# Decode Civils > UPSC CSE courses by Mudit Jain, Ex-IPS, Ex-IRS (AIR 222, 207 & 173): Mains, Ethics, Essay, Current Affairs, Optionals, test series and free resources. ## Courses - [All courses](https://decodecivils.com/courses/) - [Batches open for admission](https://decodecivils.com/courses/admissions-open/) ### Current Affairs - [Current Affairs For Prelims 2027 (Plus)](https://decodecivils.com/courses/current-affairs-for-prelims-2027-plus/): The only current affairs course with direct hits in UPSC Prelims - [Current Affairs For Prelims 2027 (Base)](https://decodecivils.com/courses/current-affairs-for-prelims-2027-base/): The only current affairs course with direct hits in UPSC Prelims - [Year Long Current Affairs Base (Pre + Mains)](https://decodecivils.com/courses/year-long-current-affairs-base-pre-mains/): Master Current Affairs the way UPSC demands—through conceptual understanding, issue-based analysis, and exam-oriented preparation. With a proven track record across UPSC and State PSC examinations, our course helps you… - [Year Long Current Affairs Plus (Offline Mode)](https://decodecivils.com/courses/year-long-current-affairs-plus-offline-mode/): Master Current Affairs the way UPSC demands—through conceptual understanding, issue-based analysis, and exam-oriented preparation. With a proven track record across UPSC and State PSC examinations, our course helps you… - [Year Long Current Affairs Plus (Online)](https://decodecivils.com/courses/year-long-current-affairs-plus-online/): Master Current Affairs the way UPSC demands—through conceptual understanding, issue-based analysis, and exam-oriented preparation. With a proven track record across UPSC and State PSC examinations, our course helps you… ### Mains 2027 - [Mains Excellence Program Pro for Mains 2027 - Final Batch](https://decodecivils.com/courses/mains-excellence-program-pro-for-mains-2027-final-batch/): Your One-Stop Solution for UPSC 2027 Mains: - MEP Faculties have an experience of 22 UPSC CSE Mains, 10 Interviews and 5 Final Selections. - Faculties include Mudit Jain Sir (AIR-222, 207, 173), Sourabh Arbole Sir (6… - [Mains Excellence Program Plus for Mains 2027 - Final Batch](https://decodecivils.com/courses/mains-excellence-program-plus-for-mains-2027-final-batch/): Your One-Stop Solution for UPSC 2027 Mains: - MEP Faculties have an experience of 22 UPSC CSE Mains, 10 Interviews and 5 Final Selections. - Faculties include Mudit Jain Sir (AIR-222, 207, 173), Sourabh Arbole Sir (6… - [Mains Excellence Program Basic for Mains 2027 - Final Batch](https://decodecivils.com/courses/mains-excellence-program-basic-for-mains-2027-final-batch/): Your One-Stop Solution for UPSC 2027 Mains: - MEP Faculties have an experience of 22 UPSC CSE Mains, 10 Interviews and 5 Final Selections. - Faculties include Mudit Jain Sir (AIR-222, 207, 173), Sourabh Arbole Sir (6… - [Foundation + Advanced Ethics Base (Online)](https://decodecivils.com/courses/foundation-advanced-ethics-base-online/): Is Ethics Paper Doable via Philosophical Gyan or Specific Thematic Preparation is Needed? Last 5 Years' Analysis & 54 Distinct Themes asked by UPSC answer the above question. Thematic preparation and advanced ethics… - [Foundation + Advanced Ethics Plus (Online)](https://decodecivils.com/courses/foundation-advanced-ethics-plus-online/): Is Ethics Paper Doable via Philosophical Gyan or Specific Thematic Preparation is Needed? Last 5 Years' Analysis & 54 Distinct Themes asked by UPSC answer the above question. Thematic preparation and advanced ethics… - [Live Full Mains Test Series for UPSC Mains 2027](https://decodecivils.com/courses/live-full-mains-test-series-for-upsc-mains-2027/): Dedicated Mains Test Series and Personalized Feedback. Learn from Experience of Mudit Jain Sir. Following Facts Establish his Credibility Regarding UPSC Mains: Mains 1: GS > AIR-1 Mains 2: 11th Highest (144 Marks… - [Live Mini Mains Test Series for UPSC Mains 2027](https://decodecivils.com/courses/live-mini-mains-test-series-for-upsc-mains-2027/): Mini Mains Test Series and Personalized Feedback Especially Targeting "Veterans", "Repeaters" & "Rank Improvement". Learn from Experience of Mudit Jain Sir & Increase Your GS + Essay Score. Following Facts… - [Ethics Test Series for UPSC Mains 2027](https://decodecivils.com/courses/ethics-test-series-for-upsc-mains-2027/): Dedicated test series with detailed feedback. Features of the Course - 4 Sectional Test with 2 each Sectional Tests from Chapter 1 to 4 and Chapter 5 to 8. - 2 Full Length Test with Detailed Solution. - Online live test… - [MAP: Mains Answer Writing Program Plus (Offline)](https://decodecivils.com/courses/map-mains-answer-writing-program-plus-offline/): Learn LIVE: The Art of Answer Writing from Mudit Jain who wrote 4 Mains and cleared them all. Following facts establish his credibility: Mains 1: GS > AIR-1Mains 2: 11th Highest (144 Marks over Cut-off of 678!)Mains… - [MAP: Mains Answer Writing Program Plus (Online)](https://decodecivils.com/courses/map-mains-answer-writing-program-plus-online/): Learn LIVE: The Art of Answer Writing from Mudit Jain who wrote 4 Mains and cleared them all. Following facts establish his credibility: Mains 1: GS > AIR-1Mains 2: 11th Highest (144 Marks over Cut-off of 678!)Mains… - [MAP: Mains Answer Writing Program Base (Offline)](https://decodecivils.com/courses/map-mains-answer-writing-program-base-offline/): Learn LIVE: The Art of Answer Writing from Mudit Jain who wrote 4 Mains and cleared them all. Following facts establish his credibility: Mains 1: GS > AIR-1Mains 2: 11th Highest (144 Marks over Cut-off of 678!)Mains… - [MAP: Mains Answer Writing Program Base (Online)](https://decodecivils.com/courses/live-answer-writing-for-upsc-mains-2027/): Learn LIVE: The Art of Answer Writing from Mudit Jain who wrote 4 Mains and cleared them all. Following facts establish his credibility: Mains 1: GS > AIR-1Mains 2: 11th Highest (144 Marks over Cut-off of 678!)Mains… - [Live Ethics & Essay Test Series for UPSC Mains 2027](https://decodecivils.com/courses/live-ethics-essay-test-series-for-upsc-mains-2027/): Dedicated test series with detailed feedback. Features of the Course: 4 Sectional Test with 2 each Sectional Tests from Chapter 1 to 4 and Chapter 5 to 8. 2 Full Length Test with Detailed Solution. Online live test… - [Live Essay Test Series for UPSC Mains 2027](https://decodecivils.com/courses/live-essay-test-series-for-upsc-mains-2027/): Dedicated Essay test series and personalized feedback. Features of the Course 6 Essay Test with 4 FLT and 2 Sectional Test. Online live Test Discussions for all sectional and full-length tests by Mudit Jain Sir.