UPSC CSE 2026 · Syllabus & exam pattern
UPSC CSE Syllabus 2026 and Exam Pattern: Subject-wise Topics
UPSC CSE selection: Preliminary (2 hours per paper); Main (written) and Personality Test (See notice), as per the official notice published 4 February 2026.
Subjects, number of questions, marks, duration and negative marking for every stage, as printed in the official notice.
UPSC CSE exam pattern 2026
Stages of selection
- 1Preliminary examination: two objective papers (screening)
- 2Main examination: written papers (two qualifying, seven counted for merit)
- 3Personality test (interview)
Preliminary
2 hours per paper
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Studies Paper-I | See notice | 200 |
| General Studies Paper-II (CSAT, qualifying at 33%) | See notice | 200 |
Negative marking: one-third (0.33) of the marks of a question for each wrong answer.
Main (written) and Personality Test
See notice
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper-A: Indian language (qualifying) | — | 300 |
| Paper-B: English (qualifying) | — | 300 |
| Paper-I: Essay | — | 250 |
| Papers II–V: General Studies I–IV | — | 250 each |
| Papers VI–VII: Optional subject, Papers 1 and 2 | — | 250 each |
| Personality Test | — | 275 |
Written total 1,750 marks; grand total 2,025 marks.
Source: Civil Services Examination, 2026 — Examination Notice No. 05/2026-CSE (published 4 February 2026). Confirm in the official notice before applying.
Syllabus: tests of each stage as printed
The tests of each stage as printed in the official notice (Civil Services Examination, 2026 — Examination Notice No. 05/2026-CSE, 4 February 2026), with their questions and marks. Detailed topic lists are given in the notice itself; always follow the latest notice.
- Preliminary (2 hours per paper): General Studies Paper-I (200 marks); General Studies Paper-II (CSAT, qualifying at 33%) (200 marks). Negative marking: one-third (0.33) of the marks of a question for each wrong answer.
- Main (written) and Personality Test: Paper-A: Indian language (qualifying) (300 marks); Paper-B: English (qualifying) (300 marks); Paper-I: Essay (250 marks); Papers II–V: General Studies I–IV (250 marks each); Papers VI–VII: Optional subject, Papers 1 and 2 (250 marks each); Personality Test (275 marks). Written total 1,750 marks; grand total 2,025 marks.
Preliminary and main examination scheme
The preliminary examination has two compulsory objective papers of 200 marks each, two hours each. General Studies Paper-II (CSAT) is qualifying, with a minimum of 33%. One third (0.33) of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer, and marking more than one answer counts as wrong. Questions are set in Hindi and English.
The main examination has two qualifying papers — Paper-A, an Indian language from the Eighth Schedule chosen by the candidate (300 marks), and Paper-B, English (300 marks) — and seven papers counted for merit: Essay (250), General Studies I to IV (250 each) and two papers of an optional subject (250 each). The written total is 1,750 marks; with the 275-mark personality test, the grand total is 2,025.
Main examination papers counted for merit
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| I | Essay | 250 |
| II | General Studies-I: Indian heritage and culture, history and geography of the world and society | 250 |
| III | General Studies-II: governance, Constitution, polity, social justice and international relations | 250 |
| IV | General Studies-III: technology, economic development, biodiversity, environment, security and disaster management | 250 |
| V | General Studies-IV: ethics, integrity and aptitude | 250 |
| VI–VII | Optional subject, Papers 1 and 2 | 250 each |
| — | Personality test | 275 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the UPSC CSE exam pattern?
Preliminary: General Studies Paper-I, General Studies Paper-II (CSAT, qualifying at 33%) (2 hours per paper). Negative marking: one-third (0.33) of the marks of a question for each wrong answer. Main (written) and Personality Test: Paper-A: Indian language (qualifying), Paper-B: English (qualifying), Paper-I: Essay, Papers II–V: General Studies I–IV, Papers VI–VII: Optional subject, Papers 1 and 2, Personality Test (See notice). Written total 1,750 marks; grand total 2,025 marks.
What is the negative marking in UPSC prelims?
One third (0.33) of the marks of a question for each wrong answer; multiple answers count as wrong.