UPSC Civil Services 2026 Paper Analysis - Section-wise Difficulty Level, Expected Cutoff, Chapter-wise Weightage

History

13

Geography

16

Economics 

Polity

12

Environment and Ecology

10

Science and Tech

9

International Relations

11

Data Sufficiency

To be updated

Number System

To be updated

Algebra

To be updated

Average

To be updated

Profit, Loss, and Discount

To be updated

Percentage

To be updated

Ratio

To be updated

Time, Speed and Distance

To be updated

Time and Work

To be updated

Data Interpretation

To be updated

Selection / Combination

To be updated

Geometry / Mensuration

To be updated

Directions

To be updated

Statement/ Conclusion

To be updated

Series

To be updated

Ranking – DS

To be updated

Row arrangement

To be updated

Logical Puzzle

To be updated

Clocks and Calendar

To be updated

Single/Two Question RCs (Critical Reasoning Based)

To be updated

Constitutionally guaranteed judicial independence is a prerequisite of democracy

Polity & Constitution

10

Who are entitled to receive free legal aid? Assess the role of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) in rendering free legal aid in India.

Polity & Constitution

10

“The states in India seem reluctant to empower urban local bodies both functionally as well as financially.”

Polity & Constitution

10

Compare and contrast the British and Indian approaches to Parliamentary sovereignty.

Polity & Constitution

10

Discuss the role of Presiding Officers of state legislatures in maintaining order and impartiality in conducting legislative work and in facilitating best democratic practices.

Polity & Constitution

10

The crucial aspect of the development process has been the inadequate attention paid to Human Resource Development in India. Suggest measures that can address this adequacy.

Social Justice

10

Discuss the role of the Competition Commission of India in containing the abuse of dominant position by the Multi-National Corporations in India. Refer to the recent decisions.

Social Justice

10

e-governance, as a critical tool of governance, has ushered in effectiveness, transparency and accountability in governments. What inadequacies hamper the enhancement of these features?

Social Justice

10

‘Virus of Conflict is affecting the functioning of the SCO’. In the light of the above statement point out the role of India in mitigating problems.

International Relations

10

Indian diaspora has scaled new heights in the West. Describe its economic and political benefits for India.

International Relations

10

” The Construction of India is a living instrument with capabilities of enormous dynamism. It is a constitution made for a progressive society”. Illustrate with special reference to the expanding horizons of the right to life and personal liberty.

Polity & Constitution

15

Explain the constitutional perspectives of Gender Justice with the help of relevant Constitutional Provisions and case laws.

Polity & Constitution

15

Account for the legal and political factors responsible for the reduced frequency of using Article 356 by the Union Governments since mid 1990s.

Polity & Constitution

15

Discuss the contribution of civil society groups for women’s effective and meaningful participation and representation in state legislatures in India.

Polity & Constitution

15

Explain the significance of the 101st Constitutional Amendment Act. To what extent does it reflect the accommodative spirit of federalism?

Polity & Constitution

15

Explain the structure of the Parliamentary Committee system. How far have the financial committees helped in the institutionalization of the Indian Parliament?

Polity & Constitution

15

“Development and welfare schemes for the vulnerable, by its nature, are discriminatory in approach.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer.

Social Justice

15

Skill development programs have succeeded in increasing human resources supply to various sectors. In the context of the statement analyze the linkages between education, skill, and employment.

Social Justice

15

‘The expansion and strengthening of NATO and a stronger US-Europe strategic partnership works well in India.’ What is your opinion about this statement? Give reasons and examples to support your answer.

International Relations

15

‘Sea is an important Component of the Cosmos’. Discuss in the light of the above statement the role of the IMO (International Maritime Organisation) in protecting the environment and enhancing maritime safety and security.

International Relations

15

Faster economic growth requires an increased share of the manufacturing sector in GDP, particularly of MSMEs. Comment on the present policies of the Government in this regard.

Economy

10

What is the status of digitalization in the Indian economy? Examine the problems faced in this regard and suggest improvements.

Economy

10

How does e-Technology help farmers in the production and marketing of agricultural produce? Explain it.

Agriculture

10

State the objectives and measures of land reforms in India. Discuss how the land ceiling policy on landholding can be considered as an effective reform under economic criteria.