… - [Ethics + Essay Modules & Test Series for UPSC Mains 2027](https://decodecivils.com/courses/ethics-essay-modules-test-series-for-upsc-mains-2027/): Complete coverage of Ethics by Mudit Jain Sir designed to help you score 125+ marks through sharp conceptual clarity, case study mastery. Features of the Course: - 17 Live Lectures covering Complete Ethics Syllabus. … - [Ethics + Essay Module for UPSC Mains 2027](https://decodecivils.com/courses/ethics-essay-module-for-upsc-mains-2027/): Complete coverage of Ethics by Mudit Jain Sir designed to help you score 125+ marks through sharp conceptual clarity, case study mastery. Features of the Ethics Module: 20 Live Lectures covering Complete Ethics Syllabus… - [Live Essay Module + Essay Test Series for UPSC Mains 2027](https://decodecivils.com/courses/live-essay-module-essay-test-series-for-upsc-mains-2027/): Comprehensive Coverage of Essay for UPSC Mains by Mudit Jain Sir with Live Lectures, Structuring & Essay Writing Strategies. Features of the Essay Module 10 Live Lectures for Essay covering different Approaches of… - [Live Essay for UPSC Mains 2027](https://decodecivils.com/courses/live-essay-for-upsc-mains-2027/): Comprehensive Coverage of Essay for UPSC Mains by Mudit Jain Sir with Live Lectures, Structuring & Essay Writing Strategies. Features of the Course 10 Live Lectures for Essay covering different Approaches of Essay… ### Optionals - [ANTHROPOLOGY THROUGH PYQ's](https://decodecivils.com/courses/anthropology-through-pyqs/): Understand what UPSC asks and how to answer it from the Anthro Topper. - [PSIR EXCELLENCE PROGRAM PRO (OFFLINE): Batch-2](https://decodecivils.com/courses/psir-excellence-program-pro-offline-batch-2/): An Enrichment Course that can help you add 50+ marks in your PSIR Scores. - [PSIR EXCELLENCE PROGRAM PRO (ONLINE): Batch-2](https://decodecivils.com/courses/psir-excellence-program-pro-online-batch-2/): An Enrichment Course that can help you add 50+ marks in your PSIR Scores. - [PSIR EXCELLENCE PROGRAM- BASE (OFFLINE): Batch-2](https://decodecivils.com/courses/psir-excellence-program-base-offline-batch-2/): An Enrichment Course that can help you add 50+ marks in your PSIR Scores. - [PSIR EXCELLENCE PROGRAM BASE (ONLINE): Batch-2](https://decodecivils.com/courses/psir-excellence-program-base-online-batch-2/): An Enrichment Course that can help you add 50+ marks in your PSIR Scores. - [PSIR Test Series](https://decodecivils.com/courses/psir-test-series/): A PSIR Test Series designed around a simple idea: writing more tests is not enough — you need a system that helps you understand, evaluate and improve after every test. Built around actual UPSC PYQs and recurring… - [Anthropology Excellence Program - Base](https://decodecivils.com/courses/anthropology-excellence-program-base/): A comprehensive, exam-oriented UPSC Anthropology Optional program designed to help aspirants build conceptual clarity, understand PYQs, enrich their answers and prepare effectively for both Paper I and Paper II. Led by… - [Anthropology Excellence Program - Plus](https://decodecivils.com/courses/anthropology-excellence-program-plus/): A comprehensive, exam-oriented UPSC Anthropology Optional program designed to help aspirants build conceptual clarity, understand PYQs, enrich their answers and prepare effectively for both Paper I and Paper II. Led by… - [Anthropology Excellence Program - Pro](https://decodecivils.com/courses/anthropology-excellence-program-pro/): A comprehensive, exam-oriented UPSC Anthropology Optional program designed to help aspirants build conceptual clarity, understand PYQs, enrich their answers and prepare effectively for both Paper I and Paper II. Led by… ### Prelims - [History Module For Prelims 2027](https://decodecivils.com/courses/history-module-for-prelims-2027/): The toughest part of Prelims, simplified by someone who has cleared Prelims 7 out of 7 times. - [CSAT Enrichment Batch](https://decodecivils.com/courses/csat-enrichment-batch/): Master the art and science of solving CSAT - [PYQ Edge](https://decodecivils.com/courses/pyq-edge/): A PYQ mastery program: use PYQs to build an edge in your Prelims score - [Prelims Excellence Program 2027 (Base)](https://decodecivils.com/courses/prelims-excellence-program-2027-base/): Your One Stop Solution For Prelims 2027 - [CSAT WEEKEND BATCH](https://decodecivils.com/courses/csat-weekend-batch/): Master CSAT for UPSC Prelims 2027 with expert guidance, focused practice, and mock tests. - [Prelims Excellence Program 2027 (Plus)](https://decodecivils.com/courses/prelims-excellence-program-2027-plus/): Your One Stop Solution For Prelims 2027 - [Prelims Excellence Program 2027 (Pro)](https://decodecivils.com/courses/prelims-excellence-program-2027-pro/): Your One Stop Solution For Prelims 2027 ### Books - [UPSC Prelims 2026: CA (Jan 2026-March 2026)](https://decodecivils.com/courses/upsc-prelims-2026-ca-jan-2026-march-2026/): Decode Current Affairs Updated Material All Subjects (January 2026 - March 2026) | Decode Civils | Mudit Jain | - [UPSC Prelims 2026: CA (May 2025-March 2026)](https://decodecivils.com/courses/upsc-prelims-2026-ca-may-2025-march-2026/): Set of 3 Booklets - Decode Current Affairs Combined (May 2025 - March 2026) | Decode Civils | Mudit Jain | ## About UPSC Guides to the UPSC Civil Services Examination; each page lists its official sources. - [All About UPSC guides](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/) ### The Exam - [What is UPSC CSE? Full Form, Stages and Posts](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/what-is-upsc-cse/): UPSC is the Union Public Service Commission; the CSE is its Civil Services Examination. Here is what the Commission is, how the exam works and the 23 services it fills. - [UPSC Exam Pattern: Prelims, Mains, Interview and Marks](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-exam-pattern/): Every paper of the Civil Services Exam with its marks, time and role, from the CSE 2026 notice: what counts for your rank, what is only qualifying, and how ties are broken. - [UPSC Eligibility Criteria: Education, Nationality, Medical](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-eligibility-criteria/): Who can sit the Civil Services Exam: the degree you need, final-year and medical-degree rules, nationality by service, age and attempts, and the physical standards, from the CSE 2026 notice. - [UPSC Age Limit and Number of Attempts, Category-wise](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-age-limit-attempts/): The age limit and number of attempts for every category, each relaxation as the CSE 2026 notice states it, and exactly what counts as an attempt. - [UPSC Calendar 2027: Notification, Prelims and Mains Dates](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-calendar/): The Civil Services Exam 2027 dates from UPSC's calendar: notification, last date, prelims and mains, with the windows the notice sets between the stages. - [UPSC FAQs: 40 Questions Students Ask](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-faqs/): Forty questions aspirants ask about the Civil Services Exam, from eligibility and attempts to results and services, each answered briefly from UPSC's own documents and linked to the guide that covers it in full. - [UPSC Notification and Application Form: Registration, Fees, Documents](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-notification-application-form/): How to apply for the Civil Services Exam, step by step as the CSE 2026 notice sets it out: registration, the Common Application Form, documents, the fee and what you can't change later. - [UPSC Selection Process: From Form to Final List](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-selection-process/): Every step from the application to the final list and service allocation, as the CSE 2026 notice lays it out, with how many candidates cleared each step in CSE 2025. - [UPSC Negative Marking Explained, With Worked Examples](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-negative-marking/): How the one-third penalty works in both prelims papers, what counts as a wrong answer, and four worked examples using the marks per question in UPSC's CSE 2026 papers. - [UPSC Vacancies Year-wise](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-vacancies/): Each Civil Services Exam has two vacancy numbers: the estimate in the notice and the final count reported with the result. Here are the figures for every year since 2015, by service, from UPSC's own documents. - [Full Forms: UPSC, IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, LBSNAA, DAF and More](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-full-forms/): The full forms of UPSC, the services, the application terms and the training academies, as UPSC and other