UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) syllabus for 2025, ideal for new aspirants

UPSC CSE 2025 – Exam Structure

The exam is conducted in three stages: UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) syllabus

1. Preliminary Exam (Prelims)
2. Main Exam (Mains)
3. Personality Test (Interview)

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1. Preliminary Examination (Objective Type)

Paper I: General Studies (GS)

• Current events (national & international)
• History of India & Indian National Movement
• Indian and World Geography (Physical, Social, Economic)
• Indian Polity and Governance
• Economic and Social Development (Sustainable Development, Poverty, etc.)
• Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change
• General Science

Paper II: CSAT (Qualifying – 33% marks required)

• Comprehension
• Interpersonal skills & communication
• Logical reasoning and analytical ability
• Decision-making and problem-solving
• Basic numeracy (up to Class X level)
• Data interpretation

Digest 5 years PYQ & Current Affairs before Graduation

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2. Mains Examination (Descriptive Type)

Qualifying Papers (Only Pass Required)

• Paper A: Indian Language (selected from the list in the UPSC notification)
• Paper B: English

Papers Counted for Merit

• Paper I: Essay
• Paper II: General Studies I – Indian Heritage & Culture, History & Geography
• Paper III: General Studies II – Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, IR
• Paper IV: General Studies III – Economy, Environment, Science & Tech, Security
• Paper V: General Studies IV – Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude
• Papers VI & VII: Optional Subject (2 papers of one subject)

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Download Complete Syllabus Below – Password is – studentinsider

3. Personality Test (Interview)

• Assesses mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, balance of judgment, intellectual and moral integrity, and leadership qualities. UPSC Civil Services Examination syllabus

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Optional Subjects List (Sample)

• Anthropology
• Geography
• History
• Sociology
• Public Administration
• Political Science & IR
• Philosophy
• Psychology
• Literature (various languages)

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✅ Why Early Preparation (Before Graduation) Matters:

1. Strong Foundation
   Subjects like Polity, History, Geography, and Economics often overlap with college syllabi. Starting early builds a deep conceptual base.
2. More Time for NCERTs & Standard Books
   NCERTs are the backbone of UPSC prep. Reading them without exam pressure in college years is much easier.
3. Mastering Current Affairs
   Developing a habit of reading newspapers like The Hindu or Indian Express early helps you grasp national and international issues better.
4. Better Optional Subject Choice
   Students often choose their graduation subject as the UPSC optional. Early exposure helps you decide wisely.
5. Avoids Time Pressure Later
   Most successful candidates invest at least 1.5–2 years in serious prep. Waiting till after graduation compresses this timeline dangerously.
6. Boosts Confidence for Attempting Early
   You get more chances at cracking it within the age limit (maximum 6 attempts till age 32 for General category).

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🚫 What Happens If You Start Late:

• Rushed preparation
• Less time for revision
• Higher pressure during post-grad or job commitments
• Poor optional subject planning

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If you’re in college or even in high school and aiming for CSE, now is the best time to start. Want a roadmap for students in 2nd or 3rd year of graduation?

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