Now that we’ve explored the UPSC Prelims, let’s dive into the decisive part of the civil service exam syllabus, i.e., the UPSC Mains syllabus and the exam pattern—a stage where depth, analysis, and structured answers shape your path to success.
The UPSC CSE mains examination is definitely the heart of the entire selection process, where aspirants analytical skills, depth of knowledge, and ability to articulate are rigorously tested; hence, it is very important to understand the UPSC mains syllabus in a clear manner.
Unlike prelims, which are objective in nature, the UPSC mains syllabus is lengthy, and the exam demands a written answer that reflects clarity, depth, and logical reasoning. Let’s take an in-depth tour of this critical stage of UPSC CSE preparation.
Table of Contents
UPSC MAINS SYLLABUS
The UPSC mains syllabus and the exam pattern for the civil service mains examination consist of a written examination and interview. The UPSC mains examination consists of the following papers divided into 2 categories: qualifying and papers to be counted for merit.
The UPSC Mains syllabus for qualifying papers includes:
| Qualifying Paper | Subjects | Marks |
| Paper A | One of the Indian languages to be selected as a language in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution. | 300 Note: Candidate has to score 25%, i.e. 75 or more marks, to clear the qualifying paper |
| Paper B | English | 300 Note: Candidate has to score 25%, i.e. 75 or more marks, to clear the qualifying paper |
The UPSC Mains syllabus for CSE merit-based papers includes:
Merit-Based Paper | Subjects | Marks |
| Paper 1 | Essay | 250 |
| Paper 2 | General Studies 1: (Indian heritage and culture, history, and geography of the world and society). | 250 |
| Paper 3 | General studies 2: governance, constitution, Polity, social justice, and international relations. | 250 |
| Paper 4 | General studies 3: Technology, Economic development, Biodiversity, Environment,Security and disaster management. | 250 |
| Paper 5 | General Studies 4: Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude. | 250 |
| Paper 6 | Optional subject (Paper 1): PSIR, Sociology, Anthropology, Economy, Mathematics, etc | 250 |
| Paper 7 | Optional subject 2 (Paper 2): PSIR, Sociology, Anthropology, Economy, Mathematics, etc. | 250 |
| Written exam Total | 1750 | |
| Personality or Interview Round | 275 | |
| Grand Total | 2025 |
Important Points for UPSC mains syllabus
In order to prepare, it is important that an aspirant take care of some crucial points regarding the IAS, IFS, and IPS exam patterns.
- The papers on Indian languages and English (Paper A and Paper B) in the UPSC mains syllabus will be of qualifying nature, and the marks obtained in these papers will not be counted for ranking.
- The papers on Indian languages and English (Paper A and Paper B) will be of Matriculation or equivalent standard.
The papers on Essay, General Studies, and Optional Subject of only such candidates will be taken into cognizance who attain 25% marks in ‘Indian Language’ and 25% in ‘English’ as minimum qualifying standards in these qualifying papers.
- Marks obtained by the candidates for Papers I-VII only will be counted for merit ranking.
- The question papers for the main examination will be of conventional (essay) type, and each paper will be of 3 hours duration.
- Candidates will have the option to answer all the question papers, except the Qualifying Language Papers, Papers A and B, in any one of the languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India or in English.
- The question papers as per the UPSC mains syllabus (other than the literature of language papers) will be set in Hindi and English only.
UPSC Mains Syllabus 2025 for Qualifying Papers (Indian Languages and English)
The pattern of questions would be broadly as follows:
English Language for UPSC Mains Syllabus:
| Comprehension of given passages |
| Precise Writing |
| Usage and Vocabulary |
| Short Essays |
Indian Languages for UPSC Mains Syllabus:
| Comprehension of given passages |
| Precise Writing. |
| Usage and vocabulary. |
| Short Essays. |
| Translation from English to the Indian Language and vice versa. |
UPSC Mains syllabus for merit-based papers
Essay Syllabus for UPSC CSE Mains Examination:
One of the crucial parts of the UPSC mains syllabus is the essay paper, where candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics.
They will be expected to observe closely the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in an orderly fashion and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.
UPSC mains syllabus for GS 1 2025
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 ancient to modern times.
• Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present—significant events, personalities, and issues.
• The freedom struggle—its various stages and important contributors and contributions from different parts of the country.
• Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
• The history of the world will include events from the 18th century such as the industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism, etc.—their forms and effects on society.
• Salient features of Indian society; diversity of organizations in India.
• Role of women and women’s organizations, 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 the world’s physical geography.
• Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent); 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, tsunamis, Volcanic activity, cyclones, 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.
UPSC CSE mains syllabus for GS 2 2025
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.
• Development processes and the development industry—the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutions, and other stakeholders.
• Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Center and 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 the development and management of social sector/services relating to health, education, and human resources.
• Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizen charters, transparency & accountability, and institutional and other measures.
• Role of civil services in a democracy.
• India and its neighborhood relations.
• bilateral, regional, and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
• Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
• Important international institutions, agencies, and forums—their structure, mandate.
UPSC mains syllabus for GS3 2025
Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, 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 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, nanotechnology, biotechnology, 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.
• Challenges to internal 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 mandate.
UPSC mains syllabus for GS paper 4 2025
Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude:
The GS Paper 4 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 utilize the case study approach to determine these aspects.
The following broad areas will be covered for the ethics paper:
• 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 behavior; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
• Aptitude and foundational values for the 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 the above issues.
UPSC mains syllabus for Optional subjects for 2025
Optional Subject Papers I & II:
There are two optional papers, namely I & II. A candidate may opt for any one optional subject from the following:
- Agriculture Syllabus
- Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science
- Anthropology
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Commerce and Accountancy
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering
- Geography
- Geology
- History
- Law
- Management
- Maths
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medical Science
- Philosophy
- Physics
- PSIR (Political Science & International Relations)
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Sociology
- Statistics
- Zoology
- Literature of any one of the following languages: Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, and English.
Each Optional Subject has 2 compulsory papers in the civil service mains examination.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the UPSC mains syllabus is extensive, requiring a strategic approach, disciplined study, and regular revision.
A deep understanding of the UPSC mains syllabus, combined with smart preparation and staying updated with current affairs, is crucial for success. Hence, we have tried to cover every aspect of the UPSC main syllabus rigorously.
While the journey is challenging, consistent efforts can lead to rewarding results. For more insights and information on UPSC preparation as well as other government job preparation, stay connected with ExamCentralInfo and keep pushing towards your IAS dream.