CSE syllabus by paper
Preliminary examination
Preliminary (objective, screening) · 2 papers
Preliminary examination
Preliminary (objective, screening) · 2 papers
General Studies Paper I
200 marks47 topics
General Studies Paper I
200 marks47 topics
Official syllabus · CSE 2026 notice (05/2026-CSP)
- 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 Sector Initiatives, etc.
- General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change - that do not require subject specialization.
- General Science.
Source: Civil Services Examination 2026: Examination Notice 05/2026-CSP, Section III
Topics on upsc2ias
Art & Culture
Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Modern Indian History
Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present—significant events, personalities, issues.
Freedom Struggle
The Freedom Struggle—its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
Post-Independence India
Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
Women & Social Issues
Role of women and women's organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
Physical Geography
Salient features of world's physical geography.
Resources & Industry
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).
Geophysical Phenomena
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.
Indian Constitution
Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
Federal Structure
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.
Separation of Powers
Separation of powers between various organs, dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
Comparing Constitutions
Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
Parliament and State Legislatures
Parliament and State Legislatures—structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
Executive and Judiciary
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.
Representation of People Act
Salient features of the Representation of People's Act.
Constitutional Bodies
Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
Statutory Bodies
Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
Government Policies
Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Welfare Schemes
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.
Social Sector
Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Poverty and Hunger
Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
Governance and Accountability
Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance—applications, models, successes, limitations and potential; citizens' charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
International Groupings and Agreements
Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests.
International Institutions
Important International institutions, agencies and fora—their structure, mandate.
Indian Economy
Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
Inclusive Growth
Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
Government Budgeting
Government Budgeting.
Major Crops & Irrigation
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.
Farm Subsidies & MSP
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.
Food Processing Industry
Food processing and related industries in India—scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
Land Reforms
Land reforms in India.
Liberalization & Industrial Policy
Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
Infrastructure
Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
Investment Models
Investment models.
Science & Technology
Science and Technology—developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
Achievements in S&T
Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
Information Technology & IPR
Awareness in the fields of Information Technology, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nano-technology, Bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
Environment & Pollution
Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Ancient India
Prehistory, the Indus Valley Civilisation, the Vedic age, Jainism and Buddhism, the Mauryas, Guptas and later kingdoms: administration, society, religion and economy.
Medieval India
The Delhi Sultanate, the Vijayanagara and Bahmani kingdoms, the Mughals and the Marathas; the Bhakti and Sufi movements; administration, society and economy.
Geography of India
Physical features of India: major landforms, climate and the monsoon, soils, rivers and drainage, natural vegetation; social and economic geography of India.
Population & Demographics
Population distribution, density, age-sex composition and growth; rural-urban composition; SC/ST composition, religion, language and literacy; migration, urbanisation and population policy.
Local Self-Government
Panchayati Raj and urban local bodies: the 73rd and 74th Amendments, structure, powers, finances and functioning, and the challenges of devolution.
Fiscal & Monetary Policy
Fiscal policy and the Indian tax system; public expenditure, public debt and deficit financing; money, banking, inflation and monetary policy.
Sustainable Development
Sustainable development: the concept, the SDGs, and the developmental issues it raises.
Ecology, Biodiversity & Climate Change
Ecology and ecosystems; biodiversity, forests and wildlife and their conservation; climate change, global warming and the international treaties and protocols India has committed to.
General Science
Everyday physics, chemistry and biology at the level of a well-educated person: health and disease, the human body, materials, and natural phenomena.
General Studies Paper II (CSAT)
200 marksQualifying6 topics
General Studies Paper II (CSAT)
200 marksQualifying6 topics
Official syllabus · CSE 2026 notice (05/2026-CSP)
- 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);
Note: Paper-II of the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination will be a qualifying paper with minimum qualifying marks fixed at 33%.
Note: The questions will be of multiple choice, objective type.
Note: It is mandatory for the candidate to appear in both the Papers of Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination for the purpose of evaluation. Therefore a candidate will be disqualified in case he/she does not appear in both the papers of Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination.
Source: Civil Services Examination 2026: Examination Notice 05/2026-CSP, Section III
Topics on upsc2ias
Comprehension
Reading comprehension passages and inference.
Logical Reasoning & Analytical Ability
Logical reasoning, analytical ability, decision making and problem solving.
Basic Numeracy
Numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, and basic numeracy up to Class X level.
Data Interpretation
Charts, graphs, tables and data sufficiency up to Class X level.
Interpersonal & Communication Skills
Interpersonal skills including communication skills.
General Mental Ability
General mental ability: series, coding-decoding, directions, blood relations, puzzles and similar reasoning.
Main examination
Main (written) · 9 papers · 1750 marks count for merit
Main examination
Main (written) · 9 papers · 1750 marks count for merit
Paper A: Indian Language (qualifying)
300 marksQualifying
Paper A: Indian Language (qualifying)
300 marksQualifying
Official syllabus · CSE 2026 notice (05/2026-CSP)
The aim of the paper is to test the candidates' ability to read and understand serious discursive prose, and to express ideas clearly and correctly, in English and Indian language concerned. The pattern of questions would be broadly as follows:
Indian Languages
- comprehension of given passages.
