How to Start Preparing for UPSC CSE 2025: A Beginner’s Guide

The journey towards cracking the toughest exam in India can be made easy with proper guidance and support. It requires meticulous planning and devising effective strategies and proper time table which are the stepping stones for crossing the finishing line and achieving the dream of serving the nation. 

About the exams: 

UPSC civil service examinations, is a national exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission for the recruitment of potential officers to various civil service posts such as IAS (Indian Administrative Service), IPS (Indian Police Service), IFS (Indian Foreign Service) etc. 

The exam is conducted in three separate stages: 

1. Prelims examinations- It is the first exam in the three-stage process for the recruitment to civil services. It consists mainly of two papers: paper 1 is General Studies and Paper 2 is CSAT which tests a candidate’s knowledge of mathematical, logical reasoning and English comprehension skills.
2. Mains examinations- The second stage is the MAINS exam that consists of nine papers, four of which will test a student’s aptitude for General Studies, two papers will be qualifying in nature, one paper consists of essay writing and the other two will be optional papers wherein a student will require to choose any subject from the given list. 
3.  Interview- This is the last stage of the IAS civil service exam. It examines a candidate’s overall personality that includes examining his/her decision-making ability, general awareness about current topics and analytical aptitude.  A panel of experts will assess a candidate on the basis of qualities like mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, leadership, balance of judgement and moral and intellectual integrity. 

Detailed Syllabus: 

  Prelims: (Total marks: 400)

1. GS Paper 1 (No. of qs-100, Marks-200): It consists of subjects ranging from History, Geography, Political Science, Indian Polity, Science and technology, Environment and Ecology, Economic and Social Development, International Relations and Current Affairs etc. 
2. CSAT Paper 2 (Civil Service Aptitude Test) (No. of qs. -80, Marks-200): This paper consists of questions based on mathematical, analytical and logical reasoning as well as English comprehension and decision-making. Questions on decision making do not have negative marking. 

Note: The prelims are only qualifying in nature and examines a student’s eligibility for subsequent stages of the exam. 

        1/3rd of total marks will be deducted for every incorrect answer.

        Both papers will be of 2 hours each and will take place in two shifts i.e. Paper 1 (9.30 A.M-12.30 A.M) and Paper 2 (2.30 P.M-4.30 P.M)  

MAINS:(TOTAL MARKS: 1750)

1. Paper A: One compulsory Indian language out of a list of twenty-two languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. 
2. Paper B: English Language (Students will be tested on grammar, comprehension and vocabulary skills)
3. Paper 1: Essay (Students will be asked to write a long essay on multiple topics) 
4. Paper 2: General Studies I- (Indian heritage and culture, History and Geography of the World and Society) 
5. Paper 3: General Studies II- (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, International Studies)
6. Paper 4: General Studies III- (Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Security and Disaster Management)
7. Paper 5: General Studies IV- (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude)
8. Paper 6: Optional Paper I 
9. Paper 7: Optional Paper II 

Note: 

1. a) Apart from paper 1 to 7 which are of 250 marks each, Paper A and Paper B are qualifying in nature. These papers are of 300 marks each. The eligibility of a candidate will be examined for the subsequent exams on the basis of scores obtained by them in these papers.

1. b) A candidate may choose an optional paper from the following list of subjects:            

1. c) A candidate can opt for any one literature paper from the following list. There will be two papers of 250 marks each:

STRUCTURE OF LANGUAGE PAPER A (Marks: 250):

1. Comprehension of given passage 
2. Precise Writing
3. Vocabulary and its usage 
4. Short Essays 
5. Translations of English to Indian languages and vice-versa

STRUCTURE OF LANGUAGE PAPER B (Marks: 250):

English to compulsory language- 20 marks 

Compulsory language to English- 20 marks 

Note: The aim of the paper is to test a student’s ability to read and express oneself in concise, precise and understandable English. 

GENERAL STUDIES I SYLLABUS: 

• Indian culture will cover aspects of architecture, art and literature etc. Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present – significant events, personalities, issues.
• Indian history from ancient, medieval and modern (Freedom Struggle top post-independent history of India) times. 
• History of the world (From 18th century from industrialization, colonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.)  
• 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.
• Globalization and its impact on 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. 

GENERAL STUDIES II SYLLABUS:

• Constitution of India- its structure, provisions, amendments and provisions and basic features.
• Separations of powers among various organs and redressal mechanisms of institutions
• Parliament and State legislatures- structure, functioning and power and privileges. 
• Structure and organization of judiciary and Executive- Ministries and Department of Governments and pressure groups 
• Basic features of People’s Representatives Act 
• Knowledge about various Constitutional bodies, their functions, responsibilities etc. 
• Statutory and quasi-judicial bodies 
• Government policies for development in various sectors 
•  Role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities and various stakeholders etc. 
• Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the State and the Centre: mechanism, institutions and law for the protection of vulnerable sections of society. 
• Issues related to development and management of Social Sector related to Health, Education and Human Resources. 
• Issues concerning hunger and poverty
• Important features of governance, accountability, transparency, e-governance applications, models, limitations etc. 
• Role of civil services in a democracy 
• Diplomatic relations of India with its neighbors 
• Bilateral, global and regional groupings and agreements affecting India’s interests
• Effects of policies and politics of neighboring countries on India’s interests. 
• Important international agencies, institutions, fora. 

