UPSC Syllabus 2024 Pdf – Prelims, Mains and Optional

UPSC Syllabus for 2024

UPSC Syllabus plays a very important role in the UPSC preparation. Here we provide the latest UPSC syllabus for 2024 exam.

The UPSC CSE exam is divided into three stages we provide IAS Syllabus for 2024 for all stages

• Preliminary Stage – Tow paper
  • General Studies
  • CSAT
• Mains Stage – 9 Theory Papers
  • 4 GS paper
  • 2 Optional Paper
  • 1 Essay Paper
  • 2 Language Paper
• Personality Test – Interview

UPSC 2024 Syllabus in Detail

If you want a detailed explanation of the UPSC IAS Syllabus for Prelims and Mains ( all subjects) click on the link below.

Download UPSC Prelims Syllabus

Download UPSC Mains Syllabus

UPSC Syllabus for Prelims

UPSC Civil Services Prelims Examination is comprised of two compulsory Papers of 200 marks each. 

Paper	Subjects	Total Marks	Duration
I	General Studies (GS)	200	2 hours (9:30 AM to 11:30 AM)
II	CSAT	200	2 hours (2:30 PM to 4:30 PM)

Note:   

• Both the question papers will be of the objective type (multiple choice questions) and each will be of two hours duration. 
• The General Studies Paper-II of the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination will be a qualifying paper with minimum qualifying marks fixed at 33%.
• The question papers will be set both in Hindi and English.

UPSC Prelims General Study Syllabus

The syllabus for UPSC Prelims GS paper 1 is given below.

• 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 Issues, etc.
• Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
• General issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialization
• General Science

UPSC Prelims CSAT Syllabus

The syllabus for UPSC Prelims GS paper 1 is given below.

• 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, etc.) – Class X level)
• Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc. – Class X level)

UPSC Syllabus for Mains Exams

The UPSC Mains exam consists of 9 papers, out of which two are qualifying papers of 300 marks each which are language papers. The structure of UPSC Mains exam is given below:- 

Paper	Subject	Marks
Paper – I	Essay (can be written in the medium of the candidate’s choice) Essay (can be written in the medium of the candidate’s choice)	250
Paper-II	General Studies – I (Indian Heritage & Culture, History & Geography of the World & Society)	250
Paper – III	General Studies – II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice & International Relations)	250
Paper – IV	General Studies – III (Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Security & Disaster Management)	250
Paper – V	General Studies – IV (Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude)	250
Paper – VI	Optional Subject – Paper I	250
Paper – VII	Optional Subject – Paper II	250
	Total	1750

These seven papers can be written in any of the languages mentioned under the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India or in English.

Structure of Language Paper:- 

Paper	Subject	Marks
Paper – I	English	300
Paper-II	Any Indian Language	300

UPSC Mains GS 1 Syllabus

The syllabus of UPSC Mains GS paper 1 is given below.

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 the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, and issues.
• The Freedom Struggle — it’s 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 the 18th century such as the Industrial Revolution, world wars, the Redrawal of National Boundaries, Colonization, Decolonization, political philosophies like Communism, Capitalism, Socialism, etc.— their forms and effect on society.
• Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
• Role of Women and Women’s Organization, Population and Associated Issues, Poverty and Developmental issues, Urbanization, their problems, and their remedies.
• Effects of Globalization on Indian Society.
• Social Empowerment, Communalism, Regionalism & Secularism.
• Salient Features of the 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 Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, tsunamis, Volcanic activity, cyclones, 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.

UPSC Mains GS 2 Syllabus

The UPSC Syllabus for Mains GS paper 2 is given below.

(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.

UPSC Mains GS 3 Syllabus

(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 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, Biotechnology, 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.

UPSC Mains GS 4 Syllabus

Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

This paper will include questions to test the candidates’ attitudes and approaches to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life, and his problem-solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him 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, Function; its Influence and Relation with Thought and Behaviour; Moral and Political Attitudes; Social Influence and Persuasion.
• Aptitude and Foundational Values for 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 the 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 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.
• Case Studies on the above issues.

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