• Updated on 21 Aug, 2026 by Paulami Chandra
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The UPSC CSE Mains Syllabus 2026 is prescribed by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in the official UPSC Civil Services notification 2026 and covers the subjects and paper-wise pattern for the Mains exam. The UPSC CSE Mains 2026 contains a written examination followed by a Personality Test. The written exam has nine conventional essay-type papers, including two qualifying papers, namely Indian language and English. The marks of the remaining seven papers will be counted for merit. The seven merit-based papers of UPSC CSE Mains 2026 carry 1,750 marks, while the Personality Test carries 275 marks. This makes the total marks for final merit 2,025.
The UPSC CSE Mains syllabus 2026 covers areas of Indian heritage and culture, history, geography, governance, polity, social issues, economy, technology, environment, ethics and current affairs, along with the subject-specific syllabus of the candidate's chosen optional subject. Candidates should understand both the syllabus and exam pattern to plan their preparation, prioritise topics and develop an effective strategy for the descriptive papers. The UPSC CSE 2026 Mains timetable shows that each written paper is conducted in a three-hour session, with the papers scheduled across August 21, 22, 23, 29 and 30, 2026.
Table of Contents
UPSC CSE Syllabus 2026: Prelims Syllabus
UPSC CSE Prelims Syllabus 2026 covers General Studies Paper I and Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT). The Preliminary Examination is the first stage of the selection process and serves as a screening test for the Main Examination. General Studies Paper I determines qualification for the Mains, whereas CSAT (Paper II) is qualifying in nature, requiring candidates to secure a minimum of 33% marks. The syllabus includes a balanced mix of static subjects and current affairs, making conceptual understanding and regular revision equally important.
| Paper | Nature | Questions | Marks | Duration |
| General Studies Paper I | Objective | 100 | 200 | 2 Hours |
| CSAT (Paper II) | Objective (Qualifying) | 80 | 200 | 2 Hours |
UPSC CSE Syllabus 2026: General Studies Paper I
Below are the topics covered under the General Studies Paper I for the preliminary examination:
| Subject | Major Topics |
| Current Affairs | National & International Events, Government Schemes, Reports, Indices, Awards, Organisations |
| History | Ancient, Medieval & Modern India, Freedom Movement, Art & Culture |
| Geography | Physical, Indian & World Geography, Mapping, Climate, Resources |
| Polity | Constitution, Governance, Parliament, Judiciary, Local Bodies, Rights |
| Economy | Banking, Inflation, Fiscal Policy, Monetary Policy, Budget, Economic Development |
| Environment | Biodiversity, Ecology, Climate Change, Conservation, Environmental Conventions |
| Science & Technology | Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Space, Defence, Biotechnology, Current Developments |
UPSC CSE Syllabus 2026: CSAT Paper II
Below are the topics covered under the CSAT Paper II for preliminary examination:
| Subject | Major Topics |
| Reading Comprehension | English Passages, Inference, Vocabulary |
| Logical Reasoning | Coding-Decoding, Seating Arrangement, Syllogism, Blood Relations |
| Analytical Ability | Critical Thinking, Logical Analysis |
| Decision Making | Situational Judgement, Problem Solving |
| Basic Numeracy | Number System, Percentage, Ratio, Profit & Loss, Time & Work, Time-Speed-Distance |
| Data Interpretation | Graphs, Tables, Pie Charts, Data Sufficiency |
Read: UPSC CSE Exam Pattern 2026
UPSC CSE Syllabus 2026: Mains Syllabus
UPSC CSE Mains Syllabus 2026 consists of nine descriptive papers, including two qualifying language papers, one Essay paper, four General Studies papers, and two Optional Subject papers. Unlike the Preliminary Examination, the Mains evaluates candidates' analytical ability, conceptual understanding, writing skills, and application of knowledge across diverse subjects. Except for the qualifying language papers, marks obtained in all remaining papers are considered while preparing the final merit list.
