Union Public Service Commission · Civil services

Civil Services Examination (IAS, IPS, IFS and others)

India’s main civil services exam: IAS, IPS, IFS (Foreign Service), IRS and about 20 other Group A and B services. CSE 2026 was for about 933 vacancies.

Posts
933
Stages
Prelims (screening) → Mains → Personality test
Final merit
2025 marks

Latest: CSE 2026: Mains written result declared 5 Nov 2026; interviews next. CSE 2027: notice 13 Jan 2027, Prelims 23 May 2027.

Official notification and PDFs

Checked 14 Nov 2026

Each link opens the file on UPSC's own website.

Exam pattern

Negative marking: Prelims: one-third of the marks of a question is deducted for each wrong answer, in both papers. About twice the vacancies are called for the personality test (275 marks, no minimum).

Prelims

PaperQuestionsMarksTimeCounts for merit?
Paper I: General StudiesDecides who goes to Mains—2002 hoursNo
Paper II: General Studies II (CSAT)Qualifying: at least 33%—2002 hoursNo

Mains

PaperQuestionsMarksTimeCounts for merit?
Paper A: Indian languageQualifying: at least 25%—3003 hoursNo
Paper B: EnglishQualifying: at least 25%—3003 hoursNo
Paper I: Essay—2503 hoursYes
Paper II: GS I (heritage, culture, history, geography, society)—2503 hoursYes
Paper III: GS II (governance, constitution, polity, social justice, IR)—2503 hoursYes
Paper IV: GS III (technology, economy, environment, security, disasters)—2503 hoursYes
Paper V: GS IV (ethics, integrity and aptitude)—2503 hoursYes
Paper VI: Optional subject, paper 1—2503 hoursYes
Paper VII: Optional subject, paper 2—2503 hoursYes
Merit marks from this stage1750

Interview: 275 marks. Final merit: Mains + Interview = 2025 marks.

Syllabus at a glance

Prelims Paper I (GS)

  • Current events, national and international
  • History of India and the national movement
  • Indian and world geography
  • Polity and governance
  • Economic and social development
  • Environment, biodiversity and climate change
  • General science

Prelims Paper II (CSAT)

  • Comprehension
  • Interpersonal and communication skills
  • Logical reasoning and analytical ability
  • Decision making and problem solving
  • General mental ability
  • Basic numeracy and data interpretation (Class X level)

Mains

  • Essay
  • GS I to GS IV as in the notice
  • One optional subject (two papers) from the list in the notice
  • Two qualifying language papers

This is a summary. The official syllabus in the advertisement PDF above is the authority.

Study the syllabus

42 units · 432 MCQs

Units follow the CSE notice: Prelims GS Paper I topic by topic, CSAT, then Essay and GS I to GS IV for Mains. Shared topics are listed once under the paper where UPSC first asks them.

