UPSC Syllabus 2024 for Civil Services Exam

Written By: Editor | Published: February 20, 2024 10:00 am IST | Updated: April 08, 2024 09:56 am IST | 550 views

Aspirants should have UPSC Syllabus 2024 for the Civil Services Exam if they are serious in the preparation.

The civil Services Examination is one of the most coveted examinations conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), New Delhi. To prepare for the exam it is essential to know and understand the process, stages, and syllabus of the examination. This article presents the examination process, stages, and detailed syllabus of the examination. Aspirants are required to go through it and if required download and take a printout of it. This will be helpful during preparation. Though every care has been taken to give the latest and accurate information, aspirants are encouraged to check the info from the official website of UPSC – https://upsc.gov.in/

Stages of the UPSC Civil Services Exam: The Civil Services Examination comprises two successive stages:

Stage I – Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination
Stage IIa – Civil Services (Main) Examination (Written)
Stage IIb – Civil Services (Main) Examination (Interview)

Table of Contents

1 Stage I – Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination
- 1.1 UPSC Syllabus 2024 for Civil Services (Prelims) Exam – General Studies – Paper I
- 1.2 UPSC Syllabus 2024 for Civil Services (Prelims) Exam – General Studies – Paper II
2 Stage II: UPSC Syllabus 2024 for Civil Services Main Examination

Stage I – Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination

UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination is the first stage. This examination is a screening round wherein candidates are selected for the next stage. This examination consists of two papers of general studies nature. Both papers are objective type Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) type.

S.N.	Topic	Paper I	Paper II
1.	Paper Name	General Studies – Paper I	General Studies – Paper II (also known as CSAT or Civil Services Aptitude Test)
1.	Question Type	Objective type – Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)	Objective type – Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
2.	Total Number of questions	100 questions	80 questions
3.	Total Marks	200 marks	200 marks
4.	Marks for each correct answer	2 marks	2.5 marks
4.	Is there a negative marking?	Yes, marks will be deducted for each incorrect answer. No marks will be deducted if the question has not been attempted.	Yes, marks will be deducted for each incorrect answer. No marks will be deducted if the question has not been attempted.
4.	Marks for each incorrect answer	-0.33 (minus 1/3rd)	-0.83 (minus 1/3rd)
5.	Total Time	2 hours (120 minutes) (9:30 AM -11:30 AM)	2 hours (120 minutes) (2:30 AM -4:30 PM)
5.	Extra Time	Extra time of 20 minutes per hour is given for blind candidates & candidates with Locomotor Disability & Cerebral Palsy (minimum 40% impairment).	Extra time of 20 minutes per hour is given for blind candidates & candidates with Locomotor Disability & Cerebral Palsy (minimum 40% impairment).
5.	Language Medium	The papers are set in English and Hindi languages.	The papers are set in English and Hindi languages.
5.	Merit List	General Studies Paper I marks are taken into consideration for the candidates qualifying Prelims.	General Studies Paper II is of a qualifying nature only. Its marks are not taken into account for consideration of the merit list. However, a candidate is required to score minimum cut-off marks of 33%.

Notes:

This examination is meant to serve as a screening test only.
The marks obtained in the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination by the candidates who are declared qualified for admission to the Civil Services (Main) Examination will not be counted for determining their final order of merit.
The number of candidates to be admitted to the Civil Services (Main) Examination will be about twelve to thirteen times the total approximate number of vacancies to be filled in the year through this Examination.
Only those candidates who are declared by the Commission to have qualified in the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination in the year will be eligible for admission to the Civil Services (Main) Examination of that year provided they are otherwise eligible for admission to the Civil Services (Main) Examination.
The General Studies Paper-II of the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination will be a qualifying paper with minimum qualifying marks fixed at 33%.
It is mandatory for the candidate to appear in both the Papers of Civil Services (Prelim) Examination for the purpose of evaluation. Therefore a candidate will be disqualified in case he/she does not appear in both the papers of the Civil Services (Prelim) Examination.

UPSC Syllabus 2024 for Civil Services (Prelims) Exam – General Studies – Paper I

The syllabus of the UPSC Civil Services Prelims Exam – General Studies Paper I is given below.

S.N.	Topic
1.	Current events of national and international importance
2.	History of India and Indian National Movement
3.	Indian and World Geography – Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World
4.	Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues etc.
5.	Economic and Social Development, Sustainable Development-Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector initiatives etc.
6.	General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialization
7.	General Science

UPSC Syllabus 2024 for Civil Services (Prelims) Exam – General Studies – Paper II

The syllabus of the UPSC Civil Services Prelims Exam – General Studies Paper II is given below. This paper is also known as CSAT – Civil Services Aptitude Test.

S.N.	Topic
1.	Comprehension
2.	Interpersonal skills including communication skills
3.	Logical reasoning and analytical ability
4.	Decision-making and problem-solving
5.	General mental ability
6.	Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc. (Class X level)

Stage II: UPSC Syllabus 2024 for Civil Services Main Examination

The second stage is the Civil Service Main Examination. This stage consists of written and subjective exam papers. This stage tests the candidate’s in-depth knowledge, analytical skills, and general approach toward a question.

