UPSC IAS Syllabus 2022 for Prelims and Mains Exam
UPSC IAS Syllabus 2022 - The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has provided the UPSC IAS 2022 syllabus in online mode along with the notification on the official website - upsc.gov.in. Candidates can check the UPSC IAS syllabus 2022 in the official notification.
Direct link to download the UPSC IAD 2022 syllabus pdf - Click here
Latest Updates for UPSC CSE
- 10 May 2022:
UPSC CSE Prelims Admit Card 2022 Released
- 17 Mar 2022:
UPSC IAS Mains 2021 Result declared!
- 03 Mar 2022:
UPSC 2022 IAS exam centre change facility begun (Phase 1)
Stay up-to date with UPSC CSE News

According to the UPSC Syllabus 2022 pdf, there are two papers at the prelims stage of UPSC IAS exam whereas, at the main stage, there are 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.
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UPSC IAS Syllabus 2022 - Overview
Name of exam | |
Conducting body | Union Public Service Commission |
Mode of Exam | Offline (UPSC Paper Pattern for Prelims- MCQ-based) (UPSC Paper Pattern for Mains - Descriptive) (Personality Test - Interview in front of board members) |
Number of Stages |
|
Number of papers in UPSC Exam | Prelims: 2 Mains: 7 |
Time Duration of UPSC CSE exam 2022 | Prelims: 2 hours (Each paper) total 4 hours |
Mains: 3 hours (Each paper) total 27 hours conducted across various days | |
Type of questions | Prelims: Objective type |
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 are 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 |
Paper 1 (GS 1) |
|
Paper 2 (GS 2) - CSAT |
|
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 are seven papers including two optional papers. The details regarding the optional subject chosen by the candidate are mentioned on the UPSC IAS admit card 2022. Check the detailed information regarding UPSC IAS mains syllabus 2022 below.
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UPSC IAS Mains Syllabus 2022
Paper | Important topics |
UPSC IAS Mains Paper 1 syllabus | Essay writing |
UPSC IAS Mains Paper 2 syllabus (GS 1) | Based on Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society.
|
UPSC IAS Mains Paper 3 syllabus (GS 2) | Based on Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations.
|
UPSC IAS Mains Paper 4 syllabus (GS 3) | Based on Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management
|
UPSC IAS Mains Paper 5 syllabus (GS 4) | Based on Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude
|
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
Management | |
Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science | |
Mechanical Engineering | |
Botany | Medical Science |
Philosophy | |
Civil Engineering | Physics |
Commerce & Accountancy | |
Electrical Engineering | |
Statistics | |
Law |
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 the prelims stage is 500 whereas the total marks for the mains stage are 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 |
Language of paper | English |
Hindi | |
Duration of exam | 4 hours (2 hours each) |
Number of questions | General studies paper 1: 100 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 |
Language of paper | English |
Hindi | |
Descriptive paper | |
Duration of exam | 3 hours each |
Subjects | Compulsory Indian language English Essay
|
Number of questions | Part A and B: 300 each 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 Exam | UPSC IAS Ecology and Environment question paper download PDF |
Current Affairs for UPSC Prelims Mock Test (MCQs with Ans. & Expl.) | |
UPSC IAS CSE MCQ on Polity (MCQs with Ans. & Expl.) | |
UPSC Prelims History Questions (MCQs with Ans. & Expl.) | |
UPSC Prelims Economics Questions (MCQs with Ans. & Expl.) | |
UPSC Prelims Geography Questions (MCQs with Ans. & Expl.) | |
UPSC Prelims General Science Questions (MCQs with Ans. & Expl.) |
UPSC IAS Previous years question paper: Solved
UPSC Prelims 2017 Solved Paper 1 | |
UPSC Prelims 2018 Solved Paper 1 | |
UPSC Prelims 2019 Solved Paper 1 | |
UPSC Prelims 2020 Solved Paper 1 |
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 can I choose the books for UPSC IAS 2022?
Answer:
One of the most important considerations when selecting books for UPSC IAS is that they must be based on the most recent syllabus and exam pattern for UPSC IAS 2022.
Question: When will UPSC provide the UPSC IAS syllabus 2022?
Answer:
UPSC has released the latest UPSC IAS syllabus along with the UPSC IAS notification 2022.
Question: Is it important to check the UPSC syllabus?
Answer:
Yes, the UPSC IAS syllabus will help the candidates to understand the important topics and sections.
Question: How many papers are there in the prelims round?
Answer:
As per the UPSC syllabus 2022, there are two papers in the prelims round.
Question: Who will release the UPSC IAS syllabus 2022?
Answer:
The UPSC IAS 2022 syllabus has been released by UPSC.
Question: Is the UPSC IAS syllabus same for prelims and mains round?
Answer:
No, the syllabus of UPSC IAS is different for prelims and mains stage and mentioned above in the article.