Prelims GS I: History of India and the Indian National Movement

Prehistory and the Harappan CivilisationStone Ages, Chalcolithic cultures and the Indus Valley Civilisation: sites, town planning, economy, religion, script and decline.4 min · 11 MCQs · 2 Mains QsVedic Age, Mahajanapadas, Buddhism and JainismEarly and later Vedic society, the rise of Magadha among the sixteen Mahajanapadas, and the teachings and spread of Buddhism and Jainism.5 min · 10 MCQs · 2 Mains QsMauryas, Post-Mauryan Kingdoms, Guptas and Early Medieval IndiaChandragupta, Ashoka's dhamma and edicts, Mauryan administration, Kushanas and Satavahanas, the Sangam age, the Gupta 'classical age', Harsha, and the Pallavas and Chalukyas.5 min · 11 MCQs · 2 Mains QsEarly Medieval India and the Delhi SultanateArab and Turkish invasions, the five Sultanate dynasties, administration and economy, Vijayanagara and Bahmani kingdoms, and the Bhakti and Sufi movements.5 min · 11 MCQs · 2 Mains QsThe Mughals, the Marathas and the Later MughalsBabur to Aurangzeb, Sher Shah's reforms, mansabdari and land revenue, Mughal art and architecture, Shivaji and the Peshwas, and the decline of the empire.4 min · 11 MCQs · 2 Mains QsEuropeans, British Expansion and the Revolt of 1857The European companies, Plassey and Buxar, wars with Mysore, the Marathas and the Sikhs, Subsidiary Alliance and Doctrine of Lapse, land revenue systems, economic drain, and the 1857 revolt.6 min · 11 MCQs · 3 Mains QsSocial Reform Movements and the Rise of Nationalism (1828–1905)Brahmo Samaj to Aligarh, reform laws, education and press, early political associations, the founding of the Congress and the Moderates.4 min · 10 MCQs · 2 Mains QsThe National Movement, 1905–1947Partition of Bengal and Swadeshi, Extremists and revolutionaries, Gandhi's movements from Champaran to Quit India, constitutional reforms, INA, and the road to independence and Partition.6 min · 12 MCQs · 3 Mains QsIndia after IndependenceIntegration of princely states, linguistic reorganisation, planning, wars and foreign policy choices, the Emergency, coalition era and economic reforms.5 min · 10 MCQs · 3 Mains QsIndian Art and CultureArchitecture from stupas to Indo-Islamic monuments, sculpture and painting schools, classical dance and music, literature, festivals and UNESCO heritage.5 min · 10 MCQs · 2 Mains Qs

Prelims GS I: Indian and World Geography

Physical Geography: Earth, Landforms, Climate and OceansInterior of the earth, plate tectonics, earthquakes and volcanoes, landforms, atmosphere and climate, cyclones, ocean currents and tides.4 min · 10 MCQs · 2 Mains QsPhysical Geography of IndiaLocation and physiographic divisions, Himalayan and peninsular rivers, the monsoon and climate, soils, natural vegetation and forest cover.5 min · 10 MCQs · 2 Mains QsEconomic Geography of India: Agriculture, Minerals, Energy, Industry and TransportCropping seasons and major crops, irrigation, minerals and their belts, energy resources, industrial location, and transport networks.4 min · 10 MCQs · 2 Mains QsWorld Geography and Distribution of Key ResourcesContinents, major physical features, straits and choke points, climatic regions, and world distribution of minerals, energy and crops.4 min · 10 MCQs · 2 Mains Qs

Prelims GS I: Indian Polity and Governance

Constitution, Preamble, Fundamental Rights, DPSP and DutiesHow the Constitution was made, its sources and features, the Preamble, Parts III, IV and IV-A, and the key cases every PSC asks.8 min · 12 MCQs · 3 Mains QsUnion Executive and ParliamentPresident, Vice-President, Prime Minister and Council of Ministers; Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, law-making, money bills, committees and emergencies.7 min · 12 MCQs · 3 Mains QsJudiciary: Supreme Court, High Courts and judicial reviewAppointment and removal of judges, the collegium, jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and High Courts, PIL, tribunals and judicial activism.5 min · 10 MCQs · 3 Mains QsFederalism, State Government and Local BodiesCentre-state relations, Governor, state legislature, special provisions, Fifth and Sixth Schedules, PESA, and the 73rd and 74th Amendments.6 min · 11 MCQs · 3 Mains QsConstitutional and Statutory Bodies, Elections and CitizenshipElection Commission, UPSC and State PSCs, CAG, Finance Commission, NITI Aayog, NHRC, Lokpal, CVC, CBI, citizenship and electoral reforms.6 min · 11 MCQs · 3 Mains Qs

