UPSC Exam Syllabus & Pattern 2023

UPSC Exam Syllabus 2023: Candidates who are preparing for UPSC 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 Exam 2023 can find the UPSC Sarkari Exam Syllabus 2023 PDF Syllabus in this article.

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UPSC Exam Syllabus 2023

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts a variety of exams, including the Civil Services Examination, Indian Forest Service Examination, Engineering Services Examination, and many others. The syllabus for UPSC exams can vary depending on the specific examination. However, I can provide you with a general overview of the syllabus for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE), which is one of the most prominent UPSC exams.

Please note that the syllabus for other UPSC exams may differ significantly, and you should refer to the official UPSC website or the specific examination notification for detailed information. Here is the syllabus for the UPSC Civil Services Examination:

UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) Syllabus:

1. Preliminary Examination (Objective Type):

Paper I: General Studies

• Current events of national and international importance
• History of India and the Indian National Movement
• Indian and World Geography
• Indian Polity and Governance
• Economic and Social Development
• Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change
• General Science

Paper II: Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT)

• Comprehension
• Interpersonal skills, including communication skills
• Logical reasoning and analytical ability
• Decision making and problem-solving
• General mental ability
• Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.)
• Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc.)

2. Main Examination (Written and Descriptive):

Paper A: Indian Language (Qualifying)

• Candidates have to choose one of the Indian languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
• This paper tests the candidate’s ability to read, write, and understand the selected language.

Paper B: English (Qualifying)

• This paper assesses the candidate’s English language skills, including comprehension and précis writing.

Paper I: Essay

• Candidates have to write two essays, choosing one from each section. The topics can cover a wide range of subjects.

Paper II: General Studies I

• Indian Heritage and Culture
• History and Geography of the World and Society

Paper III: General Studies II

• Governance
• Constitution
• Polity
• Social Justice and International Relations

Paper IV: General Studies III

• Technology
• Economic Development
• Biodiversity
• Environment
• Security and Disaster Management

Paper V: General Studies IV

• Ethics
• Integrity
• Aptitude

Paper VI and Paper VII: Optional Subjects

• Candidates can choose two optional subjects from a list provided by UPSC. These papers delve into in-depth knowledge of the selected subjects.

3. Personality Test (Interview):

• The interview assesses the candidate’s overall personality, communication skills, and suitability for the civil services.

UPSC Exam Pattern 2023

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts various exams, each with its own specific exam pattern. I’ll provide you with an overview of the exam pattern for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE), which is one of the most prominent UPSC exams. Please note that the exam pattern for other UPSC exams may differ significantly, so it’s important to refer to the official UPSC website or the specific examination notification for detailed information. Here’s the exam pattern for the UPSC Civil Services Examination:

UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) Exam Pattern:

1. Preliminary Examination (Objective Type):

• Paper I: General Studies (GS Paper)
  • Number of Questions: 100
  • Total Marks: 200
  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Questions cover various subjects such as current events, history, geography, polity, economy, and general science.
• Paper II: Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT)
  • Number of Questions: 80
  • Total Marks: 200
  • Duration: 2 hours
  • This paper tests comprehension, logical reasoning, decision-making, and other aptitude skills.
  • Note: Paper II (CSAT) is qualifying in nature, and candidates need to score a minimum qualifying mark in this paper. However, the marks obtained in Paper I (GS Paper) are used to determine eligibility for the Main Examination.

2. Main Examination (Written and Descriptive):

The Main Examination consists of nine papers, out of which two papers (Paper A and Paper B) are qualifying in nature and are not counted for the final merit. The other seven papers are used for the ranking process.

• Paper I: Essay
  • Total Marks: 250
  • Candidates need to write two essays.
• Paper II: General Studies I
  • Total Marks: 250
• Paper III: General Studies II
  • Total Marks: 250
• Paper IV: General Studies III
  • Total Marks: 250
• Paper V: General Studies IV
  • Total Marks: 250
• Paper VI: Optional Subject Paper I
  • Total Marks: 250
• Paper VII: Optional Subject Paper II
  • Total Marks: 250

3. Personality Test (Interview):

• Total Marks: 275
• The interview assesses the candidate’s overall personality, communication skills, and suitability for the civil services.