Question: Is there any IAS syllabus for the interview round?
Answer:
No, there is no specific UPSC IAS syllabus for the interview round of IAS exam 2022.
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Questions related to UPSC CSE
is vision ias printed notes and class notes sufficient to crack ias exam?
Hello Aspirant
Not at all, no. No institute's resources are adequate.
You must create your own study material from these institute's notes, Toppers' notes, your own regress analysis of the topic from Google, and notes from previous year's questions in order to pass this exam.
No Institute can say that you must only read their notes to pass the UPSC exam because of the way the exam is designed; this is not their fault.
If they are, they are lying, I can tell you.
I want to study degree in your campus is it right for my govt jobs like IAS Or IPS
Hello,
Which college are you enquiring about?
See when it comes to appearing for UPSC, candidates need to pass graduation in any discipline from a recognized university, there is no specific aggregate required in this case, those in the final year too are eligible to apply provisionally, also you have to attain 21 years as on 1st August of the appearing year,
it's your preparation, strategy, and diligence which help in qualifying UPSC, your college really don't play any role, you may find many toppers from previous year who have merely passed their graduation but they have become IAS,
you have to keep few things in mind like do you want to have a back up plan or not, as this is highly competitive exam, and toppers come from various background that of engineering, medical, arts, commerce, science etc, if you're only focusing on qualifying UPSC then having graduation in history, geography, economics, political science, public administration etc helps in the sense there is considerable overlap with the gs and optional syllabus.
after 12th in arts which course do for IAS
- Read more about civil services. Find out about the life of a civil servant or a diplomat. If possible, talk to an IAS officer and get to know about ground realities of the job. If you still want to do it, then
- Take up a graduation course that involves history and polity. These subjects are of immense importance to the UPSC syllabus. If you would acquire a level of mastery in these subjects, you can also opt one of them as your optional subject.
- https://www.upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/Notif-CSP-22-engl-020222F.pdf - please go through this. It will tell you everything you need to know about the exam.
- Also, start reading public administration, economics, etc. You can even study these subjects as your main subject, all depending on your interests and aptitude.
- Don’t lose touch with basic maths that you learned in school. This is needed for the CSAT paper in the IAS Prelims.
- After you graduate, you will be eligible to give exam. Make sure you are ready by then. All the best!
is bsc psychology is apt for ias?
Hey aspirant,
Taking up psychology would be an excellent choice with your given carrier option, psychology degree will immensely help you in your IAS. Becoming an IAS officer is Full of hard work , dedication and discipline and choosing psychology for your graduation really sets as a good base and will definitely help you in your future hope this helps all the Best!
what step should be tajen after 10th become ias
Hi
Here's stepwise explanation how you can become an IAS officer:-
-------------------------) Complete your 10th
-------------------------) Take admission in 11 and then complete 11th and 12th.You can take admission in any stream i. e science,commerce, arts for 11 and 12th.
------------------------) Take admission in graduation in any discipline like BA, Bsc, Btech etc and complete it.
------------------------) To become an IAS officer you need to qualify UPSC civil services examination.
------------------------) After graduation you become eligible for UPSC civil services examination provided you are at least 21 years old.
For your reference,
UPSC eligibility criteria is provided below:-
************* You must have a bachelor's degree in any, discipline from a recognised university .
************* Minimum age limit :- you need to be at least 21 years old to be eligible as on 1st of August of the year of filling the form
************* Maximum age limit :- 32 years , also there's 3 year relaxation on upper age limit for obc and of 5 years for sc/st category as on 1st August of the year of examination
************* Attempt limit:- The maximum of times one can appear in UPSC is given below category wise :-
-
General/ EWS - 6
-
OBC or General PwD - 9
-
SC/ ST - No limit , can appear till upper age limit .
You can check detailed eligibility at :- https://competition.careers360.com/articles/upsc-ias-eligibility-criteria
------------------------) Appear in UPSC civil services examination which consists of three stages listed below :-
************* prelims exam :- it is objective paper and is of qualifying nature , so you just need to at least qualify it to be eligible for mains examination, the score /marks obtained by you in your prelims examination is not added up or used in your final merit. Your prelims exam consist of 2 papers: -
-
-) general studies 1
-
-) general studies II ( csat )
You get 2 hours for each paper
************* Mains exam. :- it is descriptive /written examination . There are a total of 9 papers which are listed below:-
-
-) compulsory indian language.
-
-) english
-
-) essay
-
-) general studies I
-
-) general studies II
-
-) general studies III
-
-) general studies IV
-
-) optional I
-
-) optional II
************* *Interview :- After qualifying mains, you have to go through interview round, and it is more of test of your personality rather than knowledge.
------------------------) If you managed to sail through all the three stages then you can become an IAS officer depending on your rank in UPSC, your category etc
For detailed information check out :-
https://school.careers360.com/articles/how-to-become-an-ias-officer
Thank you