official documents print them, with the document named for each one. - [UPSC Exam Centres List](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-exam-centres/): The CSE 2026 notice lists 83 centres for the prelims and 27 for the mains. Here is every one of them, with the rules UPSC applies when it allots them. - [UPSC Admit Card and Exam-day Rules](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-admit-card-exam-day-rules/): When the e-Admit Card comes out, when the gates close, what you may carry into the hall and what gets a candidature cancelled, from the CSE 2026 notice and UPSC's press note for the 2026 prelims. - [UPSC Medium of Exam: Hindi and Other Languages](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-medium-of-exam/): The prelims papers come in Hindi and English. In the mains you can write in English or in any one language of the Eighth Schedule. Here are the rules, the scripts and the choices you lock in when you apply. - [UPSC Exam Fees and Concessions](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-exam-fees/): What the Civil Services Exam costs at each stage, who is exempt, how to pay and when, and why you should check your eligibility first: the fee is never refunded. - [History of UPSC and the Civil Services](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/history-of-upsc/): UPSC began as the Public Service Commission on 1 October 1926 and took its present name when the Constitution came into force. Here is its story, and that of the services it recruits for, from UPSC's own records. - [Civil Services Day (21 April)](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/civil-services-day/): India marks Civil Services Day every year on 21 April, the day in 1947 when Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel addressed probationers of the administrative service. Here is what the day is, how it began and what happens on it. - [Civil Services Firsts and Milestones From Official Records](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/first-ias-officers-of-india/): The first Indian to clear the ICS exam, the first Public Service Commission, the first IFS batch through the civil services exam and other firsts, each taken from an official Government record. ### Syllabus - [UPSC Syllabus: Prelims, Mains and Optional](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-syllabus/): How the UPSC syllabus is organised, from the CSE 2026 notice: two prelims papers, nine mains papers and one optional subject, with a short summary of each paper and a link to its own guide. - [UPSC Prelims Syllabus (GS Paper 1)](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-prelims-syllabus/): General Studies Paper I of the prelims in UPSC's own words, what each line covers, and what the CSE 2026 notice says about marks, timing, negative marking and the qualifying CSAT paper. - [UPSC CSAT Syllabus (GS Paper 2)](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-csat-syllabus/): General Studies Paper II of the prelims in UPSC's own words, what each line asks of you, the 33% qualifying rule and the Class X level the notice sets for numeracy and data interpretation. - [UPSC Mains Syllabus: All Nine Papers](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-mains-syllabus/): What the CSE 2026 notice says the mains is meant to test, the nine papers and their marks, the level set for optional papers, the rules on language and medium, and a link to each paper's guide. - [GS Paper 1 Syllabus: History, Geography, Society](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/gs-paper-1-syllabus/): The official GS Paper I syllabus from the CSE 2026 notice, point by point, with what the paper covers in plain words, where it sits in the mains and how to prepare from it. - [GS Paper 2 Syllabus: Polity, Governance, International Relations](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/gs-paper-2-syllabus/): The official GS Paper II syllabus from the CSE 2026 notice, point by point, with what the paper covers in plain words, where it sits in the mains and how to prepare from it. - [GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Economy, Environment, Science, Security](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/gs-paper-3-syllabus/): The official GS Paper III syllabus from the CSE 2026 notice, point by point, with what the paper covers in plain words, where it sits in the mains and how to prepare from it. - [GS Paper 4 Syllabus: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/gs-paper-4-ethics-syllabus/): The official GS Paper IV syllabus from the CSE 2026 notice, area by area, with what the paper tests, where it sits in the mains and how to prepare from it. - [UPSC Essay Paper: Pattern, Topics and Past Themes](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-essay-paper/): What the CSE 2026 notice says about the essay paper, the pattern of UPSC's 2024, 2025 and 2026 papers, the themes their topics covered, and how to prepare. - [UPSC Optional Subjects: Full List of 48](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-optional-subjects-list/): Every optional subject in the CSE 2026 notice, how the 48 choices are counted, the level the papers are set at, the rules for literature optionals, and links to the syllabus guides. - [Best Optional Subject for UPSC: How to Choose, With Success Data](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/best-optional-subject-for-upsc/): UPSC's Annual Reports give, for every optional subject, how many candidates sat the mains and how many were recommended. Here are those figures for CSE 2021 and 2022, what they mean and how to choose. - [Anthropology Optional Syllabus](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/anthropology-optional-syllabus/): Both Anthropology optional papers from the CSE 2026 notice, word for word, with how the units are organised and pointers to help you decide whether the subject suits you. - [PSIR Optional Syllabus](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/psir-optional-syllabus/): Both PSIR optional papers from the CSE 2026 notice, word for word, with how the topics are arranged and pointers to help you decide whether the subject suits you. - [Sociology Optional Syllabus](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/sociology-optional-syllabus/): Both Sociology optional papers from the CSE 2026 notice, word for word, with how the topics are arranged and pointers to help you decide whether the subject suits you. - [Geography Optional Syllabus](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/geography-optional-syllabus/): Both Geography optional papers from the CSE 2026 notice, word for word, with how the topics are arranged, the compulsory map question, and pointers to help you decide. - [History Optional Syllabus](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/history-optional-syllabus/): Both History optional papers from the CSE 2026 notice, word for word, with how the topics run and pointers to help you decide whether the subject suits you. - [Public Administration Optional Syllabus](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/public-administration-optional-syllabus/): Both Public Administration optional papers from the CSE 2026 notice, word for word, with how the topics are arranged and pointers to help you decide. - [Indian Polity Syllabus for UPSC](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/polity-syllabus-for-upsc/): UPSC prints its syllabus by paper, not by subject. Here are the lines on Indian polity from prelims GS Paper I and mains GS Papers II and IV, in UPSC's words, with how to prepare from them. - [History Syllabus for UPSC: Indian and World