UPSC Mains Syllabus
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UPSC Mains Syllabus 2026
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the annual Civil Services Examination to select officers for various government services, including the IAS, IPS, IFS, and IRS. The UPSC Mains 2026 exam is the descriptive second stage, taken after candidates qualify in the Prelims. It is designed to evaluate a candidate's analytical thinking, in-depth understanding of their subjects, ability to express ideas in writing, and their sense of ethics.
UPSC Mains Exam Pattern 2026
The UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination is the second and most crucial stage of the selection process, conducted in a descriptive format after the Prelims. It consists of nine papers in total—two qualifying and seven that count towards the merit list. The qualifying papers are Paper A (Indian Language from the 8th Schedule, 300 marks, not applicable for NE candidates) and Paper B (English, 300 marks compulsory for all). The merit papers include Essay (250 marks), General Studies I–IV (250 marks each) covering history, polity, economy, environment, ethics, and governance, along with two Optional Subject papers (250 marks each) chosen by the candidate.
Below is the detailed pattern of the UPSC Mains Examination 2026:
| Paper | Subject | Nature of Paper | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper A | Indian Language (from 8th Schedule) | Qualifying | 300 |
| Paper B | English Language | Qualifying | 300 |
| Paper I | Essay | Counted for Merit | 250 |
| Paper II | General Studies I | Counted for Merit | 250 |
| Paper III | General Studies II | Counted for Merit | 250 |
| Paper IV | General Studies III | Counted for Merit | 250 |
| Paper V | General Studies IV (Ethics) | Counted for Merit | 250 |
| Paper VI | Optional Subject – Paper I | Counted for Merit | 250 |
| Paper VII | Optional Subject – Paper II | Counted for Merit | 250 |
| Total Marks (for Merit) | 1750 |
UPSC Mains Syllabus in Detail
The UPSC Civil Services Mains is the stage that truly tests an aspirant’s preparation. It is not just about remembering facts but about showing clear thinking, strong analysis, and good writing skills. The syllabus covers areas like Essay writing, General Studies (history, polity, economy, environment, ethics), an Optional Subject of choice, and compulsory language papers. Having a proper understanding of this structure helps aspirants manage their time, focus on priorities, and prepare with the right strategy for success.
UPSC Mains Essay Paper Syllabus
The Essay Paper in UPSC Mains carries 250 marks and tests the candidate’s ability to express ideas clearly, coherently, and effectively. The syllabus is as follows:
- Essay Writing
- Candidates are required to write two essays, choosing one topic from each section.
- Topics are generally drawn from areas such as philosophy, society, governance, polity, economy, environment, and current issues.
- Essays are evaluated based on clarity of thought, logical coherence, originality of ideas, quality of arguments, and effective language expression.
- Marks are awarded for structured presentation, balanced analysis, and depth of understanding.
UPSC Mains GS Paper I Syllabus
General Studies Paper I in UPSC Mains carries 250 marks and covers Indian Heritage & Culture, History, Society, and Geography. The syllabus is as follows:
- Indian Heritage and Culture
- Indian culture: art forms, literature, and architecture from ancient to modern times.
- Modern Indian History
- Modern Indian history from the mid-18th century to the present.
- Freedom struggle and contributions of various leaders, personalities, and movements.
- Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
- World History
- Events from the 18th century such as the Industrial Revolution.
- American Revolution, French Revolution, unification of Germany and Italy.
- World Wars, decolonization, Cold War, and political ideologies like socialism, fascism, communism, capitalism.
- Indian Society
- Salient features of Indian society and its diversity.
- Role of women and related issues.
- Population and associated issues.
- Poverty, inequality, and developmental issues.
- Urbanization, problems, and remedies.
- Effects of globalization on Indian society.
- Geography of the World and Society
- Physical geography of the world and key geographical features.
- Distribution of natural resources across the world and in India.
- Important geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, cyclones, tsunamis, and volcanic activity.
- Climate change, global warming, El Niño–La Niña, and monsoon patterns.
- Impact of geographical features on flora, fauna, and human life.
UPSC Mains GS Paper II Syllabus
General Studies Paper II in UPSC Mains carries 250 marks and tests the candidate’s understanding of governance, polity, social justice, and international relations. The syllabus is as follows:
- Indian Constitution and Polity
- Indian Constitution: historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions, and basic structure.
- Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels.
- Separation of powers between various organs, dispute redressal mechanisms, and institutions.
- Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
- Parliament and State Legislatures: structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers, privileges, and issues arising out of these.
- Role of executive and judiciary, issues of transparency and accountability, and separation of powers.
- Appointment to various constitutional posts, powers, functions, and responsibilities of constitutional bodies.
- Governance and Social Justice
- Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and the issues arising out of their design and implementation.
- Development processes and the role of NGOs, SHGs, cooperatives, and other groups.
- Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population and the performance of these schemes.
- Mechanisms, laws, institutions, and bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of vulnerable sections.
- Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
- Role of civil services in a democracy.
- International Relations
- India and its neighborhood relations.
- Bilateral, regional, and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests.
- Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests, Indian diaspora.
- Important international institutions, agencies, and fora – their structure, mandate, and functioning.
UPSC Mains GS Paper III Syllabus
General Studies Paper III in UPSC Mains carries 250 marks and evaluates a candidate's knowledge of economic development, science and technology, environment, and internal security challenges. The syllabus is as follows:
- Indian Economy and Development
- Indian economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, and growth.
- Inclusive growth and related issues.
- Government budgeting and fiscal management.
- Major crops, irrigation, agricultural marketing, subsidies, and food security.
- Investment models and economic reforms.
- Infrastructure and Industrial Development
- Infrastructure: energy, ports, roads, airports, railways, and housing.
- Role of industrial growth in national development.
- Science and Technology
- Developments and applications in IT, computers, robotics, and artificial intelligence.
- Space technology, satellite systems, and their applications.
- Biotechnology, nanotechnology, and their role in human welfare.
- Indigenization of technology and development of new technology.
- Environment and Disaster Management
- Conservation, environmental pollution, and degradation.
- Biodiversity, climate change, and sustainable development.
- Environmental impact assessment and disaster management.
- Linkages between development and environmental issues.
- Internal Security and Challenges
- Internal security challenges through communication networks, media, and social networking.
- Basics of cybersecurity and money laundering.
- Terrorism and organized crime.
- Security challenges in border areas and coastal regions.
- Role of external state and non-state actors in internal security.
- Linkages between development and extremism.
- Role of security agencies in internal security management.
UPSC Mains GS Paper IV (Ethics) Syllabus
General Studies Paper IV in UPSC Mains carries 250 marks and focuses on testing a candidate's understanding of ethics, integrity, aptitude, and problem-solving in governance. The syllabus is as follows:
- Ethics and Human Interface
- Essence, determinants, and consequences of ethical behavior in human actions.
- Dimensions of ethics in personal and public life.
- Ethics in private and public relationships.
- Attitude and Emotional Intelligence
- Influence of attitude in governance and social interactions.
- Emotional intelligence concepts and their application in administration and public service.
- Moral Thinkers and Philosophers
- Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and the world.
- Public Service Values and Ethics in Administration
- Values like integrity, impartiality, non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication, empathy, and compassion.
- Probity in governance, codes of conduct, and ethical issues in administration.
- Strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance.
- Accountability and transparency in public administration.
- Case Studies on Ethics
- Real-life case studies testing decision-making and ethical dilemmas in governance, public administration, and society.
UPSC Mains Optional Paper Syllabus
The Optional Subject is often called the rank booster in UPSC Mains because it alone carries 500 marks through two papers of 250 marks each. The subject you choose can make a big difference in your final score. That's why it is important to select an optional carefully—based on your academic background, personal interest, availability of study material, and guidance. A well-chosen optional not only helps you score higher but also makes preparation smoother and more enjoyable.
List of UPSC Mains Optional Subjects
| Sl. No. | Optional Subject | Sl. No. | Optional Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Agriculture | 14 | Management |
| 2 | Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science | 15 | Mathematics |
| 3 | Anthropology | 16 | Mechanical Engineering |
| 4 | Botany | 17 | Medical Science |
| 5 | Chemistry | 18 | Philosophy |
| 6 | Civil Engineering | 19 | Physics |
| 7 | Commerce and Accountancy | 20 | Political Science & International Relations |
| 8 | Economics | 21 | Psychology |
| 9 | Electrical Engineering | 22 | Public Administration |
| 10 | Geography | 23 | Sociology |
| 11 | Geology | 24 | Statistics |
| 12 | History | 25 | Zoology |
| 13 | Law |
UPSC Mains Language Paper List
In the UPSC Mains Examination, there are two language papers — Paper A and Paper B — which are qualifying in nature. These papers are not counted for merit ranking but must be cleared to have the remaining papers evaluated. Failing to qualify in either of these papers will result in disqualification from the Mains stage.
