UPSC Civil Services Exam Syllabus & Pattern 2023

UPSC Civil Services Exam Syllabus 2023: Candidates who are preparing for UPSC Civil Services Exam 2023 can find the Detailed wise Syllabus for this Government Exam 2023 in PDF format from this article. We also include the Detailed Examination Pattern of 2023. Hence, aspirants across India who hope to prepare for UPSC Civil Services Exam 2023 can find the UPSC Civil Services Sarkari Exam Syllabus 2023 PDF Syllabus in this article.

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UPSC Civil Services Exam Syllabus 2023

The UPSC Civil Services exam is one of the most prestigious competitive exams in India, and it consists of three stages: Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Personality Test (Interview).

The syllabus for the UPSC Civil Services exam is comprehensive and covers a wide range of subjects, including but not limited to:

Preliminary Examination:

1. General Studies Paper I:
   • Current events of national and international importance
   • History of India and Indian National Movement
   • Indian and World Geography
   • Indian Polity and Governance
   • Economic and Social Development
   • Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change
   • General Science
2. General Studies Paper II (CSAT):
   • Comprehension
   • Interpersonal skills including communication skills
   • Logical reasoning and analytical ability
   • Decision making and problem-solving
   • General mental ability
   • Basic numeracy

Main Examination: The Main Examination consists of nine papers, including:

1. Essay
2. General Studies I (Indian Heritage and Culture, History, and Geography of the World and Society)
3. General Studies II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations)
4. General Studies III (Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)
5. General Studies IV (Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude)
6. Optional Paper I
7. Optional Paper II

Personality Test (Interview): The interview assesses candidates’ suitability for a career in the civil services. It may cover current affairs, general knowledge, and other relevant topics.

UPSC Civil Services Exam Pattern 2023

The UPSC Civil Services exam is considered one of the most challenging competitive exams in India. It consists of three stages: Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Personality Test (Interview).

1. Preliminary Examination:

• The Preliminary Examination consists of two objective-type papers: General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II (CSAT).
• Each paper is of 200 marks.
• The duration for each paper is typically 2 hours.
• General Studies Paper I covers subjects like current events, history, geography, polity, economy, environment, and general science.
• General Studies Paper II (CSAT) evaluates comprehension, logical reasoning, decision-making, and basic numeracy.

2. Main Examination:

• The Main Examination is a written examination consisting of nine papers.
• Papers I to VII are compulsory, and Papers VIII and IX are optional (candidates can choose from a list of subjects).
• Each paper is of 250 marks.
• The duration for each paper is 3 hours.
• Compulsory papers cover essay, general studies, ethics, integrity, and aptitude, as well as Indian languages and English.
• Optional papers allow candidates to choose subjects based on their preference.

3. Personality Test (Interview):

• Candidates who qualify the Main Examination are called for a personality test (interview).
• The interview is conducted to assess the candidate’s suitability for a career in civil services.
• The interview is typically conducted for around 275 marks.

UPSC Civil Services Exam Section Wise Marks

The marks distribution for the UPSC Civil Services exam can vary from year to year and based on the specific examination. Here’s a general idea of how the marks might be distributed among different sections:

Preliminary Examination:

General Studies Paper I:

• This paper is of 200 marks.
• Questions related to current events, history, geography, polity, economy, environment, and general science might be distributed with varying marks.

General Studies Paper II (CSAT):

• This paper is also of 200 marks.
• Questions related to comprehension, logical reasoning, decision-making, and basic numeracy might be distributed with varying marks.

Main Examination:

Essay:

• The essay paper is usually of 250 marks.

General Studies Papers I to IV:

• Each of these papers is typically of 250 marks.
• Questions related to Indian heritage and culture, history, geography, polity, economy, ethics, integrity, aptitude, technology, and more might be distributed with varying marks.

Optional Papers VIII and IX:

• Each optional paper is usually of 250 marks.

Personality Test (Interview):

• The interview/personality test is typically of around 275 marks.

UPSC Civil Services Exam Books To Be Prepared

1. General Studies – Preliminary and Main Exams:

• “Indian Polity” by M. Laxmikanth
• “Indian Economy” by Ramesh Singh
• “Certificate Physical and Human Geography” by Goh Cheng Leong
• “History of Modern India” by Bipan Chandra
• “India’s Struggle for Independence” by Bipan Chandra
• “Indian Art and Culture” by Nitin Singhania
• “Environment: Shankar IAS Academy” by Environment Team
• “Indian and World Geography” by Majid Husain
• “Indian Society” by Ram Ahuja

2. CSAT (Paper II) – Preliminary Exam:

• “CSAT Manual: General Studies for Civil Services Preliminary Examination (Paper – 2)” by TMH (Tata McGraw-Hill)
• “Analytical Reasoning” by M.K. Pandey

3. Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude – Main Exam:

• “Lexicon for Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude” by Chronicle Publications
• “Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude” by G. Subba Rao and P.N. Roy Chowdhury

4. Essay Writing – Main Exam:

• “151 Essays” by S.C. Gupta
• “Essays for Civil Services and Other Competitive Examinations” by Pulkit Khare

5. Optional Subjects – Main Exam:

• Choose an optional subject based on your interest and background. Common options include history, geography, public administration, sociology, political science, economics, etc. Look for standard books related to your chosen subject.

6. Current Affairs and Newspapers:

• Regularly read newspapers like “The Hindu” or “The Indian Express” to stay updated with current events.

UPSC Civil Services Exam Syllabus and Exam Pattern FAQs

Certainly, here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) Civil Services exam syllabus and exam pattern:

1. What is the UPSC Civil Services exam? The UPSC Civil Services exam is a prestigious competitive examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission to select candidates for various administrative positions in the Indian Civil Services, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS), among others.

2. Where can I find the official UPSC Civil Services exam syllabus and pattern? You can find the official UPSC Civil Services exam syllabus and pattern in the official notification released by UPSC for the specific examination. The notification is usually available on the UPSC’s official website.

3. How is the UPSC Civil Services exam syllabus structured? The syllabus is divided into several papers, covering subjects like general studies, optional subjects, ethics, aptitude, current affairs, and more. The syllabus is vast and covers a wide range of topics.

4. What is the exam pattern for the UPSC Civil Services exam? The exam pattern includes three stages: Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Personality Test (Interview). The Preliminary Examination consists of two papers, General Studies and CSAT. The Main Examination includes multiple papers, including essay writing and optional subjects. The Personality Test assesses candidates’ suitability for civil services.

5. Is there negative marking in the UPSC Civil Services exam? Yes, there is usually negative marking for incorrect answers in the Preliminary Examination (both General Studies and CSAT papers). A fraction of marks might be deducted for each wrong answer.

6. How can I prepare for the UPSC Civil Services exam?

• Study the syllabus thoroughly.
• Use recommended books for each subject.
• Solve previous year papers and mock tests to understand the exam pattern and practice time management.
• Focus on current affairs and stay updated with relevant news.

7. Can I use a calculator during the exam? Calculators or electronic devices might not be allowed during the written examination. It’s advisable to rely on your mathematical skills.

8. How can I stay updated about UPSC Civil Services exam notifications and updates? Regularly check the official UPSC website for exam notifications, updates, and official information.

9. How do I choose an optional subject for the Main Examination? Choose an optional subject based on your background, interests, and strengths. Consider subjects you are comfortable with and have access to good study materials.