UPSC Syllabus 2025 – Complete Prelims, Mains, IAS, CSE & Optional PDF Download

UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2025 – General Studies (GS) & CSAT

The UPSC prelims syllabus tests your breadth: how well you connect static subjects with current affairs. It comprises two papers conducted on the same day. Use this section to map every topic precisely to the UPSC cse syllabus and create a micro-plan that fits your calendar.

Paper I – General Studies (200 Marks)

• Current Events: Government schemes, committees, reports, flagship programs, global indices, geopolitics, economy, S&T, environment, society.
• History: Ancient & medieval overviews; modern India; culture & freedom struggle; art/architecture, literature, personalities, movements.
• Geography: Physical (geomorphology, climatology, oceanography), Indian and world human/economic geography; mapping and locations in news.
• Polity & Governance: Constitution, federalism, Parliament, executive, judiciary, local bodies, rights, policy, governance in practice.
• Economy: Growth, inflation, money & banking, external sector, fiscal policy, inclusive development, social sector programs.
• Environment & Ecology: Biodiversity, conservation, protected areas, environmental laws, climate change, conventions, EIA.
• General Science & Tech: Everyday science, biotech, health, ICT, space, AI, cybersecurity—focus on applications & policy angles.

Paper II – CSAT (200 Marks; Qualifying)

• Reading comprehension (diverse passages; inference heavy).
• Logical reasoning & analytical ability; arrangements, assumptions, conclusions.
• Decision-making & problem-solving; situational judgement.
• General mental ability; basic numeracy; data interpretation (Class X level).

Prelims Micro-Plan (12 Weeks)

1. Weeks 1–3: Polity + Modern History + Daily Current Affairs mapping to the upsc gs syllabus.
2. Weeks 4–6: Economy + Geography (with maps) + CSAT basics, 2 sessions/week.
3. Weeks 7–9: Environment/Ecology + Art & Culture + Science & Tech in news.
4. Weeks 10–12: Full-length mocks + error logs + PYQ-topic revision from your upsc syllabus pdf checklist.

Core Resources (Illustrative)

• NCERTs (6–12): History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Science.
• Standard texts: Spectrum (Modern), Laxmikant (Polity), basic Economy notes, environment compendium, Atlas.
• Current affairs: The Hindu/Indian Express + monthly magazine; PIB releases to align with the UPSC exam syllabus.

PYQ Method

Sort last 10 years of questions by the UPSC prelims syllabus headings. Identify high-weight sub-topics; schedule extra revisions. Use elimination skills; avoid guesswork spikes.

CSAT Strategy

• Start early—2–3 hours/week; increase nearer to exam.
• Identify weak blocks (RC speed, DI accuracy, logical puzzles); drill with timers.
• Use a formula sheet for arithmetic basics; practice DI sets daily in the final month.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Over-focusing on current affairs while neglecting mapped static topics.
• No map practice for geography; weak environment treaty recall.
• Delaying CSAT until the last week; ignoring comprehension practice.

When done, download the upsc syllabus pdf and upsc syllabus 2025 pdf for quick revision. If you prefer Hindi, keep the upsc syllabus pdf hindi at hand. All three help ensure nothing slips outside the official syllabus for UPSC.

UPSC Mains Syllabus 2025 – Essay, GS I–IV, Optional & Qualifying Papers

The UPSC mains syllabus tests depth, articulation, balance and ethical reasoning. It includes nine descriptive papers, of which the Language & English papers are qualifying. Marks from Essay, GS I–IV and the Optional papers (two papers) make your merit total.

Qualifying Papers

• Paper A (Indian Language): Comprehension, précis, translation, short essays.
• Paper B (English): Comprehension, précis, usage, short essays.

Essay Paper

Two essays from given choices (often one philosophical/social and one policy/developmental). A crisp structure—context, definitional clarity, thematic pillars, counter-view, way forward—earns high credit. Keep a repository of quotations, constitutional values, SDGs and ethical hooks to elevate impact.

General Studies I – Heritage, History, Society & Geography

• Indian Culture/Heritage: Art forms, architecture, literature; link heritage to policy (conservation, tourism).
• Modern India: 18th century to freedom; social reform; personalities; post-independence consolidation.
• World History: Industrial revolution; world wars; political ideologies; decolonization.
• Society: Diversity, women/child issues, poverty, urbanization, social empowerment.
• Geography: Physical geography; resources; industrial location; geophysical phenomena; disaster management basics.

General Studies II – Polity, Governance & International Relations

• Constitution—FRs, DPSPs, federalism; separation of powers; judicial review.
• Parliament/state legislatures; executive/judiciary; appointments, accountability.
• Local governance—Panchayati Raj, urban bodies; devolution, finances.
• Social sector—health, education, vulnerable sections; welfare mechanisms and outcomes.
• Governance—transparency, e-governance, RTI, citizen charters, role of civil services.
• International relations—neighborhood policy, major powers, groupings, diaspora, global institutions.

