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Updated 2027
UPSC Syllabus 2027
Complete Prelims & Mains syllabus with topic-wise reading guides
The official UPSC CSE syllabus is your bible for preparation. Every topic listed below is testable — focus on understanding, not just memorizing.
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Prelims — GS Paper I
- 1Current events of national and international importance
- 2History of India and Indian National Movement
- 3Indian and World Geography — Physical, Social, Economic
- 4Indian Polity and Governance — Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj
- 5Economic and Social Development — Sustainable Development, Poverty, Demographics
- 6General issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change
- 7General Science
Prelims — GS Paper II (CSAT)
- 1Comprehension
- 2Interpersonal skills including communication skills
- 3Logical reasoning and analytical ability
- 4Decision-making and problem-solving
- 5General mental ability
- 6Basic numeracy (Class X level)
- 7Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables)
Mains — GS Paper I
- 1Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society
- 2Modern Indian History from 1750s to present
- 3The Freedom Struggle — phases and contributors
- 4Post-independence consolidation and reorganization
- 5History of the world — industrial revolution, world wars, colonisation
- 6Indian society — diversity, regionalism, communalism
- 7Role of women and women's organizations
- 8Effects of globalization on Indian society
- 9Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism, secularism
- 10Salient features of world's physical geography
Mains — GS Paper II (Governance)
- 1Indian Constitution — features, amendments, significant provisions
- 2Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States
- 3Parliament and State Legislatures — structure, functioning
- 4Executive and Judiciary — structure, organization, functioning
- 5Government Ministries, Departments, Agencies
- 6Governance, Transparency, Accountability — e-governance
- 7Citizens' Charters, RTI, Social Audit
- 8Statutory, Regulatory and Quasi-judicial Bodies
- 9Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections
- 10Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector
- 11India's relations with neighbours
- 12Bilateral, regional and global groupings
- 13Important international institutions — UN, WTO, IMF, World Bank
Mains — GS Paper III (Economy & Environment)
- 1Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources
- 2Inclusive growth and issues arising from it
- 3Government Budgeting
- 4Major crops — cropping patterns in various parts of the country
- 5Land reforms in India
- 6Effects of liberalization, Industrial policy
- 7Infrastructure — Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways
- 8Investment models
- 9Science and Technology — developments, applications
- 10Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology
- 11Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nano-technology
- 12Environmental Conservation, Environmental Pollution
- 13Disaster and Disaster Management
- 14Linkages between development and spread of extremism
- 15Internal Security challenges through communication networks
Mains — GS Paper IV (Ethics)
- 1Ethics and Human Interface — essence, determinants, consequences
- 2Attitude — content, structure, function, moral and political attitudes
- 3Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service
- 4Emotional intelligence — concepts, utilities in administration
- 5Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers
- 6Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public Administration
- 7Probity in Governance — concept of public service
- 8Corporate governance
- 9Case Studies on above issues
Essay Paper
- 1Essays on a wide range of topics
- 2Philosophical & abstract topics
- 3Socio-economic & political topics
- 4Science, Technology & Environment topics
- 5Length: 1000-1200 words per essay
- 6Two essays to be written in 3 hours