The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) Mains stage is a vital part of the selection process. This second phase evaluates the candidate’s depth of knowledge, analytical skills, and ability to present well-structured arguments. Unlike the Prelims, which are objective in nature, the Mains examination and UPSC Mains Syllabus consists of descriptive papers covering a wide range of subjects, including four General Studies Papers, an Essay, and an optional subject. This stage tests not just factual knowledge but also the candidate’s understanding of complex issues and their ability to articulate well-reasoned answers within a limited time.
The UPSC Mains exam has nine written papers. Out of these, marks from seven papers are counted for the final ranking. The other two papers—English and Indian Language—are just qualifying, meaning candidates must score at least 25% in them to move forward in the selection process.
Below is the syllabus for UPSC Mains 2025.
The UPSC Mains exam has nine written papers. Out of these, marks from seven papers are counted for the final ranking. The other two papers—English and Indian Language—are just qualifying, meaning candidates must score at least 25% in them to move forward in the selection process.
UPSC Mains Exam Paper Structure :
| Paper | Marks |
| Paper A: Indian Language (Any language from the 8th Schedule) | 300 |
| Paper B: English | 300 |
| PaperI: Essay | 250 |
| Paper II: General Studies I (Indian Heritage & Culture, History & Geography of the World & Society) | 250 |
| Paper III: General Studies II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice & International Relations) | 250 |
| Paper IV: General Studies III (Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Security & Disaster Management) | 250 |
| Paper V: General Studies IV (Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude) | 250 |
| Paper VI : Optional Subject— I | 250 |
| PaperVII : Paper II of Optional Subject | 250 |
| Total Marks | 1750 |
UPSC Mains Topic-Wise Syllabus
The UPSC Mains syllabus covers various subjects, including Indian Heritage and Culture, Governance, Technology, Economic Development, and Ethics. While the General Studies papers are designed to assess various aspects of a candidate’s knowledge, such as factual understanding, conceptual clarity, and critical thinking, the Ethics paper evaluates candidates’ aptitude, integrity, and ethical decision-making.
A clear breakdown of topics helps aspirants plan their studies effectively and ensures they cover the entire syllabus.
UPSC Mains Language Papers
The Mains exam includes two language papers: Paper A and Paper B. While these papers are only qualifying and do not contribute to the final score, candidates should not underestimate their importance. Scoring below 25% in either paper will result in disqualification, and the rest of the answer sheets will not be evaluated.
Paper A: Indian Language (Qualifying)
Candidates must select one Indian language from the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. This paper assesses their ability to read and comprehend serious prose and express their ideas clearly and accurately.
Indian Languages:
- Comprehension of given passages.
- Précis writing.
- Vocabulary and usage.
- Short essay writing.
- Translation between English and the Indian language.
Paper B: English (Qualifying)
The English paper assesses candidates’ ability to comprehend complex prose and express their ideas clearly and accurately in English.
English Language Syllabus :
- Comprehension of provided passages.
- Précis writing.
- Vocabulary and usage.
- Short essay writing.
UPSC Mains Syllabus: Essay Paper
The Essay paper evaluates a candidate’s ability to present ideas in a clear, logical, and well-structured manner. Writing an essay is important for presenting organized thinking and effective communication.
Candidates are required to write two essays, selecting one topic from each of the two given sections. The topics may cover a variety of subjects, including current affairs, philosophical ideas, socio-economic issues, politics, and environmental concerns.
General Studies Paper 1 (GS-I)—UPSC Mains Syllabus 2025
GS-1 covers Indian Heritage & Culture, History, Geography, and Society. It includes topics such as ancient to modern Indian history, world history, art and culture, societal issues, and physical and human geography.
Indian Heritage and Culture
- Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature, and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Modern Indian History
- From the mid-18th century to the present: Significant events, personalities, and issues.
Freedom Struggle
- Various stages, important contributors, and contributions from different parts of India.
