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UPSC Prelims Micro-Topic Syllabus 2026: Complete Subject-Wise Topic Breakdown

Last updated: 2026-10-03
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By Jagnya Prakash

Exhaustive micro-listing syllabus for UPSC CSE Prelims covering History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Science & Tech, and Environment.

UPSC Prelims Micro-Topic Detailed Syllabus Breakdown

This comprehensive micro-topic syllabus breaks down the entire UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination (General Studies Paper-I) into granular study checklists.

1. History of India & Indian National Movement

A. Ancient Indian History

  • Prehistory: Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic, Chalcolithic & Early Iron Age sites; Geographical distribution and tool cultures.
  • Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC): Evolution phases, major urban sites (Harappa, Mohenjodaro, Dholavira, Lothal, Kalibangan, Rakhigarhi), town planning, drainage, seals, terracotta, trade networks with Mesopotamia, and theories of decline.
  • Early Vedic Period: Rigvedic geography (Sapta Sindhu), pastoral economy, tribal assemblies (Sabha, Samiti, Vidatha), social setup, and Rigvedic deities.
  • Later Vedic Period: Iron age expansion, Painted Grey Ware (PGW), monarchical consolidation (Ashvamedha, Rajasuya), 4-fold Varna and Gotra systems, and Upanishadic philosophy.
  • South India & Sangam Age: Sangam literature (Tolkappiyam, Silappadikaram), Chola, Chera, Pandya dynasties, five eco-zones (Thinai), Roman trade, and Arikamedu excavations.
  • Jainism & Buddhism: Social context of advent; Life of Mahavira, Tirthankaras, Doctrines (Anekantavada, Syadvada, Triratna), Sects (Digambara, Svetambara), and Jain Councils; Life and teachings of Gautama Buddha (Four Noble Truths, Eight-Fold Path, Bodhisattvas), Buddhist Sangha, Councils, Tripitakas, and Sects (Hinayana, Mahayana, Vajrayana).
  • Mahajanapadas & Magadhan Ascendancy: 16 Mahajanapadas, Haryanka, Shishunaga, and Nanda dynasties; Persian and Macedonian (Alexander) invasions; Second Urbanization.
  • Mauryan Empire: Sources (Arthashastra, Indica, Inscriptions), Chandragupta, Bindusara, Ashoka’s Dhamma, major/minor rock and pillar edicts, centralized administration, and Saptanga theory.
  • Post-Mauryan Period: Shungas, Kanvas, Chedis (Kharavela), Satavahanas (Gautamiputra Satakarni); Foreign kingdoms: Indo-Greeks (Menander), Sakas (Rudradaman), Kushans (Kanishka).
  • Gupta Age (Golden Age): Administration, agrarian land grants, gold dinars, art and literature (Kalidasa, Aryabhata, Varahamihira), Fa-Hien’s travelogue, and Huna invasions.
  • Harshavardhana & Southern Dynasties: Harsha's empire and Kanauj assembly; Pallavas of Kanchi (Rock-cut shrines); Chalukyas of Badami (Pulakesin II, Aihole Inscription).

B. Medieval Indian History

  • Early Medieval Period (750-1200 AD): Tripartite struggle (Palas, Pratiharas, Rashtrakutas); Imperial Cholas (Maritime navy, local self-government, Uttiramerur inscription); Feudal polity.
  • Islamic Invasions: Muhammad bin Qasim (712 AD), Mahmud of Ghazni, Muhammad Ghori (Battles of Tarain 1191, 1192).
  • Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526 AD): Slave Dynasty (Iltutmish, Balban), Khilji Dynasty (Alauddin's price control and market reforms), Tughlaq Dynasty (Muhammad bin Tughlaq's experiments, Firuz Shah's canals), Sayyid and Lodhi Dynasties.
  • Mughal Empire & Sur Dynasty: Babur (Panipat, Khanwa), Humayun; Sher Shah Suri (Administrative reforms, Rupiya, Grand Trunk Road); Akbar (Mansabdari, Dahsala, Sulh-i-Kul, Navaratnas); Jahangir, Shah Jahan (Architecture peak), Aurangzeb (Deccan wars, religious policy), and Later Mughals.
  • Maratha Empire & Vijayanagar: Shivaji's administration (Ashtapradhan, Chauth, Sardeshmukhi) and the Peshwas; Vijayanagar Empire (Krishnadevaraya, Nayankara system, foreign accounts) and Bahmani Sultanates.
  • Bhakti & Sufi Movements: Alvars & Nayanars; Philosophers: Shankara (Advaita), Ramanuja (Vishishtadvaita), Madhva; Bhakti saints: Kabir, Guru Nanak, Mirabai, Chaitanya, Tulsidas, Tukaram; Sufi silsilas (Chishti, Suhrawardi, Naqshbandi).