History](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/history-syllabus-for-upsc/): UPSC names history in prelims GS Paper I and mains GS Paper I. Here are those lines in UPSC's words, what they say about each period, and how to prepare from them. - [Geography Syllabus for UPSC](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/geography-syllabus-for-upsc/): UPSC names geography in prelims GS Paper I and in the closing lines of mains GS Paper I. Here are those lines in UPSC's words, with what they ask and how to prepare. - [Indian Economy Syllabus for UPSC](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/economy-syllabus-for-upsc/): UPSC names the economy in prelims GS Paper I and in the opening lines of mains GS Paper III. Here are those lines in UPSC's words, with what they ask and how to prepare. - [Environment and Ecology Syllabus for UPSC](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/environment-syllabus-for-upsc/): Environment has its own line in prelims GS Paper I and a place in mains GS Paper III. Here are the official lines in UPSC's words, with what they ask and how to prepare. - [Compulsory Language Papers (Qualifying)](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-compulsory-language-papers/): The two qualifying language papers of the UPSC Mains, from the CSE 2026 notice: what they test, the 25% rule that decides whether your other papers count, who is exempt from Paper A, and the scripts. - [Philosophy Optional Syllabus](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/philosophy-optional-syllabus/): Both Philosophy optional papers from the CSE 2026 notice, word for word, with how the topics are laid out and pointers to help you decide whether the subject suits you. - [Economics Optional Syllabus](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/economics-optional-syllabus/): Both Economics optional papers from the CSE 2026 notice, word for word, with how the topics are arranged and pointers to help you decide whether the subject suits you. - [Hindi Literature Optional Syllabus](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/hindi-literature-optional-syllabus/): Both Hindi Literature optional papers from the CSE 2026 notice, word for word, with the prescribed texts, the rule that answers must be in Hindi, and pointers to help you decide. - [Law Optional Syllabus](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/law-optional-syllabus/): Both Law optional papers from the CSE 2026 notice, word for word, with how the six parts are arranged and pointers to help you decide whether the subject suits you. - [Commerce and Accountancy Optional Syllabus](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/commerce-optional-syllabus/): Both Commerce and Accountancy optional papers from the CSE 2026 notice, word for word, with how the topics are arranged and pointers to help you decide. - [Mathematics Optional Syllabus](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/mathematics-optional-syllabus/): Both Mathematics optional papers from the CSE 2026 notice, word for word, with the areas each paper covers and pointers to help you decide whether the subject suits you. - [Medical Science Optional Syllabus](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/medical-science-optional-syllabus/): Both Medical Science optional papers from the CSE 2026 notice, word for word, with how the subjects are arranged and pointers to help you decide whether the optional suits you. - [Science and Technology Syllabus for UPSC](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/science-technology-syllabus-for-upsc/): Prelims lists only "General Science"; mains GS Paper III asks about developments, Indian achievements and awareness of new fields. Here are the official lines in UPSC's words. - [Art and Culture Syllabus for UPSC](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/art-culture-syllabus-for-upsc/): The official General Studies syllabus has one line on art and culture, in mains GS Paper I. Here it is in UPSC's words, with where culture sits in prelims and how to prepare. - [International Relations Syllabus for UPSC](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/international-relations-syllabus-for-upsc/): International relations is part of mains GS Paper II. Here are the official lines in UPSC's words, with where it sits in prelims and GS Paper IV, and how to prepare. - [Internal Security Syllabus for UPSC](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/internal-security-syllabus-for-upsc/): Internal security is a mains-only part of the syllabus, in GS Paper III. Here are the official lines in UPSC's words, with what they ask and how to prepare. - [Indian Society and Social Justice Syllabus for UPSC](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/society-syllabus-for-upsc/): Society is in the title of mains GS Paper I and social justice in GS Paper II. Here are the official lines in UPSC's words, grouped by paper, with how to prepare from them. ### Cut-offs & Toppers - [UPSC Cut Off: Year-wise and Category-wise, Last 10 Years](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-cut-off/): Every official cut-off from CSE 2016 to CSE 2025, for every category and all three stages, taken from UPSC's own notices. Compare the years, follow the trend and check your score. - [UPSC Prelims Cut Off Year-wise](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-prelims-cut-off/): Every official prelims cut-off from UPSC's own notices, for every category. See how the line has moved, check a score against it and learn how UPSC draws the list. - [UPSC Toppers List Year-wise, From UPSC's Merit Lists](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-toppers-list/): The top ranks of every Civil Services Examination since 2016, copied from UPSC's merit lists, with the optional subjects UPSC itself named. - [UPSC Rank-wise Service Allocation: What Rank Gets IAS, IPS, IFS](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-rank-wise-service-allocation/): How far down the merit list the IAS, IFS and IPS went in each category, read from DoPT's rank-wise allocation lists, and how the Government allots services. - [UPSC Mains and Final Cut Off Year-wise](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-mains-final-cut-off/): Every official mains and final cut-off from UPSC's notices, for General, EWS, OBC, SC and ST, with what each number measures and the rules printed under it. - [UPSC Topper Marks: How Many Marks the Toppers Scored](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-topper-marks/): Written, interview and total marks of rank 1, and of ranks 1 to 10, for CSE 2017 and CSE 2019 to 2025, copied from the marks UPSC publishes after each final result. - [UPSC Success Rate: Applied vs Appeared vs Selected](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-success-rate/): Every stage of the Civil Services Examination in UPSC's own numbers, from application to recommendation, for each year since CSE 2015, and what the ratios mean. - [UPSC Result: Prelims, Mains, Final and Reserve List Explained](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-result/): UPSC declares three results for each Civil Services Examination, then the marks, cut-offs and answer keys. Here is what each one contains and when it came for CSE 2025. - [UPSC Prelims Answer Key](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-prelims-answer-key/): From CSE 2026, UPSC publishes a provisional prelims answer key within days of the exam and lets you challenge it. The final key still comes after the final result. - [Hindi Medium in UPSC: How Many Candidates Use Hindi, Year by Year](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-hindi-medium/): UPSC