UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2027: Complete GS Paper 1 & CSAT Syllabus (Hindi + English)
UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2027 Overview
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services Examination (CSE) in three stages:
- Preliminary Examination (Prelims)
- Main Examination (Mains)
- Personality Test (Interview)
The UPSC Prelims Exam serves as the screening stage for the Mains Examination.
UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Questions | Duration | Nature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Studies (GS) | 200 | 100 | 2 Hours | Merit Ranking |
| Paper II | CSAT | 200 | 80 | 2 Hours | Qualifying (33%) |
Negative Marking
- One-third (1/3) marks are deducted for each incorrect answer.
- No penalty for unanswered questions.
UPSC Prelims Syllabus: General Studies Paper I
1. Current Events
- Current events of national importance
- International developments
- Government schemes and initiatives
- Important reports and indices
- Science and technology developments
- Environmental issues
2. History of India and Indian National Movement
Ancient History
- Indus Valley Civilization
- Vedic Age
- Buddhism and Jainism
- Mauryan Empire
- Gupta Empire
Medieval History
- Delhi Sultanate
- Mughal Empire
- Bhakti and Sufi Movements
Modern History
- Advent of Europeans
- Revolt of 1857
- Social and Religious Reform Movements
- Indian National Movement
- Constitutional Developments
- Freedom Struggle
3. Indian and World Geography
Physical Geography
- Earth’s structure
- Volcanoes and earthquakes
- Climate and weather
- Oceanography
Indian Geography
- Physiographic divisions
- Rivers and drainage systems
- Agriculture
- Natural resources
World Geography
- Major landforms
- Important locations
- Resources and industries
4. Indian Polity and Governance
- Constitution of India
- Preamble
- Fundamental Rights
- Directive Principles of State Policy
- Fundamental Duties
- Parliament
- President and Vice-President
- Prime Minister and Council of Ministers
- Judiciary
- Federal Structure
- Panchayati Raj
- Constitutional Bodies
- Non-Constitutional Bodies
- Public Policy
- Rights Issues
5. Economic and Social Development
- Indian Economy basics
- National Income
- Inflation
- Fiscal Policy
- Monetary Policy
- Banking System
- Poverty and Unemployment
- Inclusive Growth
- Sustainable Development
- Demographics
- Government Welfare Schemes
- Social Sector Initiatives
6. Environment and Ecology
- Ecosystems
- Biodiversity
- Conservation
- Climate Change
- Environmental Pollution
- International Environmental Conventions
- National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries
- Species Conservation
7. General Science
Physics
- Basic concepts
- Applications in daily life
Chemistry
- Chemical reactions
- Everyday chemistry
Biology
- Human body systems
- Diseases and health
- Biotechnology
Science & Technology
- Space Technology
- Artificial Intelligence
- Nanotechnology
- Recent scientific developments
UPSC CSAT Syllabus (Paper II)
The CSAT Paper is qualifying in nature. Candidates must secure at least 33% marks.
Topics Covered
Comprehension
- Reading comprehension passages
- Analytical understanding
Interpersonal Skills
- Communication skills
Logical Reasoning
- Statements and assumptions
- Cause and effect
- Syllogism
- Coding-decoding
Analytical Ability
- Problem-solving
- Critical thinking
Decision Making and Problem Solving
General Mental Ability
Basic Numeracy (Class X Level)
- Number system
- Percentages
- Profit and loss
- Ratio and proportion
- Time and work
- Average
- Simple and compound interest
Data Interpretation (Class X Level)
- Tables
- Charts
- Graphs
- Data sufficiency
Best Books for UPSC Prelims Preparation
| Subject | Recommended Books |
| History | Spectrum Modern History |
| Polity | M. Laxmikanth |
| Geography | NCERT + GC Leong |
| Economy | Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh |
| Environment | Shankar IAS Environment |
| Science | NCERTs + Current Affairs |
| Current Affairs | PrepUpdate Monthly Current Affairs |
Preparation Tips for UPSC Prelims
- Complete NCERTs first.
- Read one standard book per subject.
- Practice Previous Year Questions (PYQs).
- Solve mock tests regularly.
- Revise multiple times before the exam.
- Focus equally on CSAT preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How many papers are there in UPSC Prelims?
There are two papers: GS Paper I and CSAT (Paper II).
Q2. Is CSAT qualifying in nature?
Yes, candidates need to score a minimum of 33% marks.
Q3. Is there negative marking in UPSC Prelims?
Yes, one-third marks are deducted for each incorrect answer.
Q4. Does UPSC release the official syllabus every year?
The syllabus remains largely unchanged and is mentioned in the official notification.
Q5. Which subjects are most important for UPSC Prelims?
Polity, History, Economy, Environment, Geography, Current Affairs, and CSAT are crucial.
Official UPSC Prelims Syllabus: The syllabus includes Current Events, History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, and General Science for GS Paper I, while CSAT covers comprehension, reasoning, numeracy, and data interpretation.