📘 UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2026 – Complete Guide for IAS Aspirants
Prepare for UPSC Prelims 2026 with clarity and confidence!
This guide gives you the full UPSC Prelims syllabus for Paper I (General Studies) and Paper II (CSAT), along with the latest exam pattern, subject-wise breakdowns, and key focus areas for your 2026 preparation.
📚 Overview of UPSC Prelims 2026
The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE), commonly known as the IAS exam, is conducted every year by the Union Public Service Commission. It is held in three stages:
- Preliminary Examination (Objective Type)
- Mains Examination (Descriptive Type)
- Interview/Personality Test
The Prelims stage acts as a screening test. The marks obtained here are not counted for final ranking but are crucial to qualify for the Mains exam.
📝 UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern 2026
| Paper | Subject | Marks | No. of Questions | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | General Studies (GS) | 200 | 100 | 2 hours (9:30 AM to 11:30 AM) |
| II | CSAT (Aptitude) | 200 | 80 | 2 hours (2:30 PM to 4:30 PM) |
- Type of Questions: Objective (MCQ)
- Negative Marking: 1/3rd of the marks per question
- Language Medium: English & Hindi
- Qualifying Nature: Paper II (CSAT) is qualifying with 33% marks required
📘 UPSC Prelims Syllabus – Paper I (General Studies)
The syllabus for GS Paper I covers a wide range of topics:
🌐 Current Affairs
- National and International Importance
- Government Schemes & Policies
- International Organizations, Reports, Summits
- Important Bills, Acts, and Judgments
🏛️ History of India & Indian National Movement
- Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Indian History
- Freedom Struggle (Pre-1857 to Post-Independence)
- Key Movements and Personalities
🌍 Indian & World Geography
- Physical, Social, Economic Geography
- Indian Drainage System, Climate, Natural Resources
- World Landforms, Oceans, Currents
🗳️ Indian Polity & Governance
- Constitution & Amendments
- Parliament & State Legislatures
- Panchayati Raj & Urban Local Bodies
- Rights Issues, Judiciary, and e-Governance
📉 Economic & Social Development
- Sustainable Development
- Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics
- Government Economic Policies and Schemes
🌱 Environment & Ecology
- General Issues on Ecology & Biodiversity
- Climate Change (Basic Concepts)
- Conservation and Environmental Laws
🔬 General Science
- Basic Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
- Science & Tech Applications
- Space, Defence, IT, Robotics (General awareness level)
📗 UPSC Prelims Syllabus – Paper II (CSAT)
Paper II tests your analytical, reasoning, and decision-making abilities.
Key Topics:
- 🧠 Comprehension
- 💬 Interpersonal and Communication Skills
- 🧩 Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability
- ⚖️ Decision-Making and Problem-Solving
- 🧮 Basic Numeracy (Class X level)
- 📊 Data Interpretation (Charts, Graphs, Tables)
⚠️ Note: Though CSAT is qualifying, many aspirants have failed due to underestimating it. Practice well!
🧾 Detailed Topic Expansion – Must-Read Subjects
🏛️ Polity & Governance (GS Paper I Focus)
- Constitution: Features, Amendments, Preamble
- Parliament, Executive, Judiciary
- Federal Structure, Emergency Provisions
- RTI, Lokpal, E-Governance, Anti-Defection Law
📖 History – Ancient to Post-Independence
- Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic Age, Jainism, Buddhism
- Mauryas, Guptas, Sangam Period
- Delhi Sultanate, Mughals, Vijayanagar Empire
- 1857 Revolt, INC formation, Gandhi Era, Partition
- Post-Independence: State Reorganization, Emergency, Reforms
🎨 Art & Culture
- Classical Dance & Music
- Indian Architecture & Sculpture
- Languages & Literature
- Indian Festivals, Paintings, Handicrafts
- UNESCO Cultural Heritage Sites
📉 Economy
- Indian Economy Basics & Concepts
- Budgeting, Taxation, Banking & Finance
- Monetary Policy, Inflation, Unemployment
- Sectors: Agriculture, Industry, Services
- Economic Reforms & Planning
🌍 Geography
- Indian Physical Geography
- Resources (Land, Mineral, Water)
- Agriculture, Industries, Transport
- Human & Economic Geography
- Climate, Soil, Vegetation
🌱 Environment & Ecology
- Ecosystems, Biodiversity, Pollution
- Climate Change & Mitigation
- Protected Areas (National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries)
- India’s Environmental Acts & Missions
🔬 Science & Technology
- IT, Space, Defence Technology
- Biotechnology & Nanotechnology
- India’s Scientific Institutions
- Current Tech Developments
📊 UPSC Prelims 2026: Things to Remember
- 🕒 Each paper is 2 hours long
- ✅ CSAT is qualifying (33% marks mandatory)
- 📉 Negative marking is applicable
- 🧾 Merit is based only on GS Paper I
- 📚 Use NCERTs + standard books + current affairs magazines
- 🧠 Practice MCQs regularly to boost speed and accuracy
✅ Final Thoughts
Cracking UPSC Prelims demands smart preparation, focused revision, and concept clarity. The syllabus may appear vast, but a structured and strategic approach can help you stay ahead of the competition.
🔔 Pro Tip: Cover NCERTs, current affairs, and solve previous year papers regularly. Make CSAT part of your daily practice.
📥 Download Resources
- 🔗 UPSC Prelims Syllabus PDF – Click Here
- 🔗 Download NCERT Book List for Prelims
- 🔗 CSAT Practice Questions Set
📝 UPSC Prelims 2026 – FAQs
Q. Is CSAT compulsory for UPSC Prelims 2026?
Yes. It’s a qualifying paper with 33% required marks.
Q. Are Prelims marks counted in the final selection?
No. Prelims are only for screening. Only Mains + Interview marks are counted.
Q. What’s the best way to cover current affairs?
Refer to daily current affairs PDFs, monthly magazines, and PIB summaries.
Q. How many attempts are allowed for UPSC?
Depends on category:
- General: 6 attempts
- OBC: 9 attempts
- SC/ST: Unlimited (up to age limit)
🏁 Start Your UPSC Journey Today
📘 Bookmark this syllabus and use it as your preparation roadmap. Whether you’re a beginner or a repeater, UPSC Prelims 2024 is your chance to succeed with strategy and discipline.