigenization of technology and developing new technology. Awareness in the fields of IT, space, computers,robotics, nano technology, bio technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights . Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment. Disaster and disaster management. Linkages between development and spread of extremism. Role of external state and non state actors in creating challenges to internal security. Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security, money laundering and its prevention. Security challenges and their management in border areas- linkages of organized crime with terrorism. Various security forces and agencies and their mandate.
Paper V ( GS- IV) : Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude
This paper will include questions to test the candidates’ attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and problem solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced in dealing with society. Questions may utilize the case study approach to determine these aspects.The following broad areas will be covered.
Ethics and human interface: Essence , determinants, and consequences of ethics in human actions.Dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships. Human values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers, and administrators.Role of family , society, and educational institutions in inculcating values. Attitude : Content, structure, functions; its influence and relation with thought and behavior, moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion . Aptitude and foundational values of civil service, integrity, impartiality and non partisanship , objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker sections. Emotional Intelligence- concepts and their utilities and application in administration and governance. contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and World. Public/ Civil service values and ethics in public administration: status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions, laws , rules , regulations, and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance. Probity in Governance: concept of public service, philosophical basis of governance and probity; information and transparence in government; Right to Information, codes of ethics, codes of conduct, citizen’s charters, work culture, Quality of service delivery, utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption. Case studies on above issues.
Optional : Public Administration
Paper I : Administration Theory
Introduction, Administrative thought, Administration Behavior, Organizations, Accountability and Control, Administration Law, Comparative Public administration, Development dynamics, Personnel Administration, Public policy, techniques of administrative improvement and Financial administration.
Paper II : Indian Administration
Evolution of Indian Administration, Philosophical and Constitutional framework of Government. public sector undertakings, Union Government and administration, Plans and priorities, state Government and Administration, District administration since Independence, civil services, Financial Management, Administrative reforms since Independence , Rural Development, Urban Local Government, Law and Order Administration, Significant Issues in Indian administration.