UPSC IAS Syllabus 2020 - Download Civil Services Syllabus in PDF
UPSC IAS Syllabus 2020 - UPSC syllabus has been released along with the official notification for the Civil Service Exam on February 12, 2020. The UPSC syllabus for both prelims and mains exams are available in pdf format. The Civil Services Examination is considered as one of the most prestigious examinations conducted in India. The exam is conducted every year to recruit various candidates under the administrative departments of India.
To understand the highly competitive UPSC exam, candidates must understand the UPSC syllabus in depth. Understanding the IAS syllabus will eliminate all the wasteful efforts and keeps you aligned to the expectations of the UPSC from the first day of your preparation. The UPSC Prelims paper is completely objective while the Mains syllabus is quite vast as this stage comprises nine theory papers.
The UPSC Civil services exam is comprised of three phases:
- Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination
- Civil Services (Mains) Examination
- Personal Interview (Personality Test)
UPSC Preliminary Exam
Paper |
Subjects |
Total Marks |
Duration |
I |
General Studies (GS) |
200 |
2 hours |
II |
CSAT |
200 |
2 hours |
Broadly, the Civil Services Preliminary Examination consists of two papers of objective type, each of 200 marks of two hours duration. To qualify for the mains exam, a candidate must attempt both the papers.
General Studies (GS) paper of UPSC consists of 100 questions and CSAT paper consists of 80 questions. There is negative marking of ⅓ for each wrong answers
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UPSC IAS Syllabus 2020 - Prelims and Mains
UPSC IAS Prelims Syllabus 2020 for Paper 1 - General Studies
In IAS Prelims GS Paper 1 most of the questions are asked by UPSC to test the conceptual clarity and understanding of the basics of IAS Prelims syllabus topics. There will be some 25 to 35 questions from current affairs section.
The IAS Prelims GS Paper 1 marks are counted for cut off marks to qualify for the IAS Mains exam. Each question carries 1 mark. For every wrong answer, 1/3rd marks will be deducted as negative marking.
IAS Prelims GS Paper 1 Syllabus topics are mentioned below:
History of India and Indian National Movement |
Economic and Social Development, Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector initiatives etc. |
Indian and World Geography-Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World |
General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change that do not require subject specialization |
Indian Polity and Governance Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues etc. |
Current events of national and international importance |
General Science |
Download UPSC Prelims Syllabus PDF
UPSC IAS Prelims Syllabus 2020 for Paper 2 - CSAT
IAS Prelims GS Paper 2, popularly called as Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) exam is to test candidate’s reasoning and aptitude ability. Most of the questions are simple numerical maths, reasoning, and reading comprehension questions.
CSAT paper marks are not included in the IAS prelims exam cut off consideration, this paper is qualifying in nature. Candidates need to get to 66.67 marks out of 200 marks to qualify IAS Prelims GS Paper 2 in UPSC Prelims exam.
IAS Prelims GS Paper 2 (CSAT) Syllabus topics are mentioned below:
Comprehension |
Decision-making and problem-solving |
Interpersonal skills including communication skills |
General mental ability |
Logical reasoning and analytical 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) |
UPSC IAS Syllabus 2020 - Mains
UPSC IAS mains exam test the candidate’s understanding ability on the issues and events that are happening at national and international levels. Most of the questions demand the candidate’s analytical ability along with writing skills.
IAS Mains exam is all about writing the answers to address the demand of the question in a well-structured manner.
For IAS mains exam, UPSC shortlisted candidates based on IAS Prelims exam performance. Every year roughly 12 to 15 thousand candidates appear for the IAS Mains exam. Roughly this is 12 to 13 times the number of vacancies.
The mains qualified candidates will face the final phase of the UPSC civil services exam, i.e, IAS interview round to get the services listed in the civil services exam.
IAS Mains Syllabus topics and pattern are mentioned below:
Download UPSC Mains General Studies Syllabus PDF
Paper |
UPSC Exam Pattern |
Marks |
A |
Indian Language - UPSC Syllabus. One of the Indian Languages to be selected by the candidate from the Languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution. This paper will not be compulsory for candidates hailing from the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim |
300 (25% for Qualifying) |
B |
English Language |
300 (25% for Qualifying) |
Paper-I |
Essay - UPSC Syllabus, can be taken in the language of choice. Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics. They will be expected to stick to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in orderly fashion and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression. |
250 |
Paper-II |
General Studies-I - UPSC IAS Syllabus Topics - Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society |
250 |
Paper-III |
General Studies-II - UPSC IAS Syllabus Topics - Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations |
250 |
Paper-IV |
General Studies-III - UPSC IAS Syllabus Topics - Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management |
250 |
Paper-V |
General Studies-IV - UPSC IAS Syllabus Topics - Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude |
250 |
Paper-VI |
Optional - Paper 1 |
250 |
Paper-VII |
Optional - Paper 2 |
250 |
Note: Download PDF - UPSC IAS General Studies Syllabus
UPSC IAS Mains 2020 GS Paper 1 Syllabus Topics
Subject |
Topics |
Indian Heritage and Culture |
|
Modern Indian History |
|
World History |
|
Indian Society |
|
Geography |
|
UPSC IAS Mains 2020 GS Paper 2 Syllabus Topics
Subject |
Topics |
Indian Polity and Constitution |
|
Social Justice |
|
Governance |
|
International Relations |
|
Guidance For IAS Preparation
UPSC IAS Mains 2020 GS Paper 3 Syllabus Topics
Subject |
Topics |
Indian Economy |
|
Science and Technology |
|
Environment |
|
Disaster Management |
|
Security |
|
UPSC IAS Mains 2020 GS Paper 4 Syllabus Topics
Subject |
Topics |
Ethics and Human Interface |
|
Attitude |
|
Aptitude |
|
Emotional Intelligence |
|
Civil Services Values and Probity in Governance |
|
UPSC IAS Mains Syllabus 2020 - Optional Subject
In UPSC IAS mains exam candidates need to choose one optional subject from the list of 48 subjects. Each optional subject has 2 papers, 250 marks for each paper. So the optional subject weightage in the UPSC IAS Mains exam is 500 marks.
