UPSC Examination Structure

Stage 1: Preliminary Examination

This is an objective-type screening test consisting of two papers, each lasting 2 hours. Total
marks: 400 (200 per paper). Negative marking: 1/3rd of the marks for incorrect answers.
General Studies Paper-II (CSAT) is qualifying (minimum 33% required), while marks from
Paper-I determine merit for advancing to Mains.

General Studies Paper-I (200 marks, 100 questions):

• 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 (no subject
specialization required).
• General Science.

General Studies Paper-II (CSAT) (200 marks, 80 questions):

• 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).

Stage 2: Main Examination

This is a written examination worth 1750 marks, consisting of 9 papers (7 for merit + 2
qualifying). Each paper is 3 hours long and descriptive/essay-type. Qualifying papers
require at least 25% marks each. Candidates can choose the medium (English or any
language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution) for merit papers (except language
papers).

Qualifying Papers (Not Counted for Merit):

Paper-A: Indian Language (300 marks): Select one from the Eighth Schedule (e.g., Hindi,
Tamil). Topics:
• Comprehension, précis writing, usage and vocabulary, short essays, translation from
English to the language and vice-versa.
Paper-B: English (300 marks):
• Comprehension, précis writing, usage and vocabulary, short essays.

Papers Counted for Merit:

Paper-I: Essay (250 marks):
• Write essays on multiple topics; focus on orderly ideas, concise writing, and effective
expression.

Paper-II: General Studies-I (Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the
World and Society) (250 marks):
• Indian culture: Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature, and Architecture from ancient to
modern times.
• Modern Indian history (mid-18th century to present): Significant events, personalities,
issues.
• The Freedom Struggle: Stages, contributors from different regions.
• Post-independence consolidation and reorganization.
• World history (18th century onward): Industrial revolution, world wars, redrawing of
boundaries, colonization/decolonization, political philosophies (communism, capitalism,
socialism) and their societal effects.
• Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
• Role of women and women's organizations, population issues, poverty and development,
urbanization (problems and remedies).
• Effects of globalization on Indian society.
• Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism, secularism.
• Salient features of world's physical geography.
• Distribution of key natural resources (global, including South Asia/India); factors for
location of primary/secondary/tertiary industries.
• Important geophysical phenomena (earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, cyclones); changes
in geographical features (water bodies, ice-caps, flora/fauna) and their effects.

Paper-III: General Studies-II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and

International Relations) (250 marks):
• Indian Constitution: Historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments,
significant provisions, basic structure.
• Functions/responsibilities of Union and States; federal issues, devolution of
powers/finances.
• Separation of powers, dispute redressal mechanisms.
• Comparison of Indian constitutional scheme with others.
• Parliament/State legislatures: Structure, functioning, powers, privileges, issues.
• Executive/Judiciary: Structure, organization, functioning; Ministries/Departments;
pressure groups' role.
• Salient features of Representation of People’s Act.
• Appointments to constitutional posts; powers/functions of bodies.
• Statutory/regulatory/quasi-judicial bodies.
• Government policies/interventions in development; design/implementation issues.
• Development processes: Role of NGOs, SHGs, donors, etc.
• Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections; performance, mechanisms for protection.
• Issues in social sectors (Health, Education, Human Resources); poverty/hunger.
• Governance: Transparency, accountability, e-governance; citizens' charters.
• Role of civil services in democracy.
• India and neighborhood relations.
• Bilateral/regional/global groupings affecting India.
• Policies/politics of developed/developing countries on India; Indian diaspora.
• International institutions: Structure, mandate.

Paper-IV: General Studies-III (Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity,

Environment, Security and Disaster Management) (250 marks):
• Indian Economy: Planning, resource mobilization, growth, development, employment.
• Inclusive growth issues.
• Government Budgeting.
• Major crops, cropping patterns, irrigation, storage/transport/marketing of produce; e-
technology for farmers.
• Farm subsidies, MSP; PDS (objectives, limitations); buffer stocks, food security; animal-
rearing economics.
• Food processing industries: Scope, location, supply chain.
• Land reforms.
• Liberalization effects; industrial policy changes.
• Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways.
• Investment models.
• Science & Technology: Developments, applications; Indian achievements, indigenization.
• Awareness in IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nano-technology, Bio-technology; IPR
issues.
• Conservation, pollution/degradation, EIA.
• Disaster management.
• Linkages between development and extremism.
• Internal security challenges: External state/non-state actors.
• Communication networks, media/social media in security; cyber security, money-
laundering.
• Border security, organized crime-terrorism linkages.
• Security forces/agencies: Mandate.

Paper-V: General Studies-IV (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude) (250 marks):

• Ethics/Human Interface: Essence, determinants, consequences; dimensions; ethics in
private/public relationships.
• Human Values: Lessons from leaders/reformers/administrators; role of
family/society/education.
• Attitude: Content, structure, function; influence on thought/behavior; moral/political
attitudes; persuasion.
• Aptitude/Values for Civil Service: Integrity, impartiality, objectivity, dedication, empathy,
tolerance, compassion.
• Emotional Intelligence: Concepts, applications in administration/governance.
• Contributions of moral thinkers/philosophers (India/world).
• Public/Civil Service Ethics: Status/problems; dilemmas; laws/rules as ethical guidance;
accountability, ethical governance.
• Probity in Governance: Public service concept; governance/probity; RTI, Codes of
Ethics/Conduct, Citizen’s Charters; work culture, service delivery, public funds utilization,
corruption challenges.
• Case Studies on above issues.

Paper-VI & VII: Optional Subject (250 marks each): Two papers on one optional subject (see
list below).