UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2026: GS Paper I and CSAT

The UPSC Prelims 2026 is scheduled for May 24, 2026 (Sunday), and understanding the syllabus is the first step to building a focused preparation strategy. The Prelims exam consists of two papers — GS Paper I and CSAT. Both papers are crucial for clearing the first stage of the Civil Services Examination. 

Let’s study the official UPSC Prelims syllabus for 2026!

Below is the complete syllabus for GS Paper I and CSAT to help you plan your study approach effectively.

General Studies Paper I - (200 marks) 

Duration: Two hours  

• Current events of national and international importance.  
• History of India and the Indian National Movement.  
• Indian and World Geography-Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World.  
• Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.  
• Economic and Social Development-Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.  
• General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change - that do not require subject specialisation. 
• General Science.

Civil Services Apptitude Test (CSAT) Paper II-(200 marks) 

Duration: Two hours  

• Comprehension;  Interpersonal skills, including communication skills;  
• Logical reasoning and analytical ability;  
• Decision making and problem solving;  General mental ability;  
• Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level),
• Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc. — Class X level); 

Note 1: Paper-II of the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination will be a qualifying paper with minimum qualifying marks fixed at 33%. 

Note 2: The questions will be of multiple-choice, objective type. 

Note 3: It is mandatory for the candidate to appear in both the Papers of Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination for the purpose of evaluation. Therefore, a candidate will be disqualified in case he/she does not appear in both the papers of the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination.  

The official UPSC Prelims syllabus for GS Paper I is brief and broadly worded. To help you understand it better, here is a subject-wise and topic-wise breakdown of all areas mentioned in the syllabus. This will help you plan your preparation systematically and ensure full coverage before the exam.

1. Polity & Governance

Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues.

Topic-Wise Breakdown:

• Historical background & making of the Constitution
• Features of the Constitution
• Fundamental Rights, Duties, DPSPs
• Union & State Government (President, PM, Parliament, Governor, CM, State Legislature)
• Constitutional & Non-Constitutional Bodies
• Amendment of the Constitution
• Emergency provisions
• Federalism & Centre–State relations
• Local bodies – Panchayati Raj & Municipalities
• Judiciary – Supreme Court, High Courts, judicial review
• Public Policy, Governance mechanisms, transparency
• Social justice & welfare schemes
• Rights issues (minorities, women, vulnerable groups)

2. History (Ancient, Medieval & Modern)

History of India and Indian National Movement.

Topic-Wise Breakdown:

• Ancient India: Indus Valley Civilisation, Vedic culture, religions (Buddhism, Jainism), Mauryas, Guptas, Sangam Age
• Medieval India: Delhi Sultanate, Mughals, regional kingdoms, socio-cultural developments
• Modern India: British conquest & administration, Revolt of 1857, Social & religious reform movements, Indian National Movement (1885–1947), Gandhi era, constitutional developments, important acts

3. Indian & World Geography

Indian and World Geography – Physical, Social, Economic Geography.

Topic-Wise Breakdown:

• Physical Geography: Earth structure, landforms, climate, oceanography, world phenomena
• Indian Geography: Physical features (Himalayas, Peninsular plateau, rivers), Climate, monsoon, and natural resources, Agriculture & cropping patterns and Minerals, industries, transportation.
• World Geography: Important locations, geographical phenomena and Map-based questions

4. Economy

Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives.

Topic-Wise Breakdown:

• Basic concepts: GDP, inflation, unemployment
• Fiscal policy, monetary policy, banking, and RBI
• Economic reforms & sectors of the economy
• Government schemes & social sector initiatives
• Poverty, inequality, and inclusive growth
• Demographic trends & census data
• Sustainable development & SDGs
• Infrastructure, agriculture, and external sector basics

5. Environment & Ecology

Environment, Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change.

Topic-Wise Breakdown:

• Ecology basics – food chains, biomes, ecosystems
• Biodiversity – species, hotspots, conservation efforts
• Climate change & global warming
• Environmental pollution & mitigation
• Environmental legislation (national + international)
• Protected areas in India
• Climate conventions, protocols, IPCC, UNEP
• Disaster management basics (as related to the environment)

6. Science & Technology

General Science.

