Useful Links

UPSC Mains Syllabus

2020

1 | Page
 Useful Links

UPSC Syllabus 2020 - IAS Syllabus For Mains

The knowledge of the latest and comprehensive UPSC IAS Syllabus can increase the likelihood of
success in the exam. The syllabus of the UPSC IAS Main exam is vast in nature.It is administered by
the Union Public Service Commission for the recruitment of officers for the All India
Administrative Civil Service. Complete knowledge of the UPSC (IAS) syllabus is a condition for
clearing the exam. UPSC (IAS) exam syllabus for both prelims and mains exam is comprehensive as well
as extended.This article provides the needed information about the UPSC Mains Exam 2020. The Main
examination of UPSC is constructed to test a candidate's academic expertise and the ability to present
his/her knowledge in a constant manner. The UPSC Mains exam intends to evaluate the overall
intellectual traits and understanding of the concept by the candidates.To understand the IAS Main exam,
one needs to comprehend the IAS Main syllabus. This helps to exclude irrational efforts like reading
needless topics leading to a loss of time and keeps one strictly aligned to the goals of the UPSC from day
one.

UPSC Mains Exam 2020 Syllabus

● This paper evaluates candidates’ academic aptitude in their specialized subjects.

● It also assesses their ability to present knowledge in a clear and understandable manner
and the candidate's overall intellectual traits and understanding of concepts.
● In the main exam, there are 9 papers out of which 7 Papers are mandatory and 2 are
optional papers that candidates have to choose.
● Out of the 7 papers, 2 papers are Language Papers which are. Paper A and B.
● For paper A, an aspirant has to choose one of the Indian Languages that is given in the
8th Schedule of the Constitution. Paper B will have questions from English.
● The marks scored in the language papers are not counted in the formation of the IAS
Merit List as they are qualifying in nature.
● The total time duration given for the IAS Main exam is 3 hours.

Essay

2 | Page
 Useful Links
● Aspirants should write essays on multiple topics. They will
be expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in orderly
fashion, and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.
● The language for the paper is English thus Candidates have no option of answering the
paper in another language
● Total marks awarded for this paper are 250

Optional Paper I and II

● Candidates have to attempt both the papers separately.
● Each Paper holds a weightage of 250 marks.

General Studies Paper 1

● World Geography, Indian Society, Important Geo-physical phenomenaIndian Heritage
and Culture, Indian History, World History
● The candidates have to answer the questions based on Indian Heritage along with the
History and Geography of the World in Paper-II.

● The total weightage of Paper II is 250 marks.

● Topics to be covered given below in detail:
Indian culture, aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern
times, Modern Indian history and major personalities. The Freedom Struggle, important
contributors /contributions from different parts of the country, Post‐ independence
consolidation and reorganization within the country History of the world, industrial
revolution, world wars, re-drawn of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization,
political philosophies, capitalism, socialism, Salient features of Indian Society and
Diversity of India. Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated
issues, poverty, and developmental issues, urbanization, Effects of globalization on
Indian society, Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism, world’s
physical geography,Natural resources, factors responsible for the location of primary,
secondary, and tertiary sector industries, Important Geophysical phenomena,
earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone, geographical features and their
location‐ changes in critical geographical features (including water‐ bodies and ice‐
caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.

General Studies Paper 2

3 | Page
 Useful Links
● International relations, Welfare Schemes, Statutory,
regulatory and quasi-judicial bodies, Role of civil services in a democracy, India’s
relation with neighbour countries, International institutions and Governance, Indian
Constitution, Polity, Social Justice
● The questions hold a total weightage of 250 marks.
● Topics to be covered have been given below in detail:
Indian Constitution historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant
provisions and basic structure, Functions, and responsibilities of the Union and the
States, challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances
up to local levels. Separation of powers, redressed mechanisms and institutions,
Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries, Parliament
and State Legislatures, structure, functioning, the conduct of business, powers, and
privileges. Structure, organization, and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary
Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal
associations and their role in the Polity, Representation of People’s Act. Mechanisms,
laws, institutions, and Bodies constituted for the protection of vulnerable sections. Issues
relating to the development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to
Health, Education, Human Resources. Issues relating to poverty and hunger.Important
aspects of governance, transparency, and accountability, e-governance‐ applications,

models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency &

accountability, and institutional and other measures. Role of civil services in a
Democracy India and its neighborhood relations. Bilateral, regional and global groupings
and agreements involving India, Effect of policies and politics of developed and
developing countries, Indian diaspora. Important International institutions, agencies, and
flora their structure, mandate. Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers,
functions, and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies. Statutory, regulatory, and
various quasi-judicial bodies. Government policies and interventions for development in
various sectors, Development processes, and the development industry the role of
NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, and charities. Appointment to
various Constitutional posts, powers, functions, and responsibilities of various
Constitutional Bodies. Statutory, regulatory, and various quasi-judicial bodies.
Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors, Development
processes and the development industry the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and
associations, donors, charities

