UPSC Syllabus, Subject by Subject

The UPSC Civil Services syllabus looks enormous until it is broken into a tree: papers → subjects → topics. This page lists the whole Prelims and Mains structure the way UPSCGenie actually teaches it — every subject below is covered by free, source-cited lessons in the app.

How the exam is structured

The Civil Services Examination has three stages. Prelims (objective, qualifying for Mains): GS Paper I — 100 questions, 200 marks, and CSAT Paper II — 80 questions, 200 marks, qualifying at 33%. Both carry negative marking of one-third of a question's marks for a wrong answer. Mains (written): an Essay paper, four General Studies papers, two papers of one optional subject, and two qualifying language papers. Interview (Personality Test) completes the merit calculation with Mains.

Prelims syllabus, subject-wise

These are the subjects and topic groups exactly as structured in UPSCGenie's syllabus tree — 255 teachable topics across 8 subjects:

Subject	Topic groups	Topics
History Prelims GS Paper I	Ancient IndiaMedieval IndiaModern India - Conquest & EconomyModern India - Reform & RevoltModern India - Nationalism (1885-1919)Modern India - Gandhian Era (1919-1939)Modern India - Towards Freedom (1939-1947)Constitutional Development (British Era)Art & CulturePost-Independence India	65
Geography Prelims GS Paper I	Physical GeographyIndian GeographyWorld GeographyHuman & Economic GeographyMap & Location	25
Polity & Governance Prelims GS Paper I	Constitutional FrameworkFundamental RightsDPSP & DutiesUnion GovernmentJudiciaryState & Local GovernmentFederalism & EmergencyConstitutional & Statutory BodiesGovernance & Representation	56
Economy Prelims GS Paper I	Basics & National IncomeMoney & BankingPublic FinanceExternal SectorGrowth & Development	37
Environment & Ecology Prelims GS Paper I	Ecology BasicsBiodiversityPollution & DegradationClimate ChangeConservation Efforts	32
Science & Technology Prelims GS Paper I	Physics & Chemistry in NewsBiology & HealthSpace & Defence TechnologyEmerging TechnologiesDigital & Communication	15
Current Affairs (Prelims) Prelims GS Paper I	National & GovernmentInternationalEconomy & Environment in NewsScience, Awards & Misc	9
CSAT Prelims CSAT Paper II	ComprehensionInterpersonal & CommunicationLogical Reasoning & Analytical AbilityDecision Making & Problem SolvingGeneral Mental AbilityBasic NumeracyData Interpretation	16

Click any subject above for its complete topic-by-topic syllabus page.

Two practical notes from how the syllabus behaves in the actual paper: Polity and Modern History are the highest-yield static subjects (start there), and Current Affairs is not a "subject" you finish — it is a daily habit that continuously tags itself onto the static syllabus. That is why UPSCGenie treats it as a daily brief and sprint rather than a block of chapters.

Mains syllabus at a glance

Paper	Areas
Mains GS Paper I	Indian Heritage & Culture, Modern Indian History, World History, Indian Society, Geography (Mains)
Mains GS Paper II	Constitution & Polity, Governance, Social Justice, International Relations
Mains GS Paper III	Economic Development, Agriculture, Science & Technology (Mains), Environment (Mains), Internal Security
Mains GS Paper IV	Ethics & Human Interface, Attitude, Aptitude & Foundational Values, Emotional Intelligence, Contributions of Thinkers, Public/Civil Service Values & Probity, Case Studies
Mains Essay Paper	Essay Writing, Essay Themes
Optional Subject	Optional Selection, Available Optionals

Prelims preparation done properly is 70% of GS Mains preparation — the same Polity, Economy, Geography and Environment material recurs in analytical form. A plan that sequences Prelims subjects well (see our study plan guide) is quietly building your Mains base at the same time.

How to actually cover this syllabus

1. Sequence subjects, don't parallel-read everything. Foundations first (Polity → Modern History → Geography → Economy → Environment → Science & Tech), with CSAT practised steadily, not front-loaded.
2. Attach practice to every topic. A topic isn't covered until you have answered previous-year questions on it.
3. Protect revision weeks. Keep the last weeks before the exam for full revision and mock tests — a plan that teaches until exam day is a plan that fails.

Frequently asked questions

Is the UPSC syllabus the same every year?

Yes — the official syllabus notified by UPSC has been essentially stable for years. What changes is the question paper's emphasis. Always read the current year's official UPSC notification for the authoritative text; this page organises that syllabus into a teachable structure.

How many topics are there in the UPSC Prelims syllabus?

In UPSCGenie's teaching tree the Prelims syllabus breaks into 255 topics across 8 subjects: History (65), Polity & Governance (56), Economy (37), Environment & Ecology (32), Geography (25), Science & Technology (15), CSAT (16), and continuously-updated Current Affairs.

Which subject should I start the UPSC syllabus with?

Most first-timers should start with Polity (high-yield, logical, pairs naturally with daily current affairs) and Modern History. UPSCGenie's planner sequences all subjects automatically from your exam date, hours per day and self-assessed weak areas.

Is the Prelims syllabus enough for Mains?

Largely, for General Studies: the same subjects recur in analytical form in the four GS Mains papers. Essay, Ethics (GS4) and your optional subject need dedicated preparation on top.

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