UPSC Mains Syllabus

UPSC Mains Syllabus for General Study Paper 1, 2, 3 and 4, Essay paper and also for Optional paper is provided here. As you know UPSC Syllabus is a very important component in UPSC preparation. We and even all toppers recommend UPSC Syllabus Pdf on your table always.

The detailed Syllabus for UPSC Mains for GS 1 1, 2, 3 and 4 is given below

GS Paper 1 Syllabus
GS Paper 2 Syllabus
GS Paper 3 Syllabus
GS Paper 4 Syllabus
Optional Paper Syllabus

Exam Pattern for UPSC CSE Mains

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UPSC Mains Exam
Qualifying PapersMarks
Paper-AGeneral Studies-II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations)300
Paper-BEnglish300
Papers Counted for Merit
Paper-IEssay250
Paper-IIGeneral Studies-I (Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society)250
Paper-IIIGeneral Studies-II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations)250
Paper-IVGenera Studies-III (Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management)250
Paper-VGeneral Studies-IV (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude)250
Paper-VIOptional Subject – Paper 1250
Paper-VIIOptional Subject – Paper 2250
Sub Total (Written Test)1750
Personality Test275
Grand Total 2025
UPSC Mains Syllabus

UPSC Mains General Studies Paper 1 Syllabus

UPSC Mains Syllabus for GS 1 Includes – Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society

Culture of India

  • Major aspects of the various Indian art forms, Architecture & literature of India, from ancient to modern India.

Modern Indian History

  • Personalities from the mid-18th century to the present, issues, Important events, etc.
  • Stages of the freedom struggle and the people who played a part in it.
  • History from the post-independence perspective and the reorganization and consolidation of the Indian states following that.

World History

  • World events from the 18th century onwards and their effects on society & the world at large. (Industrial Revolution, World Wars, delineation of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, effects of political philosophies like communism, capitalism, etc.)

Society

  • Society of India, it’s diversity and important aspects.
  • Population and issues related to it, the role of women and women-led organizations in Indian societies, poverty, and development-related issues, urbanization, problems due to it and solutions, etc.
  • Communalism, regionalism, & secularism in India, social empowerment.
  • Globalization and its effects on Indian society.

Geography

  • Important natural resources around the globe especially in South Asia and the Indian Subcontinent; factors affecting the location of the primary, secondary and tertiary sector industries across the world along with India.
  • Key geographical phenomena and their causes like tsunamis, earthquakes, cyclones, volcanic activities, etc.
  • The various geographical features and their locations, changes of features with a location like water bodies and polar ice caps, and effects of these changes on flora and fauna.
  • Key features of the planet’s physical geography.

Download UPSC General Studies Paper 1 Syllabus PDF

UPSC Mains Syllabus GS 1

UPSC Mains General Studies Paper 2 Syllabus

UPSC Mains Syllabus for GS 1 Includes – 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 the 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—
    • Structure,
    • Functioning,
    • Conduct of Business,
    • Powers & 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/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.
  • Statutory, 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 stakeholders.
  • 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 the Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, and Human Resources.
  • Issues relating to Poverty and Hunger.
  • Important Aspects of Governance, Transparency and Accountability, 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, Mandate.

Download UPSC GS Paper 2 Syllabus pdf.

UPSC Mains Syllabus GS 2

UPSC Mains General Studies Paper 3 Syllabus

UPSC Mains Syllabus for GS 1 Includes – Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management

Economy

  • Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment.
  • Inclusive Growth and issues arising 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 Industrial Policy and their Effects on Industrial Growth.
  • Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
  • Investment Models.

Science and Technology

  • Developments and their Applications and Effects in Everyday Life.
  • Achievements of Indians in Science & 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.

Environment

  • Conservation,
  • Environmental Pollution and Degradation,
  • Environmental Impact Assessment

Disaster and Disaster Management

Internal Security

  • 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.

Download UPSC GS Paper 3 Syllabus pdf in detail.

UPSC Mains Syllabus GS 3

UPSC Mains General Studies Paper 4 Syllabus

UPSC Mains Syllabus for GS 1 Includes – Ethics, Attitude, Aptitude and Integrity

  • Ethics and Human Interface
    • Essence of Ethics, Determinants and Consequences of Ethics in Human Interaction
    • 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 moral and ethical values
  • Attitude
    • Content, structure and function of attitude
    • Influence of attitude in thought and behaviour
    • Relation of attitude to thought and behaviour
    • Moral and Political attitudes
    • Social Influence and persuasion
  • Aptitude
    • 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 of the society
  • Emotional Intelligence
    • Concepts of emotional intelligence
    • Utility and Application of emotional intelligence in Administration and Governance
  • Contributions of Thinkers and Philosophers
    • Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and the world to the concepts of morality
  • Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration
    • Status and associated 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
    • The philosophical basis of Governance and probity
    • Information sharing and transparency 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

Download UPSC GS 4 Syllabus Pdf.

UPSC Mains Syllabus GS 4

UPSC Mains Essay Paper Syllabus

The UPSC does not provide UPSC mains syllabus for Essay paper.

As per the UPSC, “Candidates are expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in an orderly fashion, and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.”

Candidates are required to write two essays from a list of given topics for a combined total of 250 marks.