UPSC Ethics Syllabus 2026 - Check Subject Wise Syllabus & Exam Pattern

Particulars

Topics

IAS Ethics Syllabus

• 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.

• Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; 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.

• Case Studies on above issues.

Papers

Subjects

Marks

Duration

Paper 1

Compulsory Indian language

300

3 hrs

Paper 2

English

300

3 hrs

Paper 3

Essay

250

3 hrs

Paper 4

General Studies 1

250

3 hrs

Paper 5

General Studies 2

250

3 hrs

Paper 6

General Studies 3

250

3 hrs

Paper 7

General Studies 4

250

3 hrs

Paper 8

Optional paper 1

250

3 hrs

Paper 9

Optional paper 2

250

3 hrs