UPSC CSE syllabus tracker and checklist

This free tracker has one row for each of the 82 units in the UPSC CSE syllabus, taken from the exam body's own documents. Download it as Excel, CSV or PDF, or print this page: minutes studied and the date you finish the first pass sit in separate columns.

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Source: Civil Services Examination, 2026, Examination Notice No. 05/2026-CSE, dated 04.02.2026. Checked on 23 October 2026. Next check: when the Union Public Service Commission publishes a new notice, and at least once a quarter.

Syllabus tracker: UPSC CSEaspirantgoal.com

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Subject	Topic path	Stage	Round	Minutes studied	First pass finished on	Note
General Studies Paper-I	Current events of national and international importance
General Studies Paper-I	History of India and Indian National Movement
General Studies Paper-I	Indian and World Geography-Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World
General Studies Paper-I	Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
General Studies Paper-I	Economic and Social Development-Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
General Studies Paper-I	General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change - that do not require subject specialization
General Studies Paper-I	General Science
General Studies Paper-II	Comprehension
General Studies Paper-II	Interpersonal skills including communication skills
General Studies Paper-II	Logical reasoning and analytical ability
General Studies Paper-II	Decision making and problem solving
General Studies Paper-II	General mental ability
General Studies Paper-II	Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc., Class X level)
Paper-A and Paper-B: question pattern	Comprehension of given passages
Paper-A and Paper-B: question pattern	Precis Writing
Paper-A and Paper-B: question pattern	Usage and Vocabulary
Paper-A and Paper-B: question pattern	Short Essays
Paper-A, Indian Languages: question pattern	Comprehension of given passages
Paper-A, Indian Languages: question pattern	Precis Writing
Paper-A, Indian Languages: question pattern	Usage and Vocabulary
Paper-A, Indian Languages: question pattern	Short Essays
Paper-A, Indian Languages: question pattern	Translation from English to the Indian Language and vice-versa
Paper-II: General Studies-I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society	Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times
Paper-II: General Studies-I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society	Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues
Paper-II: General Studies-I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society	The Freedom Struggle: its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country
Paper-II: General Studies-I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society	Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country
Paper-II: General Studies-I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society	History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.: their forms and effect on the society
Paper-II: General Studies-I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society	Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India
Paper-II: General Studies-I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society	Role of women and women's organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies
Paper-II: General Studies-I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society	Effects of globalization on Indian society
Paper-II: General Studies-I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society	Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism
Paper-II: General Studies-I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society	Salient features of world's physical geography
Paper-II: General Studies-I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society	Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India)
Paper-II: General Studies-I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society	Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., geographical features and their location-changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes
Paper-III: General Studies-II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations	Indian Constitution: historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure
Paper-III: General Studies-II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations	Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein
Paper-III: General Studies-II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations	Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions
Paper-III: General Studies-II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations	Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries
Paper-III: General Studies-II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations	Parliament and State legislatures: structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these
Paper-III: General Studies-II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations	Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary: Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity
Paper-III: General Studies-II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations	Salient features of the Representation of People's Act
Paper-III: General Studies-II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations	Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies
Paper-III: General Studies-II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations	Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies
Paper-III: General Studies-II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations	Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation
Paper-III: General Studies-II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations	Development processes and the development industry: the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders
Paper-III: General Studies-II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations	Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections
Paper-III: General Studies-II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations	Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources
Paper-III: General Studies-II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations	Issues relating to poverty and hunger
Paper-III: General Studies-II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations	Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures
Paper-III: General Studies-II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations	Role of civil services in a democracy
Paper-III: General Studies-II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations	India and its neighborhood- relations
Paper-III: General Studies-II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations	Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests
Paper-III: General Studies-II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations	Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests, Indian diaspora
Paper-III: General Studies-II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations	Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate
Paper-IV: General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management	Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment
Paper-IV: General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management	Inclusive growth and issues arising from it
Paper-IV: General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management	Government Budgeting
Paper-IV: General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management	Major crops-cropping patterns in various parts of the country, - different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers
Paper-IV: General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management	Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing
Paper-IV: General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management	Food processing and related industries in India- scope' and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management
Paper-IV: General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management	Land reforms in India
Paper-IV: General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management	Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth
Paper-IV: General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management	Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
Paper-IV: General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management	Investment models
Paper-IV: General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management	Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life
Paper-IV: General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management	Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology
Paper-IV: General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management	Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights
Paper-IV: General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management	Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
Paper-IV: General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management	Disaster and disaster management
Paper-IV: General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management	Linkages between development and spread of extremism
Paper-IV: General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management	Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security
Paper-IV: General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management	Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention
Paper-IV: General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management	Security challenges and their management in border areas - linkages of organized crime with terrorism
Paper-IV: General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management	Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate
Paper-V: General Studies-IV: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude	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; role of family society and educational institutions in inculcating values
Paper-V: General Studies-IV: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude	Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion
Paper-V: General Studies-IV: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude	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
Paper-V: General Studies-IV: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude	Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance
Paper-V: General Studies-IV: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude	Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world
Paper-V: General Studies-IV: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude	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
Paper-V: General Studies-IV: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude	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
Paper-V: General Studies-IV: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude	Case Studies on above issues