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
| Paper A | Indian Language (Qualifying) | 300 |
| Paper B | English (Qualifying) | 300 |
| Paper I | Essay | 250 |
| Paper II | General Studies I | 250 |
| Paper III | General Studies II | 250 |
| Paper IV | General Studies III | 250 |
| Paper V | General Studies IV | 250 |
| Paper VI | Optional Subject Paper I | 250 |
| Paper VII | Optional Subject Paper II | 250 |
UPSC CSE Syllabus 2026: Essay Syllabus
UPSC CSE Essay Paper does not prescribe any fixed syllabus or topics. Candidates are required to write two essays from the topics provided in the question paper. The paper evaluates clarity of thought, coherence, logical presentation, balanced arguments, language proficiency, and the ability to analyse issues from multiple perspectives. Regular essay writing practice on social, political, economic, ethical, and philosophical themes is essential for scoring well.
| Particular | Details |
| Nature of Paper | Descriptive |
| Number of Essays | Two |
| Marks | 250 |
| Duration | 3 Hours |
| Topics | Not Prescribed by UPSC |
UPSC CSE Syllabus 2026: GS Paper I
UPSC CSE GS Paper I Syllabus 2026 focuses on Indian Heritage and Culture, Modern Indian History, World History, Indian Society, and Geography. Questions assess candidates' understanding of historical developments, cultural heritage, social issues, and geographical concepts from both Indian and global perspectives. The paper requires conceptual clarity along with the ability to analyse contemporary issues linked to the prescribed syllabus.
| Subject | Important Topics Covered |
| Indian Heritage & Culture | Art Forms, Architecture, Literature, Ancient & Medieval Cultural Developments, UNESCO Heritage Sites |
| Modern Indian History | British Expansion, Revolt of 1857, Social & Religious Reform Movements, Freedom Struggle, Constitutional Developments, Post-Independence Consolidation |
| World History | Industrial Revolution, American & French Revolutions, World Wars, Colonisation & Decolonisation, Political Philosophies, Redrawing of National Boundaries |
| Indian Society | Diversity, Women & Women Organisations, Population Issues, Poverty, Urbanisation, Globalisation, Social Empowerment, Regionalism, Secularism, Communalism |
| Geography | Physical Geography, Indian & World Geography, Natural Resources, Industrial Location Factors, Earthquakes, Cyclones, Volcanoes, Tsunami, Climate Change, Flora & Fauna |
UPSC CSE Syllabus 2026: GS Paper II
UPSC CSE GS Paper II Syllabus 2026 covers Polity, Constitution, Governance, Social Justice, and International Relations. The paper evaluates candidates' understanding of constitutional provisions, governance mechanisms, welfare schemes, parliamentary processes, judicial institutions, and India's relations with neighbouring countries and global organisations. Questions are often linked to current developments and government policies.
| Subject | Important Topics Covered |
| Constitution & Polity | Historical Background, Fundamental Rights, DPSPs, Fundamental Duties, Parliament, State Legislature, Executive, Judiciary, Federalism, Local Government |
| Governance | E-Governance, Citizen Charter, Transparency, Accountability, Civil Services, Public Policy, Pressure Groups, NGOs |
| Social Justice | Welfare Schemes, Education, Health, Nutrition, Poverty, Social Sector Initiatives, Vulnerable Sections, SHGs |
| International Relations | India & Neighbours, Bilateral Relations, International Organisations, Global Groupings, Foreign Policy, Indian Diaspora |
UPSC CSE Syllabus 2026: GS Paper III
UPSC CSE GS Paper III Syllabus 2026 includes Indian Economy, Agriculture, Science & Technology, Environment, Disaster Management, and Internal Security. The paper focuses on contemporary economic developments, technological advancements, environmental sustainability, and national security issues. Candidates should integrate current affairs with static concepts while preparing for this paper.
| Subject | Important Topics Covered |
| Indian Economy | Economic Growth, Planning, Budgeting, Inclusive Growth, Infrastructure, Investment Models, Liberalisation, Employment |
| Agriculture | Cropping Patterns, MSP, Irrigation, Food Processing, PDS, Buffer Stocks, Land Reforms, Agricultural Marketing |
| Science & Technology | Space Technology, Biotechnology, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, IT, Nanotechnology, Intellectual Property Rights |
| Environment & Ecology | Biodiversity, Climate Change, Conservation, Pollution, Environmental Impact Assessment, Sustainable Development |
| Disaster Management | Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation, NDMA, Disaster Response, Risk Reduction |
| Internal Security | Cyber Security, Border Security, Terrorism, Money Laundering, Organised Crime, Left-Wing Extremism, Security Agencies |
UPSC CSE Syllabus 2026: GS Paper IV
UPSC CSE GS Paper IV Syllabus 2026 assesses candidates' Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude required for public administration. The paper includes theoretical concepts and case studies designed to evaluate ethical reasoning, emotional intelligence, accountability, transparency, and decision-making abilities expected from future civil servants.
