UPSC IAS Syllabus 2022 for Prelims and Mains Exam

Updated on Nov 24, 2021 - 6 p.m. IST by Ujjwal Kirti #UPSC Civil Services Exam

UPSC IAS Syllabus 2022 - The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will provide the UPSC IAS
2022 syllabus in online mode on the official website - upsc.gov.in. Candidates can check the UPSC IAS
syllabus in the official notification PDF of UPSC IAS 2022. According to the UPSC IAS syllabus, there
will be two papers at the prelims stage of UPSC IAS exam whereas at the main stage, there will be
seven papers including the optional subject. Candidates need to choose their optional subject while
filling the detailed UPSC IAS application form 2022. Along with the UPSC IAS syllabus, it is important
to go through the exam pattern of IAS for better understanding. To know more read the full UPSC IAS
syllabus below.

UPSC IAS Syllabus 2022 - Overview

Name of exam Civil Services Exam (UPSC CSE)

Conducting body Union Public Service Commission

Offline
(UPSC Paper Pattern for Prelims- MCQ-based)
Mode of Exam (UPSC Paper Pattern for Mains - Descriptive)
(Personality Test - Interview in front of board
members)

• Prelims exam
Number of Stages • Mains exam
• Interview

Prelims: 2
Number of papers in UPSC Exam
Mains: 7

Prelims: 2 hours (Each paper) total 4 hours

Time Duration of UPSC CSE exam 2022

Mains: 3 hours (Each paper) total 27 hours
conducted across various days

Prelims: Objective type

Type of questions
 Mains: Subjective type

UPSC IAS Syllabus 2022 - Prelims

Before starting the preparation, it is important to go through the UPSC IAS syllabus 2022. This will
help you to know your weaker and stronger sections. According to the UPSC IAS prelims syllabus
2022, there will be two papers with 200 marks each. The important topics for prelims stage, as per
the UPSC IAS syllabus are mentioned in the table given below.

UPSC IAS prelims syllabus 2022

Paper Important topics

• Current events related to national and

international importance.
• General issues on Biodiversity and Climate
Change, Environmental ecology specially
climate change, solar inventions, green
energy etc
• Economic and Social Development specially
Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion,
Government schemes, Demographics, Social
Sector Initiatives, etc.
Paper 1 (GS 1)
• General Science.
• Indian and World Geography -
Social,Physical, Economic Geography of India
and the World.
• Indian Polity and Governance - Political
System, Constitution, Lok Sabha, Rajya
Sabha, Vidhan Sabha, Governor and
President powers, Panchayati Raj, Public
Policy, Fundamental Rights Issues, Directive
policy of state principals
 • Interpersonal skills including communication
skills
• Comprehension
• Logical reasoning and analytical ability
• Basic numeracy (orders of magnitude,
Paper 2 (GS 2) - CSAT numbers and their relations, etc.) (Class 10th
level)
• Decision making and problem-solving
• Questions on General mental ability
• Data interpretation (graphs, charts, data
sufficiency, tables etc. — Class 10th level

UPSC IAS Syllabus 2022 - Mains

Candidates who will qualify in UPSC IAS prelims exam 2022 are eligible to appear for the mains exam
of UPSC IAS 2022. According to the UPSC IAS main syllabus, there will be seven papers including two
optional papers. The details regarding the optional subject chosen by the candidate will be
mentioned on the UPSC IAS admit card 2022. Check the detailed information regarding UPSC IAS
mains syllabus 2022 below.

UPSC IAS Mains Syllabus 2022

Paper Important topics

UPSC IAS Mains Paper 1 syllabus Essay writing

 Based on Indian Heritage and Culture, History
and Geography of the World and Society.

• Indian culture will cover the salient aspects

of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture
from ancient to modern times.
• Role of women and women’s organization,
population and associated issues, poverty
and developmental issues, urbanization, the
problems caused by it and the remedies.
• Effects of globalization on Indian society.
• Modern Indian history from the middle of
the eighteenth century till present- famous
personalities, significant events and issues.
• Salient features of Indian Society and
Diversity of India.
• The Freedom Struggle — various stages and
important contributions from famous
personalities from all parts of the country.
• History of the world including events from
the 18th century - industrial revolution,
redrawal of national boundaries, world wars,
colonization, decolonization, capitalism,
UPSC IAS Mains Paper 2 syllabus (GS 1)
political philosophies like communism,
socialism etc.— their forms and effect on
society.
• Post-independence consolidation and
reorganization within the country.
• Social empowerment, communalism,
regionalism & secularism.
• Salient features of the world's physical
geography.
• Distribution of key natural resources across
the world (including
• Important Geophysical phenomena such as
earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity,
cyclone etc., geographical features and their
location-changes in critical geographical
 Based on Governance, Constitution, Polity,
Social Justice and International
Relations.

