Subject-wise Weightage in Prelims: What Actually Matters in 2026
Content
Introduction
The UPSC Prelims exam represents the first and most crucial stage in the process of successfully navigating the UPSC Civil Services Exam and becoming a civil servant, such as an IAS, IPS, or IFS officer. To improve your likelihood of success, it is vital to grasp the UPSC Prelims Subject Wise Weightage 2026. This knowledge will enable aspiring candidates to efficiently distribute their time and effort towards subjects that hold greater significance, based on trends from previous years. Furthermore, examining the UPSC Prelims syllabus and the patterns of question papers provides valuable insights into the nature of the exam.
This specifically crafted guide will cover the UPSC Prelims Subject Wise Weightage 2026, delve into the syllabus, and offer advice for formulating an effective strategy for UPSC Prelims preparation.
Overview of UPSC Prelims Examination
The UPSC Prelims exam includes two papers: General Studies Paper I (GS I) and General Studies Paper II (CSAT – Civil Services Aptitude Test). Although CSAT is qualifying, needing a minimum score of 33% to pass, GS I is critical for determining if a candidate meets the UPSC Prelims cutoff and advances to the Mains. Consequently, it is important to grasp the subject-wise weightage of GS I.
| Feature | Details |
| Examination Name | UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Examination Level | National |
| Mode of Examination | Offline (Pen and Paper Based) |
| Number of Papers | 2 (General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II – CSAT) |
| Duration | 2 hours per paper |
| Total Marks | 400 (200 marks each paper) |
| Negative Marking | Yes (1/3rd of the marks deducted for incorrect answers) |
| Type of Questions | Objective (Multiple Choice Questions) |
| Qualifying Nature | Paper II (CSAT) is qualifying, requiring 33% to pass |
| Cut-off Criteria | Based on Paper I score; Paper II is qualifying in nature |
| Subjects Covered | Paper I: History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, Science, Current Affairs |
| Eligibility for Mains | Candidates qualifying for Prelims are eligible for the UPSC Mains Examination |
| Language of Exam | English and Hindi |
| Exam Frequency | Once a year |
| Age Limit | 21–32 years (with relaxation for reserved categories) |
| Number of Attempts | 6 attempts (General category); relaxations for reserved categories |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
UPSC Prelims Subject Wise Weightage
Although CSAT is only qualifying (mandating a minimum score of 33% to pass), GS I is crucial in determining if a candidate meets the UPSC Prelims cutoff and advances to the Mains. Thus, it is important to comprehend the subject-wise weightage of GS I.
| Subject | 2021 Weightage | 2022 Weightage | 2023 Weightage | 2024 Weightage | 2025 Weightage | Expected Weightage for 2026 |
| Polity | 15–18% | 18–20% | 16–18% | 20% | 15–16% | 18–20% |
| History | 18–20% | 15–17% | 18–20% | 15% | 10–12% | 16–18% |
| Geography | 13–15% | 18% | 16–18% | 15–17% | 14–15% | 15–17% |
| Economy | 15–17% | 12–15% | 12–15% | 12–14% | 20–22% | 13–15% |
| Current Affairs | 18–20% | 20–22% | 20–22% | 20–22% | 12–13% | 22–24% |
| Environment | 10–12% | 12–14% | 12–14% | 12–14% | 8–10% | 13–15% |
| Science | 8–10% | 8–10% | 8–10% | 7–9% | 15–16% | 7–9% |
Polity (18-20% Anticipated)
In 2024, questions related to Polity were prevalent in the exam, featuring around 20 mostly straightforward questions, accompanied by a few that were more difficult. In recent years, Polity has consistently been a fundamental topic in the UPSC prelims, typically making up 15-20% of the total questions.
- Historical Patterns: The emphasis has been on constitutional articles, amendments, and significant court rulings. The 2023 exam included questions based on various schemes and policies, such as the Nari Shakti Bill.
- Predictions for 2026: It is anticipated that the UPSC Prelims Subject Wise Weightage for 2026 will follow a similar pattern, focusing on constitutional amendments, governance, and government schemes.
History (16-18% Expected)
In 2025, the History section contained a reduced number of questions, particularly regarding Modern History. However, the questions pertaining to Ancient and Medieval History were found to be intricate. The 2023 exam featured a well-rounded array of questions covering Ancient, Medieval, and Modern History, with a specific emphasis on world history.
- Analysis of past trends shows that the exams in 2022 and 2021 presented nearly the same distribution among Ancient, Medieval, and Modern History. Nonetheless, topics related to Art and Culture, including inquiries about heritage sites and cultural festivals, have also become more significant.
- Looking ahead to 2026, it is anticipated that there will be a slight increase in focus, particularly on Ancient History and Modern India, which will account for about 16-18% of the questions.
Geography (15-18% Expected)
Geography is consistently a significant section in the Prelims, typically comprising 15-18% of the total weightage. In 2025, the Geography questions included both conceptual and general knowledge elements, following the trend of previous years.
- Historical Patterns: Questions on Physical Geography, Indian Geography (focusing on agriculture and resources), and map-related topics are commonly included. The 2022 exam saw a notable increase in questions related to Geographical phenomena.
- Predictions for 2026: Geography is anticipated to account for 15-18% of the overall questions. Key topics such as physical geography, Indian agriculture, and natural resources are likely to be prominently represented.
Economy (13-15% Anticipated)
The Economy section has maintained a consistent weight in the overall paper, contributing approximately 13-15%. In 2025, the questions primarily centered on banking operations and fundamental economic principles.
- Trends from Previous Years: Questions that apply concepts, along with government schemes and budget-related topics, are significant. The 2023 examination included inquiries about monetary policy and fiscal reforms.
- Anticipated for 2026: It is expected that Economics will account for about 13-15% of the questions, focusing on government initiatives, economic reforms, and the latest trends in banking and finance.
Current Affairs (22-24% Anticipated)
The Current Affairs section is among the most crucial parts of the Prelims, accounting for nearly 22-24% of the 2026 paper. In 2025, it played a significant role, featuring questions related to global and national events, government initiatives, and international relations.
- Historical Trends: Questions have primarily focused on events from the past 12-18 months, highlighting government initiatives and recent global summits. The 2022 and 2023 papers included numerous questions based on the latest reports and initiatives.
- Predicted for 2026: It is projected that Current Affairs will continue to be a major section, contributing 22-24% of the paper, particularly regarding government schemes, international summits, and national happenings.
Environment and Ecology (13-15% Anticipated)
The significance of environmental issues has been increasing, making up 13-15% in recent years. By 2025, the emphasis was on the preservation of species and biodiversity.
- Historical Trends: Questions related to environmental conservation, international agreements, and species-specific topics are frequently encountered. The 2023 examination also placed an emphasis on global climate change conferences.
- Forecast for 2026: As climate change and environmental concerns continue to gain importance, it is expected that approximately 13-15% of the questions will pertain to Environment and Ecology.
Science and Technology (7-9% Anticipated)
Science accounts for approximately 7-9% of the overall questions. In 2026, the inquiries are expected to vary from straightforward to moderate, concentrating on fundamental scientific principles and their applications.
- Historical Trends: Basic scientific principles, advancements in space technology, and progress in biotechnology have consistently appeared in past year’s questions. The 2022 exam featured questions related to space explorations and healthcare technology.
- Anticipations for 2026: It is predicted that around 7-9% of the exam will cover Science and Technology, emphasizing recent innovations and foundational concepts.
