The Commission mentioned the UPSC IAS 2026 prelims syllabus in the official notification. The IAS preliminary exam syllabus can be downloaded from the upsc.gov.in. Candidates preparing for the UPSC IAS exam must check the detailed prelims syllabus. With the help of the UPSC IAS 2026 exam syllabus, candidates can make an effective preparation strategy for the exam.
Applicants can also check important topics and chapters from where the questions will be asked in the UPSC IAS prelims exam. Along with the syllabus, candidates can also check the previous year's UPSC question papers for their preparation. The IAS prelims syllabus pdf comprises topics asked in GS paper 1 and GS paper 2. Applicants can also download the UPSC prelims syllabus in Hindi here.
The UPSC IAS 2026 prelims exam will be conducted in offline mode. For more details about the UPSC IAS prelims syllabus, candidates can check the article given below.
Also read: Information about category-wise career exams
Paper | UPSC syllabus |
General Studies Paper 1 |
|
CSAT Paper 2 |
|
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Union Public Service Commission released the IAS 2026 exam pattern in the official notification. Along with the exam pattern, candidates must also check the UPSC prelims IAS syllabus for their preparations. With the help of the UPSC 2026 prelims syllabus, candidates can make their preparation strategy to score well in the exam. For more details, candidates can check the tale below.
IAS Prelims 2026 Exam Pattern
Paper | Number of questions | Maximum marks | Duration |
GS Paper (Prelims Paper 1) | 100 | 200 | 2 hours |
CSAT Paper (Prelims Paper 2) | 80 | 200 | 2 hours |
Also read: UPSC Mock Tests Series for UPSC
Paper-II of the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination will be a qualifying paper with minimum qualifying marks fixed at 33%.
The questions will be of multiple choice, objective type in both papers
It is compulsory to appear for both UPSC IAS prelims GS papers.
Make UPSC IAS 2026 study plan to cover all the syllabus in time.
Go through the IAS pre exam syllabus thoroughly before starting preparations
Check the IAS prelims exam pattern and the previous year's exam pattern.
Practice previous year's IAS question papers for effective preparations
The study from best books for UPSC IAS 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The IAS selection 2026 process comprises the prelims exam, mains exam and personal interview.
Candidates can download UPSC IAS 2026 admit card through their registration number and date of birth.
The UPSC IAS result 2026 will be released in PDF form having details of all the qualified candidates.
No, candidates are not allowed to challenge UPSC IAS answer key 2026.
There are 9 papers in UPSC out of which 2 papers are qualifying in nature. The IAS 2026 Prelims exam consists of GS 1 and GS 2. The UPSC Mains 2026 paper consists of Paper A – Compulsory Indian Language Paper , Paper B – English Language Paper , Paper I – Essay , Paper II - Paper V – General Studies, Paper VI – Paper VII – Optional Paper II.
On Question asked by student community
Hello
If you want to become an IAS officer, you can choose any group CEC, MPC, or BiPC as IAS does not require a specific subject stream.
However, many students prefer CEC (Commerce, Economics, Civics) or MPC (Maths, Physics, Chemistry) because they help build analytical and general knowledge skills useful for the IAS exam.
CEC helps with subjects like economics and polity, which are important for the IAS syllabus.
MPC develops problem-solving skills and logical thinking, also useful for the exam. BiPC (Biology group) is less common for IAS aspirants, but still possible if you prefer life sciences.
Hello, it’s wonderful to see such clarity at such a young age. Becoming an IAS officer requires consistent preparation, strong general knowledge, and excellent analytical skills. Right now, your main focus should be building a strong base in academics, especially in subjects like History, Geography, and Economics. Start reading NCERT textbooks from class 6 to 12 for these subjects. Make it a habit to read a good newspaper like The Hindu or Indian Express daily to improve your current affairs knowledge. Practice writing short essays on important topics it will help you in the Mains stage later. Participate in debates, quizzes, and discussions to improve your speaking and thinking skills. After 12th, choose a graduation subject that you enjoy but also overlaps with UPSC syllabus. Most importantly, stay consistent and avoid distractions. You have plenty of time to prepare, so start slowly and build steadily.
Wishing you success in your IAS dream, and thank you for sharing.
The choice of your graduation path – integrated BSc BEd (Zoology), BTech CS, or integrated BS-MS at IISER Thiruvananthapuram – to pursue the dream of becoming an IAS officer requires careful consideration.
A Bachelor of Arts degree, particularly in subjects like Political Science, History, or Economics, is often considered the most aligned with the CSE syllabus, covering crucial topics relevant to General Studies papers.
However, a science background, especially with a BTech CS degree, develops analytical and logical reasoning skills beneficial for the CSAT paper and could be advantageous for certain optional subjects like Mathematics or potentially Engineering disciplines.
Even if you choose a science or engineering stream, you can still select humanities-based optional subjects that overlap with the General Studies papers like Anthropology, Sociology, or Public Administration, which many engineers have successfully opted for.The integrated BSc BEd (Zoology) offers a strong foundation in science and a backup career in teaching, but the primary focus of the BEd component may not be directly relevant to the UPSC syllabus. The integrated BS-MS at IISER offers a strong research focus and academic excellence, potentially leading to diverse career paths in science, academia, industry, or even government agencies But still it is not connected with your ias dream.
Among all b.tech is best as many successful candidates from engineering backgrounds, have utilized their analytical skills and knowledge to crack the exam.
Hello
This is the typical schedule of the IAS Exam (UPSC CSE):
Notification Release:
February
Online Application Window:
February to early March
Prelims Exam:
May or June
Mains Exam:
September/October
As for 2025, the registration date is already gone, so you have to see for 2026 now. The registration will open most probably in February 2026 so stay tuned.
To know more about the IAS Exam: UPSC CSE
Hope this answer helps! Thank You!!!
A candidate who has undergone heart surgery can be eligible for the IAS post if they are medically fit and can perform the required duties without any serious health problems The UPSC allows candidates to appear for the exam if they meet the general physical and mental fitness criteria After clearing the main examination and interview all selected candidates must undergo a detailed medical examination by a government medical board If the candidate has recovered well from heart surgery and there are no complications they can be declared fit for service However if the surgery has caused any permanent disability and if it is certified under the benchmark disability rules then the candidate may be eligible for reservation under the persons with disabilities category Final eligibility depends on the report given by the medical board during the selection process
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