What is the UPSC exam pattern? 

The UPSC exam pattern is unique in itself which make Civil Services exam ‘the mother of all exams’. Civil Services exam is conducted only once in a year. It is a three-stage exam and it is mandatory to clear all the three stages to secure a place in the coveted Civil Services of the country. It is highly important to note that all these stages (Preliminary, Mains and Personality test) are mutually inclusive and you cannot prepare for a stage in isolation. Also, it is important to note that if you fail at any of the stages of the UPSC exam (Prelims, Mains or interview), you would have to start all over again in your next attempt.

What is the syllabus for  UPSC Civil Services exam?

Over the course of your IAS exam preparation, you will come across (and probably yourself feel) many comments about UPSC exam syllabus like- ‘ The UPSC exam syllabus is vast’ or that ‘It is hard to cover the entire topic in a year’ or ‘ it is not clear what to read’. 

Yes, all those comments are true but not for the one who is familiar with UPSC exam syllabus for Civil Services. 

Syllabus  for UPSC exam – Preliminary Examination

The syllabus for UPSC preliminary exam is broadly divided into two subjects – Civil Services Aptitude Test – Paper I [ CSAT I] and Civil Services Aptitude Test – Paper II [CSAT II]. Both the CSAT papers are compulsory in nature and carry 200 marks each with a penalty for each wrong answer. Since 2015, the CSAT paper II was made a qualifying paper and requires 33% marks out of 200 to clear the CSAT paper II. However, unless you qualify the CSAT paper II you would not be considered for the UPSC mains examination. 

Syllabus of Paper I (200 marks) Duration: 2 hours

1. Current events of national and international importance
2. History of India and Indian National Movement
3. Indian and World Geography-Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World
4. Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc
5. Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector initiatives, etc
6. General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity, and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialization General Science

Syllabus for Paper II-(200 marks) Duration: 2 hours

1. Comprehension
2. Interpersonal skills including communication skills;
3. Logical reasoning and analytical ability
4. Decision-making and problem solving
5. General mental ability
6. Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc. – Class X level)

Syllabus  for UPSC exam – Mains Examination

The syllabus for UPSC mains exam is divided into four general studies paper, general essay paper, the optional paper I & II, English language and regional language.

• Paper – A: Language -300 Marks

Candidate can take any Modern Indian language but this paper is of qualifying nature

• Paper – B: English -300 Marks

This paper is of qualifying nature

• Paper – I: Essay – 250 Marks

Can be written in the medium or language of the candidate’s choice

• Paper-II: General Studies-I 250 Marks

(Indian Heritage and Culture, History, and Geography of the World and Society)

• Paper-III: General Studies -II: 250 Marks

(Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations)

• Paper-IV: General Studies -III 250 Marks

(Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management)

• Paper-V: General Studies -IV 250 Marks

(Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude)

Marks carried by General Studies papers are 4X250=1000

Paper-VI: Optional Subject – Paper 1 -250 Marks

Paper-VII: Optional Subject – Paper II -250 Marks

Sub Total (Written test) 1750 Marks

Marks of English and Language will not be counted in the total tally of marks for the written exam. So the total of the Mains exam will be 1750 Marks Only.

Then comes the third stage of the UPSC Exam- Personality Test. In the personality test conducted by UPSC, an interview board consisting of five members would ask the candidate questions based on his/her Detailed Application Form[DAF] and other relevant areas. The detailed application form is the application that is filed by the candidate after he/she gets shortlisted for the UPSC Mains Examination. The personality test carries 275 marks that make the total of 1750+275 =2025.

Also Read: Detailed syllabus of Civil Services Mains Exam 2019-Selflearn IAS

IAS Preparation Tips For Beginners

You should never attempt to study anything beyond the syllabus for UPSC exam (except while reading the newspaper perhaps) because our aim is to pass the exam and not be a scholar in a year. It is a common mistake among aspirants that they may tend to get carried away and explore beyond the limits of a subject. This is where the “Smart Work” principle comes into play – Learn only what is required by the IAS exam syllabus and nothing more. 

What is the degree of competition associated with the Civil Services examination?

Now that you are familiar with the scheme and pattern of UPSC examination, it is vital to know who you are competing with and where you stand in the competition. This exercise is not to scare you by putting across mind-boggling numbers, but just to reinforce you the virtue of being determined and focused. A glance at the below table reveals the details.

Civil Services Examination, 2018 – minimum qualifying marks