- Precis Writing.
- Usage and Vocabulary.
- Short Essays.
- Translation from English to the Indian Language and vice-versa.
Note: The papers on Indian Languages and English will be of Matriculation or equivalent standard and will be of qualifying nature only. The marks obtained in these papers will not be counted for ranking.
Note: The candidates will have to answer the English and Indian Languages papers in English and the respective Indian language (except where translation is involved).
Source: Civil Services Examination 2026: Examination Notice 05/2026-CSP, Section III
Paper B: English (qualifying)
300 marksQualifying
Paper B: English (qualifying)
300 marksQualifying
Official syllabus · CSE 2026 notice (05/2026-CSP)
The aim of the paper is to test the candidates' ability to read and understand serious discursive prose, and to express ideas clearly and correctly, in English and Indian language concerned. The pattern of questions would be broadly as follows:
- Comprehension of given passages.
- Precis Writing.
- Usage and Vocabulary.
- Short Essays.
Note: The papers on Indian Languages and English will be of Matriculation or equivalent standard and will be of qualifying nature only. The marks obtained in these papers will not be counted for ranking.
Note: The candidates will have to answer the English and Indian Languages papers in English and the respective Indian language (except where translation is involved).
Source: Civil Services Examination 2026: Examination Notice 05/2026-CSP, Section III
Paper I: Essay
250 marks10 topics
Paper I: Essay
250 marks10 topics
Official syllabus · CSE 2026 notice (05/2026-CSP)
Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics. They will be expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in orderly fashion, and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.
Source: Civil Services Examination 2026: Examination Notice 05/2026-CSP, Section III
Topics on upsc2ias
Philosophy, Quotes & Values
Abstract and quote-based essays: truth, knowledge, happiness, character, excellence, self and society.
Democracy, Polity & Governance
Democracy, federalism and decentralisation, the judiciary, administration and civil services, citizenship and rights.
Society, Culture & Social Justice
Indian society, culture and values, poverty and social justice, media, cinema and literature, youth.
Economy & Development
Growth versus development, sectors of the economy, employment, agriculture and the farmer, inclusive growth.
Environment & Sustainability
Environment versus development, climate change, conservation, water and natural resources.
Education & Knowledge
Education systems and values in education, learning, skills and the knowledge society.
Women & Gender
Women's empowerment, gender justice and the place of women in society and the economy.
Science & Technology
Science and society, computers, the internet and social media, artificial intelligence and technology's promise and risks.
International Affairs & Security
Globalisation, India in the world, international organisations and bilateral relations, national and internal security.
History & Heritage
Lessons of history, colonialism and the freedom struggle, India's heritage and its relevance today.
Paper II: General Studies I
250 marks13 topics
Paper II: General Studies I
250 marks13 topics
Official syllabus · CSE 2026 notice (05/2026-CSP)
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.
- Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.
- The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
- Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
- 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.
- Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
- Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
- Effects of globalization on Indian society.
- Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
- Salient features of world’s physical geography.
- 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).
- 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.
Source: Civil Services Examination 2026: Examination Notice 05/2026-CSP, Section III
Topics on upsc2ias
Art & Culture
Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Modern Indian History
Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present—significant events, personalities, issues.
Freedom Struggle
The Freedom Struggle—its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
Post-Independence India
Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
World History
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.
Indian Society
Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
Women & Social Issues
Role of women and women's organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
Globalization
Effects of globalization on Indian society.
Social Ideologies
Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
Physical Geography
Salient features of world's physical geography.
Resources & Industry
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).
Geophysical Phenomena
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.
Geography of India
Physical features of India: major landforms, climate and the monsoon, soils, rivers and drainage, natural vegetation; social and economic geography of India.
Paper III: General Studies II
250 marks21 topics
Paper III: General Studies II
250 marks21 topics
Official syllabus · CSE 2026 notice (05/2026-CSP)
General Studies- II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations.
- Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
- 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.
- Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
- Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
- Parliament and State legislatures—structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
- 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.
- Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
- Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
- Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
- Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
- Development processes and the development industry —the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
- 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.
- Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
- Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
- Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
- Role of civil services in a democracy.
- India and its neighborhood- relations.
- Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
- Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
- Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.
Source: Civil Services Examination 2026: Examination Notice 05/2026-CSP, Section III
Topics on upsc2ias
Indian Constitution
Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
Federal Structure
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.
Separation of Powers
Separation of powers between various organs, dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
Comparing Constitutions
Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
Parliament and State Legislatures
Parliament and State Legislatures—structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
Executive and Judiciary
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.
Representation of People Act
Salient features of the Representation of People's Act.
Constitutional Bodies
Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
Statutory Bodies
Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
Government Policies
Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Development Processes and NGOs
Development processes and the development industry—the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
Welfare Schemes
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.
