UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 Syllabus, Strategy & Previous Year Papers

UPSC General Studies Paper II (GS Paper II) is a descriptive paper in the UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination and is part of the four General Studies papers (GS Paper 1 to GS Paper 4). It covers topics from Indian Constitution, Governance, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations, which primarily tests candidates knowledge on Indian Constitution, functioning of the Parliament and State Legislatures, structure and roles of various government and constitutional bodies, national & state level policies and interventions to reduce poverty, unemployment, and inequality in the society. Here are the other important details about GS Paper 2:- 

• The GS Paper 2 will be of 3 Hours (180 Minutes) carrying 250 marks.
• There are 20 mandatory questions, out of which 10 Questions will be 10 markers (to be answered in about 150 words) and 10 Questions will be 15 markers (to be answered in about 250 words). 
• You will get around 7 minutes each to answer a 10 marker and 11 minutes each to answer a 15 marker question.

Download UPSC Mains 2025 Exam Schedule

UPSC GS Paper 2 Syllabus – Latest Official Syllabus

The Official UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 Syllabus can be downloaded from the UPSC CSE Official Notification 2025 released on 22 January, 2025. The syllabus mentioned in the notification does not break down sub-topics or sub-themes on which questions will be framed in the GS Paper 2, but we have covered the detailed breakdown of Official UPSC GS Paper 2 Syllabus below in this article. Here is the official syllabus from the recruitment pdf:- 

•  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.

Note: Government strives to have a workforce which reflects gender balance and women candidates are encouraged to apply. 

Download UPSC GS Paper 2 Syllabus PDF

Also, Download & Refer updated UPSC GS Paper 1 Syllabus, GS Paper 3 Syllabus and GS Paper 4 Syllabus in detail!

GS Paper 2 Syllabus – Topic-wise Breakdown

UPSC's official notification pdf for Civil Services Exam does not cover sub-topics or sub-themes from GS 2 Syllabus that will be asked in the exam. So we have provided a detailed breakdown of subject wise GS paper 2 Syllabus 2025 for UPSC CSE, refer the table given below:-

UPSC GS Paper 2 Exam Pattern & Schedule 2025 

Candidates who will be taking the UPSC Mains 2025 Exam from 22 August, 2025 onwards should familiarize themselves with the UPSC GS Paper 2 Exam Pattern & Exam Schedule. The UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 is also known as UPSC Mains Paper 3. It is one of the 9 papers of the Mains Stage. This year GS Paper II will be conducted in the Forenoon Session (9:00 A.M. to 12:00 Noon) on 23rd August, 2025 (Saturday). Candidates are advised to refer to the Official UPSC Mains Exam Schedule released by UPSC on 14th August, 2025. Here is the GS Paper 2 Exam Pattern:- 

How to Prepare for Mains GS Paper II?

The subject-wise preparation tips and study plan that will be helpful for candidates in effectively covering the UPSC Mains GS 2 Syllabus are given below:

UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 - Free PYPs

Candidates can download free pdfs of UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 Question Papers 2013 onwards from the table given below:-

We hope this article on UPSC GS 2 Paper Syllabus must have helped you well in your IAS Journey. You can also take advantage of the Testbook app's by getting access to free mock tests, live classes, study materials and much more!