UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2026

Prelims Examination Overview

UPSC Prelims consists of two objective-type papers conducted on a single day. Paper 1 (GS) is counted for merit, while Paper 2 (CSAT) is qualifying.

Negative Marking: 1/3rd of marks deducted for each wrong answer. No penalty for unattempted questions.

GS Paper 1 – General Studies (200 Marks)

This paper tests your knowledge across 7 major areas. Questions are factual, conceptual, and application-based.

1. History of India and Indian National Movement

Ancient India

• Indus Valley Civilization — features, town planning, decline
• Vedic Period — Early and Later Vedic society, polity, economy
• Mahajanapadas and rise of Magadha
• Buddhism and Jainism — teachings, spread, decline
• Mauryan Empire — Chandragupta, Ashoka, administration, Dhamma
• Post-Mauryan Period — Sungas, Kushanas, Satavahanas
• Gupta Empire — Golden Age, art, science, literature
• South Indian Dynasties — Cholas, Chalukyas, Pallavas, Pandyas

Medieval India

• Delhi Sultanate — administration, economy, architecture, decline
• Mughal Empire — Akbar's policies, Aurangzeb, decline
• Bhakti and Sufi Movements
• Vijayanagara Empire
• Maratha Empire — Shivaji, Peshwas
• Regional kingdoms and culture

Modern India

• European penetration — Portuguese, Dutch, French, British
• British expansion — Subsidiary Alliance, Doctrine of Lapse
• Economic impact of British rule — drain of wealth, deindustrialization
• Socio-religious reform movements — Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Dayanand Saraswati, Vivekananda
• Revolt of 1857 — causes, nature, consequences
• Rise of Indian Nationalism — INC formation, Moderate and Extremist phases
• Gandhian Era — Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience, Quit India
• Revolutionary Movements — Bhagat Singh, Subhas Chandra Bose
• Communal politics and partition
• Post-independence consolidation — integration of states, constitution making

Art and Culture

• Indian art forms — paintings, sculptures, architecture (temples, mosques, forts)
• Classical and folk dances, music, theatre
• Literature — ancient to modern
• UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India
• Festivals, fairs, and traditions

2. Indian and World Geography — Physical, Social, Economic

Physical Geography

• Universe, Solar System — origin theories
• Earth's interior — structure, plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes
• Geomorphology — landforms, weathering, erosion
• Climatology — atmospheric circulation, pressure belts, winds, monsoons
• Oceanography — ocean currents, tides, coral reefs

Indian Geography

• Physical divisions — Himalayas, Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau, Coastal Plains, Islands
• Drainage system — Himalayan and Peninsular rivers
• Climate of India — monsoon mechanism, seasons, rainfall distribution
• Natural vegetation and wildlife
• Soil types and their distribution
• Mineral and energy resources — distribution, production
• Agriculture — types, cropping patterns, Green Revolution, irrigation
• Industries — location factors, major industrial regions
• Transport and communication
• Population — distribution, density, growth, migration

World Geography

• Continents and their features
• World climate types and regions
• Major rivers and lakes
• Distribution of natural resources globally

3. Indian Polity and Governance

Constitutional Framework

• Historical background — making of the Constitution, Constituent Assembly
• Preamble — philosophy, key words, amendments
• Fundamental Rights — Articles 12-35, exceptions, restrictions
• Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)
• Fundamental Duties
• Union and its territory
• Citizenship
• Constitutional amendments — significant amendments, basic structure doctrine

Union Government

• President — election, powers, emergency provisions
• Vice President and Prime Minister
• Council of Ministers — collective responsibility
• Parliament — Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, procedures, privileges
• Legislative process — types of bills, ordinances
• Supreme Court — jurisdiction, judicial review
• Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)
• Attorney General and Advocate General

State Government

• Governor — powers, role, controversies
• Chief Minister and State Council of Ministers
• State Legislature
• High Courts

Local Government

• Panchayati Raj — 73rd Amendment, structure, powers
• Municipalities — 74th Amendment, types, functions
• Scheduled and Tribal Areas

Constitutional Bodies

• Election Commission of India
• Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
• State Public Service Commissions
• Finance Commission
• National Commissions — SC, ST, OBC, Women, Minorities, Human Rights

Statutory and Other Bodies

• NITI Aayog
• Central Vigilance Commission
• Central Information Commission
• Lokpal and Lokayuktas
• Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)

4. Economic and Social Development

Basic Concepts

• National Income — GDP, GNP, NDP, NNP
• Economic growth vs development
• Poverty — measurement, alleviation programs
• Unemployment — types, causes, solutions
• Inflation — types, measurement (CPI, WPI), control

Indian Economy

• Planning in India — Five Year Plans, NITI Aayog
• Agriculture — contribution, issues, reforms, MSP, APMC
• Industry — Industrial Policy, Make in India, PLI Scheme
• Services sector
• Infrastructure — energy, transport, communication

Money and Banking

• Reserve Bank of India — functions, monetary policy
• Banking structure — commercial, cooperative, payment banks
• Non-Performing Assets (NPAs)
• Financial inclusion — Jan Dhan, MUDRA

