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The UPSC syllabus for the Civil Services Examination is vast and covers a wide range of subjects. The exam consists of three stages: the Preliminary Examination, the Main Examination, and the Interview. The Preliminary Examination consists of two papers: General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II (CSAT).
The Main Examination consists of seven papers, including an essay paper, four General Studies papers, and two Optional Subject papers. The Interview stage assesses the candidate’s overall personality, communication skills, and suitability for a career in civil services.
UPSC Syllabus 2023
Stage | Examination | Papers | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preliminary Examination | Paper I | 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 | 200 marks |
| Paper II | 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) | 200 marks | |
| Main Examination | Paper-A | Compulsory Indian Language | 300 marks |
| Paper-B | English | 300 marks | |
| Paper-I | Essay | 250 marks | |
| Paper-II | General Studies-I (Indian Heritage and Culture, History, and Geography of the World and Society) | 250 marks | |
| Paper-III | General Studies -II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International relations) | 250 marks | |
| Paper-IV | General Studies -III (Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management) | 250 marks | |
| Paper-V | General Studies -IV (Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude) | 250 marks | |
| Paper-VI | Optional Subject – Paper 1 | 250 marks | |
| Paper-VII | Optional Subject – Paper 2 | 250 marks |
Note: The marks obtained in the Main Examination (written examination as well as the interview) are counted for the final selection of the candidate. Candidates may choose any optional subject from the list of subjects which are mentioned in the official notification of UPSC.
UPSC 2023 Exam Pattern
Stage |
Exam Type |
Papers |
Marks |
Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preliminary Examination | Objective | Paper 1: General Studies | 200 | 2 hours |
| Paper 2: Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) | 200 | 2 hours | ||
| Main Examination | Descriptive | Paper 1: Essay | 250 | 3 hours |
| Paper 2: General Studies 1 | 250 | 3 hours | ||
| Paper 3: General Studies 2 | 250 | 3 hours | ||
| Paper 4: General Studies 3 | 250 | 3 hours | ||
| Paper 5: General Studies 4 | 250 | 3 hours | ||
| Paper 6: Optional Paper 1 | 250 | 3 hours | ||
| Paper 7: Optional Paper 2 | 250 | 3 hours | ||
| Personality Test | Interview | – | 275 | – |
- Preliminary Examination: The preliminary examination consists of two papers, both of which are objective type. Paper 1 covers general studies, including current events, history, geography, polity, economy, environment, and more. Paper 2 is the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) and tests the candidate’s comprehension, interpersonal skills, communication skills, logical reasoning, and analytical ability. The CSAT paper is of qualifying nature, and candidates need to score at least 33% marks to qualify for the next stage.
- Main Examination: The main examination consists of nine papers, out of which seven are counted for merit. Paper 1 is the essay paper, where candidates need to write an essay on a given topic. Papers 2 to 5 cover general studies, including topics like history, polity, economics, and more. Papers 6 and 7 are optional papers, and candidates can choose a subject from a list of options provided by UPSC. Each paper carries 250 marks and has a duration of 3 hours.
- Personality Test: Candidates who qualify for the main examination are called for the personality test, which carries 275 marks. The interview is conducted to assess the candidate’s suitability for a career in the civil services.
UPSC Syllabus 2023 - Ethics Paper
Topics |
Subtopics |
|---|---|
| Ethics and Human Interface | – Essence, determinants, and consequences of Ethics in human actions. Dimensions of ethics. Ethics in private and public relationships. Lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers, and administrators on human values. Role of family, society, and educational institutions in inculcating values. |
| Attitude | – Content, structure, and function of attitude. Influence and relation of attitude 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 weaker sections. |
| Emotional Intelligence | – Concepts, utilities, and application in administration and governance. |
| Contributions of Moral Thinkers and Philosophers | – From India and the world. |
| Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration | – Status and problems of public/civil service values. 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 and Quality of service delivery. Utilization of public funds. Challenges of corruption. |
| Case Studies | – Case studies on the above issues. |
The Ethics paper in the UPSC Mains examination aims to test the candidate’s understanding of ethical and moral dimensions of various issues that arise in public and private life, and their ability to analyze and evaluate them. The topics covered under the Ethics paper include ethics and human interface, attitude, aptitude, and foundational values for Civil Service, emotional intelligence, contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and the world, public/civil service values and ethics in public administration, probity in governance, and case studies on the above issues.
The Ethics paper aims to test the candidate’s knowledge and understanding of various ethical issues that they may face as a civil servant. It also tests their ability to evaluate and analyze situations from an ethical perspective and come up with solutions that are in line with ethical values and principles. Candidates must be well-versed with the above topics and have a good understanding of ethical values, principles, and their practical application in various situations.
