UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAM
UPSC CSE 2026 Exam Pattern & Syllabus
Complete overview of the UPSC Civil Services Examination including Prelims, Mains, Interview and detailed syllabus.
📘 UPSC CSE 2026 Exam Pattern Overview
Preliminary Examination
| Paper | Marks | Questions | Marks / Question | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I - General Studies (2 Hours) |
200 | 100 | 2 | 1/3 (0.66) |
| Paper II - CSAT (2 Hours) |
200 | 80 | 2.5 | 1/3 (0.83) |
Important: CSAT (Paper II) is qualifying in nature. Candidates must score at least 33% (66 marks out of 200) to qualify.
📝 UPSC Mains Examination
| Paper | Marks |
|---|---|
| Indian Language (Qualifying) | 300 |
| English (Qualifying) | 300 |
| Essay | 250 |
| General Studies Paper I | 250 |
| General Studies Paper II | 250 |
| General Studies Paper III | 250 |
| General Studies Paper IV | 250 |
| Optional Subject Paper I & II | 500 |
Duration: Each Mains paper is conducted for 3 Hours.
🎯 Personality Test (Interview)
275 Marks
Candidates who qualify the Mains Examination are invited for the Personality Test to assess leadership qualities, communication skills, analytical ability, and suitability for public service.
📖 GS Paper I Syllabus
- Current Events
- History of India & National Movement
- Indian & World Geography
- Indian Polity & Governance
- Economic & Social Development
- Environment & Climate Change
- General Science
🧠 GS Paper II (CSAT)
- Comprehension
- Communication Skills
- Logical Reasoning
- Analytical Ability
- Decision Making
- General Mental Ability
- Basic Numeracy (Class X)
- Data Interpretation