Understanding the Subjects in UPSC Civil Services Examination

The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is one of the most prestigious and challenging competitive exams in India. It is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to recruit officers for various top positions in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and other central services.

To crack this exam, aspirants must understand the structure of the exam and the subjects involved. Here's a comprehensive look at the subjects across the different stages of the UPSC CSE. Let us understand the subjects in UPSC civil services examination in details as below.

1. Preliminary Examination Subjects

The UPSC Prelims is the first stage of the exam. It consists of two papers:

a) General Studies Paper I

This paper tests your knowledge and understanding of a wide range of topics such as:

• History of India and Indian National Movement

• Geography (Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World)

• Indian Polity and Governance (Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, etc.)

• Economic and Social Development (Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, etc.)

• Environment and Ecology

• Science and Technology

• Current Events of national and international importance

b) CSAT (General Studies Paper II)

This paper is qualifying in nature (minimum 33% marks required) and includes:

• Comprehension

• Interpersonal skills and communication

• Logical reasoning and analytical ability

• Decision-making and problem-solving

• Basic numeracy and data interpretation

2. Mains Examination Subjects

The Mains stage is descriptive in nature and has 9 papers, out of which 7 are counted for merit. Here are the subjects:

a) Qualifying Papers (not counted for merit)

• Paper A: Indian Language (from the list of 22 languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution)

• Paper B: English

b) Compulsory Papers (counted for ranking)

Paper I: Essay

• Candidates have to write essays on multiple topics. Focus is on clarity, coherence, and structure.

Paper II: General Studies I

• Indian Heritage and Culture

• History and Geography of the World and Society

Paper III: General Studies II

• Governance

• Constitution

• Polity

• Social Justice

• International Relations

Paper IV: General Studies III

• Technology

• Economic Development

• Agriculture

• Environment

• Security and Disaster Management

Paper V: General Studies IV

• Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude

  • Case studies, moral and ethical dilemmas, public administration ethics

Paper VI & VII: Optional Subject Papers I & II

• The candidate chooses one optional subject, which has two papers.

• List includes subjects like:

  • Anthropology

  • Geography

  • History

  • Sociology

  • Political Science

  • Public Administration

  • Psychology

  • Literature of regional languages

  • and many more

3. Personality Test (Interview)

Though not subject-based, this stage assesses:

• Communication skills

• Leadership qualities

• Integrity

• Awareness of issues

• Decision-making skills

The UPSC syllabus is vast but well-defined. While General Studies gives a common platform to all aspirants, the optional subject allows individuals to showcase their depth in a specific area. Success in UPSC is not just about reading every subject — it’s about understanding the topics in a structured, analytical, and practical manner.

For aspirants, smart preparation, clarity of subjects, regular revision, and staying updated with current affairs are keys to cracking this prestigious exam.

Media Team | Indus Academy

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