Topic-Wise Breakdown:

• Basics of Physics, Chemistry, Biology (conceptual, not numerical)
• Emerging technologies – AI, robotics, nanotechnology
• Space technology – ISRO missions
• Defence technology
• Biotechnology – genetics, vaccines, diseases
• ICT & computer basics
• Environment-related science (GM crops, pollution tech, renewable energy)

7. Current Affairs

Current events of national and international importance.

Topic-Wise Breakdown:

• Government schemes, policies, committees
• Economy & budget updates
• International relations & global groupings
• Science & tech developments
• Environmental issues, reports, indices
• Socio-political issues in the news
• Important awards, sports, personalities, events

Also see: Most Asked Questions in UPSC Prelims: Repeated Themes and PYQs

The official UPSC CSAT (GS Paper II) syllabus is concise, but the paper demands strong conceptual clarity and consistent practice. Here is a category-wise breakdown of the entire CSAT syllabus covering Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, and Comprehension.

1. Comprehension & English Language

Comprehension, Basic numeracy, Decision-making, Problem-solving.

Topic-Wise Breakdown:

• Reading comprehension passages (short & long)
• Inference-based questions
• Tone, theme & central idea identification
• Vocabulary in context
• Logical interpretation & conclusion
• Error spotting (conceptual)
• Para-jumbles (occasionally)

2. Logical & Analytical Reasoning

Logical reasoning, Analytical ability.

Topic-Wise Breakdown:

• Statement–Assumption
• Statement–Argument
• Statement–Conclusion
• Cause–Effect
• Syllogisms
• Data sufficiency
• Seating arrangements (linear & circular)
• Blood relations
• Directions
• Coding–Decoding
• Analogies & classification
• Logical puzzles
• Ranking & ordering

3. Quantitative Aptitude (Maths)

Basic numeracy (numbers, orders of magnitude, etc.), Class X level Mathematics.

Topic-Wise Breakdown:

• Number system
• LCM, HCF
• Percentages
• Profit, loss & discount
• Simple & compound interest
• Ratio & proportion
• Averages
• Time, speed & distance
• Time & work
• Mixtures & allegations
• Algebra basics
• Geometry & mensuration (2D & 3D)
• Coordinate geometry (basics)
• Statistics – mean, median, mode
• Data interpretation (graphs, charts, tables)

4. Data Interpretation

Topic-Wise Breakdown:

• Bar charts
• Pie charts
• Line graphs
• Tables & caselets
• Multi-step calculation-based questions

Must see: Best CSAT Booklist for UPSC Prelims 2026 Preparation

The Union Public Service Commission has released the official exam calendar for 2026. Here are the crucial dates for the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026:

Here's a quick tip: Take a printout of the important dates related to your exam and paste it in front of your study table. It will help you stay focused, manage your time better, and avoid last-minute stress.

Must see: Complete UPSC Book List For 2026: Best Books for Prelims & Mains

SuperKalam is your AI-powered personal mentor, offering tools and guidance tailored to every stage of UPSC preparation: 

• Practice Unlimited MCQs and attempt tests
• Master PYQs with ease using our exclusive PYQ tool
• 24/7 Doubt Resolution for your queries anytime, anywhere
• Stay Updated on Current Affairs with our Daily News Summary
• Instant Mains Answer Evaluation with detailed Model answers
• Stay motivated with streaks and track progress with leaderboards

Must see: How to Start UPSC Exam 2026 Preparation: A Complete Guide to Success

If there’s one thing I want you to remember after reading this UPSC Prelims Syllabus, it’s that the UPSC exam rewards persistence. The people who clear Prelims aren’t always the fastest or the smartest. They’re the ones who keep showing up even when the energy dips, the notes look messy, or the mock scores sting a little.

Every page revised, every question attempted, every concept you finally understand is pushing you closer to May 24, 2026.

Trust the grind. Trust your growth. You’re building momentum — now carry it to the finish line.