UPSC Syllabus 2025

Part A—Preliminary Examination
Paper I – (200 marks)
Duration: Two hours
Subjects:
- Current events of national and international importance.
- History of India and Indian National Movement.
- Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Indian history, focusing on the freedom struggle.
- Indian and World Geography – Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World.
- Indian Polity and Governance
- Constitution of India, political system, Panchayati Raj, public policy, rights issues, etc.
- Economic and Social Development
- Sustainable development, poverty, inclusion, demographics, social sector initiatives.
- General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity, and Climate Change
- Topics that don’t require subject specialization.
- General Science.
Paper II-(200 marks)
Duration: Two hours
Subjects:
- Comprehension
- Understanding and interpreting written passages.
- Interpersonal Skills
- Communication skills and relationship management.
- Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability
- Involves problem-solving and deductive reasoning.
- Decision Making and Problem Solving
- Skill in identifying problems, exploring solutions, and making decisions.
- General Mental Ability
- Basic problem-solving using reasoning, analogies, and intuition.
- Basic Numeracy
- Basic arithmetic operations, algebra, geometry at Class X level.
- Data Interpretation
- Analyzing tables, graphs, charts to interpret data, requiring no advanced subject knowledge.
Note 1: Paper II is a qualifying paper with a minimum 33% cut-off.
Note 2: Questions in both papers are Multiple Choice, Objective type.
Note 3: It is mandatory to appear in both papers; failure to do so will disqualify the candidate.
Part B—Main Examination
The Main Examination is designed to assess a candidate’s intellectual depth, analytical capabilities, and clarity in expressing ideas on relevant socio-economic issues.
The General Studies papers (II-V) focus on assessing a broad understanding of subjects that are vital for a civil services career, encouraging candidates to analyze issues critically rather than just relying on memorization.
Qualifying Papers:
QUALIFYING PAPERS ON INDIAN LANGUAGES AND ENGLISH
The aim of the paper is to test the candidates’ ability to read and understand serious discursive prose,
and to express ideas clearly and correctly, in English and Indian language concerned.
The pattern of questions would be broadly as follows:
(i) Comprehension of given passages.
(ii) Precis Writing.
(iii) Usage and Vocabulary.
(iv) Short Essays.
Indian Languages:—
(i) comprehension of given passages.
(ii) Precis Writing.
(iii) Usage and Vocabulary.
(iv) Short Essays.
(v) Translation from English to the Indian Language and vice-versa.
Note 1: The papers on Indian Languages and English will be of Matriculation or equivalent standard and
will be of qualifying nature only. The marks obtained in these papers will not be counted for ranking.
Note 2: The candidates will have to answer the English and Indian Languages papers in English and the
respective Indian language (except where translation is involved)
PAPER-I: Essay
Candidates are required to write essays on multiple topics, exhibiting their ability to present ideas in a clear, structured, and concise manner.
- Focus on effective and exact expression and presenting ideas logically and in an orderly fashion.
PAPER-II: General Studies I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History, and Geography of the World and Society
- Indian Culture
- Important aspects of art, literature, and architecture from ancient to modern times.
- Modern Indian History
- Key events from the mid-eighteenth century, personalities, issues, and the freedom struggle.
- The Freedom Struggle
- Various stages and important contributions by leaders across the country.
- Post-independence Consolidation and Reorganization
- Administrative reorganization post-independence.
- World History
- Major events from the 18th century including industrial revolution, world wars, colonization, decolonization, etc.
- Indian Society
- Diversity of Indian society, social issues, and roles of women and women’s organizations.
- Globalization and Its Impact
- Effects on Indian society including social empowerment, regionalism, and secularism.
- Geographical Features
- Physical features of the world, geophysical phenomena, and their impact.
PAPER-III: General Studies II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations
- Indian Constitution
- Evolution, significant provisions, features, amendments, and basic structure.
- Functions of Union and States
- Federalism, devolution of powers, issues, and challenges of governance at various levels.
- Parliament and State Legislatures
- Structure, functioning, and privileges.
- Executive and Judiciary
- Ministries, departments, pressure groups, and their role in governance.
- Representation of People’s Act and Constitutional Bodies
- Appointment to key posts and working of Constitutional bodies.
- Government Policies for Development
- Challenges in welfare schemes, development processes, and implementation.
- Social Welfare Schemes
- Mechanisms, institutions for vulnerable sections; education, health, and human resources.
- International Relations
- India’s relations with neighbors, bilateral and global groupings and agreements.
PAPER-IV: General Studies III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio-Diversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management
- Indian Economy
- Growth, development issues, employment, and government budgeting.
- Agriculture
- Crop patterns, issues with irrigation, and technological advancements.
- Food Processing and Industry
- Issues regarding storage, processing, and logistics of agricultural produce.
- Infrastructure
- Importance of energy, ports, roads, railways, and infrastructure development.
- Science & Technology
- Latest developments and their applications in daily life.
- Environment and Ecology
- Conservation, pollution, climate change, and related policies.
- Disaster Management and Security
- Role of the state, internal security challenges, and disaster management.
PAPER-V: General Studies IV: Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude
This paper tests a candidate’s approach to ethical dilemmas, integrity in public life, and problem-solving skills.
- Ethics in Human Actions
- Understanding the essence, determinants, and consequences of ethics in public and private life.
- Attitude and Morality
- Importance of attitudes, political and social attitudes, and their influence.
- Integrity and Non-Partisanship
- Foundational values for Civil Services such as fairness, empathy, and emotional intelligence.
- Public/Civil Service Values
- Role of ethical values in governance, ethical dilemmas, and guidance on ethical conduct.
- Probity in Governance
- Concept of public service, transparency, Right to Information, and accountability in governance.
UPSC Syllabus 2025
UPSC Syllabus 2025
5 Ultimate Benefits of UPSC Previous Year Papers
Unlock your UPSC success with these 5 powerful insights on previous year papers, official answer keys, and official cutoff. Ace your preparation with key resources!