General Studies III – Economy, S&T, Environment, Security

• Indian economy—growth, development, budgeting, resource mobilization, liberalization impact.
• Infrastructure—energy, transport, logistics; investment models; MSME & startup ecosystem.
• Science & Technology—indigenization, R&D, space/nuclear, emerging tech governance.
• Environment—conservation, climate actions, environmental governance, disasters.
• Internal security—cybersecurity, border management, organized crime, media & social networks.

General Studies IV – Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude

• Ethics and human interface; attitude; aptitude; emotional intelligence.
• Moral thinkers—Indian & western; public service values; probity in governance.
• Case studies—stakeholder analysis, ethical dilemmas, and actionable solutions.

Answer-Writing Framework (All GS Papers)

1. Intro: Define scope using the exact syllabus phrase.
2. Body: 3–4 labeled sub-heads; data/examples; one diagram/table if apt.
3. Balance: Add limitations/counter-perspective for nuance.
4. Way Forward: Practical, constitutional, time-bound steps.
5. Conclusion: One-line synthesis, value-anchored.

Mains Study Plan (16 Weeks)

1. Weeks 1–4: GS I + GS II basics; one Essay/week; optional Paper I start.
2. Weeks 5–8: GS III + GS IV foundations; ethics notes; optional Paper II start.
3. Weeks 9–12: Full-length GS tests (1/week) + optional tests (1/week).
4. Weeks 13–16: Revision loops; value addition; PYQ integration; case study drills.

Throughout, keep your printed upsc syllabus pdf and upsc syllabus 2025 pdf as the master checklist. If you study bilingually, mirror notes in English and UPSC syllabus in Hindi headings to avoid gaps.

UPSC all Optional Subject – Complete List, Mini-Guides & Selection Strategy

The upsc optional syllabus adds 500 crucial marks via two papers (Paper VI & VII). Choose one subject that suits your aptitude, availability of resources, and synergy with GS. Below is the consolidated list of UPSC all Optional Subject along with brief, practical guidance.

Complete Optional Subjects List

Mini-Guides (Popular Optionals)

Anthropology

Compact and GS-friendly (society, governance, tribal policy). Scoring improves with diagrams/flowcharts and case-rich answers drawn from Indian contexts. Keep PYQs mapped topic-wise to the upsc cse syllabus.

Geography

Strong overlap with GS I & III. Requires map practice, conceptual clarity in physical & human geography, and contemporary case studies. Maintain a district-wise example bank.

History

Broad; demands thematic notes (political, socio-economic, cultural) and historiography awareness. Use timelines and balanced evaluation.

PSIR (Political Science & IR)

Excellent overlap with GS II + IR. Blend theory with current affairs; cite thinkers and debates. Structure answers with conceptual lens + Indian experience + global comparison.

Public Administration

Administrative vocabulary and governance models (Weber, NPM, NPS) matter. Align with ethics/GS II. Use committees and reform caselets.

Sociology

Conceptual yet intuitive. Quote Indian thinkers; apply to caste, gender, family, work, media. Diagrams help clarity; keep examples contemporary.

Economics

Analytical; demands diagrams and policy reasoning. Link data to arguments without clutter. Pair macro concepts with Indian development narratives.

Philosophy

Shortest; idea-dense. Accuracy in definitions, comparisons and critiques is paramount. Synergizes with Essay and Ethics.

Law

Great for legal background; manageable otherwise with discipline. Case laws + comparative constitutional insights score well.

Psychology

Diagrams, experiments, and applications (education, health, organizations) make answers stand out. Keep an Indian context slant for examples.

Mathematics

Objective and predictable; high ceiling for numerically strong aspirants. Time management and rigorous practice are essential.

Literature (Hindi/English/Others)

Choose only if you genuinely enjoy reading/analysis. Prepare genre-wise frameworks; include critical viewpoints and quotations.

Choosing the Right Optional (Framework)

1. Interest & aptitude check (read sample chapters/PYQs).
2. Resource & mentorship availability.
3. Overlap with UPSC GS syllabus and Essay/Ethics.
4. Time you can commit (conceptual vs problem-solving optionals).
5. Finalize by Week 4; start structured coverage from Week 6.

90-Day Optional Plan (Illustrative)

1. Days 1–30: Paper I coverage + weekly mini tests.
2. Days 31–60: Paper II coverage + PYQ mapping.
3. Days 61–75: Consolidation notes + value-addition (case/data).
4. Days 76–90: 4 full tests (2 per paper) + targeted revision.

Whichever you pick, keep a copy of the upsc syllabus pdf and (if needed) the upsc syllabus pdf hindi so your notes never drift away from the official UPSC exam syllabus.

