UPSC IAS Syllabus & Exam Pattern 2026: Complete Prelims, Mains & Interview Scheme
UPSC Planner Editorial Team
Summary
Complete official guide to UPSC Civil Services Examination (IAS/IPS/IFS) syllabus and exam pattern 2026, spanning Prelims (GS + CSAT), Mains (9 Papers, 1750 Marks), Optional subjects, and Personality Test (275 Marks).
The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE), commonly referred to as the IAS Exam, is India's premier competitive examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for recruitment to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and other Group 'A' and Group 'B' central civil services.
The examination is conducted in three sequential stages:
- Stage I: Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination (Objective / Screening, 400 Marks).
- Stage II: Civil Services (Main) Examination (Written / Descriptive, 9 Papers, 1750 Marks for Merit).
- Stage III: Personality Test / Interview (Oral Assessment, 275 Marks).
3-Stage Architecture at a Glance
| Examination Stage | Nature of Test | Total Papers | Total Marks | Merit Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage I: Prelims | Objective (MCQs) | 2 Papers | 400 Marks | Screening only; marks not counted for final rank. |
| Stage II: Mains | Descriptive (Written) | 9 Papers (7 Merit + 2 Qualifying) | 1750 Marks (Merit) | Counts directly towards the final merit rank. |
| Stage III: Interview | Oral Personality Test | 1 Board Interview | 275 Marks | Counts directly towards the final merit rank. |
| Grand Total (Merit) | Mains Written + Interview | 8 Evaluated Components | 2025 Marks | Determines final All India Rank (AIR) and Service Allocation. |
Stage I: Preliminary Examination (400 Marks)
The Preliminary Examination consists of two compulsory objective-type papers:
| Paper | Subject | Number of Questions | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking | Minimum Qualifying Threshold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Studies (GS) | 100 MCQs | 200 Marks | 2 Hours | -0.66 (1/3rd) | Determines Prelims Merit Cutoff |
| Paper II | CSAT (Aptitude) | 80 MCQs | 200 Marks | 2 Hours | -0.83 (1/3rd) | Mandatory 33% (66 Marks) |
- Paper I Topics: Current Events, Indian History, National Movement, Indian & World Geography, Indian Polity & Governance, Economic & Social Development, Environmental Ecology & Biodiversity, General Science.
- Paper II Topics: Reading Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, Analytical Ability, Decision Making, General Mental Ability, Basic Numeracy, Data Interpretation.
Stage II: Mains Examination (Written / 1750 Marks)
The Civil Services (Main) Examination comprises 9 conventional essay/descriptive papers. Out of these, 2 papers are qualifying, and 7 papers determine the final merit rank.
A. Qualifying Papers (Non-Merit / Minimum 25% Required)
| Paper | Subject | Total Marks | Duration | Qualifying Criterion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper A | One Indian Language (from 8th Schedule) | 300 Marks | 3 Hours | Mandatory 25% (75 Marks) |
| Paper B | English Language | 300 Marks | 3 Hours | Mandatory 25% (75 Marks) |
⚠️ Evaluation Rule: The merit papers (Essay, GS I-IV, Optionals) of a candidate will be evaluated only if the candidate secures minimum 25% marks in both Paper A and Paper B.
B. Merit Ranking Papers (7 Papers / 1750 Marks Total)
| Paper | Official Nomenclature | Syllabus Scope & Pillars | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | Essay | Two essays on diverse socio-political, philosophical, and economic themes (1000-1200 words each). | 250 |
| Paper II | General Studies I | Indian Heritage & Culture, World History, Modern History, Indian Society, and Physical/Human Geography. | 250 |
| Paper III | General Studies II | Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations (Bilateral/Multilateral). | 250 |
| Paper IV | General Studies III | Indian Economy, Agriculture, Science & Tech, Environment & Biodiversity, Internal Security, Disaster Management. | 250 |
| Paper V | General Studies IV | Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude (Moral Philosophy, Emotional Intelligence, Case Studies in Public Administration). | 250 |
| Paper VI | Optional Subject - Paper 1 | Candidate's chosen optional subject (e.g. PSIR, Sociology, Geography, History, Public Administration, Law, etc.). | 250 |
| Paper VII | Optional Subject - Paper 2 | Applied/advanced paper of the chosen optional subject. | 250 |
| Total Written Marks | 7 Merit Papers | Determines entry to Personality Test | 1750 |
Stage III: Personality Test / Interview (275 Marks)
Candidates who obtain minimum qualifying marks in the written part of the Main Examination are called by the Commission for a Personality Test:
- Conducted by: A Board of competent and unbiased observers headed by a UPSC Member.
- Total Marks: 275 Marks.
- Key Assessment Criteria: Intellectual integrity, critical powers of assimilation, logical exposition, balance of judgment, mental alertness, ability for social cohesion and leadership, and moral awareness.
- Medium: Conducted in English, Hindi, or any recognized 8th Schedule language chosen by the candidate.
Final Merit & Selection Hierarchy
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ FINAL ALL INDIA RANK CALCULATION │
│ │
│ Mains Written Score (7 Papers) ──► 1750 Marks │
│ Personality Test Score ──► 275 Marks │
│ ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── │
│ GRAND TOTAL FOR MERIT RANKING ──► 2025 MARKS │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
The final ranking and allocation to IAS, IFS, IPS, and Central Services is made strictly in order of merit against vacancies, subject to medical fitness and post preferences indicated in the Detailed Application Form (DAF).
Official Primary Sources & Examination Rules
- UPSC Official Website - Official Examination Gazettes, Syllabi & Previous Year Question Papers.
- Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) - Civil Services Examination Rules Notification.
- Gazette of India - Annual CSE Notification and Service Allocation Orders.