About UPSC - Complete Guide

About UPSC

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is a constitutional body established under Article 315 of the Constitution of India. It is the premier central recruiting agency responsible for conducting examinations for appointments to various civil services of the Government of India.

Key Functions:

• Conducts the Civil Services Examination (CSE) for recruitment to All India Services and Central Services
• Conducts examinations for appointments to various posts under the Government of India
• Advises the government on matters related to recruitment, promotions, and disciplinary actions

UPSC Exam Calendar

Civil Services Examination (CSE)

The Civil Services Examination (CSE) is commonly known as the IAS/IPS examination and is conducted in three stages:

1. Preliminary Examination (Objective type - Screening test)
2. Main Examination (Descriptive type - Written examination)
3. Personality Test/Interview

Services Recruited Through CSE

Group 'A' Services:

• Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
• Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
• Indian Police Service (IPS)
• Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS)
• Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS)
• Indian Corporate Law Service (ICLS)
• Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS)
• Indian Defence Estates Service (IDES)
• Indian Information Service (IIS)
• Indian Postal Service (IPoS)
• Indian P&T Accounts and Finance Service (IP&TAFS)
• Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS)
• Indian Railway Protection Force Service (IRPFS)
• Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes)
• Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax)
• Indian Trade Service (ITS)

Group 'B' Services:

• Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service (AFHCS)
• Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service (DANICS)
• Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Police Service (DANIPS)
• Pondicherry Civil Service (PONDICS)
• Pondicherry Police Service (PONDIPS)

Complete Examination Schedule 2025

Preliminary Examination Schedule:

Main Examination Schedule:

Exam Dates: August 22-26, 2025 (5 days)

Session Timing:

• Morning: 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon (3 hours)
• Afternoon: 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM (3 hours)

Paper Schedule:

Eligibility Criteria

A. Educational Qualification:

• Minimum: Bachelor's degree from any recognized university
• Final year students can also apply

B. Age Limit (as of 1st August 2025):

C. Number of Attempts:

D. Nationality:

• For IAS and IPS: Must be a citizen of India
• For other services: As specified in the official notification

Examination Pattern

Stage 1: Preliminary Examination (400 marks)

Paper I: General Studies (200 marks)

• Duration: 2 hours
• Questions: 100
• Nature: Objective type (MCQ)
• Negative marking: ⅓ marks deducted for wrong answers

Paper II: CSAT (200 marks)

• Duration: 2 hours
• Questions: 80
• Nature: Qualifying paper (minimum 33% required)
• Negative marking: ⅓ marks deducted for wrong answers

Important Notes:

• Preliminary exam is only a screening test
• Marks are not counted for final ranking
• Must appear in both papers for evaluation

Stage 2: Main Examination (1750 marks)

Paper	Subject	Duration	Marks	Nature
Paper A	Compulsory Indian Language	3 hours	300	Qualifying
Paper B	English	3 hours	300	Qualifying
Paper I	Essay	3 hours	250	Merit
Paper II	General Studies I	3 hours	250	Merit
Paper III	General Studies II	3 hours	250	Merit
Paper IV	General Studies III	3 hours	250	Merit
Paper V	General Studies IV	3 hours	250	Merit
Paper VI	Optional Paper I	3 hours	250	Merit
Paper VII	Optional Paper II	3 hours	250	Merit

Stage 3: Personality Test/Interview (275 marks)

• No minimum qualifying marks
• Candidates are called at about twice the number of vacancies
• Total marks for final ranking: 2025 (1750 + 275)

Detailed Syllabus

Preliminary Examination

Paper I: General Studies (200 marks)

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
7. General Science

Paper II: CSAT (200 marks)

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)
7. Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc.) - Class X level

Main Examination - Detailed Paper-wise Syllabus

Paper A: Compulsory Indian Language (300 marks)

1. Comprehension of given passages
2. Precis Writing
3. Usage and Vocabulary
4. Short Essay
5. Translation from English to the Indian language and vice-versa

Paper B: English (300 marks)