| Subject | Important Topics Covered |
| Ethics & Human Values | Ethics, Human Values, Moral Thinkers, Public Ethics, Dimensions of Ethics |
| Attitude & Aptitude | Emotional Intelligence, Attitude Formation, Persuasion, Social Influence, Aptitude for Civil Services |
| Integrity | Integrity, Objectivity, Accountability, Non-partisanship, Compassion, Dedication to Public Service |
| Probity in Governance | RTI, Citizen Charter, Transparency, Work Culture, Code of Conduct, Code of Ethics, Utilisation of Public Funds |
| Case Studies | Ethical Decision Making, Administrative Dilemmas, Governance Challenges, Conflict Resolution |
UPSC CSE Syllabus 2026: Optional Subject
UPSC CSE Optional Subject Syllabus 2026 consists of two papers of 250 marks each, carrying a combined weightage of 500 marks in the Main Examination. Candidates can choose one optional subject from the list notified by UPSC based on their academic background, interest, or preparation strategy. The syllabus for most optional subjects is broadly equivalent to the honours degree level, while Engineering, Medical Science, and Law follow the bachelor's degree standard.
| UPSC Optional Subjects | |||
| Agriculture | Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science | Anthropology | Botany |
| Chemistry | Civil Engineering | Commerce and Accountancy | Economics |
| Electrical Engineering | Geography | Geology | History |
| Philosophy | Political Science and International Relations | Psychology | Public Administration |
| Physics | Sociology | Law | Mathematics |
| Management | Medical Science | Statistics | Mechanical Engineering |
| Zoology | |||
UPSC CSE Syllabus 2026: Language Papers
UPSC CSE Language Papers include one Indian Language Paper (Paper A) and one English Paper (Paper B). Both papers are qualifying in nature and are designed to assess candidates' language proficiency, comprehension, writing ability, grammar, and translation skills. Candidates must secure the prescribed qualifying marks in both papers to have their remaining Mains papers evaluated.
| UPSC Languages | |||
| Manipuri | Marathi | Nepali | Oriya |
| Punjabi | Sanskrit | Santhali | Sindhi |
| Assamese | Bengali | Tamil | Bodo |
| Hindi | Konkani | Telugu | Dogri |
| Kannada | Maithili | Urdu | Gujarati |
| Kashmiri | Malayalam | English | - |
UPSC CSE Syllabus 2026: Interview Syllabus
UPSC CSE Personality Test (Interview) is the final stage of the Civil Services Examination and carries 275 marks. UPSC does not prescribe a fixed syllabus for the Interview. Instead, the board evaluates candidates' personality traits, communication skills, leadership qualities, decision-making ability, ethical values, mental alertness, and awareness of current national and international issues. The objective is to assess the candidate's overall suitability for a career in the Civil Services.
| Particular | Details |
| Stage | Personality Test |
| Marks | 275 |
| Nature | Face-to-Face Assessment |
| Duration | 20–40 Minutes (Approx.) |
| Merit | Marks included in the final merit list |
UPSC CSE Syllabus 2026 FAQs
What is the latest UPSC Syllabus 2026?
The UPSC CSE Syllabus 2026 comprises three stages—Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Personality Test. The Prelims syllabus includes General Studies Paper I and CSAT, while the Mains syllabus consists of one Essay paper, four General Studies papers, two qualifying Language papers, and two Optional Subject papers. The Interview assesses a candidate's personality, communication skills, and suitability for the Civil Services.
Has UPSC changed the Civil Services syllabus for 2026?
No, UPSC has not announced any changes to the Civil Services Examination syllabus for the 2026 recruitment cycle. Candidates should prepare according to the syllabus prescribed in the official UPSC CSE Notification 2026.
What subjects are included in the UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2026?
The UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2026 includes Current Affairs, History, Indian Polity, Governance, Geography, Economy, Environment & Ecology, Science & Technology, and General Science in General Studies Paper I. CSAT (Paper II) covers Reading Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, Analytical Ability, Decision Making, Basic Numeracy, and Data Interpretation.
How many optional subjects are available in UPSC CSE?
UPSC allows candidates to choose one optional subject for the Main Examination. The optional subject consists of two papers of 250 marks each (500 marks total), and candidates can select from subjects notified by UPSC, including Literature subjects.