The UPSC Syllabus 2026 has been detailed on the official coaching resource for IAS exam preparation, covering Prelims, Mains, and Personality Test. Aspirants should understand every section precisely, as the syllabus defines how preparation time must be divided between current affairs, theoretical subjects, and analytical writing. For candidates planning for IAS, IPS, IFS, and other central services, the updated outline highlights a deep focus on governance, the Indian economy, environmental concerns, and ethics. With the expanding competition each year, having complete clarity on topics and paper structure is crucial.
UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2026: GS & CSAT Topics Breakdown
The Preliminary stage consists of 2 compulsory papers — General Studies (GS) Paper 1 and CSAT (GS Paper 2). Only the GS Paper 1 marks are counted for merit ranking, while CSAT remains a qualifying paper. The Prelims syllabus highlights national relevance and factual awareness on subjects such as the History of India, Political System, Economics, Science, Disaster Management, and Environmental Ecology. Candidates must also stay updated with current events of national and international importance, forming a core scoring area. Before moving to detailed subject lists, aspirants should note that time management and revision cycles hold high importance in Prelims, as both papers contain objective questions with fixed weightage.
Prelims Components
UPSC Mains Syllabus 2026 with Optional Subjects
The Mains stage consists of 9 descriptive papers, where 7 papers count toward the final merit, and 2 language papers are qualifying. Mains requires analytical explanation, theoretical understanding, and structured answers. Aspirants must prepare 4 GS papers, 1 Essay paper, and 2 papers from 1 Optional subject. The Optional stage allows candidates to choose from 48 subjects, including literature options. The selection of options should align with interest, availability of study material, and scoring trends.
Mains Papers Overview
- Essay (1 paper)
- General Studies 1, 2, 3, 4 (4 papers)
- Optional Subject (2 papers from chosen field)
- English Language and Indian Language (qualifying)
This phase demands thorough conceptual clarity, writing practice, and balanced study of theory and current events.
UPSC Personality Test (Interview) 2026 Key Focus Areas
The Personality Test evaluates qualities beyond knowledge. Interview panels assess leadership, decision-making ability, ethics, confidence, problem-solving, governance understanding, and communication skills. Marks in the interview can significantly impact the final rank list.
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