The UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Exam serves as the first elimination round in the UPSC Exam, with a success rate of only 5%. The most challenging aspect of the UPSC Exam is the vastness of the UPSC Syllabus. The UPSC Prelims exam consists of 2 papers: General Studies I and General Studies II (CSAT). GS I Paper determines whether or not one qualifies for the cut-off for Prelims, while CSAT is qualifying in nature. Aspirants must score more than 33% or 66 marks in CSAT. Altogether, Prelims are qualifying in nature, and their score does not get added to the final merit score.
However, without qualifying in the Prelims, one cannot reach the Mains. Therefore, aspirants must know the syllabus well to create a well-structured study strategy for UPSC.
The GS I Paper is pivotal as it determines whether or not aspirants progress to the next round, i.e. the Main Exam. The UPSC Prelims 2025 Syllabus is mentioned as below:
The General Studies II Paper or CSAT is qualifying in nature. Aspirants must score at least 33% or 66 marks to qualify in this paper. The CSAT Syllabus for UPSC is mentioned below.
Following is the exam pattern of UPSC CSE Prelims 2025:
The UPSC CSE Prelims is scheduled for 25th May 2025. Both the General Studies Paper I and CSAT are held on the same day and are 2 hours long. Hence, candidates are advised to prepare in such a way that they can solve each paper effectively. It is important to solve mock tests in the same schedule as the Prelims Paper.
Here are a few important UPSC Prelims Highlights that every candidate should know:
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UPSC Prelims Exam 2025: Key Highlights |
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UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern |
General Studies Paper-I |
General Studies Paper-II |
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Number of Questions |
100 |
80 |
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Total Marks |
200 |
200 |
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Type of Paper |
Objective |
Objective |
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Mode |
Offline/Pen-Paper mode |
Offline/Pen-Paper mode |
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Negative Marking |
1/2 of the total marks allotted for that question |
1/2 of the total marks allotted for that question |
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Date of Exam |
25th May 2025 (Shift-1) |
25th May 2025 (Shift-2) |
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Cutoff Marks |
Declared after the exam |
Qualifying paper |
Following is the subject-wise detailed UPSC Prelims 2025 Syllabus.
Below mentioned is the UPSC Prelims Syllabus for the General Studies I Paper. Read on to know the topic-wise breakdown.
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UPSC 2025 Prelims GS-I Syllabus (Topic-Wise) |
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Tip: Check out the subject-wise UPSC 2025 Prelims Syllabus and preparation strategy for each of these subjects in the linked articles!
Read on to know the UPSC Prelims Syllabus for UPSC 2025 Prelims General Studies II Paper (CSAT).
Following is the UPSC Prelims Syllabus for the General Studies II Paper (CSAT). Read further to learn the topic-wise syllabus across sections.
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UPSC CSAT 2025 Detailed Syllabus |
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Basic Numeracy |
L.C.M & H.C.F Rational Numbers & Ordering Square Roots & Cube Roots Set Theory Averages Decimal Fractions Ratio & Proportion Simplification Number System Surds & Indices Divisibility Rules Percentages Remainder Theorem |
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General Mental Ability |
Probability Trains Boats & Streams Time & Work Partnership Simple Interest and Compound Interest Mensuration & Area Time & Distance Profit & Loss Work & Wages Permutation & Combination Pipes & Cisterns Alligation & Mixtures Geometry |
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Reasoning |
Mathematical Puzzles and Patterns Bar Charts Statements and Conclusions Cubes and Dice Deriving Conclusions Syllogism Inserting the Missing Character Eligibility Tests Analytical Reasoning Statement and Assumptions Cause and Effect Calendars Statements and Arguments Table Charts Clocks Situation Reaction Tests Pie Charts Number Ranking Time Sequence Tests Arithmetical Reasoning Punch Lines Alphabet Test Coding-Decoding Blood Relations Seating Arrangement Logical Venn Diagram Direction Sense Test Mathematical Operations Series Classification Analogy |
Getting started with preparation can seem daunting. Hence, here are a few tips to help get you started with UPSC 2025 Prelims Preparation.
This was a detailed overview of the UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2025. Additionally, aspirants must know about the UPSC Exam Pattern. Click here to read the Exam Pattern for UPSC.
Career Launcher offers comprehensive online UPSC CSAT courses to cover all your CSAT preparation needs. Check out the available courses here.
Also read: UPSC Syllabus| UPSC Preparation Strategy | UPSC Prelims Booklist
The UPSC Prelims Syllabus usually remains the same, however the UPSC notifies candidates of any changes in the official UPSC Notification.
A comprehensive booklist for UPSC includes books on each topic. You can find our expert recommended, complete booklist for UPSC Prelims and Main here.
Yes, there is negative marking in the Prelims. For every wrong answer, candidates will lose 1/3rd of the total marks allotted to that question.
Yes. Career Launcher offers Comprehensive CSAT Online Coaching led by Aptitude Mentors with 29+ years of experience that will fully prepare candidates to ace CSAT.
