The UPSC exam is one of the toughest exams in India, and it is essential to have a thorough understanding of the syllabus before attempting it. The exam consists of three levels, namely prelims, mains, and the personality test/interview. Each level demands a comprehensive understanding of the syllabus of the respective exam.
Here is everything you need to know about the UPSC exam syllabus:
Preliminary Exam
The UPSC preliminary exam is an objective type test consisting of two papers. The syllabus consists of the following subjects:
- Paper-1: General Studies
– Indian National Movement and History
– Indian and World Geography
– Economic and Social Development
– Environmental Ecology and Biodiversity
– General Science - Paper-2: Civil Service Aptitude Test (CSAT)
– Reading comprehension
– Logical reasoning and analytical abilities
– Decision-making and problem-solving
– Basic numeracy
– English language comprehension
Mains Exam
The UPSC mains exam consists of nine papers, and each paper is of descriptive type. The syllabus consists of the following subjects:
- Paper-I: Essay writing
- Paper-II: General Studies-I
– Indian Heritage and Culture
– Indian History and Modernity
– Geography of the World and Society - Paper-III: General Studies-II
– Governance
– International Relations
– Constitution
– Social Justice
– Law and ethical principles - Paper-IV: General Studies-III
– Technology
– Economic Development
– Agriculture
– Biodiversity
– Security and Disaster Management - Paper-V: General Studies-IV
– Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude - Papers VI-X: Optional Subject
– Candidates can opt for any one of the listed subjects: Agriculture, Anthropology, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Botany, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Commerce and Accountancy, Economics, Electrical Engineering, Geography, Geology, History, Law, Management, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Medical Science, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Public Administration, Sociology, Statistics, Zoology, and Literature of Any Language
Personality Test/Interview
The third and final round of the UPSC exam is the personality test/interview. The interview process is conducted by a board selected by the UPSC chairman. The board judges the candidate’s personality traits, mental alertness, and non-verbal communication skills, as well as their knowledge of current events and their field of interest.
The UPSC exam is not just a test of knowledge but also a measure of a candidate’s personality and communication skills. Every candidate must study the syllabus in-depth and prepare themselves accordingly. I hope this breakdown of the UPSC exam syllabus cleared all your doubts related to the exam. Start your UPSC Coaching preparation early and stay focused on your goal, and you will undoubtedly succeed in the UPSC exam.