Below is the list and structure of the two language papers:
| Paper | Paper A |
|---|---|
| Language | Indian Language (from the 8th Schedule of the Constitution) |
| Type | Qualifying Paper |
| Marks | 300 |
| Remarks | Candidates must choose one Indian language from the 8th Schedule. This paper is not applicable for candidates from Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Sikkim. |
| Paper | Paper B |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Type | Qualifying Paper |
| Marks | 300 |
| Remarks | This paper is compulsory for all candidates, regardless of their state or background. |
Indian Languages for UPSC Mains Paper A (Qualifying Language)
The following languages can be selected for Paper A of the UPSC Mains exam. Candidates from states like Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Sikkim (where Hindi is not compulsory in schools) are exempt from this paper.
| Sl. No. | Language | Sl. No. | Language | Sl. No. | Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Assamese | 9 | Kannada | 17 | Santhali |
| 2 | Bengali | 10 | Kashmiri | 18 | Sindhi |
| 3 | Bodo | 11 | Konkani | 19 | Tamil |
| 4 | Dogri | 12 | Maithili | 20 | Telugu |
| 5 | Gujarati | 13 | Malayalam | 21 | Urdu |
| 6 | Hindi | 14 | Manipuri | 22 | English* |
| 7 | Kannada | 15 | Marathi | ||
| 8 | Kashmiri | 16 | Nepali |
⚠️ Note: English is not allowed as a choice for Paper A. It is only used in Paper B (compulsory English qualifying paper).
📌 Candidates must select a language they can read and write fluently. No change is allowed once chosen in the DAF (Detailed Application Form).
Best Books for UPSC Mains Preparation
Choosing the right books is essential to cover the UPSC Mains syllabus comprehensively. Below is a table listing the best standard books for each paper:
| Paper | Recommended Books |
|---|---|
| Essay | Previous Year Essay Papers |
| General Studies Paper I | NCERTs (Class 6–12), Indian Art & Culture – Nitin Singhania, Spectrum Modern History |
| General Studies Paper II | Indian Polity – M. Laxmikanth, Governance Reports – ARC, Daily Current Affairs |
| General Studies Paper III | Economic Survey, Union Budget, Indian Economy – Ramesh Singh, Environment – Shankar IAS |
| General Studies Paper IV | Lexicon for Ethics, Case Study Compilations, ARC Report on Ethics |
| Optional Subject | Depends on subject – refer to standard books for the chosen optional |
Factors to Consider While Choosing Optional Subject
Choosing the right optional subject is a key strategy decision in your UPSC Mains journey. Here's a table of critical factors to guide your choice:
| Factor | Description |
|---|---|
| Interest & Academic Background | Select a subject you're genuinely interested in or have studied before. |
| Availability of Resources | Ensure books, coaching, and guidance are accessible for your chosen subject. |
| Scoring Trends | Check performance of subjects over the last few years; avoid highly volatile ones. |
| Overlap with GS Papers | Subjects like Geography, Sociology, and PSIR overlap significantly with GS. |
| Length & Depth | Consider the content load and your ability to manage it within time constraints. |
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Meet Your Faculty
He is a young and dynamic faculty in UPSC CSE field who has himself appeared in UPSC Interview and scored 120+ consecutively 3 times in UPSC Prelims. Overall he has appeared for 4 Mains and 1 Interview in UPSC CSE. He has also cleared various other competitive exams like IBPS PO (Selected as PO and worked there for more than 2 years), UPSC EPFO (reserve list) etc. This experience makes him understand the challenges and limitations that aspirants face in preparing for UPSC CSE.
Sourabh possesses the distinguishing feature of qualifying for Personality Test (Interview) of UPSC CSE in both of his attempts. Along with this, he has also scored 285+ score in Public Administration optional in both of his attempts. His expertise lies in giving right and honest guidance to aspirants and in the span of last 1.5 years, he has mentored 1000+ students across the country. Before joining Prepp IAS, he had been associated with Vision IAS as a guest faculty.
Senior Faculty in UPSC CSE field with experience of teaching multiple subjects in multiple leading civil services coaching institutes. He has appeared for 4 mains and 2 interviews in UPSC CSE, with two 140+ scores in Prelims. His exam-oriented teaching jazzed up with wit makes classes interactive and interesting which can surely help students in solving questions.
