UPSC CSE 2026 Syllabus

From the official Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) documents · last checked 3 October 2026

Prelims

Current events of national and international importance
History of India and the Indian National Movement
Geography of India and the world: physical, social and economic
Indian polity and governance: Constitution, political system, Panchayati Raj, public policy, rights issues
Economic and social development: sustainable development, poverty, inclusion, demographics, social sector schemes
General issues on environment, ecology, biodiversity and climate change (no specialist knowledge needed)
General science

Indian art forms, literature and architecture from ancient to modern times
Modern Indian history from about the mid-18th century: key events, people, issues
The freedom struggle: its stages and contributors from all regions
Consolidation and reorganisation after independence
World history from the 18th century: industrial revolution, world wars, redrawn borders, colonisation and decolonisation, communism, capitalism, socialism
Main features and diversity of Indian society
Women and women's groups, population, poverty, development, urbanisation and their remedies
Effects of globalisation on Indian society
Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism and secularism
World physical geography
Spread of key natural resources and what decides where industries are located (world and India)
Earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, cyclones; changes in key geographical features, water bodies, ice caps, plants and animals

Indian Constitution: history, evolution, features, amendments, key provisions, basic structure
Union and State roles, federal issues, transfer of powers and funds down to local bodies
Separation of powers, dispute redressal bodies; comparison with other countries' constitutions
Parliament and State legislatures: structure, working, powers and privileges
Executive and judiciary; ministries and departments; pressure groups and associations
Main features of the Representation of People's Act
Constitutional posts and bodies; statutory, regulatory and quasi-judicial bodies
Government policies for development and problems in design and implementation
Role of NGOs, SHGs, donors, charities and other stakeholders
Welfare schemes and laws for vulnerable sections and how well they work
Health, education and human resources; poverty and hunger
Governance, transparency, accountability, e-governance, citizens' charters
Role of civil services in a democracy
India and its neighbours; bilateral, regional and global groupings affecting India
Effect of other countries' policies on India; Indian diaspora
Important international institutions and agencies: structure and mandate

Indian economy: planning, resource mobilisation, growth, development, employment
Inclusive growth; government budgeting
Major crops and cropping patterns, irrigation, storage, transport and marketing of farm produce, e-technology for farmers
Farm subsidies, minimum support prices, PDS, buffer stocks, food security, technology missions, economics of animal rearing
Food processing industries; land reforms
Liberalisation, industrial policy and their effects
Infrastructure: energy, ports, roads, airports, railways; investment models
Science and technology in daily life; achievements of Indians; indigenisation of technology
Awareness in IT, space, computers, robotics, nanotechnology, biotechnology; intellectual property rights
Conservation, pollution, environmental impact assessment
Disasters and disaster management
Development and the spread of extremism; external state and non-state actors in internal security
Communication networks, media and social media in security; basics of cyber security; money laundering
Border security; links between organised crime and terrorism; security forces and their mandates

Ethics and human interface; human values from leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family, society and education
Attitude: content, structure, function; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion
Aptitude and core civil service values: integrity, impartiality, non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication, empathy, tolerance, compassion for weaker sections
Emotional intelligence and its use in administration
Contributions of moral thinkers of India and the world
Public service values and ethics in administration: dilemmas, laws and conscience, accountability, ethics in international relations and funding, corporate governance
Probity in governance: RTI, codes of ethics and conduct, citizens' charters, work culture, service quality, use of public funds, corruption
Case studies on these topics

Agriculture; Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science; Anthropology; Botany; Chemistry; Civil Engineering; Commerce and Accountancy; Economics; Electrical Engineering; Geography; Geology; History; Law; Management; Mathematics; Mechanical Engineering; Medical Science; Philosophy; Physics; Political Science and International Relations; Psychology; Public Administration; Sociology; Statistics; Zoology
Literature of one language: Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu or English
Standard is honours-degree level (above a bachelor's degree, below a master's). For Engineering, Medical Science and Law it is bachelor's-degree level.
The full syllabus for each optional is printed in the notification

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The board has your career record and asks about matters of general interest
Qualities checked include mental alertness, critical thinking, clear and logical expression, balanced judgement, range and depth of interests, leadership and social skills, and intellectual and moral integrity
It is a guided conversation, not a cross-examination or a test of subject knowledge
Interest in current events in your state, India and the world is expected

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