C. Modern Indian History & National Movement

  • European Advent & Expansion: Portuguese (Almeida, Albuquerque), Dutch, French, and British; Anglo-French Carnatic Wars; British conquest of Bengal (Plassey 1757, Buxar 1764, Dual Government); Anglo-Mysore, Anglo-Maratha, and Anglo-Sikh Wars; Subsidiary Alliance and Doctrine of Lapse.
  • Colonial Economy: Land revenue systems (Permanent Settlement, Ryotwari, Mahalwari), De-industrialization, Commercialization of agriculture, Famines, and Drain of Wealth Theory (Dadabhai Naoroji).
  • Revolt of 1857: Causes, major centres, leaders (Rani Lakshmibai, Kunwar Singh, Nana Saheb), British suppression, and the Government of India Act 1858.
  • Administrative & Social Policies: Civil services evolution (Aitchison, Lee Commissions), Police reforms, Local self-government (Ripon's 1882 resolution), Educational milestones (Wood's Despatch 1854, Hunter, Saddler, Wardha Scheme), and Press laws.
  • Socio-Religious Reform Movements: Brahmo Samaj, Arya Samaj, Ramakrishna Mission, Satyashodhak Samaj, Aligarh Movement, Non-Brahmin and Dalit movements, and Women's emancipation laws.
  • Peasant & Tribal Revolts: Santhal, Munda Ulgulan, Kol, Rampa, Indigo Revolt, Deccan Riots, Bardoli, Tebhaga, and Telangana movements.
  • National Movement (1885-1947): Foundation of INC, Moderates vs Extremists, Partition of Bengal (1905), Swadeshi Movement, Surat Split (1907), Morley-Minto Reforms (1909), Home Rule Movement (1916), Gandhian era (Champaran, Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience, Quit India Movement), Revolutionary nationalism, INA, and Transfer of Power (Cabinet Mission, Mountbatten Plan, 1947 Act).

D. Art & Culture

  • Architecture: Nagara, Dravida, and Vesara temple styles; Rock-cut architecture (Ajanta, Ellora, Elephanta); Indo-Islamic architecture (Imperial, Mughal); Colonial architecture.
  • Sculpture & Paintings: Gandhara, Mathura, and Amaravati schools; Prehistoric rock art (Bhimbetka); Murals and Miniatures (Mughal, Rajasthani, Pahari).
  • Performing Arts: 8 Classical Dance forms (Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam, Sattriya); Hindustani vs Carnatic music; Folk theatres, Puppetry, Martial arts.
  • Literature & Heritage: Classical Languages criteria, Sanskrit & Sangam literature, UNESCO World Heritage and Intangible Cultural Heritage lists, and GI tags.

2. Indian and World Geography

A. Geomorphology

  • Universe, Solar System, Geological Time Scale.
  • Earth's interior (Crust, Mantle, Core, Discontinuities, Seismic wave shadow zones).
  • Rock types (Igneous, Sedimentary, Metamorphic) and Rock Cycle.
  • Endogenic & Exogenic forces; Continental Drift, Seafloor Spreading, and Plate Tectonics.
  • Earthquakes, Volcanism, and Pacific Ring of Fire.
  • Fluvial, Karst, Glacial, Coastal, and Aeolian landforms.

B. Oceanography & Climatology

  • Ocean relief (Continental Shelf, Slope, Abyssal Plains, Trenches, Mid-Oceanic Ridges).
  • Salinity and Temperature distribution, Ocean currents (Warm vs Cold), Tides, and Coral Reefs.
  • Atmospheric structure, Heat Budget, Temperature Inversion.
  • Atmospheric pressure belts, Planetary winds (Trades, Westerlies), Local winds.
  • Air masses, Fronts, Tropical vs Temperate Cyclones, Jet Streams.
  • Cloud classification, Precipitation types, Köppen Climate Classification.

C. Indian Geography

  • Physiographic divisions (Himalayas, Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau, Coastal Plains, Islands).
  • River systems: Himalayan (Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra) vs Peninsular (Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery, Narmada, Tapi).
  • Indian Monsoon mechanism: ITCZ, Somali Jet, Mascarene High, IOD, El Niño / La Niña.
  • Soils of India (ICAR: Alluvial, Black, Red, Laterite) and Forest types.
  • Agriculture, Cropping patterns, Mineral belts, Energy resources, Industrial corridors, and Transport networks.

3. Indian Polity and Governance

A. Constitutional Framework

  • Historical acts (1773 to 1947), Constituent Assembly, Preamble, and Basic Structure Doctrine.
  • Union & Territory (Articles 1-4) and Citizenship (Articles 5-11, CAA).
  • Fundamental Rights (Articles 12-35), Writs under Article 32 & 226.
  • Directive Principles of State Policy (Articles 36-51) and Fundamental Duties (Article 51A).
  • System of Governance: Parliamentary vs Presidential, Federal vs Unitary, Centre-State Relations, and Emergency provisions (Articles 352, 356, 360).

