UPSC Syllabus 2026 – Complete IAS Syllabus for Prelims, Mains & Optional

The UPSC Syllabus 2026 is the foundation of Civil Services preparation. Every year, lakhs of aspirants appear for the UPSC exam, but only those who understand the syllabus in depth and prepare strategically are able to succeed. The syllabus is designed to test not just factual knowledge but also analytical ability, conceptual clarity, and decision-making skills.

The Civil Services Examination is conducted in three stages—Preliminary Examination (Prelims), Main Examination (Mains), and the Personality Test (Interview). Each stage has a distinct syllabus and exam pattern, and understanding them clearly is the first step towards effective preparation.

UPSC Exam Structure 2026 – Overview

UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern 2026

The Preliminary Examination consists of two objective-type papers conducted on the same day.

Key Points

• Negative marking: 1/3rd marks deducted for wrong answers.
   
• Duration: 2 hours for each paper.
   
• Only GS Paper I marks are considered for the Prelims cutoff.
   

UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2026

General Studies Paper I

• Current events of national and international importance
   
• History of India and Indian National Movement
   
• Indian and World Geography
   
• Indian Polity and Governance
   
• Economic and Social Development
   
• Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change
   
• General Science
   

General Studies Paper II (CSAT)

• Comprehension
   
• Communication and interpersonal skills
   
• Logical reasoning and analytical ability
   
• Decision-making and problem-solving
   
• General mental ability
   
• Basic numeracy (Class X level)
   
• Data interpretation (Class X level)
   

UPSC Mains Exam Pattern 2026

The Mains examination consists of 9 descriptive papers.

Qualifying Papers

(Marks not counted for final merit)

Papers Counted for Merit

Total (Mains Written): 1750 marks
Interview: 275 marks
Final Total: 2025 marks

UPSC Mains Syllabus 2026 – Detailed

Essay Paper

• Two essays on topics related to:
   
  • Society
     
  • Economy
     
  • Governance
     
  • Environment
     
  • Philosophy
     
  • Contemporary issues
     

This paper tests:

• Clarity of thought
   
• Coherence
   
• Balance of arguments
   
• Expression and structure
   

GS Paper I – Indian Heritage, History, Geography & Society

• Indian culture: art, literature, architecture
   
• Modern Indian history and freedom struggle
   
• Post-independence consolidation
   
• World history
   
• Indian society and diversity
   
• Women, population, poverty, urbanisation
   
• Globalisation and social change
   
• Physical geography
   
• Natural resources and industries
   
• Geophysical phenomena
   

GS Paper II – Polity, Governance & International Relations

• Constitution and its features
   
• Federalism and centre-state relations
   
• Parliament and state legislatures
   
• Judiciary and executive
   
• Constitutional and statutory bodies
   
• Welfare schemes and social justice
   
• Governance and transparency
   
• Role of civil services
   
• India’s foreign relations
   
• International organisations
   

GS Paper III – Economy, Environment, Science & Security

• Indian economy and planning
   
• Inclusive growth
   
• Budgeting and taxation
   
• Agriculture and food security
   
• Infrastructure and investment
   
• Science and technology
   
• IT, space, robotics, biotechnology
   
• Environmental conservation
   
• Disaster management
   
• Internal security challenges
   

GS Paper IV – Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude

• Ethics and human values
   
• Attitude and social influence
   
• Emotional intelligence
   
• Moral thinkers and philosophers
   
• Public service values
   
• Probity in governance
   
• Accountability and transparency
   
• Case studies on ethics
   

UPSC Optional Subject in Mains

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

Popular Optional Subjects

• Anthropology
   
• Geography
   
• Sociology
   
• Public Administration
   
• History
   
• Political Science & IR
   
• Psychology
   
• Philosophy
   
• Literature subjects
   
• Science and engineering optionals
   

Total marks for optional: 500, which makes it a crucial scoring component.

How to Choose the Right Optional Subject

Choosing the correct optional can significantly impact the final score.

Factors to Consider

• Personal interest and academic background
   
• Length and complexity of syllabus
   
• Overlap with General Studies
   
• Availability of quality study material
   
• Scoring trends and guidance
   

UPSC Interview (Personality Test)

The final stage of the UPSC exam is the Personality Test, carrying 275 marks.

What the Interview Board Assesses

• Personality traits
   
• Communication skills
   
• Decision-making ability
   
• Leadership qualities
   
• Administrative suitability
   

Questions are generally based on:

• Candidate’s background
   
• Detailed Application Form (DAF)
   
• Current affairs
   
• Situational judgment
   

Why Understanding the UPSC Syllabus is Important

• Helps in focused preparation.
   
• Prevents unnecessary reading.
   
• Improves answer writing quality.
   
• Saves time and increases efficiency.
   
• Builds a strong conceptual foundation.
   

Prepare Smartly with Vijetha IAS Academy

At Vijetha IAS Academy, aspirants are guided strictly according to the UPSC syllabus. The courses are designed to cover every topic in a structured and exam-oriented manner.

Key Advantages

• Syllabus-based teaching approach
   
• Integrated Prelims + Mains preparation
   
• Experienced faculty
   
• Regular tests and answer writing
   
• Optional subject guidance
   

Conclusion

The UPSC Syllabus 2026 provides a clear roadmap for aspirants preparing for the Civil Services Examination. By understanding the structure of Prelims, Mains, and the Interview, candidates can plan their preparation in a focused and systematic way. With the right strategy, consistent effort, and proper guidance, clearing the UPSC exam becomes an achievable goal.