Public Finance

• Union Budget — receipts, expenditure, types of deficits
• Taxation — direct and indirect taxes, GST
• Fiscal policy and FRBM Act

External Sector

• Balance of Payments
• Foreign trade — exports, imports, trade agreements
• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI)
• Exchange rate and forex reserves

Social Sector

• Human Development Index (HDI)
• Demographic transition
• Health, education, and skill development initiatives
• Social sector schemes — MGNREGA, PM-KISAN, Ayushman Bharat
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

5. Environment, Biodiversity, and Climate Change

Ecology Basics

• Ecosystem — structure, functions, types
• Food chains, food webs, ecological pyramids
• Biogeochemical cycles — carbon, nitrogen, water
• Ecological succession

Biodiversity

• Types of biodiversity — genetic, species, ecosystem
• Biodiversity hotspots
• Endemic and endangered species
• IUCN Red List categories
• Conservation — in-situ (National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Biosphere Reserves) and ex-situ (zoos, gene banks)

Environmental Issues

• Pollution — air, water, soil, noise
• Solid waste management
• Ozone depletion
• Climate change — causes, impacts, mitigation
• Global warming and greenhouse effect

Environmental Governance

• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
• Environmental laws — EPA, Wildlife Protection Act, Forest Conservation Act
• International conventions — UNFCCC, Paris Agreement, CBD, Ramsar, CITES
• National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)
• Renewable energy — solar, wind, biofuels

6. General Science

Physics

• Laws of motion and gravitation
• Light — reflection, refraction, optical instruments
• Sound — waves, acoustics
• Electricity and magnetism
• Nuclear physics — fission, fusion, radioactivity
• Modern physics applications

Chemistry

• Atomic structure and periodic table
• Chemical bonding and reactions
• Acids, bases, and salts
• Metals and non-metals
• Carbon compounds — hydrocarbons, polymers
• Everyday chemistry — soaps, detergents, fertilizers

Biology

• Cell biology — structure, functions, cell division
• Genetics — DNA, heredity, genetic disorders
• Human body systems — digestive, circulatory, nervous, reproductive
• Diseases — communicable, non-communicable, deficiency
• Nutrition and vitamins
• Plant biology — photosynthesis, respiration

Science & Technology (Applications)

• Space technology — ISRO missions, satellites
• Defence technology — missiles, indigenous development
• Biotechnology — genetic engineering, GMOs, CRISPR
• Nanotechnology
• Information technology — AI, blockchain, cybersecurity
• Health technology — vaccines, diagnostics
• Nuclear technology — energy, applications

7. Current Events of National and International Importance

• Government schemes and policies launched in the last 12-18 months
• Important summits — G20, BRICS, SCO, COP, etc.
• International organizations and their reports
• Awards and honors — Padma, Nobel, Booker, etc.
• Sports events — Olympics, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games
• Science & Technology achievements
• Important appointments and resignations
• Bilateral and multilateral agreements
• National and international conflicts/issues
• Economic developments — budget highlights, RBI policies

Tip: Stay updated with Clarity UPSC News for daily curated current affairs.

CSAT Paper 2 – Civil Services Aptitude Test (Qualifying)

Qualifying Mark: 33% (66 out of 200). Marks are NOT added to merit. However, you MUST qualify this paper.

Comprehension

• Reading comprehension passages (typically 8-10 passages)
• Understanding author's intent, tone, and inference
• Vocabulary in context

Interpersonal Skills and Communication

• Basic communication concepts
• Interpersonal dynamics

Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability

• Syllogisms
• Statements and conclusions/assumptions
• Cause and effect
• Logical sequence of words
• Blood relations
• Direction sense
• Coding-decoding
• Analogies
• Venn diagrams

Decision Making and Problem Solving

• Administrative decision scenarios
• Ethical dilemma-based questions
• Prioritization and judgment

General Mental Ability

• Number series
• Letter series
• Puzzles and seating arrangements
• Pattern recognition

Basic Numeracy (Numbers and their Relations, Orders of Magnitude)

• Number system — HCF, LCM, fractions, decimals
• Percentages, ratios, and proportions
• Profit and loss
• Simple and compound interest
• Time and work, time and distance
• Averages, mixtures, and alligations
• Mensuration — area, volume of basic shapes
• Permutations and combinations (basic)
• Probability (basic)

Data Interpretation

• Charts — bar, line, pie
• Tables
• Graphs
• Data sufficiency

Marking Scheme Summary

Prelims Preparation Strategy

1. Master NCERTs first — Class 6 to 12 for History, Geography, Economics, Polity, Science
2. Build on standard references — Laxmikanth (Polity), GC Leong (Geography), Shankar IAS (Environment)
3. Integrate current affairs daily — 12-18 months coverage is essential
4. Solve Previous Year Questions (PYQs) — last 10 years minimum
5. Take mock tests weekly — analyze mistakes and track improvement
6. Practice CSAT regularly — even if strong, don't neglect it