4. Final Merit List:

• The final merit list is prepared based on the marks obtained in the Main Examination (Paper I to Paper VII) and the Personality Test (Interview).
• The marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination (Paper I) are used to determine eligibility for the Main Examination but are not counted in the final merit.

UPSC Exam Section Wise Marks

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination (CSE) consists of a series of papers with varying marks allocated to each paper. Here’s the section-wise marks distribution for the UPSC Civil Services Examination:

1. Preliminary Examination:

• Paper I: General Studies (GS Paper)
  • Number of Questions: 100
  • Total Marks: 200
  • Each question carries 2 marks.
  • Negative Marking: 1/3rd (0.66) marks are deducted for each incorrect answer.
• Paper II: Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT)
  • Number of Questions: 80
  • Total Marks: 200
  • Each question carries 2.5 marks.
  • Negative Marking: 1/3rd (0.83) marks are deducted for each incorrect answer.

2. Main Examination:

The Main Examination consists of seven papers, each with varying marks:

• Paper I: Essay
  • Total Marks: 250
• Paper II: General Studies I
  • Total Marks: 250
• Paper III: General Studies II
  • Total Marks: 250
• Paper IV: General Studies III
  • Total Marks: 250
• Paper V: General Studies IV
  • Total Marks: 250
• Paper VI: Optional Subject Paper I
  • Total Marks: 250
• Paper VII: Optional Subject Paper II
  • Total Marks: 250

3. Personality Test (Interview):

• Total Marks: 275
• The interview assesses the candidate’s overall personality, communication skills, and suitability for the civil services.

4. Final Merit List:

• The final merit list is prepared based on the marks obtained in the Main Examination (Paper I to Paper VII) and the Personality Test (Interview).
• The marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination (Paper I) are used to determine eligibility for the Main Examination but are not counted in the final merit.

UPSC Exam Books To Be Prepared 

UPSC Exam Syllabus and Exam Pattern FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) Civil Services Examination (CSE) syllabus and exam pattern:

1. What is the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE), and why is it conducted?

• The UPSC CSE is a competitive examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission to select candidates for prestigious civil services and administrative positions in the Indian government. It is conducted to recruit candidates into various services like the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS), among others.

2. Where can I find information about the UPSC CSE syllabus and exam pattern?

• Detailed information about the UPSC CSE syllabus and exam pattern can be found on the official UPSC website (www.upsc.gov.in). The UPSC also releases an official notification for each examination, which contains the syllabus and exam pattern details.

3. What is the syllabus for the UPSC CSE Preliminary Examination (Prelims)?

• The Preliminary Examination consists of two papers: General Studies (Paper I) and Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) (Paper II). The syllabus includes subjects such as current affairs, history, geography, polity, economy, aptitude, and comprehension.

4. What is the syllabus for the UPSC CSE Main Examination (Mains)?

• The Mains examination consists of nine papers, including General Studies, optional subjects, and an essay. The General Studies papers cover topics like history, geography, Indian society, governance, ethics, and more. The optional subjects can vary, and candidates can choose based on their interests and qualifications.

5. Is there a negative marking scheme in the UPSC CSE Prelims examination?

• Yes, there is a negative marking scheme in the Preliminary Examination. For each incorrect answer in Paper I (General Studies), 1/3rd (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question are deducted. In Paper II (CSAT), 1/3rd (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question are deducted for incorrect answers.

6. How is the final merit list prepared for the UPSC CSE?

• The final merit list is prepared based on the marks obtained in the Main Examination (Paper I to Paper VII) and the Personality Test (Interview). The Preliminary Examination marks are used to determine eligibility but are not counted in the final merit.

7. Can I choose any optional subject for the UPSC CSE Mains examination?

• Yes, you can choose an optional subject based on your interest and qualifications from the list of optional subjects provided by UPSC. Popular options include Geography, History, Public Administration, Sociology, and Political Science, among others.

8. How can I stay updated about UPSC CSE notifications and updates?

• To stay updated, regularly visit the official UPSC website, subscribe to UPSC notification alerts, and follow reputable sources for UPSC-related news and updates.

Remember that the UPSC CSE is a highly competitive examination, and thorough preparation is essential. It’s advisable to create a comprehensive study plan and seek guidance from experienced mentors or coaching institutes to enhance your preparation.