UPSC Syllabus in Hindi (UPSC Syllabus Hindi – हिंदी)

UPSC Syllabus in Hindi हिंदी माध्यम अभ्यर्थियों के लिए अत्यंत उपयोगी है। इस भाग में UPSC Prelims Syllabus और UPSC Mains Syllabus का संक्षिप्त रूप हिंदी में दिया गया है ताकि आप अपनी तैयारी सीधे UPSC syllabus pdf hindi से जोड़ सकें।

प्रीलिम्स (GS Paper I)

• समसामयिक घटनाएँ (राष्ट्रीय/अंतर्राष्ट्रीय)
• भारतीय इतिहास, संस्कृति, स्वतंत्रता संग्राम
• भारतीय एवं विश्व भूगोल (भौतिक/मानव/आर्थिक)
• राजव्यवस्था एवं शासन, पंचायती राज
• आर्थिक एवं सामाजिक विकास, समावेशी विकास
• पर्यावरण, पारिस्थितिकी, जैवविविधता, जलवायु परिवर्तन
• सामान्य विज्ञान एवं टेक्नोलॉजी

सीसैट (GS Paper II – Qualifying)

• गद्यांश, तार्किक विश्लेषण, निर्णय-निर्माण
• मानसिक क्षमता, बुनियादी गणित, डेटा व्याख्या

मेन्स (संक्षेप)

• निबंध: दो निबंध—समसामयिक/दार्शनिक विषय
• जीएस I: संस्कृति, आधुनिक भारत, विश्व इतिहास, समाज, भूगोल
• जीएस II: संविधान, शासन, कल्याणकारी योजनाएँ, अंतर्राष्ट्रीय संबंध
• जीएस III: अर्थव्यवस्था, विज्ञान-प्रौद्योगिकी, पर्यावरण, आंतरिक सुरक्षा
• जीएस IV: नैतिकता, सत्यनिष्ठा, अभिरुचि; केस स्टडी
• वैकल्पिक विषय: सूची में से एक विषय—दो पेपर
• भाषा/अंग्रेज़ी (Qualifying): योग्यता हेतु अनिवार्य

आप UPSC syllabus pdf hindi और English दोनों डाउनलोड कर सकते हैं ताकि UPSC 2025 syllabus के किसी भाग में कमी न रहे।

UPSC Syllabus PDF Download (English) & UPSC Syllabus 2025 PDF in Hindi

Upload your files to Rojgar Plus and update the links below:

• UPSC Syllabus 2025 PDF (English): /files/upsc-syllabus-2025-english.pdf
• UPSC Syllabus PDF Hindi (हिंदी): /files/upsc-syllabus-2025-hindi.pdf
• UPSC Prelims Syllabus PDF: /files/upsc-prelims-syllabus-2025.pdf
• UPSC Mains Syllabus PDF: /files/upsc-mains-syllabus-2025.pdf
• UPSC Optional Syllabus PDF: /files/upsc-optional-syllabus-2025.pdf
• UPSC GS Syllabus PDF (GS I–IV): /files/upsc-gs-syllabus-2025.pdf

These serve different audiences—English and Hindi—so both improve reach and help rank for queries like upsc syllabus pdf, upsc syllabus 2025 pdf, and upsc syllabus pdf download.

FAQs – UPSC Syllabus 2025

1) How many papers are in UPSC Prelims?

Two—GS I and CSAT (GS II). CSAT is qualifying; GS I decides the cut-off.

2) How many papers add to merit in Mains?

Essay, GS I–IV, Optional Paper I & II (total 1750 marks). Language & English are qualifying.

3) Is the IAS syllabus different from the CSE syllabus?

No. The upsc ias syllabus is the same as the upsc cse syllabus. IAS is a service allotted based on rank.

4) Where can I get the UPSC syllabus PDF?

Use the download links on this page for upsc syllabus pdf, upsc syllabus 2025 pdf, and upsc syllabus pdf hindi.

5) What’s the best time to choose the Optional?

Within the first 3–4 weeks. Read sample chapters, review PYQs, check resources/mentorship, then commit.

6) How should I integrate current affairs with GS?

Tag every news item to a GS paper sub-topic. Add one-line notes and examples to your GS folders; revise weekly.

7) How often should I write answers for Mains?

Start with three questions/week in Month 2; ramp to daily answer writing in the dedicated Mains window.

8) Is CSAT tough now?

It can be if ignored. Practice RC/DI/logic weekly; build an error log; maintain timing discipline.

9) How do I use PYQs efficiently?

Map PYQs to the exact syllabus for UPSC headings and revise those micro-topics repeatedly.

10) Can I prepare with Hindi medium?

Yes. Use UPSC syllabus in Hindi and UPSC syllabus pdf hindi + equivalent Hindi resources; stick to the official outline.

Conclusion

The UPSC 2025 syllabus is your compass. Build your plan around the official UPSC exam syllabus, keep both the English and UPSC syllabus Hindi versions handy, and align everything—books, notes, PYQs, mocks—strictly to the UPSC prelims syllabus, UPSC mains syllabus, and UPSC optional syllabus. Use our UPSC syllabus download links to grab the UPSC Syllabus 2025 PDF for quick review and the UPSC GS syllabus for daily check-ins. With consistent effort and smart revision, clearing the UPSC exam is absolutely achievable.