UPSC Syllabus 2024
Aspirants looking for advice on how to get selected for the Indian Civil Service. So the first step is to understand the UPSC syllabus which provides detailed guidance for candidates preparing for UPSC CSE. It covers subjects such as History, Geography, Politics, Economics and Current Events.
The initial step is obtaining the recently updated UPSC Syllabus 2024 to prepare for the IAS Prelims and Mains Exams. The initial phase is conducted, and candidates who pass the prelims will get to sit in the UPSC Mains Exam.
Below, we have shared quick updates related to the UPSC syllabus for students appearing for the IAS examination. The UPSC 2024 syllabus for the Civil Services Examination includes:
Preliminary Exam:
Main Exam:
Personality Test (Interview): Evaluates personal suitability for public service through an interview.
The UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024 has moved to the next stage of the exam. Start your preparation to increase your chances of success Mains. Don’t forget the date! September 20, 2024, is the scheduled date of the UPSC CSE Mains exam. Together, we will explore the specifics of the UPSC Syllabus 2024 and help you reach your full potential.
| UPSC New Syllabus Highlights | ||
| Particulars | Prelims | Mains |
| UPSC Exam Date | 16 June 2024 | 20 September 2024 |
| No. of Papers | Two | Nine |
| Types of Questions | Objective Type | Descriptive Type |
| Duration of Exam | 2 hours each | 3 hours each |
| Total Marks | 400 | 1750 |
| Medium of Exam | English & Hindi | English & Hindi (except language paper) |
| Negative Marking | ⅓rd mark | No negative marking |
| Marks Counted in Merit | No | Yes |
A few subjects have significant weighting and frequently asked questions in the UPSC Prelims Syllabus. Before planning their study schedule, applicants should review the IAS and IPS Prelims Syllabus. The UPSC CSE Prelims syllabus is available for review by candidates here.
GS Paper 1 broadly consists of the following topics as mentioned in the Prelims syllabus section of the UPSC
GS Paper 2 (CSAT) covers the following topics
The UPSC Prelims CSAT Syllabus 2024 consists of 80 questions on specific areas, with a maximum mark of 200. You have two hours to finish the questions. UPSC administers the CSAT exam in the evening.
The preliminary phase of the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) serves as a vital means of screening to select applicants for the main examination. Your comprehension of historical and contemporary Indian and worldwide contexts is evaluated at this level.
| UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern 2024 | ||||
| Paper | Subjects | Marks | No. of Question | Duration |
| I | General Studies (GS) | 200 | 100 | 2 hours (9:30 AM to 11:30 AM) |
| II | CSAT | 200 | 80 | 2 hours (2:30 PM to 4:30 PM) |
The UPSC Mains Examination consists of Seven standard descriptive papers plus two qualifying papers. This section goes over the UPSC Mains syllabus for 2024 in great depth. It is advised that you thoroughly read this article to have a solid understanding of this section.
The questions would follow the following general pattern in both the English Language and in Indian Language.
| Section | Topic | Description |
| English Language | Comprehension | Understanding and interpreting given passages. |
| Precis Writing | Summarizing passages. | |
| Usage and Vocabulary | Correct use of words and understanding their meanings. | |
| Short Essays | Writing brief, coherent essays. | |
| Indian Languages | Comprehension | Understanding and interpreting given passages. |
| Precis Writing | Summarizing passages. | |
| Usage and Vocabulary | Correct use of words and understanding their meanings. | |
| Short Essays | Writing brief, coherent essays. | |
| Translation | Translating from English to the Indian language and vice-versa. |
Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society.
Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations.
Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management
| Topic | Description |
| Indian Economy | Issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development, and employment. |
| Inclusive Growth | Issues arising from inclusive growth. |
| Government Budgeting | Overview of government budgeting processes. |
| Agriculture | Major crop-cropping patterns, irrigation types and systems, storage, transport, and marketing of agricultural produce, issues, and constraints; e-technology in aid of farmers. |
| Farm Subsidies and Food Security | Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies, minimum support prices, Public Distribution Objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; buffer stocks, food security, Technology missions, and economics of animal-rearing. |
| Food Processing | Scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, and supply chain management. |
| Land Reforms | Land reforms in India. |
| Liberalization Effects | Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy, and their effects on industrial growth. |
| Infrastructure | Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways, etc. |
| Investment Models | Different investment models. |
| Science and Technology | Developments and their applications and effects in everyday life. |
| Achievements in Science & Technology | Achievements of Indians, indigenization of technology, development of new technology. |
| Technology Awareness | Awareness in IT, Space, Computers, robotics, Nano-technology, biotechnology, and intellectual property rights issues. |
| Environment | Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment. |
| Disaster Management | Disaster and disaster management. |
| Extremism | Linkages between development and the spread of extremism. |
| Internal Security | Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges, challenges through communication networks, role of media and social networking, basics of cyber security, money-laundering prevention. |
| Border Security | Security challenges and management in border areas, linkages of organized crime with terrorism. |
| Security Forces | Various security forces and agencies and their mandates. |
Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude: This paper will include questions to test the candidates’ attitudes and approaches to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life, and problem-solving approaches to various issues and conflicts faced in dealing with society. Questions may utilize the case study approach to determine these aspects. The following broad areas will be covered:
| Topic | Description |
| Ethics and Human Interface | Essence, determinants, and consequences of Ethics in human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships. Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers, and administrators; the role of family, society, and educational institutions in inculcating values. |
| Attitude | Content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behavior; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion. |
| Aptitude and Foundational Values for Civil Service | Integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance, and compassion towards the weaker sections. |
| Emotional Intelligence | Concepts, utilities, and application in administration and governance. |
| Moral Thinkers and Philosophers | Contributions from India and the world. |
| Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration | Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations, and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance. |
| Probity in Governance | Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; 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. |
| Case Studies | Case studies on the above issues. |
Note: Every year an aspirant comes with how to prepare for the UPSC exam. In this article, each candidate gets a complete guide to prepare for the UPSC Exam Preparation 2024.
For the UPSC Mains Examination, candidates must receive the minimum scores listed in the table below. The Union Public Service Commission determines these scores to choose a worthy applicant for the public service. The UPSC Mains Exam Paper consists of two qualifying papers and nine conventional papers. This ranking will be translated into a grade that includes an interview and all required papers, such as Paper I through Paper VII.
| UPSC IAS Mains Exam Pattern | ||
| Qualifying Papers | Marks | |
| Paper-A | One of the Indian Language to be selected by the candidate from the Languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution | 300 |
| Paper-B | English | 300 |
| Papers Counted for Merit | ||
| Paper-I | Essay | 250 |
| Paper-II | General Studies-I (Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society) | 250 |
| Paper-III | General Studies-II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations) | 250 |
| Paper-IV | Genera Studies-III (Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management) | 250 |
| Paper-V | General Studies-IV (Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude) | 250 |
| Paper-VI | Optional Subject – Paper 1 | 250 |
| Paper-VII | Optional Subject – Paper 2 | 250 |
| Sub Total (Written Test) | 1750 | |
| Personality Test | 275 | |
| Grand Total | 2025 | |
Optional Subject Papers I & II. Here you have to choose one subject from the list and the subject will have two papers.
A candidate can choose any one of the Optional Subjects from the following:
| UPSC Mains Optional Subjects List 2024 | ||||
| UPSC Agriculture Syllabus | UPSC Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Syllabus | UPSC Anthropology Syllabus | UPSC Botany Syllabus | UPSC Chemistry Syllabus |
| UPSC Civil Engineering Syllabus | UPSC Commerce and Accountancy Syllabus | UPSC Economics Syllabus | UPSC Electrical Engineering Syllabus | UPSC Geography Syllabus |
| Statistics | Sociology | Physics | Philosophy | Medical Science |
| Political Science and International Relations | Public Administration | Psychology | Mechanical Engineering | Mathematics |
| Zoology | Geology | History | Management | Law |
| Literature in any of the following languages | ||||
| English | Malayalam | Manipuri | Marathi | Nepali |
| Odia | Punjabi | Sanskrit | Santhali | Sindhi |
| Tamil | Telugu | Urdu | Assamese | Bengali |
| Bodo | Dogri | Gujarati | Hindi | Kannada |
| Kashmiri | Konkani | Maithili | Malayalam | – |
Before taking the UPSC exam, candidates are encouraged to download the UPSC syllabus in PDF format (2024). In the UPSC Syllabus, some topics carry a lot of weight and are frequently the subject of questions. To succeed in the UPSC CSE 2024, candidates need to thoroughly review the whole UPSC syllabus and pay close attention to every question that appears on many occasions.
Candidates should go through the detailed latest UPSC syllabus, before appearing for IAS Exam. In order to crack the UPSC CSE 2024 you first need to go through the updated UPSC Syllabus and focus on each & every topic which is repeatedly asked in the examination. UPSC syllabus for the Prelims exam covers two papers namely General Studies and CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test).
Latest UPSC Exam pattern 2024 has been released with UPSC Notification 2024.
The seven papers in UPSC Mains are
1. Essay
2.General Studies I.