1. Comprehension of given passages
2. Precis Writing
3. Usage and Vocabulary
4. Short Essay
5. Translation from Indian language to English and vice-versa

Paper I: Essay (250 marks)

1. Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics
2. Topics: Covering contemporary issues, philosophical themes, social issues, economic policies, international relations, etc.
3. Expected: Clarity of thought, coherence, logical arrangement, and effective expression
4. Credit given for: Effective and exact expression, originality of content, analytical ability

Paper II: General Studies I (250 marks) Indian Heritage and Culture:

1. Indian culture covering salient aspects of Art Forms, literature, and Architecture from ancient to modern times
2. Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present
3. The Freedom Struggle - its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country
4. Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country

History of the World:

1. Events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawing of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization
2. Political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc. - their forms and effect on the society

Society:

1. Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India
2. Role of women and women's organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues
3. Urbanization, their problems and their remedies
4. Effects of globalization on Indian society
5. Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism

Geography of the World:

1. Salient features of world's physical geography
2. Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent)
3. Factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India)
4. Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc.
5. Geographical features and their location-changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes

Paper III: General Studies II (250 marks) Indian Constitution:

1. Historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure
2. Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure
3. Devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein
4. Separation of powers between various organs, dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions
5. Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries

Governance:

1. Parliament and State Legislatures - structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these
2. Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary
3. Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity
4. Salient features of the Representation of People's Act
5. Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies
6. Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies

Social Justice:

1. Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation
2. Development processes and the development industry - the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders
3. Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes
4. Mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections
5. Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources
6. Issues relating to poverty and hunger

International Relations:

1. India and its neighborhood- relations
2. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests
3. Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests
4. Indian diaspora
5. Important International institutions, agencies and fora - their structure, mandate

Paper IV: General Studies III (250 marks) Economic Development:

1. Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment
2. Inclusive growth and issues arising from it
3. Government Budgeting
4. Major crops-cropping patterns in various parts of the country, - different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers
5. Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing
6. Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management
7. Land reforms in India
8. Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth
9. Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
10. Investment models

Science and Technology:

1. Developments and their applications and effects in everyday life
2. Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology
3. Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights

Environment and Ecology:

1. Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
2. Disaster and disaster management

Security:

1. Linkages between development and spread of extremism
2. Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security
3. Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges
4. Basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention
5. Security challenges and their management in border areas - linkages of organized crime with terrorism
6. Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate

Paper V: General Studies IV (250 marks) Ethics and Human Interface:

1. Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions
2. Dimensions of ethics
3. Ethics in private and public relationships
4. Human Values - lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators
5. Role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values

Attitude:

1. Content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour
2. Moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion

Aptitude and Foundational Values for Civil Service:

1. Integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker-sections

Emotional Intelligence:

1. Concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance

Contributions of Moral Thinkers and Philosophers:

1. From India and world

Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration:

1. Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions
2. Laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance
3. Accountability and ethical governance
4. Strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance
5. Ethical issues in international relations and funding
6. Corporate governance

Probity in Governance:

1. Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity
2. Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen's Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption
3. Case Studies on above issues

Paper VI & VII: Optional Subjects (250 marks each)

Candidates can choose one optional subject from the list below. The syllabus for each optional subject is detailed and comprehensive, covering both Paper I and Paper II of the chosen subject.

8. Optional Subjects (Choose One)

• Agriclture
• 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 Languages: Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, English

9. Cut-off Trends (Last 5 Years)

Preliminary Examination Cut-off

Main Examination Cut-off

10. Recommended Study Materials

Preliminary Examination

Paper I: General Studies

Polity:

1. Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth
2. NCERT Class XI: Political Theory
3. NCERT Class XI: Indian Constitution at Work

Economy:

1. Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh
2. NCERT Class XI: Indian Economic Development
3. NCERT Class XII: Macroeconomics
4. Economic Survey (latest)
5. Budget (latest)

History:

