Stage I: Preliminary Examination (Objective Type)
This stage comprises two papers:
* Paper I: General Studies I This covers topics like:
* Current events of national and international importance.
* History of India and Indian National Movement.
* Indian and World Geography - Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World.
* Indian Polity and Governance - Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
* Economic and Social Development - Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Justice.
* General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change - that do not require subject specialization.
* General Science.
* Paper II: General Studies II (CSAT) This paper is qualifying in nature and tests the candidate's aptitude. It includes:
* Comprehension
* Interpersonal skills including communication skills
* Logical reasoning and analytical ability
* Decision-making and problem-solving
* General mental ability
* Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc. - Class X level)
Stage II: Main Examination (Descriptive Type)
This stage consists of nine papers:
* Paper I to Paper V: General Studies Papers (Descriptive) These cover various aspects of:
* Indian History
* Indian Polity
* Indian Economy
* Indian Geography
* Science and Technology
* International Relations
* Security Issues
* Social Justice issues, etc.
* Paper VI: Essay This tests the candidate's ability to write concise and coherent essays on given topics.
* Paper VII to Paper IX: Optional Subject Papers (Two) Candidates have to choose two optional subjects from a long list offered by the UPSC. This list includes subjects like:
* Literature (various languages)
* History
* Geography
* Political Science
* Sociology
* Public Administration
* Economics
* Mathematics
* Physics
* Chemistry
* Botany
* Zoology
* Anthropology
* Geology
* Agriculture
* Law
* Management
* Medical Science
* Engineering (various branches)
Stage III: Personality Test (Interview)
This is a personal interview conducted by a board to assess the candidate's personality, suitability for the service, and general awareness.
It is crucial to consult the official UPSC notification for the most up-to-date and detailed syllabus before starting preparation. The syllabus can be slightly modified from year to year.