UPSC Civil Services 2026 Syllabus
UPSC Civil Services Examination
K
Karmosandhan Editorial Desk
Content Editor & Govt Job Expert
Updated 08 Jul 2026
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Studies Paper I (Prelims) | 100 | 200 | 2 hours |
| CSAT Paper II (Prelims, Qualifying) | 80 | 200 | 2 hours |
| Mains: 9 Descriptive Papers | — | 1750 | 3 hours each |
Related recruitment: UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026
Eligibility
Preliminary Examination
Prelims consists of General Studies Paper I (counts toward merit for Mains qualification) and CSAT Paper II (qualifying, minimum 33% required).
Main Examination
Mains includes an Essay paper, four General Studies papers, two optional subject papers, and two language qualifying papers.
Preparation Tips
Build a strong current affairs foundation, choose an optional subject aligned with your background, and practice structured answer writing for the Mains stage.