What is the UPSC Prelims exam pattern?

UPSC Prelims has two objective papers held on the same day. General Studies Paper I (100 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours) decides your ranking for Mains qualification. CSAT Paper II (80 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours) is qualifying — you need 33%. Each wrong answer carries one-third negative marking.

Which paper decides the Prelims cutoff?

Only General Studies Paper I counts toward the cutoff, provided you score at least 33% in CSAT Paper II. The GS Paper I score determines who qualifies for the Mains examination.

How much of the syllabus comes from current affairs?

A large share of GS Paper I questions are linked to current affairs from a rolling 12–18 month window before the exam — typically connected back to static syllabus topics in polity, economy, environment, and science.

Is the UPSC Prelims syllabus the same every year?

The notified syllabus has stayed stable for years; what changes is the weight given to each area in a given paper. Studying subject-wise with previous year questions is the most reliable way to see how each syllabus area is actually tested.

UPSC Civil Services Prelims

UPSC Prelims Syllabus

The Prelims stage has two papers: General Studies Paper I, which decides qualification for Mains, and CSAT Paper II, which is qualifying at 33%. Every area below links to chapter-wise MCQ practice with explanations.

General Studies Paper I

100 questions · 200 marks · 2 hours · one-third negative marking

1.Current events of national and international importance

National and international affairs from roughly the last 12–18 months — government schemes, summits, reports, appointments, and India's engagements abroad.

2.History of India and Indian National Movement

Ancient, medieval, and modern Indian history with emphasis on the freedom struggle — movements, leaders, sessions, acts, and art & culture.

3.Indian and World Geography

Physical, social, and economic geography of India and the world — landforms, climate, monsoon, agriculture, resources, and mapping.

4.Indian Polity and Governance

Constitution, political system, Panchayati Raj, public policy, rights issues — articles, amendments, institutions, and landmark judgements.

5.Economic and Social Development

Sustainable development, poverty, inclusion, demographics, social sector initiatives — budgets, surveys, banking, and macro indicators.

6.General issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change

Ecology fundamentals, protected areas, conventions, pollution, and climate negotiations — no subject specialisation required.

7.General Science

Physics, chemistry, and biology at an everyday-application level, plus recent developments in science and technology.

CSAT Paper II

80 questions · 200 marks · 2 hours · qualifying at 33%

Comprehension
Interpersonal skills including communication skills
Logical reasoning and analytical ability
Decision-making and problem-solving
General mental ability
Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude — Class X level)
Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency — Class X level)

Practise the syllabus, subject by subject

Each syllabus area maps to a subject with chapter-wise MCQ sets, previous year questions, and option-by-option explanations.

Frequently asked questions

What is the UPSC Prelims exam pattern?: UPSC Prelims has two objective papers held on the same day. General Studies Paper I (100 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours) decides your ranking for Mains qualification. CSAT Paper II (80 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours) is qualifying — you need 33%. Each wrong answer carries one-third negative marking.
Which paper decides the Prelims cutoff?: Only General Studies Paper I counts toward the cutoff, provided you score at least 33% in CSAT Paper II. The GS Paper I score determines who qualifies for the Mains examination.
How much of the syllabus comes from current affairs?: A large share of GS Paper I questions are linked to current affairs from a rolling 12–18 month window before the exam — typically connected back to static syllabus topics in polity, economy, environment, and science.
Is the UPSC Prelims syllabus the same every year?: The notified syllabus has stayed stable for years; what changes is the weight given to each area in a given paper. Studying subject-wise with previous year questions is the most reliable way to see how each syllabus area is actually tested.

Cover the whole syllabus, one chapter at a time

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