3.General Studies II.
4. General Studies III.
5. General Studies IV.
6. UPSC Optional Subjects.
UPSC IAS Syllabus is published in English/Hindi languages. One can download the official IAS Syllabus PDF in the same languages only.
UPSC syllabus have different subjects under GS-I to GS-IV.
GS Paper 1 has History, Geography and Indian Society as main subjects
GS Paper 2 has Indian Polity, Governance, Constitution, and International Relations
GS Paper 3 has Indian Economy, Science & Technology, Agriculture, Environment as important subjects
GS Paper 4 has Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude.
UPSC CSE Prelims 2023 conducted on 16 June, 2024.
The pattern of questions would be broad as follows:
English Language:
(i) Comprehension of given passages.
(ii) Precis Writing.
(iii) Usage and Vocabulary.
(iv) Short Essays.
Indian Languages:
(i) Comprehension of given passages.
(ii) Precis Writing.
(iii) Usage and Vocabulary.
(iv) Short Essays.
(v) Translation from English to the Indian Language and vice-versa.
UPSC Syllabus for Essay
Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics. They will be expected to keep close to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in orderly fashion, and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.
UPSC Syllabus for General Studies I
Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society.
(i) Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
(ii) Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.
(iii) The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
(iv) Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
(v) History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.— their forms and effect on the society.
(vi) Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
(vii) Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
(viii) Effects of globalization on Indian society.
(ix) Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
(x) Salient features of world’s physical geography.
(xi) Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India).
(xii) Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., 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.
UPSC Syllabus for General Studies II
Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations.
(i) Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
(ii) Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.
(iii) Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
(iv) Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
(v) Parliament and State legislatures—structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
(vi) Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary—Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity.
(vii) Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
(viii) Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
(ix) Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
(x) Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
(xi) Development processes and the development industry —the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
(xii) Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
(xiii) Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
(xiv) Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
(xv) Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
(xvi) Role of civil services in a democracy.
(xvii) India and its neighborhood- relations.
(xviii) Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
(xix) Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
(xx) Important International institutions, agencies and fora - their structure, mandate.
UPSC General Studies III Syllabus
Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management
(i) Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
(ii) Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
(iii) Government Budgeting.
(iv) 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.
(v) 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.
(vi) Food processing and related industries in India- scope’ and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
(vii) Land reforms in India.
(viii) Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
(ix) Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
(x) Investment models.
(xi) Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
(xii) Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
(xiii) Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, Nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
(xiv) Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
(xv) Disaster and disaster management.
(xvi) Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
(xvii) Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
(xviii) Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention.
(xix) Security challenges and their management in border areas - linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
(xx) Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.
UPSC General Studies IV Syllabus
Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude
This paper will include questions to test the candidates’ attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and his problem solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him in dealing with society. Questions may utilize the case study approach to determine these aspects. The following broad areas will be covered:
(i) Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in-human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics - in private and public relationships. Human Values - lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
(ii) Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
(iii) Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker-sections.
(iv) Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance.
(v) Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
(vi) Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.
(vii) Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; 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.
(viii) Case Studies on above issues.
UPSC Optional Syllabus
Optional Subject Papers I & II. Here you have to choose one subject from the list and the subject will have two papers.
A candidate may opt for any one Optional Subject from the following:
(i) Agriculture
(ii) Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science
(iii) Anthropology
(iv) Botany
(v) Chemistry
(vi) Civil Engineering
(vii) Commerce and Accountancy
(viii) Economics
(ix) Electrical Engineering
(x) Geography
(xi) Geology
(xii) History
(xiii) Law
(xiv) Management
(xv) Mathematics
(xvi) Mechanical Engineering
(xvii) Medical Science
(xviii) Philosophy
(xix) Physics
(xx) Political Science and International Relations
(xxi) Psychology
(xxii) Public Administration
(xxiii) Sociology
(xxiv) Statistics
(xxv) Zoology
(xxvi) Literature of any one of the following languages: Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu and English.
Mathematics is one of the popular optional subjects for UPSC Main Examination.
The major subjects covered in the UPSC syllabus include General Studies, Aptitude, Indian Polity, Economy, Geography, History, Science, and Technology.
Yes! UPSC papers have repetitions of questions from previous year's papers, but only for certain topics.
Yes, the syllabus for UPSC Prelims and Mains are slightly different from each other so candidates should prepare accordingly
The UPSC Prelims exam consists of 2 compulsory papers of 200 marks each of them.
The UPSC Syllabus 2024 helps candidates in understanding the exam pattern, the types of questions asked, and the level of difficulty. It provides a roadmap for candidates to prepare for the exam and focus on the relevant topics.
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