Paper No.	Paper Name	Maximum Marks
Qualifying Papers
Paper – A	Compulsory Indian Language Paper – One of the Indian Languages to be selected by the candidate from the Languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution.	300
Paper – B	English	300
Papers whose marks counted in Merit List
Paper-I	Essay	250
Paper-II	General Studies-I (Indian Heritage and Culture, History, and Geography of the World and Society)	250
Paper-III	General Studies-II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations)	250
Paper-IV	Genera Studies-III (Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management)	250
Paper-V	General Studies-IV (Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude)	250
Paper-VI	Optional Subject – Paper 1	250
Paper-VII	Optional Subject – Paper 2	250
–	Sub-Total – Mains – Written	1750
–	Personality Test	275
–	Grand Total	2025

Paper-A : Indian Languages

S.N.	Topic
1.	The aim of the paper is to test the candidates’ ability to read and understand serious discursive prose and to express ideas clearly and correctly, in the English and Indian languages concerned. The pattern of questions would be broad as follows:
2.	(i) Comprehension of given passages.
3.	(ii) Precis Writing.
4.	(iii) Usage and Vocabulary
5.	(iv) Short Essays.
6.	(v) Translation from English to the Indian Language and vice-versa.
7.	Note 1: The papers on Indian Languages and English will be of Matriculation or equivalent standard and will be of a qualifying nature only. The marks obtained in these papers will not be counted for ranking.
8.	Note 2: The candidates will have to answer the English and Indian Languages papers in English and the respective Indian language (except where the translation is involved).

Paper-B : English

S.N.	Topic
1.	The aim of the paper is to test the candidates’ ability to read and understand serious discursive prose, and to express ideas clearly and correctly, in English and Indian language concerned. The pattern of questions would be broadly as follows :
2.	(i) Comprehension of given passages.
3.	(ii) Precis Writing.
4.	(iii) Usage and Vocabulary
5.	(iv) Short Essays.
6.	Note 1 : The papers on Indian Languages and English will be of Matriculation or equivalent standard and will be of qualifying nature only. The marks obtained in these papers will not be counted for ranking.
7.	Note 2 : The candidates will have to answer the English and Indian Languages papers in English and the respective Indian language (except where translation is involved).

Paper-I : Essay

S.N.	Topic
1.	Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics. They will be expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in orderly fashion, and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.
2.	Note: Essay paper is usually divided into sections – corporeal and abstract. Each part contains four topics. A candidate is required to select one topic from each section and write essay on them in about 1000-1200 words. Marks for each of the essay is 125.

Paper-II : General Studies I : Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society

S.N.	Topic
1.	Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
2.	Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present significant events, personalities, issues.
3.	The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
4.	Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
5.	History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.— their forms and effect on the society.
6.	Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
7.	Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
8.	Effects of globalization on Indian society
9.	Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
10.	Salient features of world’s physical geography.
11.	Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India).
12.	Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone 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.

Paper-III : General Studies II : Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations

S.N.	Topic
1.	Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
2.	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.
3.	Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
4.	Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
5.	Parliament and State legislatures—structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
6.	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.
7.	Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
8.	Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
9.	Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
10.	Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
11.	Development processes and the development industry —the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
12.	Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
13.	Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
14.	Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
15.	Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
16.	Role of civil services in a democracy.
17.	India and its neighborhood- relations.
18.	Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
19.	Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
20.	Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.

Paper-IV : General Studies III : Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management

S.N.	Topic
1.	Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
2.	Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
3.	Government Budgeting.
4.	Major crops – 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.
5.	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.
6.	Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
7.	Land reforms in India.
8.	Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
9.	Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
10.	Investment models.
11.	Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
12.	Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
13.	Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
14.	Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
15.	Disaster and disaster management.
16.	Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
17.	Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
18.	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.
19.	Security challenges and their management in border areas; -linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
20.	Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.

Paper-V : General Studies IV : Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

S.N.	Topic
1.	This paper 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 utilise the case study approach to determine these aspects. The following broad areas will be covered :
2.	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.
3.	Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
4.	Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker-sections.
5.	Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance.
6.	Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
7.	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.
8.	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.
9.	Case Studies on above issues.

Syllabus UPSC Civil Services Examination – Mains – Paper-II : General Studies I : Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society

S.N.	Topic
1.	Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
2.	Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present significant events, personalities, issues.
3.	The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
4.	Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
5.	History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.— their forms and effect on the society.
6.	Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
7.	Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
8.	Effects of globalization on Indian society
9.	Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
10.	Salient features of world’s physical geography.
11.	Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India).
12.	Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone 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.

Syllabus UPSC Civil Services Examination – Mains – Paper-III : General Studies II : Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations

S.N.	Topic
1.	Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
2.	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.
3.	Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
4.	Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
5.	Parliament and State legislatures—structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
6.	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.
7.	Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
8.	Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
9.	Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
10.	Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
11.	Development processes and the development industry —the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
12.	Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
13.	Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
14.	Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
15.	Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
16.	Role of civil services in a democracy.
17.	India and its neighborhood- relations.
18.	Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
19.	Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
20.	Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.

Syllabus UPSC Civil Services Examination – Mains – Paper-IV : General Studies III : Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management

S.N.	Topic
1.	Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
2.	Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
3.	Government Budgeting.
4.	Major crops – 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.
5.	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.
6.	Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
7.	Land reforms in India.
8.	Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
9.	Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
10.	Investment models.
11.	Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
12.	Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
13.	Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
14.	Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
15.	Disaster and disaster management.
16.	Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
17.	Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
18.	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.
19.	Security challenges and their management in border areas; -linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
20.	Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.

Syllabus UPSC Civil Services Examination – Mains – Paper-V : General Studies IV : Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

S.N.	Topic
1.	This paper 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 utilise the case study approach to determine these aspects. The following broad areas will be covered :
2.	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.
3.	Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
4.	Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker-sections.
5.	Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance.
6.	Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
7.	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.
8.	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.
9.	Case Studies on above issues.

Also read: Top 10 UPSC Books List for Civil Services Exam and 5 Best Books for Indian Polity and Governance

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