Prelims PYQs
Year-wise PYQs with Official Answer Keys

UPSC Mains PYQs
Year-wise PYQs with Optional Subjects
Stage | Exam Papers | Download PDF | Official Answer Key | Cutoff |
---|
Prelims Exam (2024) | Paper I (General Studies) | Download PDF | Official Answer Key |
Paper II (CSAT) | Download PDF | Official Answer Key |
Mains Exam (2024) | Paper A (Indian Language) | Download PDF | Hindi |
Paper B (English) | Download PDF |
Paper I (Essay) | Download PDF |
Paper II (General Studies I) | Download PDF |
Paper III (General Studies II) | Download PDF |
Paper IV (General Studies III) | Download PDF |
Paper V (General Studies IV) | Download PDF |
Stage | Exam Papers | Download PDF | Official Answer Key | Cutoff |
---|
Prelims Exam (2023) | Paper I (General Studies) | Download PDF | View | View |
Paper II (CSAT) | Download PDF | View |
Mains Exam (2023) | Paper A (Indian Language) | Download PDF | Hindi | View |
Paper B (English) | Download PDF |
Paper I (Essay) | Download PDF |
Paper II (General Studies I) | Download PDF |
Paper III (General Studies II) | Download PDF |
Paper IV (General Studies III) | Download PDF |
Paper V (General Studies IV) | Download PDF |
Stage | Exam Papers | Download PDF | Official Answer Key | Cutoff |
---|
Prelims Exam (2022) | Paper I (General Studies) | Download PDF | View | View |
Paper II (CSAT) | Download PDF | View |
Mains Exam (2022) | Paper A (Indian Language) | Download PDF | Hindi | View |
Paper B (English) | Download PDF |
Paper I (Essay) | Download PDF |
Paper II (General Studies I) | Download PDF |
Paper III (General Studies II) | Download PDF |
Paper IV (General Studies III) | Download PDF |
Paper V (General Studies IV) | Download PDF |

5 Ultimate Benefits of UPSC Previous Year Papers (PDF, Keys, Cutoffs)
Preparing for the UPSC exam can be challenging, but solving UPSC previous year papers is one of the most effective ways to streamline your efforts. Here are the 5 ultimate benefits of solving UPSC previous year question papers that can transform your preparation strategy:
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Understand the Exam Pattern: Previous year papers help you identify the structure, question types, and weightage of topics in the UPSC Prelims and Mains exams.
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Identify Important Topics: Analyzing these papers reveals recurring themes, allowing you to focus on high-priority areas like General Studies, Essay, and Optional Subjects.
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Practice Time Management: Attempting UPSC papers under timed conditions improves your speed and accuracy, crucial for clearing competitive exams.
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Evaluate Your Preparation: Solving past questions helps assess your strengths and weaknesses, enabling targeted revisions for better results.
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Boost Confidence: Familiarity with UPSC’s question patterns builds your confidence, reducing exam-day anxiety.
Download year-wise UPSC question papers (PDF), access official answer keys, and review cutoffs to tailor your preparation effectively. These resources are essential for gaining an edge in your UPSC journey.
Incorporate this habit into your study plan and experience the ultimate benefits of solving UPSC previous year papers for guaranteed success!
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