What the sheet covers

82 units in 8 subjects, as the exam body lists them:

General Studies Paper-I: 7 units
General Studies Paper-II: 6 units
Paper-A and Paper-B: question pattern: 4 units
Paper-A, Indian Languages: question pattern: 5 units
Paper-II: General Studies-I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society: 12 units
Paper-III: General Studies-II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations: 20 units
Paper-IV: General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management: 20 units
Paper-V: General Studies-IV: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude: 8 units

What this edition covers

This sheet follows the 2026 documents of the Union Public Service Commission. Recruitment to the Services and Posts listed in the notice, among them the Indian Administrative Service, the Indian Foreign Service and the Indian Police Service.

Not announced or unclear in the documents, as of 23 October 2026

The word CSAT: the notice never uses it (searched the whole notice). It calls the second Prelims paper General Studies Paper-II on pp. 25, 26 and 32, and UPSC's own page for this examination lists the question papers as General Studies Paper - I and General Studies Paper - II.

Using the sheet

Add the minutes after each session, leaving out pauses and breaks. Write a date in First pass finished on only when you decide that stage of that unit is done, and add a new row with Round set to 2 for a second pass. On this page you can also tick a unit when you finish its first pass: the date fills in, your ticks stay in this browser, and nothing is sent anywhere. The Excel file adds the totals for you. The full method is in A syllabus tracker that keeps minutes and finished passes apart. Passes after the first have their own sheet: the UPSC CSE revision tracker, with the same units and a column for each revision round.

Where the units come from

The units are copied from the exam body's notice: Civil Services Examination, 2026, Examination Notice No. 05/2026-CSE, dated 04.02.2026. Checked on 23 October 2026. The exam body's current notice is the authority: syllabus units can change, so compare this sheet with it and edit what differs. AspirantGoal is an independent app and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Union Public Service Commission or any exam authority.

The other 10 exams that have a tracker are on the free tools page, and the calculator How many hours will your syllabus take? uses the same units.

Questions about the UPSC CSE tracker

Is there a free UPSC CSE syllabus tracker as a PDF and an Excel file?

Yes. This page has one row for each of the 82 units in 8 subjects, and the same list to download as Excel, CSV and PDF. The tracker is free, needs no sign-up and carries the AspirantGoal mark in every format.

Where are the UPSC CSE units copied from?

From the documents of the Union Public Service Commission, which the UPSC CSE page lists with the page or paragraph for each fact. They were checked on 23 October 2026.

Does the UPSC CSE syllabus change every year?

It can change whenever the Union Public Service Commission publishes a new notice. This sheet was checked on 23 October 2026, so compare it with the current notice and edit any row that differs. The UPSC CSE page says what had and had not been published on that day.

Let the app fill it in.

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