UPSC Syllabus 2022 | Pattern for IAS Exam | IAS Eligibility | Prelims 2022
                     UPSC Syllabus and 
Exam Pattern
Civil Services-The toughest 
exam???
Civil Services Examination is one of the most prestigious 
and the toughest examination in India. But do you know, 
why it is regarded as the toughest? 
It is a Marathon Race !!!
Well, UPSC is very smart as it tests you for your 
knowledge, retention power, your emotional intelligence, 
your ethical and moral values, your rational mind and 
above all your patience. And it is due to these reasons, 
that this examination is regarded as a marathon race. 
Any Idea about pattern?
But are you clearly aware of its pattern? If not, just have a 
look at the upcoming slides.
UPSC Syllabus and Exam 
pattern
• Civil Services Examination is conducted by UPSC, New 
Delhi. It consists of 3 stages. 
• The first stage is the Civil Services Preliminary 
Examination (UPSC Prelims). 
• It consists of two papers, of objective type (MCQs). The 
first Prelims paper is GS (General Studies) and the 
second paper is CSAT.
• If we talk about syllabus, then for GS, the syllabus 
includes History, Polity, Economics, Geography, 
Environment, Science & Technology and Current Affairs. 
• While for CSAT, the syllabus includes Maths, Reasoning, 
Comprehension, inter personal skills and decision 
making. 
• CSAT is of qualifying nature. Both comprise of 100 
questions each and  total 400 marks. There is a strict 
provision of negative marking of 0.33 marks. 

1st  Stage: UPSC Prelims
• Please note, that it is compulsory to clear UPSC Prelims 
in order to appear for the next stage i.e UPSC Mains. 
• This stage acts  as a screening test only. The marks 
obtained in  the UPSC Prelims are not counted for 
determining the final order of merit after UPSC Mains.
• Also, the number of candidates to be admitted in UPSC 
Mains are about 12 to 13 times the total number of 
approximate vacancies to be filled in that particular year. 
• For example, in the year 2017, 980 vacancies were there in 
UPSC, so approximately you can estimate the number of 
candidates termed as qualified for UPSC Mains that year. 
There are in total of 6 attempts for General Category 
students. 
• Even if you appear for UPSC Prelims after your graduation, 
and are unable to clear it, still your attempt would be 
counted. 
• You can check other eligibility criteria on official UPSC 
website (upsc.gov.in.). 
2nd  Stage: UPSC Mains
• If we come to second stage, then we can say, it is a tiring 
marathon! UPSC Mains is a descriptive type examination, which 
consists of 8 Papers and total 1750 marks. 
• Paper 1 is termed as GS 1 of 250 marks and comprises of Indian 
Heritage & Culture, History, Geography of India & World, Indian 
Society.
•  Paper 2 is termed as GS 2 of 250 marks and comprises of 
 Polity, Social Justice, Governance, Constitution, International 
Relations. 
• Paper 3 is termed as GS 3 of 250 marks and comprises 
of Science & Technology, Biodiversity, Disaster Management, 
Environment, Economic Development, Internal Security. 

• Paper 4 is termed as GS 4 of 250 marks and 
comprises of Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude. 
• Paper 5 is termed as GS 5 of 250 marks and 
comprises of Essay writing. 
• Paper 6 comprises of Optional paper A & B and 
constitutes of total 500 marks. 
• You can choose your optional subject  by determining your 
strength & grip over that particular subject. 
• A list of Optional subjects include: Agriculture, Animal 
Husbandry & Veterinary, Anthropology, Botany, Zoology, 
Statistics, Psychology, Statistics, Sociology, Public 
Administration , Physics, Philosophy, Medical Science, 
Mathematics, Management, Mechanical Engineering, 
Political Science & International Relations, Law, Geography, 
History, Geology, Electrical Engineering, Economics, 
Commerce & Accountancy, Chemistry and Civil 
Engineering. Choose wisely amongst these subjects. 
• Paper 7 is any one Indian language mentioned in the Indian 
Constitution. This paper is of 300 marks. For example, you 
can choose Hindi as this paper. The last set of paper is Paper 
8, comprising of English and 300 marks. Paper 8 is of 
qualifying nature only. All the papers from 1-7 are used to 
determine merit. 

Last Stage: Interview
• The last stage is the Personality Test in the form of a 
tough Interview. Many candidates loose out in this stage 
only.
•  This stage comprises of 275 marks and requires good 
communication skills, sound knowledge and real attitude. 
• No fake attitude can help you through this stage. 
• Therefore, compiling the marks of Stage -2 and Stage-3, 
the final merit order is determined. 
• The total marks add up to (1750+275= 2025).  The 
question papers, other than Paper-7 & 8, are set in both 
Hindi & English.

Get Help!!!!
• Therefore, this was all about the UPSC pattern and 
syllabus.
 
• You can check the detailed examination syllabus in the 
downloads section of our online academy’s website 
UPSCCONNECT. (www.upscconnect.com)
• UPSC preparation requires a lot of smart hard work. Best 
online coaching platforms for IAS similar to us or even 
offline coaching can guide you through this examination.
All the best!