Understanding what subjects are covered in the UPSC examination is fundamental to planning your preparation strategy. The UPSC syllabus is vast and comprehensive, covering multiple disciplines across Prelims and Mains stages. Unlike conventional examinations that test specific subjects, UPSC requires integrated knowledge across humanities, sciences, current affairs, and ethics.
The subjects in UPSC are designed to test not just factual knowledge but also analytical ability, current awareness, and ethical understanding. This guide provides a complete overview of all subjects covered in UPSC 2026 examination.
Subjects in UPSC Prelims
Paper I - General Studies:
- Current Affairs (National & International)
- History of India (Ancient, Medieval, Modern)
- Indian and World Geography
- Indian Polity and Governance
- Economic and Social Development
- Environmental Ecology and Climate Change
- General Science
Paper II - CSAT:
- Comprehension
- Logical Reasoning
- Analytical Ability
- Decision Making
- Problem Solving
- Basic Numeracy
- Data Interpretation
Subjects in UPSC Mains
General Studies Papers:
GS Paper I:
- Indian Heritage and Culture
- History (Modern Indian & World)
- Geography (Physical, Indian, World)
- Society (Indian Society, Diversity)
GS Paper II:
- Indian Constitution and Polity
- Governance and Administration
- Social Justice and Welfare
- International Relations
GS Paper III:
- Indian Economy
- Agriculture and Food Security
- Science and Technology
- Environment and Biodiversity
- Internal Security
- Disaster Management
GS Paper IV:
- Ethics and Human Interface
- Attitude and Aptitude
- Emotional Intelligence
- Public Service Values
- Probity in Governance
Optional Subject: One subject chosen from 48 available options
Essay: Philosophical, social, economic, or political topics
Subject-wise Weightage
High Weightage Subjects:
- Polity (15-20% of questions)
- Current Affairs (20-25%)
- History (12-15%)
- Geography (10-12%)
- Economy (10-12%)
Medium Weightage: 6. Environment (10-12%) 7. Science & Technology (8-10%) 8. Ethics (Entire Mains paper)
Moderate Weightage: 9. Culture (5-7%) 10. Disaster Management (3-5%) 11. Agriculture (3-5%) 12. Security (5-7%)
Preparation Priority
Must Master:
- Polity
- Current Affairs
- History
- Geography
- Economy
Should Cover Well:
- Environment
- Science & Technology
- Ethics
- International Relations
Basic Understanding Needed:
- Culture
- Disaster Management
- Agriculture
- Security Issues
Optional Subject: High priority after Prelims
Conclusion
UPSC covers approximately 25-30 distinct subject areas across Prelims and Mains. The examination tests integrated knowledge rather than isolated subjects. Focus on building comprehensive understanding, linking subjects with current affairs, and developing analytical perspective.
Use UPSC.AI's subject-wise modules to cover all areas systematically and ensure no topic is left unprepared!