UPSC CSE syllabus, practice and daily revision.
The syllabus is huge and the facts are many. Turn NCERTs, standard books and newspaper notes into flashcards, and revise a little of everything, every day.
Preparation guides
- UPSC Mains answer writing: a practical guide
Practice UPSC Mains answer writing with a question breakdown, an original worked outline, a 150-word practice space and a self-review checklist.
- How to make current affairs notes for UPSC
Build UPSC current affairs notes around syllabus topics with a reusable issue template, a weekly revision routine and an original worked example.
UPSC at a glance
- Conducted by
- Union Public Service Commission
- Stages
- Preliminary, Main and Personality Test
- Prelims
- Two objective papers of 2 hours and 200 marks each
- CSAT
- Qualifying: you need 33% in GS Paper II
- Negative marking
- One third of the question’s marks in Prelims
- Final merit
- Mains (1,750) + interview (275) = 2,025 marks
| Paper | Type | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Prelims: GS Paper I | 100 objective questions | 200 |
| Prelims: GS Paper II (CSAT) | 80 objective questions, qualifying | 200 |
| Mains: Paper A and B | Indian language and English, qualifying | 300 each |
| Mains: Essay | Written | 250 |
| Mains: GS I to IV | Written | 250 each |
| Mains: Optional I and II | Written | 250 each |
| Personality Test | Interview | 275 |
Prelims is a screening test. Its marks are not added to the final merit.
Your UPSC syllabus map
Use this topic overview to plan revision. Check the official syllabus for complete coverage and current requirements.
Prelims GS
- History of India and the national movement
- Indian and world geography
- Indian polity and governance
- Economic and social development
- Environment, biodiversity and climate change
- General science
- Current events
CSAT
- Comprehension
- Interpersonal and communication skills
- Logical reasoning and analytical ability
- Decision making and problem solving
- General mental ability
- Basic numeracy
- Data interpretation
Mains GS
- GS I: Heritage, culture, history, geography and society
- GS II: Governance, constitution, polity, social justice and international relations
- GS III: Technology, economy, environment, security and disaster management
- GS IV: Ethics, integrity and aptitude
- Essay
Your UPSC study plan
Use the UPSC CSE syllabus as a checklist
Separate Prelims GS, CSAT, Mains GS, Essay and your optional subject. Link each study note to a syllabus heading. This page gives an overview. Use the official notification for the complete syllabus.
Practice with official previous year papers
Download Civil Services papers from the UPSC archive. Attempt a set before you read explanations. Record why each wrong option is wrong and which syllabus topic needs another review.
Revise current affairs with context
For each news item, record the date, source and link to a GS topic. Keep a short factual summary and a question you can answer later. Check changing facts against the source.
Keep CSAT and Mains practice in the plan
Give CSAT comprehension and numeracy their own practice time. For Mains, write an outline with an introduction, evidence and conclusion. Ask AI to explain a gap, then verify the result against your material.
Official UPSC resources
Papyrus is an independent study tool. Use the exam authority for current notices and complete requirements.
UPSC sample questions
Original practice questions, not official exam papers.
Fundamental rights
Which Article of the Constitution of India abolishes untouchability?
- Article 14
- Article 17
- Article 21
- Article 32
Check answer
Right. Article 17 abolishes untouchability and forbids its practice in any form.
National movement
In which year did the Dandi March take place?
- 1920
- 1930
- 1942
- 1919
Check answer
Right. The Dandi March ran from 12 March to 6 April 1930.
Indian geography
The Tropic of Cancer does NOT pass through which of these states?
- Rajasthan
- Gujarat
- Odisha
- Tripura
Check answer
Right. It misses Odisha. It passes through Gujarat, Rajasthan, MP, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura and Mizoram.
How Papyrus helps with UPSC
Flashcards from your own material
Upload NCERTs, standard books, coaching notes or newspaper notes. Papyrus writes flashcards and schedules each one to come back just before you would forget it.
An AI tutor for doubts
Select any line in your notes and ask Papyrus AI to explain it. Answers show the page they came from.
A plan for today
Due cards, goals with hours left and focus blocks sit on one path. Finish it and your streak grows.
UPSC questions students ask
- What are the stages of the UPSC Civil Services Exam?
- Three: the Preliminary exam (objective), the Main exam (written) and the Personality Test (interview).
- Do Prelims marks count in the final result?
- No. Prelims is a screening test. The final merit is based on Mains (1,750 marks) and the interview (275 marks).
- Is CSAT qualifying?
- Yes. GS Paper II (CSAT) is qualifying. You need at least 33% in it, and your Prelims rank is decided by GS Paper I.
- What are the age limit and number of attempts?
- For the general category, 21 to 32 years with six attempts. Age and attempt relaxations apply for reserved categories.
- How does Papyrus help with UPSC preparation?
- Turn NCERTs and newspaper notes into flashcards, revise polity, history, geography and current affairs every day, ask Papyrus AI to explain a topic, and track the GS syllabus.