1. Ancient India by R.S. Sharma (Old NCERT)
2. Medieval India by Satish Chandra (Old NCERT)
3. Modern India: Spectrum Publications
4. India's Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra

Geography:

1. Certificate Physical and Human Geography by G.C. Leong
2. NCERT Class XI: Fundamentals of Physical Geography
3. NCERT Class XI: India: Physical Environment
4. NCERT Class XII: Fundamentals of Human Geography
5. NCERT Class XII: India: People and Economy

Environment:

1. Environment by Shankar IAS Academy
2. PMF IAS Environment Notes
3. India State of Forest Report

Science & Technology:

1. NCERT Class IX-X Science textbooks
2. Current affairs from The Hindu, Science Reporter

Current Affairs:

1. The Hindu newspaper
2. Press Information Bureau (PIB)
3. Yojana magazine
4. Kurukshetra magazine

Paper II: CSAT

1. CSAT Manual by Arihant Publications
2. Analytical Reasoning by M.K. Pandey
3. Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal
4. Quantitative Aptitude by R.S. Aggarwal

Main Examination

General Studies Paper I:

1. Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania
2. World History by Norman Lowe
3. Geography of India by Majid Husain
4. Social Problems in India by Ram Ahuja

General Studies Paper II:

1. Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth
2. Introduction to the Constitution of India by D.D. Basu
3. Governance in India by M. Laxmikanth
4. International Relations by Pushpesh Pant

General Studies Paper III:

1. Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh
2. Indian Economy by Nitin Singhania
3. Environment and Ecology by Shankar IAS
4. Internal Security by Ashok Kumar
5. Science and Technology by Ravi P. Agrahari

General Studies Paper IV (Ethics):

1. Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude by Lexicon Publications
2. Ethics by Subba Rao and P.N. Roy Chaudhary
3. 2nd Administrative Reforms Commission Reports

Essay:

1. Essay Writing for Civil Services by Pulkit Khare
2. Regular practice on diverse topics

Important Resources

Official Websites:

• UPSC Official Website: https://upsc.gov.in
• Online Application Portal: https://upsconline.nic.in

Current Affairs Sources:

• The Hindu newspaper
• Indian Express newspaper
• Press Information Bureau (PIB)
• All India Radio News
• Rajya Sabha TV debates

Government Reports:

• Economic Survey
• Union Budget
• NITI Aayog Reports
• Annual Reports of Ministries
• Finance Commission Reports

Preparation Strategy

Phase 1: Foundation Building (6-8 months)

• Complete NCERTs from Class VI to XII
• Read standard reference books
• Develop note-making habit
• Start newspaper reading

Phase 2: Advanced Preparation (4-6 months)

• In-depth study of optional subject
• Answer writing practice
• Current affairs compilation
• Mock test series

Phase 3: Revision and Practice (2-3 months)

• Intensive revision
• Previous year papers
• Full-length mock tests
• Interview preparation

Application Process

Steps to Apply:

1. Visit UPSC Online portal: https://upsconline.nic.in
2. Register with basic details
3. Fill the detailed application form
4. Upload scanned documents:
   • Photograph
   • Signature
   • Photo ID proof
5. Pay application fee:
   • General/OBC: ₹100
   • SC/ST/PwBD/Female: No fee
6. Submit and take printout

Important Documents Required:

• Educational qualification certificates
• Date of Birth proof
• Category certificate (if applicable)
• PwBD certificate (if applicable)

Important Tips for Success

• Start Early: Begin preparation at least 12-18 months in advance
• Understand Syllabus: Thoroughly analyze the complete syllabus
• Time Management: Create a realistic study schedule
• Regular Revision: Revise frequently to retain information
• Answer Writing: Practice answer writing from the beginning
• Mock Tests: Take regular mock tests to assess preparation
• Current Affairs: Stay updated with daily news
• Health Management: Maintain physical and mental health
• Positive Attitude: Stay motivated throughout the journey
• Peer Learning: Discuss with fellow aspirants