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UPSC · Examination

UPSC Civil Services Examination

The Civil Services Examination in three stages: a Preliminary Examination of two objective papers, a Main Examination of nine written papers, and an interview/personality test.

  • 12papers
  • 2,225marks counted
  • 84syllabus lines
The syllabus, with what PrepShark covers

As the notification sets it out

Exam pattern

Stage 1Preliminary examination

2 papers

Paper
General Studies Paper-I200 marks · 2 hoursObjective type (multiple choice). Negative marking: For each question for which a wrong answer has been given by the candidate, one-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as penalty.
General Studies Paper-IIQualifying200 marks · 2 hoursQualifying paper with minimum qualifying marks fixed at 33%. Negative marking: For each question for which a wrong answer has been given by the candidate, one-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as penalty.

Stage 2Main examination

9 papers · 7 papers counted for merit, 1,750 marks.

Paper
Paper-A: One of the Indian languages (Eighth Schedule)Qualifying300 marks · 3 hours
Paper-B: EnglishQualifying300 marks · 3 hours
Paper-I: Essay250 marks · 3 hours
Paper-II: General Studies-I250 marks · 3 hours
Paper-III: General Studies-II250 marks · 3 hours
Paper-IV: General Studies-III250 marks · 3 hours
Paper-V: General Studies-IV250 marks · 3 hours
Paper-VI: Optional Subject Paper 1250 marks · 3 hours
Paper-VII: Optional Subject Paper 2250 marks · 3 hours

Paper-A: One of the Indian languages (Eighth Schedule) and Paper-B: English: The papers on Indian Languages and English will be of Matriculation or equivalent standard and will be of qualifying nature only. The marks obtained in these papers will not be counted for ranking. The papers on Essay, General Studies and Optional Subject of only such candidates will be taken cognizance who attain 25% marks in ‘Indian Language’ and 25% in English as minimum qualifying standards in these qualifying papers.

Paper-VI: Optional Subject Paper 1 and Paper-VII: Optional Subject Paper 2: The syllabus of each optional subject is in the notification.

Stage 3Interview

1 paper

Paper
Interview/Personality Test275 marksInterview/Personality Test will carry 275 marks (with no minimum qualifying marks).

Source: Examination Notice No. 05/2026-CSE — Civil Services Examination, 2026, Appendix I, pp. 25–37, issued 4 February 2026. Checked against the document on 6 October 2026.

Dates, vacancies and deadlines change with every notification; check the commission’s website before you apply.

Subject by subject

What PrepShark has for UPSC Civil Services Examination

Every subject in the syllabus, with what PrepShark has for it today, including the ones it does not cover yet.

  1. Indian PolityChapters to read36 chapters · 300 flashcards · 1,560 questions
  2. Science and TechnologyChapters to read30 chapters
  3. Indian HistoryChapters to read19 chapters · 1,200 questions
  4. EnvironmentQuestions or flashcards only; no chapters yet3 questions
  5. Indian EconomyQuestions or flashcards only; no chapters yet2 questions
  6. Indian SocietyQuestions or flashcards only; no chapters yet3 flashcards
  7. Internal SecurityQuestions or flashcards only; no chapters yet3 flashcards
  8. Current AffairsNo chapters or practice yet; see the current affairs
  9. Disaster ManagementNo chapters or practice yet
  10. GovernanceNo chapters or practice yet
  11. Indian GeographyNo chapters or practice yet; see the atlas of India
  12. International RelationsNo chapters or practice yet
  13. World HistoryNo chapters or practice yet; see the timeline of world history

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Syllabus

The full syllabus, paper by paper, with what PrepShark covers

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Current affairs, the atlas and the timeline for UPSC Civil Services Examination, in the app.