does not publish toppers or ranks by medium. It does publish how many candidates write the mains and take the interview in Hindi; here are those numbers and the rules. - [UPSC Cut Off 2025: Prelims, Mains and Final, Category-wise](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-cut-off-2025/): Official UPSC CSE 2025 cut-offs for every category, with the change from 2024. - [UPSC Cut Off 2024: Prelims, Mains and Final, Category-wise](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-cut-off-2024/): Official UPSC CSE 2024 cut-offs for every category, with the change from 2023. - [UPSC Cut Off 2023: Prelims, Mains and Final, Category-wise](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-cut-off-2023/): Official UPSC CSE 2023 cut-offs for every category, with the change from 2022. - [UPSC Cut Off 2022: Prelims, Mains and Final, Category-wise](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-cut-off-2022/): Official UPSC CSE 2022 cut-offs for every category, with the change from 2021. - [UPSC Cut Off 2021: Prelims, Mains and Final, Category-wise](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-cut-off-2021/): Official UPSC CSE 2021 cut-offs for every category, with the change from 2020. - [UPSC Cut Off 2020: Prelims, Mains and Final, Category-wise](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-cut-off-2020/): Official UPSC CSE 2020 cut-offs for every category, with the change from 2019. - [UPSC Cut Off 2019: Prelims, Mains and Final, Category-wise](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-cut-off-2019/): Official UPSC CSE 2019 cut-offs for every category, with the change from 2018. - [UPSC Cut Off 2018: Prelims, Mains and Final, Category-wise](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-cut-off-2018/): Official UPSC CSE 2018 cut-offs for every category, with the change from 2017. - [UPSC Cut Off 2017: Prelims, Mains and Final, Category-wise](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-cut-off-2017/): Official UPSC CSE 2017 cut-offs for every category, with the change from 2016. - [UPSC Cut Off 2016: Prelims, Mains and Final, Category-wise](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-cut-off-2016/): Official UPSC CSE 2016 cut-offs for every category, with the change from 2015. - [UPSC Cut Off 2015: Prelims, Mains and Final, Category-wise](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-cut-off-2015/): Official UPSC CSE 2015 cut-offs for every category. ### Services & Careers - [All Services Through UPSC CSE: Group A and B, With Starting Pay](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/services-through-upsc-cse/): One exam fills 23 services. Here is each one from the official list, what All India, Group A and Group B mean, where each service's pay starts, and how the Government allocates services. - [UPSC Salary 2026: Salary of Every Service Through UPSC CSE](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-salary/): What each of the 23 services through the Civil Services Exam pays: starting level, basic pay and salary with dearness allowance, the top grade of each, and where the 8th Pay Commission stands. - [IAS Salary 2026: Basic Pay, DA and Salary per Month at Every Level](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/ias-salary/): What an IAS officer is paid each month, from the official rules: basic pay at every level, dearness allowance on top, the allowances that vary with the posting, and where the 8th Pay Commission stands. - [IPS Salary 2026: Salary per Month by Rank, Ranks and Insignia](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/ips-salary-ranks/): Basic pay for every IPS grade from the IPS (Pay) Rules, the ranks from ASP to DGP, and the badge each rank wears under the IPS (Uniform) Rules. - [IRS Salary 2026: Salary per Month of IRS (Income Tax) and IRS (Customs)](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/irs-salary/): What IRS officers are paid each month, grade by grade, in both the Income Tax and the Customs and Indirect Taxes branches: basic pay from the CSE Rules 2026 plus dearness allowance. - [IFS Salary 2026: Salary per Month, Grades and Foreign Allowance](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/ifs-salary/): IFS pay as the official record shows it: the pay level of every grade, how MEA works out foreign allowance for each posting, and the pay edge the IFS shares with the IAS. - [IAS Officer Career Journey: From Probationer to Cabinet Secretary](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/ias-officer-career-journey/): How an IAS career unfolds after the result: the training, every pay grade in DoPT's rules, when each promotion comes and the posts at each level. - [IPS Officer Career Journey: From ASP to DGP](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/ips-officer-career-journey/): What happens after the result if you join the IPS: two years of training, your first posting as ASP, and every grade and pay level in the IPS (Pay) Rules up to Director General of Police. - [IAS vs IPS: Exam, Training, Cadre and Pay Compared](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/ias-vs-ips/): The IAS and IPS share an exam and a rank list, then part ways. Here are the two services side by side, only on points official documents state: posts, training, control, pay grades. - [Other Services in UPSC CSE: Beyond IAS and IPS](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/other-civil-services/): The Civil Services Exam fills 23 services, not just the IAS and IPS. Here is every one of them, from the official list, with who runs it, what its officers do and where they train. - [IFS (Foreign Service) Career Journey: To Ambassador](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/ifs-officer-career-journey/): What happens after you join the Indian Foreign Service: a year of training, a language posting abroad, and the titles and grades from Third Secretary to Ambassador, as MEA and the rules set them. - [LBSNAA and IAS Training: Foundation Course to Phase II](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/lbsnaa-ias-training/): How the IAS is trained, phase by phase, as LBSNAA describes it: the shared Foundation Course, the professional course, a year in the district, and the mid-career phases that promotions depend on. - [IAS Officer Powers and Functions: Where They Come From](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/ias-powers-and-functions/): An IAS officer's powers come from the post held and the law behind it, not from the service itself. Here is what the BNSS, state revenue laws and the conduct rules actually say. - [IAS Ranks and Hierarchy: District, State, Centre](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/ias-ranks-hierarchy/): The IAS has grades and posts, not police-style ranks. Here are its eight grades and the posts the pay rules link to them: in the Government of India, in the state secretariat and in the district. - [IRS (Income Tax): CBDT, NADT Training and Ranks](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/irs-income-tax/): What the IRS (Income Tax) does, how its officers train at NADT Nagpur, the post you start in and the ranks above it, all from the Department of Revenue, the CBDT and the Income-tax Act. - [IRS (Customs and Indirect Taxes): CBIC, NACIN Training and First Post](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/irs-customs-indirect-taxes/): What the IRS (Customs and Indirect Taxes) does under the CBIC, how its officers train at NACIN, the post they first take charge of and what the official record says about pay. - [IAS vs IFS: Training, Grades and Postings Compared](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/ias-vs-ifs/): The