B. Union & State Organs

  • Union Executive: President, Vice-President, Prime Minister, Council of Ministers.
  • Parliament: Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Presiding Officers, Legislative procedure, Money Bills, Parliamentary Committees.
  • State Executive & Legislature: Governor's powers and discretion, Chief Minister, Legislative Assembly & Council.
  • Judiciary: Supreme Court, High Courts, Subordinate Judiciary, Judicial Review, Judicial Activism, PIL, Collegium System, NALSA.
  • Local Self-Government: Panchayati Raj (73rd Amendment), Municipalities (74th Amendment), PESA Act 1996, 5th & 6th Schedules.
  • Constitutional & Statutory Bodies: ECI, UPSC, CAG, Finance Commission, NITI Aayog, NHRC, CIC, CVC, Lokpal.

4. Economic and Social Development

A. Macroeconomics & Monetary System

  • National Income Accounting (GDP, GNP, NNP at Factor Cost vs Market Price), Real vs Nominal GDP, GDP Deflator.
  • Inflation concepts (Demand-Pull, Cost-Push, Stagflation), CPI, WPI, Phillips Curve.
  • Money Supply ($M_1$ to $M_4$), Money Multiplier, RBI monetary policy tools (Repo, Reverse Repo, CRR, SLR, SDF, MSF, OMO).
  • Banking Sector: Commercial banks, Regional Rural Banks, Small Finance Banks, Payments Banks, NPAs, IBC 2016, Basel III norms.
  • Financial Markets: Money market instruments (T-Bills, Commercial Paper) vs Capital market (Equity, Debentures, SEBI).

B. Public Finance & External Sector

  • Union Budget: Revenue vs Capital accounts, Fiscal Deficit, Primary Deficit, FRBM Act 2003.
  • Taxation: Direct vs Indirect taxes, GST Council, Finance Commission devolution formula.
  • Balance of Payments (BoP): Current Account vs Capital Account, NEER, REER, Convertibility, Forex reserves.
  • International Institutions: IMF, World Bank Group, WTO agreements (TRIPS, TRIMS, AoA), ADB, AIIB, NDB.
  • Agriculture & Industry: MSP, Food security, PDS, Eight Core Industries, Index of Industrial Production (IIP), PLI schemes.

5. General Science and Technology

A. Space & Emerging Technologies

  • Space Orbits (LEO, GEO, GSO, Lagrange points), Launch vehicles (PSLV, GSLV, LVM3, SSLV), Cryogenic engines.
  • ISRO Missions: Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan, Aditya-L1, Gaganyaan, XPoSat.
  • Telecommunication (5G/6G, Wi-Fi 6, Li-Fi, Optical fibers), Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, Blockchain, Cybersecurity.
  • Defence: Ballistic vs Cruise missiles (BrahMos), IGMDP program (Agni, Prithvi), Air defence systems, Submarines.
  • Nuclear Energy: Fission vs Fusion, India's Three-Stage Nuclear Power Programme.

B. Biotechnology & Health

  • Genetics: Recombinant DNA, CRISPR-Cas9, Stem cells, Monoclonal antibodies.
  • Vaccines platforms (mRNA, Viral vector, Inactivated), Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), One Health.
  • Human Health & Diseases (Communicable vs Non-communicable, Vector-borne, Deficiency diseases).
  • Basic Physics & Chemistry Applications: Optics (TIR, Refraction), Electromagnetism, Periodic Table, Acids & Bases, Carbon allotropes (Graphene, Carbon nanotubes).

6. Environment, Ecology, Biodiversity & Climate Change

A. Ecology & Biodiversity

  • Ecological hierarchy, Habitat vs Niche, Ecotone, Edge effect, Ecological succession.
  • Energy flow, Food chains, Food webs, Trophic levels, Ecological pyramids, Biomagnification.
  • Aquatic ecosystems: Estuaries, Mangroves (Sundarbans, Bhitarkanika), Wetlands (Ramsar convention, Montreux Record), Coral reefs.
  • Biodiversity Hotspots (4 in India), Keystone, Flagship, Indicator, Umbrella species.
  • In-situ (National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Biosphere Reserves) vs Ex-situ conservation.
  • Species conservation projects: Project Tiger, Project Elephant, Project Snow Leopard, Project Dolphin, Project Vulture.

B. Pollution, Climate Change & Conventions

  • Air Pollution ($PM_{2.5}, PM_{10}$, AQI, SAFAR, Smog, GRAP, Fly Ash), Water Pollution (BOD, COD, Eutrophication, Heavy metal poisoning).
  • Waste management: Solid waste, E-waste (EPR), Plastic waste rules.
  • Climate Change science: Greenhouse effect, Global Warming Potential (GWP), Ocean acidification, Carbon footprint.
  • National initiatives: NAPCC (8 Missions), National Green Tribunal (NGT) Act 2010, Wildlife Protection Act 1972 (2022 Amendment), Environment (Protection) Act 1986.
  • Global Conventions: UNFCCC (Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement), Vienna Convention & Montreal Protocol (Kigali Amendment), CBD, Basel, Rotterdam, Stockholm, and Minamata conventions.

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