UPSC Exam Syllabus 2025: Decode Every Stage with ManaSPRINT

Navigating the UPSC Journey

Cracking the UPSC Civil Services Examination is a milestone every IAS aspirant dreams of. With lakhs of candidates appearing annually, what separates success from struggle is clarity especially in understanding the IAS exam syllabus.

A well-structured syllabus is the foundation of efficient preparation. It tells you where to start, what to prioritise, and how to align your time with topics that matter most. At ManaSPRINT, we simplify this complexity and convert the UPSC syllabus into actionable, personalised study plans so you stay focused and strategic.

Understanding the UPSC Exam Structure

The UPSC CSE is conducted in three stages:

1. Preliminary Examination (Objective Type)

Serves as a screening test to shortlist candidates for the Mains. It includes two papers:

  • General Studies Paper I
  • General Studies Paper II (CSAT)

2. Mains Examination (Descriptive Type)

This stage includes nine papers and carries the majority of the weight in your final selection.

3. Personality Test / Interview

This is the final round, assessing your personality, judgment, and suitability for administrative roles.

Understanding the IAS exam syllabus 2025 at each stage is key to preparing with purpose.

IAS Exam Syllabus for Prelims

The subjects for UPSC prelims are divided into two papers:

General Studies Paper I

  • Current events of national and international importance
  • History of India and Indian National Movement
  • Indian and World Geography – Physical, Social, Economic
  • Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Rights Issues
  • Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics
  • Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change
  • General Science

General Studies Paper II (CSAT)

  • Comprehension
  • Interpersonal and communication skills
  • Logical reasoning and analytical ability
  • Decision-making and problem-solving
  • General mental ability
  • Basic numeracy and data interpretation (up to Class X level)

Note: CSAT is qualifying in nature. Candidates must score at least 33%.

UPSC Mains Syllabus

Qualifying Papers

  • Paper A: Indian Language
  • Paper B: English

Papers Counted for Merit

  • Essay Paper
  • General Studies Papers I to IV:
    • GS I: Indian Heritage & Culture, History, Geography of the World & Society
    • GS II: Polity, Governance, Social Justice, International Relations
    • GS III: Economy, Technology, Environment, Security, Disaster Management
    • GS IV: Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude
  • Optional Papers I & II: Based on the candidate’s chosen subject

The compulsory subjects for UPSC across Prelims and Mains build the knowledge base every aspirant must master.

Subjects for UPSC Prelims: At a Glance

To simplify your start, here are the core subjects for UPSC Prelims:

  • History: Ancient, Medieval, Modern, and National Movement
  • Geography: Indian and World Geography , physical and economic
  • Polity: Constitution, Political System, Public Policy
  • Economy: Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics
  • Environment: Climate Change, Biodiversity, Sustainability
  • Science & Tech: Basic Science and recent developments
  • Current Affairs: National and international relevance

At ManaSPRINT, these subjects are broken into flashcards and revision modules ensuring clarity without overwhelm.

Download the Official UPSC Syllabus

You can download the syllabus of UPSC directly from the official UPSC website. It is available in both English and Hindi.

ManaSPRINT also provides a simplified version of the syllabus integrated with its study modules. So instead of juggling multiple documents, you’ll always know what to study and when.

How ManaSPRINT Aligns with the UPSC Syllabus

ManaSPRINT is built by experts who understand that UPSC isn’t just about content it’s about strategy. Here’s how we align our platform with the UPSC syllabus:

  • Smart Flashcards: 14,000+ cards covering the entire UPSC syllabus for Prelims and Mains
  • Topic-Wise Planning: Daily targets aligned to subjects and themes in the official syllabus
  • Daily Current Affairs: Through the ‘Daily Hunt’ feature mapped to GS topics
  • Custom Testing: MCQs, PYQs, and mock tests that reflect UPSC’s exact structure
  • Performance Analytics: Track subject-wise strengths and fill knowledge gaps efficiently

Whether you’re looking for the best online coaching for UPSC or a syllabus-first UPSC app, ManaSPRINT delivers both.

Conclusion: Stay Ahead with Clarity

Success in UPSC starts with knowing your syllabus inside out. It isn’t just about reading more—it’s about reading right.

With ManaSPRINT, you don’t have to second-guess your prep. We’ve built a platform where UPSC study material, smart planning, and syllabus-mapped tools come together—so you can prepare with purpose.

Join ManaSPRINT today and make every study hour count.

Frequently Asked Questions

 The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) officially determines the syllabus and subjects for Prelims and Mains, as outlined in its annual notification.

 The compulsory papers are General Studies Paper I and Paper II (CSAT), both of which every candidate must attempt.

 

You can download it from the UPSC official website, or access a simplified version through ManaSPRINT.

 It’s best to start at least a year in advance. A 10-12 month strategy ensures full syllabus coverage with revision time.

 The syllabus defines boundaries. It helps you avoid irrelevant topics and focus on areas that are guaranteed to be tested.

ManaSPRINT breaks the syllabus into flashcards, topic-based tests, and revision modules—all designed for daily progress and retention.

 Major changes are rare. However, minor updates may occur, especially in dynamic sections like current affairs or science & tech.

Prelims is objective and tests broad awareness, while Mains is descriptive and requires deeper conceptual understanding.

Choose based on your interest, previous knowledge, and availability of study material and guidance.

 Yes, our team continuously monitors official updates and reflects syllabus changes directly in the app for seamless learning.

Join Thousands Achieving UPSC Success

374K+ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reviews on Google Play and App Store

For Android

Android 8.0+

For iOS

iOS 15.6+

Scroll to Top

Start for Free

Study Smarter.

Remember Longer.

All Your UPSC Prep in One App!​

14,000+ Flashcard-Style Q&As

Auto-Scheduled Revision

Static & Custom Tests

Previous Year Papers

Daily Current Affairs

For Android

Android 6.0+

For iOS

iOS 15.5+