IAS and the Indian Foreign Service share an exam and a Foundation Course, then lead to very different careers. Here they are side by side, from DoPT, MEA and the academies. - [IPS vs IRS](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/ips-vs-irs/): The IPS and the two IRS services compared on official facts only: who can join, who runs each service, where you train, the post you start in and the pay rules. - [District Collector vs DM vs SDM](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/collector-vs-dm-vs-sdm/): Collector, District Magistrate and SDM are posts, not IAS ranks, and they come from different laws. Here is what each law says, and why the same office has different names in different states. - [Cadre Allocation: Groups, Home Cadre and the 2026 Policy](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/ias-cadre-allocation/): If you get the IAS or IPS, you also get a cadre. Here is how DoPT's 2026 policy allocates it: vacancies, your home cadre, the four groups of states and the roster for everyone else. - [Service Preference and DAF: How Preferences Work in UPSC CSE](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-service-preference-daf/): Your order of services decides what you can be given. Here is where you give it under the CSE 2026 rules, what became of the Detailed Application Form, and how the Government reads your list. - [What IAS Officers Do: District, State and Centre](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/life-of-an-ias-officer/): No official source describes an IAS officer's typical day. What they do describe is the work: the district posts officers train for, the state posts they rise to, and their years at the Centre. - [Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS)](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/irms-railway-service/): The three IRMS services you can join through the Civil Services Examination, their CSE 2026 vacancies, and the Railway Board's own terms on training, probation, pay and posting. - [Group B Services: DANICS, DANIPS, Pondicherry, AFHQ](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/group-b-services-upsc/): The five Group 'B' services the Civil Services Examination fills, what each service's own rules say about its grades and CSE share, and the Group 'B' vacancies for CSE 2024 and 2025. - [Indian Forest Service (IFoS): Same Prelims, Different Mains](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/indian-forest-service-ifos/): The Indian Forest Service shares the Civil Services prelims but has its own eligibility, Main examination and training. Here is how it works, from the IFoS 2026 notice and the official rules. - [Training Academies of Every Service](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/civil-services-training-academies/): The academy each Civil Services Examination service trains at, as the service's own official pages name it, with what those pages say about the training and a link to each. ### Preparation - [How to Become an IAS Officer: Step by Step](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/how-to-become-ias-officer/): Every step from eligibility to training at LBSNAA, as UPSC's notice and the Government's rules describe it, with a link to the guide for each stage. - [UPSC Booklist: Official Study Resources, Subject-wise](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-booklist/): The syllabus is the real booklist. Here are the official resources that cover it, from current NCERT textbooks to the Economic Survey, Budget documents, PIB and UPSC's own papers. - [UPSC Mains Answer Writing: Structure and Practice](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-mains-answer-writing/): What UPSC's notice says it rewards, the word limits and marks printed on the CSE 2026 papers, a simple structure for every answer, the mistakes UPSC has flagged, and how to practise. - [UPSC Preparation for Beginners: Where to Start](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-preparation-for-beginners/): Start with UPSC's own notice, not a booklist. Nine first steps, from checking your eligibility to choosing your optional, each linked to the guide that covers it. - [NCERT Books for UPSC: Which Classes, Which Order](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/ncert-books-for-upsc/): The NCERT textbooks that cover the UPSC syllabus, class by class, titled exactly as NCERT lists them today, with our map to the syllabus and a suggested reading order. - [UPSC Previous Year Papers: Prelims and Mains](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-previous-year-papers/): Every Civil Services question paper from 2016 to 2026, linked straight to UPSC's own PDFs, with when the answer keys come out and how to use the papers. - [UPSC Prelims Strategy](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-prelims-strategy/): The rules of the prelims from UPSC's notice and the CSE 2026 papers, and a strategy for both papers built on them: what to read, how to practise, how to guess and what to do on the day. - [UPSC Interview (Personality Test): Process, Marks, DAF](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-interview/): What UPSC's notice says the interview board looks for, how the CSE 2025 interviews ran from the mains result to the final list, what replaced the DAF, and how to prepare. - [UPSC Preparation With a Job](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-preparation-with-job/): What UPSC's notice says if you are employed, the dates you will need leave for, and how to plan your weeks around a job, without made-up study-hour targets. - [UPSC Preparation After 12th and During Graduation](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-after-12th/): You can't sit UPSC straight after Class 12, but you can apply in the final year of your degree. What the notice requires, and how to use your school and college years. - [UPSC for Doctors and Engineers: Optionals and Strategy](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-for-doctors-engineers/): What UPSC's notice says for doctors and engineers: the MBBS internship rule, optionals from your field and their level, and how to approach the optional choice and General Studies. - [How to Read the Newspaper for UPSC](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/newspaper-reading-for-upsc/): UPSC names no newspaper and we rank none. Here is how to read any daily against the syllabus, check its facts at official sources such as PIB, and keep notes that serve all three stages. - [UPSC Study Timetable: Daily and Yearly Plans](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-study-timetable/): A yearly plan built backwards from UPSC's CSE 2027 dates, with a weekly structure and a daily template you can size to your own day. No fixed hours, because none is official. ### Tools - [UPSC Age and Attempts Calculator](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-age-calculator/): Enter your date of birth and category to see every Civil Services exam you can sit by age, and how many attempts you have left, under the rules in UPSC's latest notice. - [Will My Prelims Score Clear? UPSC Cut-off Checker](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-cut-off-checker/): Enter your GS Paper I score and category. The checker compares it with each of the last ten official prelims cut-offs. - [UPSC Prelims Score Calculator (Negative Marking)](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-score-calculator/): Enter your right and wrong answers to see your prelims score after the one-third penalty, for General Studies Paper I or CSAT, with the marks per question from UPSC's CSE 2026 papers. - [Rank to Service