General Studies Paper 3

4 | Page
 Useful Links
● Government Budgeting, Land Reforms, Inclusive Growth,
Security and Disaster Management, Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity,
Environment, Indian Economy and its various sectors
● General Studies III carries 250 marks.
● Topics to be covered have been given in detailed version below:
Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth,
development, and employment. Inclusive growth and issues arising from it. Government
Budgeting. Major crops cropping patterns, different types of irrigation and irrigation
systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related
constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers, Issues related to direct and indirect farm
subsidies. Public Distribution System objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping;
issues of buffer stocks, and food security. Technology missions; economics of animal-
rearing. Food processing and related industries in India‐ scope and significance,
location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management. Land
reforms in India. Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy,
and their effects on industrial growth. Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports,
Railways, etc. Investment models. Science and Technology - developments and their
applications and effects in everyday life. Achievements of Indians in science &
technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology. Awareness in

the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, Nano-technology, biotechnology, and

issues relating to intellectual property rights. Conservation, environmental pollution, and
degradation, environmental impact assessment, Disaster, and disaster management.
Linkages between development and spread of extremism. Role of external state and
non‐ state actors in creating challenges to internal security. Challenges to internal
security through communication networks, the role of media and social networking sites
in internal security challenges, basics of cybersecurity; money laundering and its
prevention, Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of
organized crime with terrorism. Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.

General Studies Paper 4

● Emotional Intelligence, Public/Civil service value, Probity in Governance, Ethics and
Human Interface, Attitude and Case studies based on the topics given above
● The questions hold a weightage of 250 marks.
● Topics to be covered have been given in detailed version below:
Issues relating to integrity, probity in public life. Ethics and Human Interface: Essence,
determinants, and consequences of Ethics in human actions; dimensions of ethics;
ethics in private and public relationships.
Human Values, lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and
5 | Page
 Useful Links
administrators; the role of family, society, and educational
institutions in inculcating values. Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and
relation with thought and behavior; moral and political attitudes; social influence, and
persuasion.
Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and non-
partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance, and
compassion towards the weaker‐ sections. Emotional intelligence‐ concepts, and their
utilities and application in administration and governance. Contributions of moral thinkers
and philosophers from India and the world.
Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems;
ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions, laws, rules,
regulations, and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical
governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in
international relations and funding; corporate Governance. Probity in Governance:
Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; Information
sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes
of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of
public funds, challenges of corruption.

Indian Language & English

The aim of the paper is to test the candidates’ ability to read and understand serious
discursive prose, and to express his ideas clearly and correctly, in English and Indian
language concerned. Each Paper will be 300 marks each.

ENGLISH

● Comprehension of given passages

● Precis Writing
● Usage and Vocabulary

INDIAN LANGUAGES

● Short Essays Indian Languages

● Comprehension of given passages
● Precis Writing Usage and Vocabulary
● Short Essays
● Translation from English to the Indian Language and vice-versa.

6 | Page
 Useful Links

LANGUAGE OPTIONS FOR INDIAN LANGUAGE PAPER OF UPSC IAS

MAINS 2020
● Kannada
● Gujarati
● Kashmiri
● Bengali
● Konkani
● Assamese
● Hindi
● Dogri
● Santhali
● Maithili
● Bodo
● Urdu

● Telugu
● Tamil
● Sanskrit
● Sindhi

SUBJECT OPTIONS FOR OPTIONAL PAPERS OF UPSC IAS MAINS

2020

● Agriculture
● Zoology
● Economics
● Philosophy
● Medical Science
● Psychology

7 | Page
 Useful Links
● Physics
● Civil Engineering
● Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science
● History
● Geology
● Commerce and Accountancy
● Chemistry
● Botany
● Anthropology
● Mathematics
● Management
● Law
● Geography
● Electrical Engineering
● Statistics
● Political Science and International Relations
● Sociology
● Public Administration
● Mechanical Engineering

We expect that you got an adequate idea about the syllabus which you will have to keep in mind
while preparing for the UPSC IAS MAINS 2020. We would also advise you to go through the
official notification just so that you can keep all the significant exam details in check. You can
post your doubts in the comments section. Keeping this in mind, candidates should prepare well
and make sure to score well.

You can also start preparing yourself online for all competitive examinations simply by
downloading the Testbook App. Don’t miss out on our limited period offers for our
comprehensive and exclusive content. Click the link now!

8 | Page
Useful Links