UPSC Syllabus: List of Optional Subjects
Group |
Optional Subjects |
|---|---|
| Agriculture | Agriculture |
| Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science | Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science |
| Anthropology | Anthropology |
| Science | Botany, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, Zoology |
| Engineering | Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering |
| Humanities | Geography, History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations, Psychology, Sociology |
| Commerce and Accountancy | Commerce and Accountancy |
| Management | Management |
| Medical Science | Medical Science |
| Law | Law |
| Others | Public Administration |
Note: The above table is not exhaustive, and the UPSC may add or remove optional subjects based on various factors. Candidates should check the official notification for the latest information.
Candidates can choose any one subject from the above list as their optional subject for the Mains examination. The syllabus for each subject is detailed and covers a wide range of topics. Candidates should choose a subject that they are interested in and have a good understanding of, as it will help them perform better in the examination.
UPSC Syllabus 2023 - Optional Subjects
Optional Subject |
Syllabus |
|---|---|
| Agriculture | Crop production, Horticulture, Plant breeding and genetics, Soil science, Agriculture engineering, Animal husbandry and veterinary science, Forestry and agroforestry, Fisheries |
| Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science | Animal nutrition and feed technology, Animal breeding and genetics, Veterinary microbiology, Public health and hygiene, Livestock production management, Animal diseases, Veterinary anatomy, Physiology, Pharmacology, and Parasitology |
| Anthropology | Social and cultural anthropology, Physical anthropology, Archaeological anthropology, Tribal studies |
| Botany | Plant physiology and biochemistry, Genetics, Plant pathology, Ecology, Economic botany, Plant breeding and biotechnology |
| Chemistry | Physical chemistry, Organic chemistry, Inorganic chemistry, Analytical chemistry, Environmental chemistry |
| Civil Engineering | Building materials, Construction technology, Solid mechanics, Structural analysis, Design of structures, Geotechnical engineering, Water resources engineering, Environmental engineering |
| Commerce and Accountancy | Accounting, Auditing, Income tax, Corporate accounting, Cost accounting, Business finance, Financial institutions and markets, Management accounting, Accounting standards |
| Economics | Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, International economics, Public economics, Indian economy |
| Electrical Engineering | Electrical circuits, Electromagnetic fields, Signals and systems, Electrical machines, Power systems, Control systems |
| Geography | Physical geography, Human geography, Economic geography, Environmental geography, Geographical information systems |
| Geology | Geomorphology, Structural geology, Paleontology, Mineralogy, Petrology, Economic geology, Stratigraphy, Environmental geology |
| History | Ancient history, Medieval history, Modern history, World history, Historiography, Historical methods |
| Law | Constitutional law, Administrative law, Public international law, Mercantile law, Criminal law, Labour law |
| Management | Organizational behavior, Human resource management, Marketing management, Financial management, Strategic management |
| Mathematics | Algebra, Real analysis, Complex analysis, Linear algebra, Differential equations, Numerical analysis, Calculus of variations |
| Mechanical Engineering | Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Power engineering, Manufacturing engineering, Design engineering, Industrial engineering, Mechanics of solids |
| Medical Science | Human anatomy, Human physiology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Pathology, Forensic medicine |
| Philosophy | Epistemology, Logic, Indian philosophy, Western philosophy, Ethics, Social and Political philosophy |
| Physics | Classical mechanics, Quantum mechanics, Electromagnetic theory, Thermodynamics and statistical physics, Electronics and experimental methods |
| Political Science and International Relations | Political theory, Indian politics, Comparative politics, International relations |
| Psychology | Perception, Learning, Memory, Thinking, Motivation, Emotion, Intelligence, Personality, Social psychology, Abnormal psychology |
| Public Administration | Administrative theory, Organizational behavior, Personnel administration, Public policy, Financial administration, Comparative public administration |
| Sociology | Sociological theory, Research methods, Social stratification, Family, Marriage, Kinship, Economic sociology, Political sociology, Environmental sociology |
| Statistics | Probability theory, Statistical inference, Linear regression, Multivariate analysis, Sampling theory, Statistical computing |
| Zoology | Animal diversity, Animal physiology, Ecology, Genetics, Evolution, Behavior, Applied zoology |
Note: The syllabus for each optional subject is not exhaustive and may change from time to time. Candidates should refer to the latest official notification for the detailed syllabus of each optional subject.
UPSC Syllabus 2023 FAQs
The UPSC Result 2023 is expected to be declared in March 2023, as per the tentative schedule released by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2022 is conducted in three stages, including the preliminary examination, main examination, and interview.
The number of candidates recommended for the appointment to the IAS, IPS, IFS, and other central services under Group A and Group B will be decided by the UPSC based on the number of vacancies and other factors.
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