Explorer](https://decodecivils.com/upsc/upsc-rank-service-explorer/): Enter a rank and your category. The explorer checks each year's service allocation list, CSE 2019 to 2024, and shows the services that rank still reached. ## Free resources - [Free resources](https://decodecivils.com/resources/) - [Geography](https://decodecivils.com/resources/geography/) - [Ethics](https://decodecivils.com/resources/ethics/) - [Society](https://decodecivils.com/resources/society/) - [PYQ Analysis](https://decodecivils.com/resources/pyq-analysis/) - [Essay](https://decodecivils.com/resources/essay/) - [Current Affairs](https://decodecivils.com/resources/current-affairs/) - [History](https://decodecivils.com/resources/history/) - [Answer Writing](https://decodecivils.com/resources/answer-writing/) - [Governance](https://decodecivils.com/resources/governance/) ## Blog - [Blog](https://decodecivils.com/blog/) - [UPSC Mains GS-1 2013-2025 PYQs Analysis](https://decodecivils.com/blog/upsc-mains-gs-1-2013-2025-pyqs-analysis/) - [K.N.Chandana Jahnavi (CSE-23 AIR-50) Comprehensive and Sociology Strategy](https://decodecivils.com/blog/knchandana-jahnavi-cse-23-air-50-comprehensive-and-sociology-strategy/): K.N.Chandana Jahnavi (CSE-23 AIR-50) Comprehensive and Sociology Strategy - [Booklist & Sources for UPSC Prelims 2027](https://decodecivils.com/blog/booklist-sources-for-upsc-prelims-2027/): Booklist & Sources for UPSC Prelims 2027 - [Prajnanandan Giri (CSE-23 AIR-24) Journey, Geography & Comprehensive Strategy](https://decodecivils.com/blog/prajnanandan-giri-cse-23-air-24-journey-geography-comprehensive-strategy/) - [UPSC Mains 2026 Result Out: What to Do Next](https://decodecivils.com/blog/upsc-mains-2026-result-what-to-do-next/): Made the interview list? What to do this week, how to prepare from your own application, and what happens after. Missed it? How to use your marks and the CSE 2027 dates to plan your next attempt. - [UPSC Mains Result 2026 Out: 2,526 Candidates Qualify for the Interview](https://decodecivils.com/blog/upsc-mains-result-2026/): UPSC declared the CSE Mains 2026 result on 5 November: 2,526 candidates go to the interview. The official PDFs, the 11 to 25 November window to update your application, and what else to do next. - [Gram Sabhas and Panchayats](https://decodecivils.com/blog/gram-sabhas-and-panchayats/): The Hindu, Page 6, Editorial - Yes and no - GS-2-Polity Why in News: A Rural Development Ministry report based on surveys examines citizen participation in gram sabhas and highlights concerns over participation fatigue.… - [Hormuz Crisis and Energy Security](https://decodecivils.com/blog/hormuz-crisis-and-energy-security/): The Hindu, Page 6, Editorial - The case for building India’s coal chemistry capability - GS-3-Economy Why in News: The Strait of Hormuz crisis highlighted India's energy security challenges and renewed focus on coal… - [HPV Vaccination](https://decodecivils.com/blog/hpv-vaccination/): The Hindu, Page 10, Editorial - A shot at life, Mandsaur’s model for HPV vaccination - GS-2-Health Why in news: The Government of India launched a nationwide cervical cancer campaign in February 2026, providing free HPV… - [FCRA Amendment Rules 2026](https://decodecivils.com/blog/fcra-amendment-rules-2026/): Subject - GS Paper-II (Governance & Social Justice) Subtopic - NGOs, civil society, and government policies. Source - The Hindu (26th June 2026 - Page 8 - Editorial Section) Onerous rules Why in news: The Foreign… - [Aditi Varshney (AIR-57 CSE-22) Comprehensive Strategy](https://decodecivils.com/blog/aditi-varshney-air-57-cse-22-comprehensive-strategy/): Hi All, Aditi Varshney secured AIR-57 in CSE-22 in her 1st attempt. Following is her write up where she has summarized her experience and learnings, dos and don'ts. Introduction Hello everyone! I am Aditi Varshney. I… - [Arvind Hanglem (AIR-83 CSE-22) Comprehensive Strategy](https://decodecivils.com/blog/arvind-hanglem-air-83-cse-22-comprehensive-strategy/): Arvind Hanglem secured AIR-83 in CSE-22 in his 4th attempt. Following is his detailed write up. Hello everyone ! I am Arvind Hanglem and I have secured AIR 83 in UPSC CSE 2022 in my 4th attempt (Ist Mains & Ist Interview). I come from the small town of Imphal West, Manipur.… - [Dwij Goel (AIR-71 CSE-22) GS-2 124 Marks](https://decodecivils.com/blog/dwij-goel-air-71-cse-22-gs-2-124-marks/): Hi Guys, My name is Dwij Goel and I have secured AIR 71 in UPSC CSE 2022. I come from a small town named Kharkhauda,near Meerut, U.P. After finishing my basic education from Meerut, I have done B.Tech in mechanical engineering from NIT- Bhopal. After my graduation in 2019, I… - [Surbhi Goyal (AIR-78 CSE-21) GS-2 125 Marks](https://decodecivils.com/blog/surbhi-goyal-air-78-cse-21-gs-2-125-marks/): Surbhi Goyal secured AIR-78 in CSE-21 in her 3rd attempt. She scored 'a grand' 125 marks in GS-2 paper and below is her GS-2 strategy: My complete GS-2 Strategy Booklist: Polity - M. Laxmikant (For prelims also), 2nd ARC report number 6 Governance - 2nd ARC Reports (4, 9, 10… - [Avinash (AIR-17 CSE-22) Philosophy 319 Marks](https://decodecivils.com/blog/avinash-air-17-cse-22-philosophy-319-marks/): Hi All, This is the 6th Topper Journey & Strategy post from the Batch of 2023. Philosophy optional performance over the years has been a cause of concern for those who have opted this optional. The numbers are… - [Nidhi Goyal (AIR-202 CSE-22) GS-3 107 Marks](https://decodecivils.com/blog/nidhi-goyal-air-202-cse-22-gs-3-107-marks/): Hi All, I have analyzed the data of 200 Toppers' marksheets and numbers are telling as far as GS-3 scores are concerned (200/933 Marksheets): Average Score: 84.20 Highest Score: 107 Marks Lowest Score: 63 Marks Score… - [Jatin Jain (AIR-91 CSE-22) Sociology + Comprehensive Strategy](https://decodecivils.com/blog/jatin-jain-air-91-cse-22-sociology-comprehensive-strategy/): Hi All, This is the 8th Topper Journey & Strategy post from the Batch of 2023. Following is journey & strategy of Jatin Jain who cleared CSE-22 with AIR-91. This was his 3rd attempt. In his 1st attempt he missed… - [Mridul Shivhare (AIR-247 CSE-21) PSIR + Comprehensive Strategy](https://decodecivils.com/blog/mridul-shivhare-air-247-cse-21-comprehensive-psir-strategy/): Hi All, At a young age of 22, Mridul Shivhare cleared UPSC CSE-21 with AIR-247 in his very 1st attempt. Following is his strategy in his own words: Hello friends, I am Mridul Shivhare. I secured AIR 247 in UPSC CSE-2021. I am very fortunate to clear this exam in my 1st attempt… - [Pradeep Singh (AIR-26 CSE-19) Sociology 303 Marks](https://decodecivils.com/blog/pradeep-singh-air-26-cse-19-sociology-303-marks/): Hi all, Pradeep made it to the IAS in his 2nd attempt with Sociology Optional. He made it to IRS in his 1st attempt with 307 Marks in Sociology. His strategy in his own words: How I prepared Sociology in 3 months? Hey friends, optional is the most crucial part of CSE mains and… - [Dr. Ritika Aima (AIR-33 CSE-23) Journey From 186 to 33](https://decodecivils.com/blog/dr-ritika-aima-air-33-cse-23-journey-from-186-to-33/): From 186 TO 33: A Journey of Finding Peace Within Hi, I am Dr. Ritika Aima and I had gotten AIR 186 in UPSC CSE 2022 while this year I am AIR 33 in UPSC CSE 2023. So what did I do differently? When I look back at my UPSC preparation journey, I see hard work, perseverance… - [Vidushi Singh (AIR-13 CSE-22) Economics 276 Marks](https://decodecivils.com/blog/vidushi-singh-air-13-cse-22-economics-276-marks/): Hi All, Vidushi Singh secured AIR-13 in CSE-22 with Economics Optional in her 1st attempt. Following is her strategy. Introduction I am Vidushi Singh, AIR 13 in UPSC Civil Services Examination 2022. I have completed my