About UPSC · Syllabus
GS Paper 4 Syllabus: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude
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.
GS Paper IV at a glance
- Paper in the mains
- Paper V
- Marks
- 250counted for your final rank
- Time
- 3 hours
- Syllabus areas
- 8including case studies
From the CSE 2026 notice.
On this page4 sections
GS Paper IV, titled Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude, is one of the seven UPSC Mains papers that count towards your final rank. In UPSC's numbering it is Paper V of the mains. It carries 250 marks and you get three hours to write it.
What the paper tests
The notice says the paper tests your attitude and approach to integrity and probity in public life, and how you solve the problems and conflicts you meet in dealing with society. It also says the questions may use a case study approach. In other words, knowing the ideas is not enough; you have to show how you would act on them.
The syllabus, area by area
These are the eight areas the notice lists, in its own words.
GS Paper IV syllabus: the eight areas
Wording as printed in the CSE 2026 notice
-
01
Ethics and Human Interface
- Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in-human actions
- dimensions of ethics
- ethics - in private and public relationships
- Human Values - lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators
- role of family society and educational institutions in inculcating values
-
02
Attitude
- content, structure, function
- its influence and relation with thought and behaviour
- moral and political attitudes
- social influence and persuasion
-
03
Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service
- integrity
- impartiality and non-partisanship
- objectivity
- dedication to public service
- empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker-sections
-
04
Emotional intelligence
- concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance
-
05
Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers
- from India and world
-
06
Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration
- Status and problems
- ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions
- laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance
- accountability and ethical governance
- strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance
- ethical issues in international relations and funding
- corporate governance
-
07
Probity in Governance
- Concept of public service
- Philosophical basis of governance and probity
- Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information
- Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters
- Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds
- challenges of corruption
-
08
Case Studies
- on above issues
Source: Civil Services Examination, 2026: Examination Notice No. 05/2026-CSE, General Studies-IV section. Some long lines are split into separate points; the words are UPSC's.
Where GS IV sits in the mains
GS IV is one of four General Studies papers. Together with the Essay and your two optional papers, they make up the 1,750 marks that decide your written rank.
UPSC Mains: nine papers, seven that count
Marks as given in the CSE 2026 notice
| Paper | Marks | Counts for merit |
|---|---|---|
| Paper A: Indian language (qualifying) | 300 | No, qualifying |
| Paper B: English (qualifying) | 300 | No, qualifying |
| Essay | 250 | Yes |
| General Studies I | 250 | Yes |
| General Studies II | 250 | Yes |
| General Studies III | 250 | Yes |
| General Studies IV | 250 | Yes |
| Optional paper 1 | 250 | Yes |
| Optional paper 2 | 250 | Yes |
| Written total that counts | 1,750 | |
| Personality test (interview) | 275 | Yes |
| Final total | 2,025 |
Each written paper is three hours long and essay-type. The language papers need 25% each; below that, UPSC does not count the other papers.
How to prepare from the syllabus
- Treat the syllabus words as your glossary. Attitude, emotional intelligence, probity, conscience: these terms come straight from the syllabus, so make sure you can define each one and then use it in an answer.
- Build your own list of thinkers. The syllabus asks for moral thinkers and philosophers "from India and world". Pick a manageable set and note one idea from each that you could use in an answer.
- Practise case studies as a separate skill. They are an area of their own, so give them their own timed practice rather than treating them as an afterthought.
- Collect real examples from administration. The syllabus names the Right to Information, codes of conduct, citizen's charters and the use of public funds. Examples of each make your answers concrete.
- Write against the clock. You get three hours for the whole paper, so practise full papers in that time, not just single answers.
Frequently asked questions
How many marks is GS Paper 4?
250 marks, and they count towards your final rank. The paper is three hours long and essay-type, like every other mains paper.
Does GS Paper 4 have case studies?
Yes. The syllabus says questions may use a case study approach, and it lists "Case Studies on above issues" as an area of its own. The syllabus does not say how many questions will be case studies.
Is there a minimum mark for GS Paper 4?
For the mains cut-off, UPSC's cut-off notices require at least 10% in each of the seven papers that count, and GS IV is one of them.
Can I write GS Paper 4 in Hindi?
Yes. The notice lets you answer every paper except the two language papers in English or in any one language of the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, subject to its conditions.
Sources
Every figure on this page comes from these official documents. If you spot a difference, the official document is right; tell us and we'll fix the page.
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