How Many Subject In Upsc (2026 Updated Guide)

Understanding how many subjects are there in UPSC and what they cover is fundamental to planning your preparation strategy. Unlike conventional examinations that test specific subjects, UPSC CSE has a unique structure that combines multiple disciplines across different stages. The examination tests your knowledge across a wide range of subjects, from history and geography to current affairs and ethics.

The number and nature of subjects vary across Prelims, Mains, and the optional subject choice. This comprehensive guide will break down all the subjects you need to prepare for UPSC 2026, helping you understand the scope and plan your preparation effectively.

Overview of Subjects in UPSC CSE

Total Subject Coverage:

UPSC CSE doesn't have traditional 'subjects' but rather broad areas of knowledge:

Prelims (Paper I - General Studies):

• 7 major subject areas
• Integrated approach
• Focus on breadth of knowledge

Prelims (Paper II - CSAT):

• 7 skill-based areas
• Aptitude and reasoning
• Not traditional subjects

Mains (General Studies):

• 4 GS papers covering multiple subjects
• Approximately 15-20 distinct subject areas
• Depth and analytical focus

Mains (Optional Subject):

• 1 subject chosen from 48 options
• 2 papers on the chosen subject
• Specialized knowledge

Total Unique Subject Areas: 25-30

However, there's significant overlap across stages, so effective preparation covers all stages simultaneously.

Subjects in Prelims Paper I

1. Current Events of National and International Importance

Coverage:

• National politics and governance
• International relations and diplomacy
• Economic developments
• Social issues and movements
• Scientific and technological developments
• Environmental issues
• Sports and culture

Weightage: 15-20 questions (30-40 marks)

2. History of India and Indian National Movement

Coverage:

• Ancient Indian History (Indus Valley to Gupta Period)
• Medieval Indian History (Delhi Sultanate to Mughals)
• Modern Indian History (1757-1947)
• Indian National Movement
• Post-Independence India

Weightage: 12-15 questions (24-30 marks)

3. Indian and World Geography

Coverage:

• Physical Geography (landforms, climate, vegetation)
• Indian Geography (physiographic divisions, resources)
• World Geography (continents, oceans, major features)
• Economic Geography (agriculture, industries, trade)
• Environmental Geography

Weightage: 10-12 questions (20-24 marks)

4. Indian Polity and Governance

Coverage:

• Constitution of India
• Political System and Dynamics
• Panchayati Raj and Urban Governance
• Public Policy and Rights Issues
• Governance and Administration
• Constitutional Bodies and Institutions

Weightage: 15-18 questions (30-36 marks)

5. Economic and Social Development

Coverage:

• Indian Economy (sectors, planning, reforms)
• Sustainable Development
• Poverty and Unemployment
• Social Sector Initiatives
• Inclusive Growth
• Government Schemes

Weightage: 10-12 questions (20-24 marks)

6. Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change

Coverage:

• Ecology and Ecosystems
• Biodiversity and Conservation
• Climate Change and Global Warming
• Environmental Pollution
• Environmental Laws and Policies
• Sustainable Development

Weightage: 10-12 questions (20-24 marks)

7. General Science

Coverage:

• Physics (mechanics, optics, electricity)
• Chemistry (organic, inorganic, physical)
• Biology (botany, zoology, human body)
• Scientific Developments and Applications
• Technology and Innovation

Weightage: 10-12 questions (20-24 marks)

Subjects in Mains General Studies

GS Paper I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography

Subjects Covered:

1. Indian Culture (20-25%)

   • Ancient to modern period
   • Art forms, literature, architecture
   • Religious and philosophical traditions

2. Indian History (30-35%)

   • Modern Indian history (18th century onwards)
   • Freedom struggle
   • Post-independence consolidation

3. World History (15-20%)

   • Major events and developments
   • Forms of government
   • Industrialization
   • World wars and colonization

4. Indian Society (15-20%)

   • Diversity and pluralism
   • Social empowerment
   • Communalism, regionalism
   • Women's issues

5. Geography (15-20%)

   • Physical geography
   • Distribution of resources
   • Geographical features
   • Geophysical phenomena

GS Paper II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations

Subjects Covered:

1. Indian Constitution (25-30%)

   • Constitutional provisions
   • Amendments and evolution
   • Comparison with other countries

2. Governance (20-25%)

   • Parliament and State Legislatures
   • Executive and Judiciary
   • Quasi-judicial bodies
   • Federalism

3. Social Justice (20-25%)

   • Government policies
   • Welfare schemes
   • Development processes
   • NGOs and civil society

4. International Relations (20-25%)

   • India's foreign policy
   • Bilateral relations
   • Regional groupings
   • Global institutions

5. Public Administration (10-15%)

   • Transparency and accountability
   • E-governance
   • Citizen charters
   • Role of civil services

GS Paper III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management

Subjects Covered:

