UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2026 & Exam Pattern (Detailed Guide)
Complete UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2026 for GS Paper 1 and CSAT. Check the latest IAS exam pattern, negative marking rules, and download the official syllabus PDF.
Download the official UPSC Prelims Syllabus PDF. Check the detailed syllabus, latest exam pattern, and complete preparation strategy below.
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Download UPSC Exam Pattern & Rules 2026 (Extracted Official PDF)
Download Detailed UPSC Prelims & Mains Syllabus 2026 (Extracted PDF)
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Frequently Asked Questions
No, the CSAT (General Studies Paper II) is strictly qualifying in nature. You only need to score 33% (66 out of 200 marks) to pass. The final merit list and cutoff for appearing in the Mains exam are based entirely on your score in General Studies Paper I.
Yes, there is a negative marking of 1/3rd (0.33%) of the assigned marks for every incorrect answer. This rule applies to both GS Paper I and GS Paper II (CSAT). There is no penalty for unattempted questions.
For the General category, candidates must be between 21 and 32 years of age as of August 1 of the examination year. Age relaxations are provided for reserved categories (up to 35 years for OBC and 37 years for SC/ST).
General category candidates are allowed 6 attempts. OBC candidates get 9 attempts, while SC/ST candidates have unlimited attempts up to their upper age limit.
No. While current affairs are important, the UPSC relies heavily on deep conceptual knowledge of static subjects like Polity, Economy, History, and Environment. A balanced approach integrating static concepts with current developments is essential.