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UPSC Prelims Syllabus
Looking for the official UPSC Prelims Syllabus? Here’s a complete and updated subject-wise syllabus for the Civil Services Preliminary Examination (CSE Prelims), as prescribed by the Union Public Service Commission. This exam consists of two papers – General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II (CSAT).
Why Understand the UPSC Prelims Syllabus?
Understanding the syllabus helps aspirants:
- Focus on topics that matter most
- Plan studies efficiently
- Align current affairs and reading habits with exam needs
- Avoid distractions and over-reading
UPSC Prelims Exam Details
UPSC Prelims Exam Overview
- Exam Name: Civil Services Preliminary Examination
- Conducted by: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
- Mode: Offline (Pen and Paper)
- Type: Objective (Multiple Choice Questions)
- Number of Papers: 2 (GS Paper I and GS Paper II)
- Total Marks: 400 (200 + 200)
- Duration: 2 hours for each paper
- Medium: English and Hindi
- Timings:
- Paper I (General Studies): 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM
- Paper II (CSAT): 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM
- Negative Marking: Yes. For every incorrect answer, one-third (1/3rd) of the marks assigned to that question are deducted as a penalty.
- In GS Paper I, each question carries 2 marks, so 0.66 marks are deducted for every wrong answer.
- In CSAT (Paper II), each question carries 2.5 marks, so 0.83 marks are deducted for every wrong answer.
- Cut-Off (Paper I): Varies year to year. The average cut-off ranges between 85 to 105 marks (out of 200) for General category candidates.
- CSAT (Paper II) Passing Requirement: This paper is qualifying in nature. Candidates must score a minimum of 33%, which equals 66 out of 200 marks, to be considered for evaluation of Paper I.
- When is it held? Usually conducted on a Sunday in late May or early June
UPSC Prelims Syllabus – Paper I (General Studies)
Total Marks: 200 | Duration: 2 hours
This paper is designed to test the candidate’s knowledge and awareness of various topics of national and international relevance. Key areas include:
Current Events of National and International Importance
History of India and Indian National Movement
Geography: Physical, Social, and Economic Geography of India and the World
Indian Polity and Governance: Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues
Economic and Social Development: Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives
Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change – topics that do not require subject specialization
General Science
UPSC Prelims Syllabus – Paper II (CSAT)
Total Marks: 200 | Duration: 2 hours
Also called the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT), this paper tests reasoning and comprehension abilities. It is qualifying in nature – candidates must score a minimum of 33% (66 marks) to qualify. Key topics include:
Comprehension
Interpersonal Skills including Communication Skills
Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability
Decision Making and Problem Solving
General Mental Ability
Basic Numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) – Class X level
Data Interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc.) – Class X level
Want to keep this handy for reference? Download the official UPSC Prelims syllabus PDF here
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Is there a minimum qualifying mark for GS Paper I?
A: No fixed qualifying mark is prescribed. The GS Paper I cut-off is determined each year based on the overall performance of candidates. - Is there any sectional cut-off in the UPSC Prelims?
A: No, there is no sectional cut-off in either GS Paper I or CSAT. Only overall paper performance is considered. - Can I appear in CSAT only and skip GS Paper I?
A: No. Appearing in both papers is mandatory. Missing either one will result in disqualification. - Is the UPSC Prelims syllabus the same for all candidates?
A: Yes. The syllabus is uniform for all aspirants, regardless of category, graduation background, or optional subject choices. - How important is current affairs for the UPSC Prelims?
A: Very important. Questions on current events appear every year across multiple topics, especially in GS Paper I. A consistent reading habit and regular updates are crucial.