Prelims GS I: Economic and Social Development

Economy Basics: National Income, Growth, Planning and EmploymentGDP, GVA and GNI, growth vs development, HDI, sectors of the economy, planning to NITI Aayog, inclusive growth, unemployment and its measurement.4 min · 10 MCQs · 2 Mains QsMoney, Banking, Inflation and Monetary PolicyMoney supply, RBI and its tools, the Monetary Policy Committee and inflation targeting, banking structure and reforms, NPAs and IBC, financial inclusion and digital payments.4 min · 10 MCQs · 2 Mains QsFiscal Policy, Budget, Taxation and Public DebtUnion Budget structure, deficits, FRBM, direct and indirect taxes, GST, Finance Commission devolution, and public debt.4 min · 10 MCQs · 2 Mains QsExternal Sector: Trade, Balance of Payments, Exchange Rate and WTOBalance of payments, current and capital accounts, forex reserves, exchange rate regimes, FDI and FPI, the 1991 crisis, trade policy, WTO and trade agreements.4 min · 10 MCQs · 2 Mains QsAgriculture, Food Security, Industry and InfrastructureFarm sector issues, MSP and procurement, PDS, subsidies, land reforms, food processing; industrial policy, MSMEs, Make in India; infrastructure and investment models.4 min · 10 MCQs · 3 Mains QsGlobalisation and Sustainable DevelopmentMeaning and impacts of globalisation, the Brundtland idea of sustainable development, the 17 SDGs and India's progress, green growth, circular economy and LiFE.4 min · 10 MCQs · 2 Mains Qs

Prelims GS I: Environmental ecology, biodiversity and climate change

Ecology, Biodiversity and ConservationEcosystems and food chains, biogeochemical cycles, biodiversity levels and hotspots, protected areas, wildlife laws, IUCN categories and conservation projects.4 min · 10 MCQs · 2 Mains QsClimate Change, Pollution and Environmental ConventionsGreenhouse effect, global warming impacts, UNFCCC, Kyoto and Paris, India's NDCs and missions, ozone, air and water pollution, and key international conventions.5 min · 10 MCQs · 2 Mains Qs

Prelims GS I: General Science

General Science: Physics and ChemistryUnits, motion and force, work and energy, heat, light, sound, electricity and magnetism, atoms and radioactivity; matter, acids and bases, metals, carbon compounds and everyday chemistry.5 min · 12 MCQsGeneral Science: Biology, Human Body and HealthCell, classification, plant biology, human organ systems, nutrition and vitamins, diseases and their causes, immunity and vaccines, genetics and public health programmes.5 min · 11 MCQs · 2 Mains QsScience and Technology: Space, Defence, IT, Biotech and New TechISRO's launch vehicles and missions, India's defence technology and missiles, IT and digital tech, AI, semiconductors, biotechnology, nanotech, IPR and indigenisation.5 min · 10 MCQs · 3 Mains Qs

Prelims GS II (CSAT, qualifying)

Reading Comprehension, Communication and Decision MakingHow to read passages fast and answer inference, assumption and main-idea questions; interpersonal and communication skills; decision-making questions.3 min · 8 MCQsLogical Reasoning and General Mental AbilitySyllogisms, statements and conclusions, coding-decoding, blood relations, direction sense, seating arrangement, series, calendars, clocks and puzzles, with worked methods.3 min · 10 MCQsBasic Numeracy and Data InterpretationNumber system, percentages, profit and loss, ratio, averages, interest, time-work-speed, mensuration basics, probability, and reading tables, bar graphs and pie charts (Class X level).4 min · 12 MCQs

Mains Essay

Essay Writing for Civil ServicesWhat examiners look for, how to pick a topic, decoding philosophical and issue-based topics, the brainstorm-outline-write method, introduction and conclusion patterns, multi-dimensional body structure, common mistakes and a practice bank of topics.4 min · 6 MCQs · 4 Mains Qs

Mains GS I: Heritage, culture, history, world and society

Indian history and geography units above also serve GS I.

