The UPSC CSE consists of 3 stages and they are Preliminary Exam, Mains Exam, and Personality Test/Interview.


The IAS Preliminary exam (objective / multiple choice questions type) has two papers:

Paper – I (General Studies: duration – 2 hours; Marks – 200)

Paper – II (Civil Services Aptitude Test duration – 2 hours; Marks – 200)

UPSC Civil Services Main Examination Syllabus

Section‐I

The competitive examination comprises two successive stages:

Civil Services (Preliminary) Examinations (ObjectiveType) for the selection of candidates for Main Examination

Civil Services (Main) Examination (Written and Interview) for the selection of candidates for the various services and posts

Section – II

A. Preliminary Examination

The Examination shall comprise two compulsory papers of 200marks each.
B. Main Examination

The written examination will consist of the following papers:
Qualifying Papers:

Paper : A - (One of the Indian Language to be selected by the candidate from the Languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution). 300 Marks

Paper : B English 300 Marks


Paper Subject Name Marks
Paper-1 Essay 250
Paper-2 General Studies–I (Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society) 250
Paper-3 General Studies –II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations) 250
Paper-4 General Studies –III (Technology, Economic Development, Bio‐diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management) 250
Paper-5 General Studies –IV (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude) 250
Paper-6 Optional Subject – Paper 1 250
Paper-7 Optional Subject – Paper 2 250
Sub Total (Written test) 1750
Personality Test 275
Grand Total 2025

For More details Here Attachment of this page



Here I m Suggested Some Good Books for Preparation of this exam :

General Studies Paper I for Civil Services Preliminary Examination (2016) Paperback – 12 Dec 2015
by Majid Husain (Author), D.R. Khullar (Author), N.D. Arora (Author),

UPSC IAS (Pre & Mains) New Updated Exam Syllabus Paperback – 2016
by Editorial Board (Author)

IAS Preliminary 2016 General Studies Paper I & II Topic-Wise Solved Papers (1995-2015) Paperback – 2015
by Shyam Salona (Author)