CurrentSyllabus
UPSC Civil Services Prelims Syllabus & Exam Pattern
Posted · Last updated
Prelims has two objective papers of 200 marks each; Paper II (CSAT) is qualifying with a 33% pass mark.
At a glance
| Organisation | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
|---|---|
| Status | Current |
| Paper I | 100 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours |
| Paper II (CSAT) | 80 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours, qualifying at 33% |
| Negative marking | 1/3 of the question mark |
Details
Paper I (General Studies) has 100 questions and decides the cut-off. It covers history, geography, polity, economy, environment, science and current events. Paper II (CSAT) has 80 questions and covers comprehension, logical reasoning and basic numeracy; you only need to score 33%.
Each paper is two hours long and wrong answers carry a one-third negative mark. Check the latest notice for any change.
How to use this
- Read NCERTs first, then standard books.
- Solve previous year papers.
- Revise current affairs monthly.
This post is a plain-language summary prepared by Pratiyogita Kosh from public information. We are not the conducting body. Please verify all dates, eligibility and fees on the official website before you apply.