World History: Revolutions, Wars and DecolonisationIndustrial Revolution, American and French Revolutions, nationalism in Europe, colonialism, the two World Wars, Russian Revolution, the Cold War and decolonisation.5 min · 10 MCQs · 2 Mains QsIndian Society: Diversity, Women, Population, Urbanisation and Social IssuesFeatures of Indian society, caste and tribe, role of women and women's organisations, population, poverty, urbanisation, globalisation, communalism, regionalism and secularism.4 min · 10 MCQs · 3 Mains Qs

Also uses units from above: Indian Art and CultureThe National Movement, 1905–1947India after IndependencePhysical Geography: Earth, Landforms, Climate and OceansWorld Geography and Distribution of Key Resources

Mains GS II: Governance, Constitution, polity, social justice and IR

Governance, Welfare Schemes and Social JusticeGovernment policies and interventions, e-governance, RTI, citizen charters, civil services, SHGs and NGOs, and welfare of vulnerable sections.5 min · 10 MCQs · 3 Mains QsInternational Relations and India's Foreign PolicyIndia and its neighbours, bilateral and regional groupings, global institutions, the diaspora and the principles of India's foreign policy.4 min · 10 MCQs · 3 Mains Qs

Also uses units from above: Constitution, Preamble, Fundamental Rights, DPSP and DutiesUnion Executive and ParliamentJudiciary: Supreme Court, High Courts and judicial reviewFederalism, State Government and Local BodiesConstitutional and Statutory Bodies, Elections and Citizenship

Mains GS III: Technology, economy, environment, security and disasters

Internal SecurityLeft-wing extremism, insurgency in the North-East, J&K, terrorism, cyber security, money laundering, border management, and the security forces and their mandates.5 min · 10 MCQs · 2 Mains QsDisaster ManagementTypes of disasters, India's vulnerability, the Disaster Management Act and institutions, the Sendai Framework, and floods, droughts, heat waves, earthquakes and lightning in Bihar and Jharkhand.3 min · 10 MCQs · 2 Mains Qs

Also uses units from above: Economy Basics: National Income, Growth, Planning and EmploymentMoney, Banking, Inflation and Monetary PolicyFiscal Policy, Budget, Taxation and Public DebtExternal Sector: Trade, Balance of Payments, Exchange Rate and WTOAgriculture, Food Security, Industry and InfrastructureScience and Technology: Space, Defence, IT, Biotech and New TechClimate Change, Pollution and Environmental Conventions

Mains GS IV: Ethics, integrity and aptitude

Ethics and Human Interface, Attitude and Emotional IntelligenceEssence of ethics, determinants and consequences, values from family and society, attitude and persuasion, aptitude and foundational civil service values, emotional intelligence, and moral thinkers.4 min · 10 MCQs · 3 Mains QsPublic Service Ethics, Probity in Governance and Case StudiesPublic service values, ethical dilemmas, laws and rules on conduct, accountability, conscience, codes of ethics, probity, corruption, citizens' charters, and a method for case studies.4 min · 10 MCQs · 3 Mains Qs

Not covered here yet: Optional subject papers (one subject, two papers) and the two qualifying language papers. The official syllabus PDF above lists every topic for UPSC UPSC CSE.

Confirm in the official notice
  • Optional subject papers for 2026 are on the CSE (Main) 2026 page of upsc.gov.in.

Free full-length mocks

Test series →

Original questions in this exam's pattern, on a real exam screen with the official time and marking. You get your rank, percentile and every answer explained.

Mock 1 · GS Paper I · 100 questions · 120 min · −⅔ per wrong

UPSC Prelims 2027 Full Mock 1: General Studies Paper I

100 original questions across history, polity, geography, economy, environment, science and international relations, in the formats UPSC now uses most.

Previous year papers

Pick "UPSC CSE" in the list on the UPSC page to see every year's question booklet.

10 questions · 10 min · −⅓ per wrong

Indian Polity: Constitution basics (Test 1)

Ten core questions on the Preamble, Fundamental Rights, DPSP and Parliament, asked across every state PSC.

10 questions · 10 min · −⅓ per wrong

Modern India and the freedom struggle (Test 1)

Ten questions from 1857 to 1947, a high-weight area in every state PSC Prelims.

Dates from the UPSC calendar

Full calendar →
Adv. no.PostPostsStagesExam datesStatus
Notified 13 Jan 2027Civil Services (Prelims) 2027, with IFoS (Prelims)—Prelims + Mains + Interview23 May 2027Last date 2 Feb 2027
CSE 2027Civil Services (Mains) 2027—Mains20 Aug 2027 (5 days)For those who clear Prelims