The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services Examination (CSE) annually to select candidates for various civil services, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). The examination comprises three stages: Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and the Personality Test (Interview). Below is a detailed overview of the UPSC IAS syllabus and exam pattern for 2025:
Table of Contents
UPSC IAS Exam Pattern
| Stage | Examination Type |
|---|---|
| Preliminary Exam | Objective Type (MCQ) 2 hours each (General Studies & CSAT) |
| Mains Exam | Descriptive Type 3 hours for each paper |
| Personality Test (Interview) | Viva-Voce 30 minutes to 1 hour |
1. Preliminary Examination
The Preliminary Examination serves as a screening test and consists of two objective-type papers:
| Paper | Subject |
|---|---|
| Paper I 200 marks | General Studies – 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 |
| Paper II 200 marks | Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) – Comprehension – Interpersonal skills – Logical reasoning and analytical ability – Decision-making and problem-solving – General mental ability – Data interpretation |
Note: Paper II (CSAT) is a qualifying paper with a minimum qualifying mark of 33%. The marks obtained in Paper I are considered for merit ranking.
2. Main Examination
The Main Examination assesses the academic expertise and understanding of candidates. It consists of nine papers, out of which seven are counted for merit ranking:
| Paper | Subject |
|---|---|
| Paper A 300 marks | Compulsory Indian Language – Comprehension of given passages – Precis writing – Usage and vocabulary – Short essays – Translation from English to the Indian language and vice versa |
| Paper B 300 marks | English – Comprehension of given passages – Precis writing – Usage and vocabulary – Short essays |
| Paper I 250 marks | Essay – Essays on multiple topics |
| Paper II 250 marks | General Studies I – Indian Heritage and Culture – History and Geography of the World and Society |
| Paper III 250 marks | General Studies II – Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International relations |
| Paper IV 250 marks | General Studies III – Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management |
| Paper V 250 marks | General Studies IV – Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude |
| Paper VI 250 marks | Optional Subject Paper I – Subject-specific topics chosen by the candidate |
| Paper VII 250 marks | Optional Subject Paper II – Subject-specific topics chosen by the candidate |
Note: The papers on Indian Language and English (Paper A and Paper B) are of qualifying nature and the marks obtained in these papers will not be counted for ranking. Candidates must secure at least 25% marks in these papers to be eligible for merit ranking.
3. Personality Test (Interview)
The Personality Test carries 275 marks and assesses the candidate’s intellectual qualities, social traits, and suitability for a career in public service.
Total Marks for Final Merit Ranking: 2025 (1750 from Main Examination + 275 from Personality Test)
FAQ
What is the full form of UPSC
Union Public Service Commission
What is the full form of IAS
Indian Administrative Service
What is the salary of IAS officer per month
Rs 56,100 to 2,50,000
Education qualification for IAS
must hold a bachelor’s degree from Government recognized Universities or equivalent qualification.
final year students can apply for UPSC IAS
Yes
UPSC IAS Syllabus PDF