Inspiration Study Circle

UPSC CSE- Syllabus Overview

Table of Contents

Inspiration Study Circle UPSC CSE- Syllabus Overview

UPSC CSE- Syllabus Overview

UPSC Exam 2025 is an All-India Civil Services Exam 2025 conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The Civil Services Exam is competitive and prestigious in India for recruitment to various government services, such as administration, Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and other Central Government Exams.

UPSC 2025 Notification: The UPSC CSE 2025 Notification will be out and available on its website, later this year.

UPSC publishes exam notifications with important dates, eligibvility criteria, and exam patterns on UPSC’s official website (www.upsc.gov.in).

It is advised to check the official website regularly for updates and notifications related to the UPSC 2025 exam.

UPSC 2025 Exam Date: UPSC is all set to conduct its Civil Services Prelims Exam on 25th May 2025.

The UPSC 2025 exam will be conducted in three stages:

  1. Prelims 2025: This is the first phase of the exam and consists of two types of objective papers: General Studies Paper-I and General Studies Paper-II (CSAT). The UPSC Prelims 2025 exam becomes the first stage, and after qualifying for this exam candidates can appear for the Mains exam.
  2. UPSC 2025 Mains Exam: Candidates who clear the Prelims exam proceed to the mains exam which consists of nine papers. This includes an Essay exam, General Studies papers, and two papers on a topic of the candidate’s choice. The main exams are descriptive and test the candidate’s knowledge, analytical, and writing skills.
  3. Personality Test (Interview): Candidates qualifying in the main exam are called for the UPSC Personality Test 2025 which is the Interview. It assesses the entire candidate’s personality, communication skills, and suitability for a career in the civil service.

The UPSC exam assesses the candidate’s knowledge of various subjects such as history, geography, ethics, economics, science and technology, current affairs, and others. It also assesses their skills, decision-making, and leadership qualities.

UPSC CSE 2025 Prelims Pattern and Syllabus

The UPSC civil services prelims exam has two papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2.

The paper-wise content, duration, and weightage are as follows:

 

Total No. of Questions

Maximum Marks

Time Duration

Topics covered

Paper 1

(General Studies)

100

200

2 hours

· Indian History

·  Geography

·  Indian Polity    and     Governance

· Economic       and Social Development

· Environment

· General     Science

· Current affairs

 

Paper 2 (CSAT- Civil Services Aptitude Test)

80

200

2 hours

·        Comprehension

·        Interpersonal Skills

·        Logical and Analytical reasoning

·        Decision Making and Problem-Solving

·        Mental Ability

·        Basic Arithmetic

·        Data Interpretation

·        English Language and Comprehension

 

The above said topics with the techniques for solving them are covered thoroughly at Inspiration Study Circle, Dehradun.

Marking Scheme of UPSC Civil Services Prelims

Paper

Marks awarded for every correct answer:

Negative Marking?

Marks deducted for every wrong answer:

Paper 1 (GS)

2 Marks

Yes

0.66 Marks

Paper 2 (CSAT)

2.5 Marks

Yes

0.83 Marks

 

Important Points:

  • If a candidate happens to give more than one answer for a question, it is considered wrong, irrespective of any of them being correct.
  • It is mandatory to cross the expected cut-off marks in Paper 1 and 33% minimum marks in Paper 2.

UPSC CSE 2025 Mains Exams Pattern and Syllabus

Once a candidate successfully clears the preliminary exam, he/she is qualified to move to the next stage which is the mains exam.

Syllabus and exam pattern for UPSC mains exams

Paper

Name of the Subject

Nature

Maximum Marks

Duration

Paper A

Indian Language

Qualifying

300

3 hours

Paper B

English Language

Qualifying

300

3 hours

Paper I

Essay Writing

Merit- ranking

250

3 hours

Paper II

General Studies I

Merit- ranking

250

3 hours

Paper III

General Studies II

Merit- ranking

250

3 hours

Paper IV

General Studies III

Merit- ranking

250

3 hours

Paper V

General Studies IV

Merit- ranking

250

3 hours

Paper VI

Optional Paper I

Merit- ranking

250

3 hours

Paper VII

Optional Paper II

Merit- ranking

250

3 hours

How to choose your Optional Subject for Mains Exam?

Preparing and excelling in the mains written exam for languages and general studies is one thing, and to stand out in line in your optional subject paper is another story. The written exam for an optional subject which accounts for two papers, papers VI and VII, can bring in a huge advantage with a weightage of 500 marks out of a total of 1750.

Here are some quick bits which if kept in mind while choosing the optional subject, can give an upper hand to the candidates.

  • Try going for a subject that you have studied in your graduation and post-graduation.
  • This will prove to be a trump card not only from the marks point of view but prior knowledge of your subject will give you enough time to spend in other subjects.
  • Candidates can also go for an acquired interest or absorption.
  • If you are a candidate whose reappearing in the exam, make sure you peek a look at your marks in the previous attempt/s.
  • Check for the easy availability of proper guidance and study material.
  • Be careful and alert of the syllabus and kind of questions.
  • If you are still undecisive, take some advice from someone who has experience and knowledge in this area.

UPSC CSE 2025- Interview Stage (Personality Test)

The questions for the UPSC interview are designed and asked to not only just judge a person’s intellect but to test their mental accuracy on so many different levels.

The criterion is very basic and is compiled of social and general awareness, human etiquettes, general awareness, self-confidence, intelligence as well as emotional quotient.

The interview is more like a discussion to look into one’s mental capacity and ability for decision-making and comprehensiveness.

Some on-the-go pointers to master the preparation for the interview are here for your help:

  • The first and foremost step is to prepare the contents of your DAF (Detailed Application Form).
  • You will be asked for your opinion on current as well as contemporary topics.
  • Thoroughly read newspapers and national magazines, especially editorials.
  • The questions regarding your optional subject and your highest academic qualification will also crop up. Make sure you prepare them thoroughly.
  • The most common but most qualifying questions are behavioural and situation based.
  • The candidates should never take the interviewer for a ride. Lies and exaggeration should be avoided.
  • Candidates should be attentive to their choice of words.
  • Be thoughtful and welcoming.
  • The candidate’s attire should be formal, neat, and comfortable.

The best help that you can get while preparing for UPSC interviews, is by taking a mock interview yourself.

ISC, Dehradun conducts a series of mock interviews serving not only a practice session with some of the eminent personalities but also suggestions and preparation exercises.

A Note from the Director’s Desk (Director of ISC: Mr. Nisheeth Saxena)

The aspiration for UPSC exams can be very rightly expressed in the words of the Great Missile Man of India Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, “A dream is not what you experience in your sleep. A dream is that which does not let you sleep.”

Your dream can always become a reality once you start aiming for it in your awake state. Understand and get familiar with the syllabus. Brush up your basics with NCERT books. Your target should be your priority. Regularity and revision should become your rituals. It should be kept in mind that UPSC demands an analysis of a topic. It aims at evaluating your critical thinking and decisiveness.

Adapt the “Read and Stay Updated” strategy.

Greetings and Best Wishes!

Inspiration Study Circle

Dehradun

Recent Post​
Explained: National Manufacturing Mission

Explained: National Manufacturing Mission

Explained: National Manufacturing Mission Table of Contents Inspiration Study Circle – Explained: National Manufacturing Mission The Union Budget 2025-26 introduces the National Manufacturing Mission to

Read More »
Blank Form (#5)
Scroll to Top