• The Indian Constitution— historical

underpinnings, evolution of the constitution,
features of the constitution, amendments,
significant provisions and basic structure of
the constitution of India.
• Functions and responsibilities of Union and
States, issues and challenges pertaining to
the federal structure, devolution of powers
and finances up to local levels and
challenges.
• Separation of powers between various
organs disputes redressal mechanisms and
institutions.
• Salient features of Representation of
People's Act.
• Development processes and development
industry — the role of SHGs, NGOs, various
groups and associations, charities, donors,
institutional and stakeholders etc.
• Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of
population by Centre and States and
performance of these schemes;
mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies
constituted for protection and betterment of
vulnerable sections.
• Issues relating to development and
management of Social Sector/Services
relating to Health, Education, Human
Resources.
• Appointment to various Constitutional posts,
powers, functions and responsibilities of
UPSC IAS Mains Paper 3 syllabus (GS 2)
various Constitutional Bodies.
• Comparison of the Indian constitutional
scheme with that of other countries.
 Based on Technology, Economic Development,
Biodiversity, Environment,
Security and Disaster Management

• Indian Economy and issues relating to

mobilization of resources, planning, growth,
development and employment.
• Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
• Government Budgeting.
• Issues related to direct and indirect farm
subsidies and minimum support prices;
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.
• Major crops-cropping patterns in various
parts of the country, - transport and
marketing of agricultural produce and issues,
different types of irrigation and irrigation
systems storage and related constraints; e-
technology in the aid of farmers.
• Effects of liberalization on the economy,
changes in industrial policy and their effects
on industrial growth.
• Land reforms in India.
• Science and technology- developments and
UPSC IAS Mains Paper 4 syllabus (GS 3)
their applications and effects in everyday life.
• Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports,
Railways etc.
• Investment models.
• Achievements of Indians in science &
technology; indigenization of technology and
developing new technology.
• Awareness in the fields of IT, Space,
 Based on Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

• 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
administrators; the role of family society and
educational institutions in inculcating values.
• 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.
• Attitude: content, structure, function; its
influence and relation with thought and
behaviour; moral and political attitudes;
social influence and persuasion.
• Government strives to have a workforce
which reflects gender balance and women
candidates are encouraged to apply.
Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their
UPSC IAS Mains Paper 5 syllabus (GS 4)
utilities and application in administration and
governance.
• 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.
• Contributions of moral thinkers and
philosophers from India and the world.
• Probity in Governance: Concept of public
 UPSC IAS Paper 6 - Optional UPSC IAS Paper 7 - Optional

UPSC IAS Optional Subject 2022

For UPSC IAS mains exam candidates need to choose their optional subject. Check the list of UPSC
IAS optional subjects mentioned below.

UPSC IAS Optional Subject choice for Paper 6 and 7

Agriculture Management

Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Mathematics

Anthropology Mechanical Engineering

Botany Medical Science

Chemistry Philosophy

Civil Engineering Physics

Commerce & Accountancy Political Science & International Relations

Economics Psychology

Electrical Engineering Public Administration

Geography Sociology

Geology Statistics

History Zoology

Law Ethics

UPSC IAS Exam Pattern 2022 - Prelims & Mains Exam

Along with the syllabus, the exam pattern of UPSC IAS is different for the prelims and main stage. As
per the exam pattern, the full marks of prelims stage will be 500 whereas the total marks for mains
stage will be 600. Candidates can check the details about the UPSC IAS exam pattern in the table
below.
UPSC IAS Prelims Exam Pattern 2022

Number of papers GS 1 AND GS 2

English
Language of paper
Hindi

Duration of exam 4 hours (2 hours each)

General studies paper 1: 100

Number of questions
General studies paper 2: 80

Maximum marks 400 (200 each)

Qualifying marks 33% for Paper 2

UPSC IAS Mains Exam Pattern 2022

Number of papers 9

English

Language of paper Hindi

Descriptive paper

Duration of exam 3 hours each

Compulsory Indian language

English
Essay
• General Studies I
Subjects • General Studies II
• General Studies III
• General Studies IV
• Optional I
• Optional II

Part A and B: 300 each

Number of questions
General studies and optional paper: 250 each

Maximum marks 1750

UPSC IAS Question Paper 2022

While preparing for UPSC exams which is one of the toughest exams, aspirants need to make sure
that their preparation needs to be in the right direction. To provide an aid to the students, UPSC
provides the question paper of UPSC IAS 2022. It is important to solve the question paper to
understand every bit of the syllabus and exam pattern. Analyzing the preparation level can be done
with the help of a question paper of UPSC IAS 2022.

