UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 - Syllabus, Pattern & Eligibility

Exam Overview

The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is a nationwide competitive examination in India conducted by the Union Public Service Commission for recruitment to various Civil Services of the Government of India, including IAS, IPS, and IFS.

Age & Educational Eligibility

Candidate must be a citizen of India for IAS and IPS. Minimum age of 21 years and maximum of 32 years on August 1 of the exam year. Graduate degree in any stream.

Selection & Written Exam Pattern

1. Preliminary Exam: Two papers of objective type (GS I and CSAT). 2. Main Exam: Nine papers of conventional essay type. 3. Interview/Personality Test: 275 Marks.

Subject-Wise Syllabus Structure

GS Paper I covers Current events, History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, and General Science. GS Paper II (CSAT) covers comprehension, logical reasoning, and basic numeracy.

Expert Preparation & Study Strategy

Start preparation early. Read daily newspapers like The Hindu or Indian Express. Study NCERT books from class 6 to 12. Practice mock tests regularly.

Frequently Asked Questions