Paper I: General Studies (GS)

• Total Marks: 200
• Duration: 2 hours
• Syllabus:
  • 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

Paper II: Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT)

• Total Marks: 200
• Duration: 2 hours
• Syllabus:
  • 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)
• Note: Paper II (CSAT) is of qualifying nature and the candidate must score at least 33% marks in it.

Qualifying Papers

• Paper A: Indian Language
  • Total Marks: 300
  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Syllabus: Comprehension, precise writing, usage and vocabulary, short essay, translation from English to the Indian language and vice-versa.
• Paper B: English
  • Total Marks: 300
  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Syllabus: Comprehension, precise writing, usage and vocabulary, short essay.

Papers Counted for Merit

• Paper I: Essay
  • Total Marks: 250
  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Syllabus: Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics. They are expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay, arrange their ideas in an orderly fashion, and write concisely.
• Paper II: General Studies I
  • Total Marks: 250
  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Syllabus: Indian Heritage and Culture, History, and Geography of the World and Society.
• Paper III: General Studies II
  • Total Marks: 250
  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Syllabus: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International relations.
• Paper IV: General Studies III
  • Total Marks: 250
  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Syllabus: Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management.
• Paper V: General Studies IV
  • Total Marks: 250
  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Syllabus: Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude. This paper includes questions to test the candidate’s attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life, and problem-solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him/her in dealing with society.
• Paper VI & VII: Optional Subject Papers I & II
  • Total Marks: 250 each
  • Duration: 3 hours each
  • Syllabus: Candidates can choose any one subject from the list of optional subjects provided by UPSC. The syllabus for each optional subject is different.

• Total Marks: 275
• Syllabus:
  • The candidate will be interviewed by a Board that will have before them a record of the candidate’s career. The objective of the interview is to assess the personal suitability of the candidate for a career in public service.
  • The interview is intended to judge the mental caliber of a candidate. In broad terms, this is really an assessment of not only his/her intellectual qualities but also social traits and interest in current affairs.
  • Some of the qualities to be judged are mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, balance of judgment, variety, and depth of interest, the ability for social cohesion and leadership, and intellectual and moral integrity.