GENERAL STUDIES III SYLLABUS:

• Indian Economy and issues related to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment. 
• Government Budgeting and inclusive growth
• Major crops and cropping patterns in various states of the country-Types of irrigation and irrigation system, transport, marketing of agricultural produce in aid of farmers. 
• Issues related to farming subsidies and minimum support price, public Distribution System-objectives, limitations, functioning; issues of food security and buffer stock, economics of animal rearing
• Food processing and related industries- scope and significance, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management
• Land Reforms in India 
• Effects of liberalization of economy, changes in industrial policy, effects of industrial growth.
• Infrastructure: Energy, Roads, Airports, Railways etc. 
• Investment models
• Science and Technology: developments and applications in everyday life
• Various types of disasters and steps to tackle and mitigate the effects through disaster management strategies 
• Role of state and non-state actors in matters of internal security 
• Link between development and spread of extremism 
• Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, knowledge about cyber security, money laundering and its prevention
• Security challenges and border management methods-linkages of organized crime with terrorism 
• Various security agencies, forces and their functions 

GENERAL STUDIES IV SYLLABUS:

• 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 and teachings from great leaders, reformers and administrators, role of family and society in inculcating values.
• Attitude: Content, Structure and function; its influence and its relation with thought and behaviour, moral and political attitude, social influence and persuasion
• Aptitude and foundational values for civil service, integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity and dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion to weaker sections
• Emotional intelligence- concepts, and utilities and application in administration and governance
• Contributions of moral thinker and philosophers of India 
• Public Service values and ethics in public administration; status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; ethical governance and accountability; strengthening moral and ethical 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

UPSC 2024 exam-cracking tips: 

1. Reliance on NCERT books: If you are determined to set the ball rolling for your UPSC journey, then NCERT textbooks provide you with the best guidance and reference to many important subjects ranging from history, geography, Indian polity, economics, science and technology etc. It consolidates your basic foundation for all these subjects and aces your preparation with detailed understanding of all major topics.  
2. Read newspaper daily: Preparation for UPSC exam remains incomplete without a thorough knowledge of all the current affairs, which is a quintessential component of civil service exams.
3. Solving PYQs: Get hold of all previous year questions to familiarize yourself with the pattern of recent civil service exam. It gives a candidate a thorough understanding of what kind of questions one should expect in an exam. 
4. Joining coaching centers: Coaching centers provide much-needed guidance to aspirants as they are well equipped with teachers who have cracked UPSC exams and are fully competent to guide, train and prepare students on their arduous journey towards cracking the civil services. 

Effective and useful strategies: 

1. Time management: The foremost thing that one has to keep in mind while preparing for UPSC exam is managing one’s time effectively. A minimum of eight-ten hours must be devoted daily for preparation and a separate time-table has to be prepared in order to streamline one’s daily routine accordingly. 
2. Self-Study:  The most important strategy that comes in handy for a student is self-study. It is the best way to effectively assess the level of your preparation and makes you aware of the shortcomings in your preparation strategies for the civil service exam. 
3. A positive environment: Try to remain in an environment that is steeped in positivity and optimism which boosts your confidence, fuels your determination and empowers you to go all the way in chasing your civil service dreams. 

Month-wise division of exam preparation strategies:

First phase: (Foundation phase- May to Aug 2025)

• Revisit your NCERT textbooks through our solved PYQs for GS
• Regularly make notes on prelims from our UPSC prelims books.
• Join a foundation course for General Studies
• Stay updated with current affairs

Second Phase (Integration: September to November 2025):

• Choose your optional subject
• Start preparing for UPSC Mains from our UPSC Mains books.
• Complete 50% of your optional paper
• Ensure prelims preparation is complete by the end of the period

Third Phase (Prelims practice+ revision: December 2025 to February 2026)

• Ensure that preparation for the optional paper is over
• Start revising your prelims subjects
• Rigorous practice by solving mock tests
• Revise notes on current affairs

Fourth Phase (MAINS practice+ revision: April to May 2026)

• Rigorous practice of long-answer writing
• Solving mock tests on a regular basis
• Revision of optional subjects
• Revise notes on MAINS paper

The best UPSC books:

The best books for UPSC preparation are now available by Disha Publications at exclusive discounts for helping you sail through the rough waters of UPSC with ease. 

Buy IAS Mains and IAS Prelims  books by Disha Publication and boost your confidence and chances of cracking the civil service exams.

Also, find UPSC book list in Hindi in our website to remove language barrier and streamline your preparation through our best UPSC study material curated and crafted by special subject experts and IAS toppers. 

Conclusion: 

Before setting off for this long and arduous journey towards cracking the UPSC exams, all one needs is unbridled patience, unwavering determination, consistency and a positive mindset in order to take on challenges and setbacks in their way towards achieving the dream of serving the nation. The flawless UPSC study material by Disha Publication helps you in realizing this long-cherished dream. 

Are you ready to conquer the UPSC Civil Services Exam? Dive into our extensive collection of preparatory materials at Disha Publication. From meticulously crafted study guides to extensive solved papers, our resources are tailored to streamline your preparation process and set you on the path to success. Explore our offerings today at Disha Publication's UPSC Section and begin your journey to becoming a future leader.

Read More: #1 Best Books For UPSC: Top 10 Books For UPSC/IAS Exam