UPSC Mains Examination Syllabus

The Main examination of UPSC is designed to test a candidate's academic expertise and ability
to present his/her knowledge in a consistent manner.The UPSC Mains exam intends to assess
the overall intellectual traits and understanding of concept by the candidates.

The Syllabus for UPSC Mains was revised in 2015.

The Civil Services Main examination is designed to test the academic talent of the aspirant, also
his/her ability to present his/ her knowledge in a clear and coherent manner.

The written examination will consist of the following papers:

Paper I - Modern Indian language - 300 Marks

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Qualifying nature: Marks not counted, Passing mandatory

Comprehension of given passages

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Precis Writing
Usage and Vocabulary
Short Essay
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Translation from English to the Indian language and vice-versa

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Note 1: The Papers on Indian Languages and English will be of Matriculation or equivalent
standard and will be of qualifying nature only. The marks obtained in these papers will not be
counted for ranking.

Note 2: The candidates will have to answer the English and Indian Languages papers in English
and the respective Indian language (except where translation is involved).

Paper II -English - 300 marks

Qualifying nature:Marks not counted, passing mandatory

The aim of the paper is to test the candidates' ability to read and understand serious discursive
prose, and to express his ideas clearly and correctly, in English and Indian Language concerned.
The pattern of questions would be broadly as follows:-

Comprehension of given passages

Precis Writing
Usage and Vocabulary
Short Essay

Paper III - Essay - 250 Marks

To be written in the medium or language of the candidate's choice

Candidates will be required to write an essay on a specific topic
The choice of subjects will be given
They will be expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in
orderly fashion, and to write concisely
Credit will be given for effective and exact expression

Paper IV - General Studies - 250 Marks

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(Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society)

Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from
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ancient to modern times.
Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present-
significant events, personalities, issues
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The Freedom Struggle - its various stages and important contributors /contributions from
different parts of the country
Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the countryHistory of the world
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will include events from 18th century such as industrial revol, political philosophies like
communism, capitalism, socialism etc.- their forms and effect on the society
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Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India

Role of women and women's organization, population and associated issues, poverty and
developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies
Effects of globalization on Indian society
Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism
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 ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.

Paper V - General Studies II - 250 Marks

(Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations)

 Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant
provisions and basic structure.
Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining
to the 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 Legislatures - structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers &
privileges and issues arising out of these
Structure, organization 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

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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 States and the
performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and
Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections
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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-
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applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency &
accountability and institutional and other measures
Role of civil services in a democracy
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India and its neighborhood- relations

Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting
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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, mandate

Paper VI - General Studies III - 250 Marks

(Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster

Management)

Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management.

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, changes in industrial policy and their effects on
industrial growth.
Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
Investment models.
Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life
Achievements of Indians in science & technology;indigenization of technology and developing
new technology
Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology
and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
Disaster and disaster management.
Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.

and its prevention

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Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social
networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering

Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with
terrorism
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Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate

Paper VII - General Studies IV - 250 Marks

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(Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude)

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This paper will include questions to test the candidates' attitude and approach to issues
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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
actions; 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, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour;
moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
Aptitude and foundational values for 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 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; Informationsharing 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.

Paper VIII - Optional Subject - Paper I - 250 Marks

Candidates may choose any ONE optional subject from amongst the list of subjects given
below.

Paper XI - Optional Subject - Paper II - 250 Marks

Candidates may choose any ONE optional subject from amongst the list of subjects given
below.

Interview/Personality Test - 275 Marks

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Candidate can give preference of the language in which they may like to be interviewed. UPSC
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will make arrangement for the translators.
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Note: Marks obtained by the candidates for all papers EXCEPT PAPER A & B will be counted for
merit ranking. However, the Commission will have the discretion to fix qualifying marks in any or
all papers of the examination Aspirants can log on to UPSC's official website (www.upsc.gov.in)
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to see the detailed notification

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