1. Indian Economy (30-35%)

   • Economic planning and development
   • Resource mobilization
   • Inclusive growth
   • Budgeting and fiscal policy

2. Agriculture (15-20%)

   • Major crops and cropping patterns
   • Irrigation and agricultural marketing
   • Food processing
   • Land reforms

3. Science and Technology (20-25%)

   • Developments and applications
   • IT, Space, Computers
   • Biotechnology
   • Intellectual property rights

4. Environment (15-20%)

   • Conservation and biodiversity
   • Environmental degradation
   • Climate change
   • Environmental impact assessment

5. Security (10-15%)

   • Internal security challenges
   • Border management
   • Terrorism and extremism
   • Cyber security

6. Disaster Management (5-10%)

   • Types of disasters
   • Mitigation strategies
   • Crisis management

GS Paper IV: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

Subjects Covered:

1. Ethics and Human Interface (20-25%)

   • Essence, determinants
   • Moral and political attitudes

2. Attitude (15-20%)

   • Content, structure, function
   • Influence on thought and behavior

3. Aptitude and Values (20-25%)

   • Foundational values for civil service
   • Integrity, impartiality
   • Tolerance, compassion

4. Emotional Intelligence (10-15%)

   • Concepts and utilities
   • Application in administration

5. Public Service Values (15-20%)

   • Probity in governance
   • Accountability and transparency
   • Ethical issues in governance

6. Case Studies (15-20%)

   • Application of ethics
   • Problem-solving
   • Decision-making

Optional Subjects (48 Options)

You must choose ONE optional subject from 48 available options:

Literature Subjects (22): Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu

Humanities & Social Sciences (14):

1. Anthropology
2. Economics
3. Geography
4. History
5. Law
6. Management
7. Philosophy
8. Political Science and International Relations
9. Psychology
10. Public Administration
11. Sociology
12. Social Work

Science Subjects (9):

1. Agriculture
2. Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science
3. Botany
4. Chemistry
5. Forestry
6. Geology
7. Mathematics
8. Medical Science
9. Physics
10. Statistics
11. Zoology

Engineering Subjects (3):

1. Civil Engineering
2. Electrical Engineering
3. Mechanical Engineering

Each optional subject has its own detailed syllabus covering various aspects of that discipline.

Subject Overlap and Integration

High Overlap Subjects:

1. Polity:

• Prelims GS Paper I
• Mains GS Paper II
• Optional: Political Science, Public Administration

2. Geography:

• Prelims GS Paper I
• Mains GS Paper I
• Optional: Geography

3. History:

• Prelims GS Paper I
• Mains GS Paper I
• Optional: History

4. Economy:

• Prelims GS Paper I
• Mains GS Paper III
• Optional: Economics

5. Environment:

• Prelims GS Paper I
• Mains GS Paper III
• Optional: Geography, Forestry

6. Current Affairs:

• Prelims GS Paper I
• All Mains GS Papers
• Essay Paper

Preparation Strategy:

Due to significant overlap:

• Prepare subjects holistically
• Don't separate Prelims and Mains preparation
• Choose optional that overlaps with GS
• Integrate current affairs with static portions
• Make comprehensive notes usable for all stages

Subject-wise Preparation Priority

High Priority (Must be Strong):

1. Polity - Maximum questions in Prelims and Mains
2. Current Affairs - Relevant across all papers
3. History - Significant weightage in both stages
4. Geography - Important for Prelims and Mains GS I
5. Economy - Growing importance in recent years

Medium Priority (Good Coverage Needed):

6. Environment - Consistent questions
7. Science & Technology - Moderate weightage
8. Ethics - Entire Mains paper dedicated
9. International Relations - Part of GS II
10. Security - Part of GS III

Moderate Priority (Basic Understanding):

11. Culture - Specific questions
12. Disaster Management - Limited questions
13. Agriculture - Specific to GS III
14. Social Issues - Integrated with other subjects

Optional Subject:

• High priority after Prelims
• Dedicated preparation required
• Can significantly boost Mains score

Conclusion

UPSC CSE covers approximately 25-30 distinct subject areas across Prelims and Mains, though there's significant overlap. The examination doesn't test subjects in isolation but requires integrated understanding and ability to connect different areas of knowledge.

The key to success is not treating each subject separately but understanding the interconnections. For example, environmental issues connect with geography, economy, science, and international relations. Similarly, governance connects with polity, ethics, and current affairs.

Focus on building a comprehensive understanding rather than compartmentalized knowledge. Choose your optional subject wisely to maximize overlap with General Studies. Integrate current affairs with static portions across all subjects. Remember, UPSC tests your ability to think holistically and apply knowledge to real-world situations.

Use UPSC.AI's subject-wise preparation modules to cover all areas systematically. Our AI-powered platform helps you identify connections between subjects, prioritize based on weightage, and build integrated knowledge essential for UPSC success. Approach your preparation with a holistic mindset, and you'll find the vast syllabus more manageable and interconnected.