UPSC Mains Syllabus 2025: A Complete Guide with Subject-wise Breakdown

Cracking the UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE) is a dream shared by lakhs of aspirants in India. The UPSC Mains 2025 stage, being subjective and analytical in nature, is the real decider of your selection in the merit list. Understanding the UPSC Mains syllabus 2025 thoroughly is the first step toward success.

In this detailed blog, we’ll break down the UPSC CSE syllabus, provide a comprehensive subject-wise overview, and share important insights from UPSC previous year Mains papers to help you prepare strategically. Whether you're taking Anthropology optional or any other, this guide covers all your needs.

 Table of Contents

1. What is UPSC Mains?
2. UPSC Mains 2025: Number of Papers and Marks
3. Complete UPSC Mains Syllabus 2025 (Subject-Wise)
4. Optional Subjects in UPSC Mains (Including Anthropology)
5. How to Use UPSC Previous Year Mains Papers for Smart Preparation
6. Conclusion: Smart Syllabus Strategy for UPSC CSE 2025

 What is UPSC Mains?

The UPSC Mains is the second stage in the three-tier Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). It consists of 9 papers, out of which 7 are counted for merit and 2 are qualifying in nature.

Only candidates who clear the Prelims are eligible for Mains. The Mains exam tests your analytical ability, subject knowledge, structure of answer writing, and command over language.

 UPSC Mains 2025: Papers & Marks Distribution

Total Marks for Merit: 1750
Interview (Personality Test): 275 Marks
Final Total: 2025 Marks

 UPSC Mains Syllabus 2025 (General Studies + Essay)

 Note: All General Studies papers (Paper II to V) are of 250 marks each and require in-depth analysis and interlinking of current affairs with static knowledge.

 Paper I: Essay

Candidates are required to write two essays, one from each section. Marks are awarded for coherence, relevance, structure, language, and originality.

Preparation Tip: Practice essays from UPSC previous year Mains papers to understand the trend.

 Paper II: General Studies I – Indian Heritage and Culture, History & Geography of the World and Society

• Indian culture: Art forms, literature, and architecture.
• Modern Indian history, freedom struggle.
• Post-independence consolidation.
• World History: Industrial Revolution, world wars.
• Society: Role of women, globalization, social empowerment.
• Indian & World Geography: Physical, social, economic geography.

 Paper III: General Studies II – Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations

• Indian Constitution, functions of Parliament & Judiciary.
• Governance: Transparency, accountability, citizen charters.
• Social Justice: Welfare schemes, education, health, vulnerable sections.
• International relations: India and neighbors, bilateral/global groupings.

 Paper IV: General Studies III – Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management

• Indian economy: Growth, planning, inclusive development.
• Agriculture, PDS, food security.
• Science & Technology: IT, space, biotechnology.
• Environment: Conservation, pollution.
• Internal security, cyber security, disaster management.

 Paper V: General Studies IV – Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

• Ethics in public administration.
• Emotional intelligence.
• Public service values.
• Case studies on real-life administrative issues.

 UPSC Mains Optional Subjects 2025

Candidates have to choose one optional subject, which consists of two papers of 250 marks each.

Here’s a list of major optional subjects offered by UPSC:

•  Agriculture                
•  Animal Husbandry & Vet Science
•  Anthropology              
•  Botany
•  Chemistry                 
•  Civil Engineering
•  Commerce & Accountancy    
•  Economics
•  Electrical Engineering   
•  Geography
•  Geology                   
•  History
•  Law                       
•  Management
•  Mathematics               
•  Mechanical Engineering
•  Medical Science           
•  Philosophy
•  Physics                  
•  Political Science & IR
•  Psychology                
•  Public Administration
•  Sociology                 
•  Statistics
•  Zoology                   
•  Literature of any one language

Detailed Syllabus for Anthropology Optional (Highly Preferred)

Anthropology Paper I: Foundations of Anthropology

1.1 Meaning, Scope and Development
1.2 Relationship with other disciplines
1.3 Human Evolution and Fossil Evidence
1.4 Principles of Heredity
1.5 Concepts of Race and Ethnicity
1.6 Growth and Development
1.7 Primates and Human Evolution
1.8 Marriage, Family, and Kinship
1.9 Economic and Political Organization
1.10 Religion, Magic and Science

Anthropology Paper II: Indian Anthropology

2.1 Evolution of Indian Culture and Civilization
2.2 Ethno-archaeology in India
2.3 Demographic profile of India – Tribal and Caste structure
2.4 Tribe-caste continuum, impact of modernisation
2.5 Scheduled Tribes and Forest Rights Act
2.6 Development Projects and Displacement
2.7 Panchayati Raj, PESA Act
2.8 Tribal Movements in India
2.9 Tribal Health and Nutrition
2.10 Role of NGOs and Anthropology in India

 UPSC Civil Services Syllabus PDF (Download)

For official and printable UPSC syllabus, visit:

🔗https://upsconline.nic.in/
Look under “Examinations > Active Examinations > Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2025”

 UPSC Previous Year Mains Papers (2020–2024)

Studying UPSC previous year Mains papers is a game-changer. They help you:

• Understand paper patterns and question types.
• Identify recurring themes and topics.
• Practice answer writing under time constraints.

Also, solve Anthropology optional past papers to strengthen your writing quality and conceptual clarity.

 Bonus: Tips to Master UPSC CSE Syllabus

• Make your own micro-syllabus from UPSC notification and toppers’ strategies.
• Refer to standard books like NCERTs, Laxmikanth, Spectrum, G.C. Leong, IGNOU for Anthropology.
• Use mind-mapping and answer writing tools to interlink topics across GS and optional.
• Join test series to evaluate yourself regularly.
• Follow one newspaper + monthly current affairs magazine.

 Conclusion: Understand First, Prepare Smartly!

The UPSC Mains syllabus 2025 is vast, no doubt. But the key lies in understanding its structure and depth first. With strategic preparation, previous year paper analysis, and optional subject mastery (like Anthropology), cracking UPSC becomes a realistic goal.

Whether you're a beginner, never skip the UPSC previous year Mains papers or underestimate the importance of syllabus-based preparation.