Post-Independence India
- Consolidation and reorganization within the country.
World History
- Events from the 18th century:
- Industrial Revolution
- World Wars
- Redrawal of national boundaries
- Colonization and decolonization
- Political philosophies (communism, capitalism, socialism) and their effects on society
Indian Society
- Salient features and diversity of India.
Women & Society
- Role of women and women’s organizations.
Demographic Issues
- Population, poverty, and developmental issues.
Urbanization
- Problems and remedies.
Globalization
- Effects on Indian society.
Social Issues
- Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism, and secularism.
Physical Geography
- Salient features of the world’s physical geography.
Natural Resources
- Distribution of key resources globally, including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent.
Industrial Location Factors
- Factors affecting the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries globally (including India).
Geophysical Phenomena
- Earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic activity, cyclones, and their effects.
Geographical Changes
- Changes in critical geographical features:
- Water bodies
- Ice caps
- Flora and fauna
- Effects of such changes
General Studies Paper 2 (GS-2)—UPSC Mains Syllabus 2025
GS-2 covers Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations. It includes topics such as the Indian Constitution, government policies, welfare schemes, functioning of the executive and judiciary, international organizations, and India’s foreign relations.
Indian Constitution & Polity
- Historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions, and basic structure.
- Functions and responsibilities of the Union and States, federal structure issues, devolution of powers and finances to local levels.
- Separation of powers between various organs, dispute redressal mechanisms, and institutions.
- Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with other countries.
- Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers, privileges, and related issues.
- Structure, organization, and functioning of the Executive and Judiciary.
- Role of Ministries, Departments, pressure groups, and formal/informal associations in governance.
- Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
- Appointment, powers, functions, and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
- Statutory, regulatory, and various quasi-judicial bodies.
Governance & Social Justice
- Government policies and interventions for development and issues in their design and implementation.
- Development processes and the role of NGOs, SHGs, donor agencies, charities, and institutional stakeholders.
- Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections – their performance, associated laws, institutions, and bodies.
- Issues related to the development and management of Social Sector/Services – Health, Education, Human Resources.
- Issues related to poverty and hunger.
- Governance aspects – transparency, accountability, e-governance (applications, models, successes, limitations, potential).
- Citizen charters, transparency, accountability, and institutional measures.
- Role of civil services in a democracy.
International Relations
- India and its neighborhood – relations and geopolitical issues.
- Bilateral, regional, and global groupings and agreements involving India or affecting India’s interests.
- Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
- Important international institutions, agencies, and fora – their structure and mandate.
General Studies Paper 3 (GS-3)—UPSC Syllabus 2025
GS-3 covers Economy, Agriculture, Science & Technology, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management. It includes topics such as economic development, infrastructure, agricultural policies, environmental conservation, advancements in science and technology, internal and external security challenges, and disaster preparedness.
Indian Economy
- Issues related to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development, and employment.
- Inclusive growth and related challenges.
- Government budgeting.
Agriculture & Food Security
- Major crops and cropping patterns across India.
- Types of irrigation and irrigation systems.
- Storage, transport, and marketing of agricultural produce – issues and constraints.
- E-technology in agriculture.
- Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and Minimum Support Price (MSP).
- Public Distribution System (PDS) – objectives, functioning, limitations, and reforms.
- Buffer stocks and food security.
- Technology missions.
- Economics of animal-rearing.
Food Processing & Land Reforms
- Food processing industries – scope, significance, location, supply chain management.
- Land reforms in India.
Industrial Growth & Infrastructure
- Effects of liberalization on the economy.
- Changes in industrial policy and their impact on industrial growth.
- Infrastructure – Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways, etc.
- Investment models.
Science & Technology
- Developments and their applications in daily life.
- Achievements of Indians in science & technology.
- Indigenization of technology and development of new technology.
- Awareness in:
- IT
- Space
- Computers
- Robotics
- Nano-technology
- Bio-technology
- Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) issues
Environment & Disaster Management
- Conservation, environmental pollution, and degradation.
- Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
- Disaster and disaster management.
Security & Internal Challenges
- Linkages between development and the spread of extremism.
- Role of external state and non-state actors in internal security challenges.
- Communication networks and internal security threats.
- Role of media and social networking sites in internal security.
- Basics of cyber security.
- Money laundering and its prevention.
- Security challenges and border management.
- Linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
- Various security forces and agencies and their mandate.
General Studies Paper 4 (GS-4)—UPSC Mains Syllabus 2025
GS-4 covers Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude, focusing on ethical principles, public administration values, emotional intelligence, moral thinkers, case studies on governance, and decision-making in real-life scenarios.
This paper evaluates a candidate’s:
- Attitude and approach towards integrity and probity in public life.
- Problem-solving abilities in social and administrative conflicts.
- Ethical and moral reasoning through case studies.
1. Ethics and Human Interface
- Essence, determinants, and consequences of ethics in human actions.
- Dimensions of ethics in private and public relationships.
- Human values – lessons from great leaders, reformers, and administrators.
- Role of family, society, and educational institutions in inculcating values.
2. Attitude
- Content, structure, and function of attitude.
- Influence and relation of attitude with thought and behavior.
- Moral and political attitudes.
- Social influence and persuasion.
3. Aptitude and Foundational Values for Civil Service
- Integrity, impartiality, and non-partisanship.
- Objectivity, dedication to public service.
- Empathy, tolerance, and compassion for weaker sections.
4. Emotional Intelligence
- Concepts of emotional intelligence.
- Applications in administration and governance.
5. Contributions of Moral Thinkers and Philosophers
- Ethical teachings from Indian and global philosophers.
6. Public and Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration
- Status and problems of ethics in governance.
- Ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions.
- Laws, rules, regulations, and conscience as ethical guidance.
- Accountability and ethical governance.
- Strengthening ethical and moral values in governance.
- Ethical issues in international relations and funding.
- Corporate governance.
7. Probity in Governance
- Concept of public service.
- Philosophical basis of governance and probity.
- Information sharing and transparency in government.
- Right to Information (RTI).
- Codes of Ethics and Codes of Conduct.
- Citizen’s Charters, Work Culture, and Quality of Service Delivery.
- Utilization of public funds.
- Challenges of corruption.
8. Case Studies
- Application of ethical principles in real-life scenarios.
UPSC Mains Optional Syllabus 2025
Optional Subject Papers I and II:
A candidate may opt for any one Optional Subject from the following:
| Core Subjects (25) | Literature Subjects (22) |
| Agriculture | Assamese |
| Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science | Bengali |
| Anthropology | Bodo |
| Botany | Dogri |
| Chemistry | Gujarati |
| Civil Engineering | Hindi |
| Commerce & Accountancy | Kannada |
| Economics | Kashmiri |
| Electrical Engineering | Konkani |
| Geography | Maithili |
| History | Malayalam |
| Law | Manipuri |
| Management | Marathi |
| Mathematics | Nepali |
| Mechanical Engineering | Oriya |
| Medical Science | Punjabi |
| Philosophy | Sanskrit |
| Physics | Santali |
| Political Science & International Relations | Sindhi |
| Psychology | Tamil |
| Public Administration | Telugu |
| Sociology | Urdu |
| Statistics | English |
| Zoology |
Success in the Mains examination depends not only on knowledge but also on effective answer writing, time management, and clarity of thought. Aspirants must practice structuring their answers with introductions, body content, and conclusions while maintaining coherence and relevance. A thorough understanding of the UPSC Mains syllabus, combined with consistent practice and analysis of previous years’ questions, can significantly enhance one’s chances of qualifying for the interview stage. At Borthakur’s IAS Academy, we provide expert guidance and a structured approach to help aspirants sail through this challenging journey with confidence. Best Wishes.