He is a teacher by passion and has experience of more than 5 years in teaching and guiding UPSC CSE Aspirants. He has taught in many reputed offline and online institutes like VISION IAS, Dheya IAS, Future IAS, residential coaching of Haj Committee of India etc. He himself has appeared for Personality Test (Interview) for UPSC and understands the demand of the exam. He has guided thousands of UPSC Aspirants across India in past 5 years.
He is a young and dynamic faculty in UPSC CSE field who has himself appeared in UPSC Interview and scored 120+ consecutively 3 times in UPSC Prelims. Overall he has appeared for 4 Mains and 1 Interview in UPSC CSE. He has also cleared various other competitive exams like IBPS PO (Selected as PO and worked there for more than 2 years), UPSC EPFO (reserve list) etc. This experience makes him understand the challenges and limitations that aspirants face in preparing for UPSC CSE.
Sourabh possesses the distinguishing feature of qualifying for Personality Test (Interview) of UPSC CSE in both of his attempts. Along with this, he has also scored 285+ score in Public Administration optional in both of his attempts. His expertise lies in giving right and honest guidance to aspirants and in the span of last 1.5 years, he has mentored 1000+ students across the country. Before joining Prepp IAS, he had been associated with Vision IAS as a guest faculty.
Senior Faculty in UPSC CSE field with experience of teaching multiple subjects in multiple leading civil services coaching institutes. He has appeared for 4 mains and 2 interviews in UPSC CSE, with two 140+ scores in Prelims. His exam-oriented teaching jazzed up with wit makes classes interactive and interesting which can surely help students in solving questions.
He is a teacher by passion and has experience of more than 5 years in teaching and guiding UPSC CSE Aspirants. He has taught in many reputed offline and online institutes like VISION IAS, Dheya IAS, Future IAS, residential coaching of Haj Committee of India etc. He himself has appeared for Personality Test (Interview) for UPSC and understands the demand of the exam. He has guided thousands of UPSC Aspirants across India in past 5 years.
He is B. Tech in Electronics and Communication and teaching CSAT from 2017 . He has worked with many reputed institutes in the field of UPSC like SRIAS, ALS and many others. Prior to that he has taught aptitude and reasoning under campus placement drive in different reputed universities like Banasthali University, Mody University.
She has over 5 years of expertise in teaching Ethics for UPSC CSE. She has scored 130 marks on the Ethics paper herself and understands the intricacies of the subject matter. Her teaching methodology involves a balanced approach between theoretical concepts and practical application, which helps students grasp the subject matter in a comprehensive manner.
She is a dedicated educator for past 6 years who believes in the concept of Learner’s First. She has taught in many reputed offline and online institutes like Edukemy and Edge IAS. She herself wrote 02 UPSC CSE Mains and appreared in State PSC interview twice.
She holds a B.Tech in Computer Science from UIET, Panjab University, Chandigarh, and an MBA in Finance from UBS, Panjab University. Additionally, they have earned a Post Graduate Diploma in Biotechnology from the State University of South Florida, Tampa, USA. With 5 UPSC attempts, 4 Mains qualifications, and 2 interviews (2013, 2017), she brings a wealth of experience and insights into the Civil Services Examination. Having worked with prominent institutions like Study IQ, Career Launcher, Unacademy, GS Score, Analog IAS, Insight, Drishti IAS, KSG, and Tathastu, she has been instrumental in guiding aspirants toward success.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Your academic background
- Interest in the subject
- Availability of resources (books, notes, guidance)
- Overlap with GS papers
- Scoring trend in recent years
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“The course was really helpful. It was a whole package of learning on how to go for answer writing in UPSC. The faculty members were really supportive and very active in clearing our doubts. I got to know where i am lacking, what are my weaknesses and faults and what improvements i need in the journey of UPSC. Overall i can say it was a fruitful output with minimum input. Looking forward for further courses as well. Thankyou.”
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“Helped me a lot to improve my writing skills. When started I was not confident, but now I'm able to deal with the questions confidently. Special thanks to sourabh sir.”
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“I started my preparation 3 months ago with prepp IAS daily guidance UPSC 2022, this course helped to understand what exactly answer writing means before this i was not sure where to start, how to start, what to write to practice answer writing but after this course i m at least sure about this if i have enough content i can write answer and i Really want to keep practising answer writing with prepp IAS Team, Looking forward for another series”
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