Candidates need to choose optional subjects wisely to secure good marks in the IAS mains exam since the optional subject plays a major role in qualifying the mains exam. (Read More: How to Best Choose Optional Subject for IAS Exam)
UPSC IAS Mains Optional Subjects Syllabus List
UPSC IAS Mains Literature Optional Subjects Syllabus List
UPSC IAS Interview Syllabus (Personality Test)
The candidates who successfully qualify the UPSC Mains 2020 Exam are called for the final phase of the process, i.e. Personality Test (Interview) carrying 275 marks. The test is conducted by a board of competent evaluators who check how suitable the candidate is for the job.
- The candidate will be interviewed by a board who will have before them a record of his/her career and interests filled by him/her in the Detailed Application Form (DAF).
- The test is intended to determine the suitability of the candidate by judging his/her mental caliber, reasoning ability, and moral integrity.
- In the personality test, apart from their academic study, candidates must be aware of the affairs happening both within and outside their state or country.
The final merit list is issued on the basis of the cumulative marks scored by the candidates in the Mains and Personality Test. The merit list is published on the UPSC website as well as in the leading newspapers.
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Recommended book list for UPSC 2020 Preparation
The following books are extremely important for the UPSC Civil Service exam preparation, recommended by IAS toppers and teachers:
Books List for IAS Exam Preparation 2020
In UPSC Civil Services exam candidates need to stick to standard preparation books and read these books as many times as possible instead of reading the same subject from multiple books.
The important books for IAS Exam preparation are listed below:
Subject |
Must Read (NCERT) |
Primary Material |
Reference Material |
History |
OLD NCERTs: Ancient India RS Sharma Medieval India Sathish Chandra Modern India Bipan Chandra New NCERTs: 9th to 12th Standard New NCERTs Themes in Indian History |
Brief History of Modern India (Spectrum) |
|
Geography |
Geography NCERTs 6th to 12th Contemporary India (9th and 10th standard) Fundamentals of Physical Geography (11th Standard) India Physical environment (11th Standard) Fundamentals of Human Geography (12th Standard) India People and Economy (12th Standard) |
Certificate Physical and Human Geography by Goh Cheng Leong |
School Atlas - Oxford or Orient BlackSwan School Atlas |
Indian Polity |
Political Science NCERTs (11th and 12th Standard) Indian Constitution at Work Politics in India Since Independence |
Indian Polity - Laxmikanth |
|
Science |
Science NCERTs (6th to 12th Standard) |
Hindu Newspaper Science and Tech Weekly Column (Sunday) |
|
Indian Economy |
Economy 11th and 12th NCERTs Micro and Macroeconomics Indian Economic Development |
Indian Economy - Ramesh Singh |
|
Art and Culture |
Art and Culture NCERTs (11th Standard) Introduction to Indian Art |
Indian Art and Culture By Nitin Singhania |
|
Environment |
Science Biology 12th Standard NCERT (Last four Chapters 13 to 16) |
Shankar IAS Environment Material (Act, Policies and Convention) |
IGNOU Environment notes. |
Current Affairs |
The Hindu or Indian Express |
Live Mint, Economic Times, Business Standard |
|
Magazines |
Yojana |
Kurukshetra Frontline Economic and Political Weekly |
|
Year Book |
India Year Book - PIB Publication |
FAQs related to UPSC Syllabus and IAS Exam Preparation
Q. What is the syllabus for UPSC prelims exam?
The syllabus for the prelims exam provided by UPSC is not comprehensive, it provides the broad topics of the subjects. To know more about UPSC Prelims Syllabus check here.Q. What is the syllabus of the UPSC General Studies Mains exam?
A. In the IAS mains exam, there are four general studies papers.GS Paper 1 deals with History, Geography, Society;
GS Paper 2 covers Polity, Governance, International Relations, and Social Justice topics;
GS paper 3 topics include Economy, Science and Tech, Environment, Security and Disaster Management;
GS paper 4 is ethics, integrity, and aptitude.
Check out the detailed UPSC Mains GS Syllabus here
Q. Where can I find the syllabus of UPSC Mains Optional Subjects?
A. In UPSC mains, there is a total of 25 major subjects and 23 literature subjects. The detailed Syllabus for the Optional Subject will be provided by UPSC in the Civil Services Preliminary Exam Notification. In the meantime, candidates can check their respective optional subject syllabus in detail provided here.Q. What is the difference between the UPSC Prelims and UPSC mains Syllabus?
A. There is no major difference between the UPSC prelims and the UPSC Mains syllabus. In general, the UPSC Prelims syllabus is the subset of the UPSC Mains exam syllabus. If any aspirant preparing for the Civil Services exam, if he/she prepares comprehensively for the UPSC Mains syllabus, then his/her prelims exam preparation is taken care of.
Q. What is the importance of UPSC Syllabus in IAS Exam preparation?
A. UPSC Syllabus is the key to Civil Services exam preparation. Aspirants preparing for the UPSC exam should have a copy of UPSC Syllabus handy and need to prepare all the subjects according to topics mentioned in the UPSC Syllabus.Also, if you are aware of all the syllabus topics provided by UPSC, then it will be helpful in newspaper reading and current affairs preparation.