The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is among the toughest exams in India, selecting candidates for prestigious services like IAS, IPS, IFS, and others. The exam is conducted in three stages: Prelims (objective), Mains (subjective), and Personality Test (interview). Knowing the detailed exam pattern and syllabus for each stage is crucial for effective preparation and success.
This article breaks down the IAS exam pattern and syllabus for 2025 to help aspirants understand the structure, marking scheme, subjects, and time limits of each stage clearly.
| Stage | Exam Type | Number of Papers | Duration | Marks | Nature of Questions | Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prelims | Objective | 2 | 2 hours each | 400 (200+200) | Multiple Choice | Hindi & English |
| Mains | Descriptive | 9 (7 merit-based) | 3 hours each | 1750 | Descriptive | Hindi & English |
| Personality Test | Interview/Oral | 1 | Approx. 20-30 min | 275 | Personal Assessment | Hindi & English |
The Preliminary stage is a screening test, consisting of two papers:
100 questions
200 marks (2 marks per question)
Crucial for merit list preparation
Topics include History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, Science & Tech, Current Affairs
80 questions
200 marks (2.5 marks per question)
Qualifying in nature (minimum 33% required)
Tests comprehension, logical reasoning, numerical ability, and decision making
1/3rd negative marking for wrong answers (0.66 in GS1, 0.83 in CSAT)
No negative marking for unattempted questions
Both papers are bilingual (Hindi & English)
Candidates must clear the cut-off in GS Paper I and minimum marks in CSAT to qualify for Mains. Typically, only the top 10,000 to 12,000 candidates progress.
The Mains stage is a descriptive exam with 9 papers totaling 1750 marks. Seven papers count for merit, and two language papers are qualifying.
| Paper No. | Subject | Marks | Time (hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper A | Indian Language (Qualifying) | 300 | 3 |
| Paper B | English Language (Qualifying) | 300 | 3 |
| Paper 1 | Essay | 250 | 3 |
| Paper 2 | GS Paper I - Indian Heritage, History, Culture | 250 | 3 |
| Paper 3 | GS Paper II - Polity, Social Justice, International Relations | 250 | 3 |
| Paper 4 | GS Paper III - Economy, Science & Technology, Environment, Security | 250 | 3 |
| Paper 5 | GS Paper IV - Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude | 250 | 3 |
| Paper 6 | Optional Subject Paper I | 250 | 3 |
| Paper 7 | Optional Subject Paper II | 250 | 3 |
Essay paper includes two essay questions, each around 1000-1200 words.
GS papers have approximately 20 questions each with ~150-250 word limit answers.
Optional paper candidates choose from a variety of subjects based on their preference and background.
Qualifying language papers require minimum 25% marks to be eligible but do not count toward merit.
Candidates who qualify the Mains are called for a Personality Test that assesses:
Mental alertness
Critical thinking and analytical ability
Clarity of expression
Balance of judgment
Integrity and leadership qualities
The interview lasts 20 to 30 minutes and carries 275 marks. Performance here can significantly impact final ranking.
Current events of national and international importance
History of India and Indian National Movement
Indian and World Geography
Indian Polity and Governance
Economic and Social Development
Environmental ecology, biodiversity, and climate change
General science and technology
Comprehension
Interpersonal skills including communication skills
Logical reasoning and analytical ability
Decision-making and problem-solving
Basic numeracy (numbers, averages, percentages)
English Language comprehension skills
Write essays on multiple topics, evaluating ability to construct arguments clearly.
Indian culture and heritage
History from ancient to modern times
Geography of India and the world
Indian Constitution, polity, governance mechanisms
Social justice and welfare schemes
International relations and treaties
Indian economy and development
Technology, environment, biodiversity, disaster management
Internal security and challenges
Ethics, integrity, emotional intelligence
Case studies on ethical dilemmas in governance
Subject chosen by candidate (Literature, Sciences, Social Sciences, Engineering, etc.)
| Subject | Recommended Books | Author(s) |
|---|---|---|
| History | Indian Art and Culture, History of India | RS Sharma, Bipin Chandra |
| Polity | Indian Polity | M. Laxmikanth |
| Economy | Indian Economy | Ramesh Singh, Mishra & Puri |
| Environment & Ecology | Environment Studies: From Crisis to Cure | Rajgopal |
| Ethics | Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude | Subba Rao, P. N. Roy Chaudhari |
| Geography | Certificate Physical and Human Geography | G.C. Leong |
| Science and Technology | Science and Technology in India | Tata McGraw Hill Publication |
Understand UPSC exam pattern clearly to optimize preparation strategy.
Focus on clearing Prelims cut-offs by balancing GS and CSAT preparation.
Practice answer writing for Mains to develop clarity and coherence.
Choose Optional subject wisely based on interest and scoring trends.
Prepare for Personality Test by honing communication, awareness, and integrity-related topics.
Q1: How many stages are there in the UPSC IAS exam?
A1: The exam has three stages: Prelims (objective), Mains (descriptive), and Personality Test (interview).
Q2: What is the pattern of UPSC Prelims?
A2: Two objective papers: GS Paper I (200 marks) and CSAT Paper II (200 marks, qualifying), each 2 hours.
Q3: How many papers are there in UPSC Mains?
A3: Nine papers total; seven merit-based (1750 marks), two qualifying language papers.
Q4: Are there negative marks in UPSC Prelims?
A4: Yes, one-third negative marking for wrong answers in both Prelims papers.
Q5: What is the duration of mains papers?
A5: Each mains paper is 3 hours long.