Agriculture

10

Introduce the concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI). How does AI help clinical diagnosis? Do you perceive any threat to the privacy of the individual in the use of AI in healthcare?

Science & Tech

10

Discuss several ways in which microorganisms can help in meeting the current fuel shortage.

Science & Tech

10

Dam failures are always catastrophic, especially on the downstream side, resulting in a colossal loss of life and property. Analyze the various causes of dam failures. Give two examples of large dam failures.

Environment & DM

10

What is oil pollution? What are its impacts on the marine ecosystem? In what way is oil pollution particularly harmful to a country like India?

Environment & DM

10

Winning 'Hearts and Minds' in terrorism-affected areas is an essential step in restoring the trust of the population. Discuss the measures adopted by the Government in this respect as part of the conflict resolution in Jammu and Kashmir.

Internal Security

10

The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by our adversaries across the borders to ferry arms/ammunitions, drugs, etc., is a serious threat to internal security. Comment on the measures being taken to tackle this threat.

Internal Security

10

Most of the unemployment in India is structural in nature. Examine the methodology adopted to compute unemployment in the country and suggest improvements.

Economy

15

Distinguish between 'care economy' and 'monetized economy'. How can the care economy be brought into the monetized economy through women empowerment?

Economy

15

Explain the changes in cropping pattern in India in the context of changes in consumption patterns and marketing conditions.

Agriculture

15

What are the direct and indirect subsidies provided to the farm sector in India? Discuss the issues raised by the World Trade Organization (WTO) in relation to agricultural subsidies.

Agriculture

15

The adoption of electric vehicles is rapidly growing worldwide. How do electric vehicles contribute to reducing carbon emissions and what are the key benefits they offer compared to traditional combustion engine vehicles?

Environment & DM

15

What is the main task of India’s third moon mission which could not be achieved in its earlier mission? List the countries that have achieved this task. Introduce the subsystems in the spacecraft launched and explain the role of the 'Virtual Launch Control Centre' at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre which contributed to the successful launch from Sriharikota.

Science & Tech

15

Comment on the National Wetland Conservation Programme initiated by the Government of India and name a few of India’s wetlands of international importance included in the Ramsar Sites.

Environment & DM

15

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has predicted a global sea level rise of about one meter by AD 2100. What would be its impact on India and the other countries in the Indian Ocean region?

Environment & DM

15

What are the internal security challenges faced by India? Give the role of Central Intelligence and Investigative Agencies tasked to counter such threats.

Internal Security

15

Give the major sources of terror funding in India and the efforts being made to curtail these sources. In the light of this, also discuss the aim and objective of the 'No Money for Terror' (NMPT) Conference recently held at New Delhi in November 2022.

Internal Security

15

History

20

Geography

10

Economics 

15

Polity

14

Environment and Ecology

15

Science and Tech

12

Current Affairs / Art and Culture

14

Data Sufficiency

6

Number System

9

Algebra

5

Average

4

Profit, Loss, and Discount

1

Percentage

1

Ratio

2

Time, Speed and Distance

1

Time and Work

1

Data Interpretation

2

Selection / Combination

2

Geometry / Mensuration

2

Directions

2

Statement/ Conclusion

3

Series

3

Ranking – DS

2

Row arrangement

1

Logical Puzzle

2

Clocks and Calendar

4

Single/Two Question RCs (Critical Reasoning Based)

27

Total

80

Society

5

(2 – 10 marks; 3 – 15 marks)

Geography

9

(5 – 10 marks; 4 – 15 marks)

Art & Culture

1

(1 – 10 marks)

Post Independence

1

(1 – 10 marks)

Modern India

3

(1 – 10 marks; 2 – 15 marks)

World History

1

(1 – 15 marks)

Social Justice

4

(1 – 10 marks; 3 – 15 marks)

Polity & Constitution

10

(5 – 10 marks; 5 – 15 marks)

International Relations

4

(2 – 10 marks; 2 – 15 marks)

Governance

2

(2 – 10 marks)

Indian Economy & Agriculture

8

(4 – 10 marks; 4 – 15 marks)

Internal Security

4

(2 – 10 marks; 2 – 15 marks)

Environment & Disaster Management

5

(3 – 10 marks; 2 – 15 marks)

Science and Technology

3

(1 – 10 marks; 2 – 15 marks)