IAS Exam Prelims & Mains Syllabus 2025

UPSC IAS Exam Stages

The UPSC IAS exam is a three-stage process that consists of:

1. Preliminary Examination: This is the first stage of the IAS exam. It is an objective type test consisting of two papers – General Studies and Civil Services Aptitude Test. The General Studies paper comprises questions related to current affairs, Indian history, Indian polity, geography, and economics, while the Civil Services Aptitude Test paper tests the candidates’ analytical and comprehension skills.

2. Main Examination: Those who qualify for the preliminary examination are eligible to appear for the Main examination. It consists of 9 papers, out of which 7 are considered for ranking purposes. The papers include Indian languages, English, essay, general studies, and optional subjects.

3. Personality Test (Interview): Those who qualify for the Main examination are called for the personality test or interview. It is the final stage of the IAS exam and comprises a personal interview conducted by a board of experts to assess the candidate’s personality, mental ability, and suitability for the civil services.

The final merit list is prepared based on the marks obtained in the Main examination and the interview.

1. UPSC IAS Prelims Exam Pattern

The UPSC IAS Prelims Exam Pattern comprises of two papers – General Studies (GS) and Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT). Both the papers are conducted on the same day in two sessions, and each paper is of 200 marks.

The General Studies Paper I consists of 100 questions, each carrying 2 marks. It covers topics such as Current events of national and international importance, History of India and Indian National Movement, Indian Polity and Governance, Economic and Social Development, Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change, and General Science.

The General Studies Paper II or CSAT paper is the second paper of the Prelims. The CSAT paper is of qualifying nature, and a candidate needs to score a minimum of 33% marks in this paper to qualify for the Main exam.

The CSAT paper is designed to test the candidate’s aptitude and analytical skills, and it includes topics like comprehension, logical reasoning, analytical ability, decision-making, problem-solving, basic numeracy, and data interpretation.

The CSAT paper has 80 questions and is of 200 marks. The duration of the paper is 2 hours. The questions in the CSAT paper are of objective type, with multiple-choice options.

It is important for candidates to prepare well for the CSAT paper, as it is a qualifying paper, and a candidate’s score in this paper does not count towards the merit list. However, qualifying the CSAT paper is essential for a candidate to be eligible for the Main exam.

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 (Prelim) Examination for the purpose of evaluation. Therefore a candidate will be disqualified in case he/she does not appear in both the papers of Civil Services (Prelim) Examination.

2. UPSC IAS Mains Exam Pattern

• Candidates who qualify for the Prelims are eligible to appear for the Main exam.
• The Main exam consists of 9 descriptive type papers, out of which 7 papers are counted for merit ranking.
• The Main exam is conducted over a period of 5-7 days.
• The 7 papers are: Paper-I (Essay), Paper-II (General Studies-I), Paper-III (General Studies-II), Paper-IV (General Studies-III), Paper-V (General Studies-IV), Paper-VI (Optional Paper-I), Paper-VII (Optional Paper-II).

Note: The marks of both the qualifying papers (Paper A: Compulsory Indian Language & Paper B: English) are not added for final merit. Both the question papers are of 300-300 marks. The minimum qualifying marks in Indian language is 25% (75) and in English also the minimum qualifying marks are 25% (75).

3. UPSC IAS Exam Interview

• Candidates who qualify the Main exam are called for the Personality Test/Interview.
• The interview is conducted by a panel of experts and is for a duration of 30-40 minutes.
• The interview tests the candidate’s personality, suitability for a career in civil services, and general knowledge.

(i) The candidate will be interviewed by a Board who will have before them a record of the candidate’s career. The candidate will be asked questions on matters of general interest. The object of the Interview/Personality Test is to assess the personal suitability of the candidate for a career in public service by a Board of competent and unbiased observers. The Interview/Personality Test is intended to judge the mental calibre of a candidate. In broad terms this is really an assessment of not only intellectual qualities but also social traits and interest in current affairs. Some of the qualities to be judged are mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, balance of judgement, variety and depth of interest, ability for social cohesion and leadership, intellectual and moral integrity.

(ii) The technique of the Interview/Personality Test is not that of a strict cross-examination but of a natural, though directed and purposive conversation which is intended to reveal the mental qualities of the candidate.

(iii) The Interview/Personality Test is not intended to be a test either of the specialized or general knowledge of the candidates which has been already tested through their written papers. Candidates are expected to have taken an intelligent interest not only in their special subjects of academic study but also in the events which are happening around them both within and outside their own State or Country as well as in modern currents of thought and in new discoveries which should rouse the curiosity of well-educated youth.

4. UPSC IAS Final Merit

The final selection of candidates is based on the candidate’s performance in the Main exam and Personality Test/Interview.

Note: The final merit and rank is made by adding the marks of the candidate’s main examination and interview.

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