UPSC Mains UPSChub

📜 UPSC Mains Detailed Syllabus

General Studies Paper I (Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society)

• Indian Culture – Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature, and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
• Modern Indian History from about the middle of the 18th century until the present significant events, personalities, issues.
• The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors or contributions from different parts of the country.
• Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
• History of the world – including events from the 18th century to the present, such as the French Revolution, the industrial revolution, world wars, redrawing of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, and political philosophies.
• Geography – Physical geography of the world and India, including climate, vegetation, and natural resources.
• Social, Economic, and Political Geography of India and the World.

General Studies Paper II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations)

• Indian Constitution – historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions, and basic structure.
• Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges related to the federal structure, devolution of powers, and finances up to local levels.
• Separation of powers between various organs of government, dispute redressal mechanisms, and institutions.
• Comparison of the Indian Constitutional Scheme with that of other countries.
• Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers, and privileges.
• Policymaking and implementation in the context of social justice and international relations.

General Studies Paper III (Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)

• Technology – developments in the field of Information and Communication Technology, biotechnology, space, and nanotechnology.
• Economic Development – issues related to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development, and employment.
• Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
• Environmental conservation, environmental pollution, and degradation, bio-diversity, and disaster management.
• Security challenges and their management in the Indian context. Linkages of organized crime with terrorism.

General Studies Paper IV (Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude)

• Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants, and consequences of Ethics in human actions, dimensions of ethics, and moral dilemmas.
• Attitude – content, structure, and function of attitude, influence of attitude on behavior, changes in attitude.
• Aptitude and Foundational Values for Civil Services – integrity, impartiality, non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance, and compassion towards the weaker sections of the society.
• Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration.
• Probity in Governance: Concept of public service, philosophical basis of governance and probity, information-sharing and transparency in government, right to information, codes of ethics, accountability, and ethical governance.

Essay Paper

• Paper will have a choice of topics for the candidates to write an essay in around 1000-1200 words on general topics of national and international importance.
• Topics can range from political, social, economic, ethical, environmental, and philosophical issues.

Optional Subjects Paper

• Two papers of the chosen subject.
• Each paper will have questions based on the selected subject and the syllabus outlined for that subject.

Language Papers

• Indian Language (Paper A) – Qualifying nature.
• English (Paper B) – Qualifying nature.