B. A. (Hons.) Economics from Shri Ram College of Commerce… - [Navita Kumari (AIR-251 CSE-22) Working Professional + GS2 + Sociology + Comprehensive Strategy](https://decodecivils.com/blog/navita-kumari-air-251-cse-22-working-professional-gs2-sociology-comprehensive-strategy/): Hi All, Navita Kumari has had 10 years of work experience before clearing CSE-22 with AIR-251. And, this she did in her 5th attempt even as she was unable to clear Prelims in her first 4 attempts. Following is her detailed strategy and learnings on Prelims, Mains &… - [Aakriti Sethi (AIR-249 CSE-22) Motivational Journey](https://decodecivils.com/blog/aakriti-sethi-air-249-cse-22-motivational-journey/): Hi All, Aakriti Sethi's CSE journey will inspire one and all. She attempted CSE 6 times, couldn't clear Prelims in her 1st 5 attempts but kept going strong and finally achieved AIR-249 in CSE-22. Following is her… - [My Geography Strategy - 4 Mains](https://decodecivils.com/blog/my-geography-strategy-4-mains/): There are optional subjects. Then there are Popular optional subjects. And then there is GEOGRAPHY! One of the most 'loved' subject WRT number of Aspirants opting for it and perhaps the most 'hated' subject because of… - [Ram Prakash (AIR-162 CSE-17) Mathematics Strategy](https://decodecivils.com/blog/ram-prakash-air-162-cse-17-mathematics-strategy/): A very detailed strategy courtesy Ram. Strategy in his words: I opted for Maths Optional as I had huge interest in Maths subject. Since childhood, I did well in the subject and thus confident of doing well here as well. Also, Maths and science optional provides you guarantee… - [My Essay Writing Strategy](https://decodecivils.com/blog/my-essay-writing-strategy/): UPSC mains syllabus does not have any prescribed syllabus for the essay paper as such. As per the UPSC, “Candidates are expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in an orderly fashion, and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective… - [Sonali Dev (AIR-41 CSE-21) Strategy](https://decodecivils.com/blog/sonali-dev-air-41-cse-21-strategy/): Hi All, Sonali Dev cracked CSE-21 with AIR-41 in her 2nd attempt and she did it while scoring a huge 443 Marks in GS Mains! Following is her Answer Writing Strategy. Hi everyone, this is Sonali Dev. I have secured AIR-41 in UPSC CSE-2021. I am utilizing the platform to write… - [How to deal with Philosophical Essays?](https://decodecivils.com/blog/how-to-deal-with-philosophical-essays/): Though I have already written in bits and pieces regarding same, I am writing a dedicated post on how to deal with philosophical essay topics in UPSC and other competitive exams. Examples of Philosophical essays asked by UPSC in recent past: A good life is one inspired by love… - [Diagrams for CSE Mains](https://decodecivils.com/blog/diagrams-for-cse-mains/): Hi all, It is well established fact that answer writing in Mains is all about being unique and innovative. Presentation matters more than we think. Reasons to draw diagrams Break monotony of answers. Uniqueness. Despite knowing that diagrams are needed, not many draw them. To… - [Priyanka Goel (AIR-369 CSE-22) Motivational Journey](https://decodecivils.com/blog/priyanka-goel-air-369-cse-22-motivational-journey/): Priyanka Goel secured AIR-369 in CSE-22 in her 6th & final attempt! What awaits you in this post is her journey of sheer grit and determination. She has also shared her Public Administration Optional Strategy vide which she scored 292 Marks. Introduction I am Priyanka Goel… - [UPSC CSE-24 Marksheets Analysis - Optionals](https://decodecivils.com/blog/upsc-cse-24-marksheets-analysis-optionals/): I have collected 160 Marksheets of Selected Candidates of UPSC CSE-24. I have already posted analysis of Essay and GS Marks with their comparison with CSE-23. Here is the Optional Marks Analysis of 160 selected candidates of CSE-24. Ranks are masked to maintain privacy.… - [Sonnet Jose (AIR-54 CSE-24) Comprehensive Strategy](https://decodecivils.com/blog/sonnet-jose-air-54-cse-24-journey-strategy/): Hello everyone, I am Sonnet Jose, and I secured AIR 54 in this year's UPSC CSE. I come from Kottayam district of Kerala. This was my second attempt. In my first attempt, I reached the interview stage. My optional subject was Geography. My Journey So Far I graduated from Miranda… - [My Answer Writing Strategy](https://decodecivils.com/blog/my-answer-writing-strategy/): Answer writing is of course the foundation of CSE MAINS. Once you develop a good answer writing skill, you can be confident of clearing MAINS 10/10 times. My scores in GS: 340 --> 387 --> 426 --> 463. My Strategy involves more than just answer writing. Let’s move in… - [Reports/Surveys for Mains GS](https://decodecivils.com/blog/reports-surveys-for-mains-gs/): Hi All, Various reports are prescribed to be read for Mains answer writing. Reports mention facts, keywords, challenges and solutions related to an issue. Quoting these helps in gaining edge over those who don't quote such reports. Various reports are: Reports for GS1: Census… - [Shubhankar Pratyush Pathak (AIR-11 CSE-21) Maths 286 Marks](https://decodecivils.com/blog/shubhankar-pratyush-pathak-air-11-cse-21-maths-286-marks/): Hi All, Its my pleasure to share Maths optional strategy of Shubhankar Pratyush Pathak who secured AIR-11 in CSE-21 and that too in his very 1st attempt!! He has already shared a detailed write up on his Prelims and Mains Strategy, which I must say is a must read for all… - [Tushar Gupta (AIR-113 CSE-17) PSIR 294 Marks](https://decodecivils.com/blog/tushar-gupta-air-113-cse-17-psir-294-marks/): Courtesy Tushar. PSIR strategy in his words: I had attended Shubra Ranjan Mam’s classes as my attempts at reading the optional on my own were a complete failure. It started in Dec 2016 and went on for around 5 months. She has a very lucid and a beautiful way of teaching such… - [Gautam Vivekanandan (AIR-211 CSE-22) Essay 149 Marks](https://decodecivils.com/blog/gautam-vivekanandan-air-211-cse-22-essay-149-marks/): Introduction Hello fellow aspirants. My name is Gautam Vivekanandan. I live in Valsad, Gujarat and I hold a B. Tech degree in Electronics & Communication engineering. I secured AIR 211 in UPSC CSE 2022, and this was my first attempt. During college, I had joined weekend… - [When & How To Start Answer Writing Practice?](https://decodecivils.com/blog/when-how-to-start-answer-writing-practice/): When To Start? Answer writing is game of both what and how. You must first know what to write and then see how to write. Therefore, you cannot start answer writing till you have not covered fare amount of syllabus. If you start it too early, you won't know what to write and then… - [Muskan Dagar (AIR-72 CSE-22) GS 470 Marks & Ethics 141 Marks](https://decodecivils.com/blog/muskan-dagar-air-72-cse-22-gs-ethics-topper/): Muskan Dagar secured AIR-72 in CSE-22 and is the GS TOPPER with 470 Marks & GS-4 TOPPER with 141 Marks! Here she has detailed her strategy. Introduction I am Muskan Dagar. I come from Village Sehlanga, District Jhajjar, Haryana. I have secured AIR 72 in UPSC CSE 2022. This… - [My GS-1 Answer Copy](https://decodecivils.com/blog/my-gs-1-answer-copy/): I have uploaded my GS-1 answer copy here. Aspirants should look for the answer structure, number of points, keywords, diagrams etc and try to apply the same in their own answers. ## About Decode Civils - [About Us](https://decodecivils.com/about/) - [Our Services](https://decodecivils.com/services/) - [Privacy Policy](https://decodecivils.com/privacy-policy/) - [Refund Policy](https://decodecivils.com/refund-policy/) - [Terms & Conditions](https://decodecivils.com/terms-of-use/) - [Contact](https://decodecivils.com/contact/)