UPSC Syllabus for Prelims Exam 2025 | Free PDF Download

The Union Public Service Commission conducts the civil services examination every year to recruit eligible candidates which are suitable for different grade A profile jobs in the government sector. After the prelims, the preparation for only 4-5 months would never be sufficient. 

So, the students are advised to start the preparation from Day one. To grab this auspicious opportunity for getting a Grade A job in Government Sector the students have to crack the exam by scoring enough marks are required to crack the cut-off. For getting the marks, students need to understand the UPSC prelims syllabus for 2025 exam and study for it from the beginning.

Importance of Studying from the UPSC Syllabus for prelims exam 2025:

When candidates review the syllabus, they become aware of the common subjects that must be covered for both the preliminary and main exams. These topics may be studied by combining the Mains and Prelims exam scopes.

This not only makes preparing easier, but it also helps you save time.

A candidate risked learning both useful and irrelevant information if he continued to study without first reviewing the curriculum. The applicants will waste their most precious time during this procedure.

Analyzing both UPSC Prelims and Mains curriculum before beginning the preparation is essential to avoiding this.

The Preliminary Test is the first stage of the UPSC examination, which consists of three parts.

There are two 200-mark papers in it, each with multiple-choice questions that are of the objective variety.

Each test has a 2-hour time limit, which all applicants must adhere to in order to pass.

For the applicants to pass the cut-off, they must receive the necessary marks.

There are two 200-point papers in the Prelims.

The syllabus for general studies is covered in Paper 1.

In the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, Paper-2 (CSAT) is a qualifying paper having a set minimum qualifying grade of 33%.

Both in Hindi and English will be used in the question papers.

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UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern

UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern
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)

UPSC Prelims Syllabus for 2025 Exam:

UPSC Prelims Syllabus for 2025 Exam for General Studies Paper-1:

UPSC Prelims Syllabus for 2025 Exam for General Studies Paper-2 (CSAT):

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.

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). English language comprehension skills – Class X level.

UPSC Mains Exam Pattern 2025

UPSC Mains Exam
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

UPSC Syllabus 2025 for General Studies (Mains) Exam: 

UPSC Syllabus 2025 for General Studies Paper – I (Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World, and Society)

• History – Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.

• Modern Indian History from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present significant events, personalities, issues.

• The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors/contributions from various parts of the country.

• Post-independence consolidation and reorganisation within the country.

• 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.

• Society –Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.

• Role of women and women’s organisations, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanisation, their problems and their remedies.

• Effects of globalization on Indian society.

• Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.

• Geography –Salient features of world’s physical geography.

• 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).

• 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 polar ice caps) and, in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.

UPSC Syllabus 2025 for General Studies Paper – II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations)

• Indian Constitution – historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.

• Function and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.

• Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions. Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.

• Parliament and State Legislature -structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.

• Structure, organisation 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.

• Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.

• Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional bodies.

• Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.

• Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

• Development processes and the development industry – the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.

• Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and the States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.

• Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

• Issues relating to poverty and hunger.

• Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures

• Role of civil services in a democracy.

• International Relations – India and its neighbourhood relations

• Bilateral, regional and global grouping and agreements involving India and/or affecting the India’s interests

• Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian Diaspora.

• Important International institutions, agencies and fora – their structure and mandates.

UPSC Syllabus 2025 for General Studies Paper – III (Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management)

• Economy – Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.

• Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.

• Government Budgeting.

• 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

• 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.

• Food processing and related industries in India – scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.

• Land reforms in India.

• Effects of liberalization on the economy (post 1991 changes), changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.

• Infrastructure – Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.

• Investment models (PPP etc.)

• Science and Technology – developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.

• Achievements of Indians in science & technology. Indigenisation of technology and developing new technology.

• Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nanotechnology, bio-technology and Issues relating to intellectual property rights.

• Environment – Conservation, Environmental pollution and degradation, Environmental impact assessment, Disaster Management (Laws, Acts etc.)

• Linkages between development and spread of extremism.

• Role of external security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, Basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention.

• Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism.

• Various Security forces and agencies and their mandates

UPSC Syllabus 2025 for General Studies Paper – IV (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 utilise the case study approach to determine these aspects. The following broad areas will be covered.

• Ethics and Human Interface; Essence, Determinants and Consequences of Ethics in Human action; 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.

• Attitude: Content, structure and function; its Influence and relation with thought and behavior; Moral and Political attitudes; Social influence and persuasion.

• Aptitude and foundational values of Civil Service, Integrity Impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker sections.

• Emotional Intelligence – Concepts, and their 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; 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 on above issues

FAQs on UPSC Prelims Syllabus for 2025 Exam:

Q.1 Can I crack UPSC Prelims Exam 2025 with 4 hours of study?

Ans. It is unknown whether an aspirant can pass the UPSC Civil Service Examination by studying for four hours per day, and given the rate at which UPSC applicants study, four hours is insufficient to pass the CSE. This is due to the following reasons: 1.) Aspirants may be unable to concentrate for the entire four hours, and there may be breaks.

On a daily basis, the aspirant must study GS, elective topics, and current events. It would be inefficient to divide the time into 4 hours. As a result, one should try to work an average of 7-8 hours every day, progressively increasing the amount. This ensures that adequate time is allotted to each subject.

So, whenever possible, strive to extend your study hours and make the most of your weekends and holidays. Pay special attention to current events when studying because they will serve as the foundation for your preparation for prelims, mains, and interviews.

Q.2 Is self-study enough for UPSC Prelims Exam 2025?

Ans. There is no requirement to attend coaching programmes in order to pass the UPSC exam. If you have the right tools,' you can pass the country's most difficult exam. All it takes is a well-planned approach and your commitment.

Benefits of self-study for the UPSC Exam:

• You are aware of your own talents and shortcomings and can choose your own learning pace.
• If you are a self-study person, go for it. Clearing the UPSC exam necessitates intense concentration and hard work. You don't need outside coaching if you have these qualities.
• If you are a working professional, self-study may be an option for you. Read on to learn how to pass the IAS Exam while working.
• The internet has provided you with all of the information you require

Q.3 Is there any prescribed textbook for the UPSC Prelims exam?

Ans. There is no prescribed textbook for the UPSC Prelims exam. However, the UPSC provides a detailed UPSC Prelims Syllabus for 2025 Exam for each subject, which can be used to guide your studies. It is recommended that you refer to multiple sources, such as textbooks, newspapers, and online resources, to prepare for the exam.

 Q.4 How much weightage is given to each subject in the UPSC Prelims exam?

Ans. The UPSC does not disclose the weightage given to each subject in the Prelims exam. It is important to prepare for all subjects in the UPSC syllabus for Prelims Exam 2025 to ensure a good score on the exam.

Q.5 Does UPSC ask questions out of the syllabus?

Ans. However, a review of past year question papers reveals that more than 80% of the questions are drawn directly from the UPSC syllabus. If you are familiar with your UPSC Prelims Syllabus for 2025 Exam, you can make the best use of newspapers for the UPSC civil services exams.

Q.6 Do all UPSC exams have the same syllabus?

Ans.  The UPSC Prelims Syllabus for 2025 Exam for UPSC CSE General Studies is the same for all students, regardless of their degree. However, the syllabus for Optional Papers differs depending on the subject chosen.