Social Sector
Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Poverty and Hunger
Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
Governance and Accountability
Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance—applications, models, successes, limitations and potential; citizens' charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
Role of Civil Services
Role of civil services in a democracy.
India and Neighbourhood Relations
India and its neighbourhood—relations.
International Groupings and Agreements
Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests.
Foreign Policies and Indian Diaspora
Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests, Indian diaspora.
International Institutions
Important International institutions, agencies and fora—their structure, mandate.
Local Self-Government
Panchayati Raj and urban local bodies: the 73rd and 74th Amendments, structure, powers, finances and functioning, and the challenges of devolution.
Paper IV: General Studies III
250 marks22 topics
Paper IV: General Studies III
250 marks22 topics
Official syllabus · CSE 2026 notice (05/2026-CSP)
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.
- Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
- Government Budgeting.
- 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.
- 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.
- Food processing and related industries in India- scope’ and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
- Land reforms in India.
- Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
- Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
- Investment models.
- Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
- Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
- Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
- Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
- Disaster and disaster management.
- Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
- Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
- 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.
- Security challenges and their management in border areas - linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
- Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.
Source: Civil Services Examination 2026: Examination Notice 05/2026-CSP, Section III
Topics on upsc2ias
Indian Economy
Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
Inclusive Growth
Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
Government Budgeting
Government Budgeting.
Major Crops & Irrigation
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.
Farm Subsidies & MSP
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.
Food Processing Industry
Food processing and related industries in India—scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
Land Reforms
Land reforms in India.
Liberalization & Industrial Policy
Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
Infrastructure
Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
Investment Models
Investment models.
Science & Technology
Science and Technology—developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
Achievements in S&T
Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
Information Technology & IPR
Awareness in the fields of Information Technology, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nano-technology, Bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
Environment & Pollution
Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Disaster Management
Disaster and disaster management.
Development & Extremism
Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
Internal Security Challenges
Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
Cyber Security & Money Laundering
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.
Border Security & Organized Crime
Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
Security Forces and Agencies
Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.
Fiscal & Monetary Policy
Fiscal policy and the Indian tax system; public expenditure, public debt and deficit financing; money, banking, inflation and monetary policy.
Ecology, Biodiversity & Climate Change
Ecology and ecosystems; biodiversity, forests and wildlife and their conservation; climate change, global warming and the international treaties and protocols India has committed to.
Paper V: General Studies IV
250 marks9 topics
Paper V: General Studies IV
250 marks9 topics
Official syllabus · CSE 2026 notice (05/2026-CSP)
General Studies- IV: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude. This paper will include questions to test the candidates’ attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and his problem solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him in dealing with society. Questions may utilise the case study approach to determine these aspects. The following broad areas will be covered:
- 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.
- Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
- 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.
- Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance.
- Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
- 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.
- 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.
- Case Studies on above issues.
Source: Civil Services Examination 2026: Examination Notice 05/2026-CSP, Section III
Topics on upsc2ias
Ethics & Human Interface
Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships.
Human Values
Human Values—lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
Attitude
Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
Civil Service 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.
Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence—concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance.
Moral Thinkers
Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and the world.
Public Service Ethics
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.
Probity in Governance
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.
Case Studies
Case studies on the above issues.
Paper VI: Optional Subject Paper 1
250 marks
Paper VI: Optional Subject Paper 1
250 marks
Topics for this paper haven't been mapped yet.
Practise Optional I questions →Paper VII: Optional Subject Paper 2
250 marks
Paper VII: Optional Subject Paper 2
250 marks
Topics for this paper haven't been mapped yet.
Practise Optional II questions →Interview / Personality Test
275 marks · final merit out of 2025
Interview / Personality Test
275 marks · final merit out of 2025
Official text · CSE 2026 notice (05/2026-CSP)
C. Interview/Personality Test
- The candidate will be interviewed by a Board who will have before them a record of the candidate’s career. The candidate will be asked questions on matters of general interest. The object of the Interview/Personality Test is to assess the personal suitability of the candidate for a career in public service by a Board of competent and unbiased observers. The Interview/Personality Test is intended to judge the mental calibre of a candidate. In broad terms this is really an assessment of not only intellectual qualities but also social traits and interest in current affairs. Some of the qualities to be judged are mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, balance of judgement, variety and depth of interest, ability for social cohesion and leadership, intellectual and moral integrity.
- The technique of the Interview/Personality Test is not that of a strict cross-examination but of a natural, though directed and purposive conversation which is intended to reveal the mental qualities of the candidate.
- The Interview/Personality Test is not intended to be a test either of the specialized or general knowledge of the candidates which has been already tested through their written papers. Candidates are expected to have taken an intelligent interest not only in their special subjects of academic study but also in the events which are happening around them both within and outside their own State or Country as well as in modern currents of thought and in new discoveries which should rouse the curiosity of well-educated youth.
Note: Sub Total (Written test) 1750 Marks; Personality Test 275 Marks; Grand Total 2025 Marks.
Source: Civil Services Examination 2026: Examination Notice 05/2026-CSP, Appendix I, Section II, Part C