UPSC IAS subject wise question paper links

Subject UPSC IAS question paper download link

Ecology & Environment - UPSC-CSE/IAS Prelims UPSC IAS Ecology and Environment question paper

Exam download PDF

Current Affairs for UPSC Prelims Mock Test UPSC IAS current affairs question paper download

(MCQs with Ans. & Expl.) PDF

UPSC IAS CSE MCQ on Polity (MCQs with Ans. &

UPSC IAS Polity question paper download PDF
Expl.)

UPSC Prelims History Questions (MCQs with

UPSC IAS history question paper download PDF
Ans. & Expl.)

UPSC Prelims Economics Questions (MCQs with

UPSC IAS economics question paper download PDF
Ans. & Expl.)

UPSC Prelims Geography Questions (MCQs

UPSC IAS geography question paper download PDF
with Ans. & Expl.)

UPSC Prelims General Science Questions UPSC IAS general science question paper download

(MCQs with Ans. & Expl.) PDF

UPSC IAS Previous years question paper: Solved

UPSC Prelims 2017 Solved Paper 1 UPSC IAS 2017 Question Paper - Solved

UPSC Prelims 2018 Solved Paper 1 UPSC IAS 2018 Question Paper - Solved

UPSC Prelims 2019 Solved Paper 1 UPSC IAS 2019 Question Paper - Solved

UPSC Prelims 2020 Solved Paper 1 UPSC IAS 2020 Question Paper - Solved
How to prepare for UPSC IAS 2022

• Choose the best books that need to be based on the new UPSC IAS syllabus and exam pattern
before beginning UPSC IAS 2022 preparation.

• It is very vital to prepare for the UPSC IAS in a topical way. Check your subject and prepare as per
your time management

• To improve your understanding and accuracy in answering a question in UPSC IAS, solve UPSC IAS
question papers as much as possible.

• Keep yourself hydrated from time to time and regularly exercise. It is very crucial during tests to
keep a healthy lifestyle.

• Appear in the UPSC mock tests.

• Manage time as per your weaker and stronger areas in the UPSC IAS syllabus.

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Frequently Asked Question (FAQs) - UPSC IAS Syllabus 2022 for Prelims and
Mains Exam

Question: How difficult is the IAS exam?

Answer:

Now doubt the exam is tough, but if aspirants prepare in a better way, by studying daily and
consistently they can qualify it.
Question: From where can I check the syllabus of UPSC IAS 2021?

Answer:

You can check the detailed IAS syllabus from this article as well as from the official UPSC notification.

Question: How many papers are there in the UPSC IAS exam in total?

Answer:

There are a total of 11 papers in the exam - the prelims has 2 papers and the mains has 9 papers. In
total there are 11 papers in the UPSC IAS exam.

Question: How many stages are there in the UPSC IAS exam?

Answer:

The IAS exam has 3 stages - Preliminary, Mains and Personality Test/Interview.

Question: Is there negative marking in the UPSC IAS exam?

Answer:

Yes, the preliminary stage which is objective in nature and has negative marking. One fourth of the
total marks allotted to the question are deducted for wrong answers.

Question: What other exams are conducted by the UPSC?

Answer:

UPSC is India's premier exam conducting authority and conducts a lot of exams like - Civil Services
Exam, NDA, CDS, CMS, IES/ISS etc.

Question: What are the 9 papers in UPSC IAS Mains exam?

Answer:

The 9 papers in UPSC mains are the descriptive paper our of which 6 are General Science papers, 2
are Optional Papers and 1 is a Language paper.
Question: What is the salary of an IAS officer?

Answer:

The starting in-hand salary of UPSC IAS is Rs. 56100.

Question: Which degree is best for IAS?

Answer:

The minimum education qualification to apply for IAS is Bachelor's degree, there is no best or worst
degree, candidates who have a Bachelor's in Technology can also qualify while those who have
Bachelors in Arts can also qualify.