UPSC Philosophy Optional Syllabus: Download Latest Syllabus PDF

UPSC Philosophy Syllabus Overview

The topics included in the UPSC philosophy optional syllabus should be prepared thoroughly by studying previous year’s UPSC question papers and reading from relevant books. The candidates can also integrate their preparation for both the UPSC philosophy syllabus and the General studies of UPSC mains as there are some common topics between them. Check out the UPSC philosophy syllabus for both paper 1 and paper 2 below, and shape your preparation accordingly.

There will be two papers in the UPSC philosophy syllabus, Paper 1, and Paper 2. Each paper will be of 250 marks, and a total of 500 marks. Those who want to clear all three stages of the UPSC exam must take this paper seriously, and a large portion of their success depends on it.

Download UPSC Philosophy Syllabus PDF

Candidates can download the UPSC philosophy syllabus from the link given below, and take a printout of it to ensure every topic is covered properly. 

• UPSC Philosophy Optional Syllabus PDF
• UPSC Philosophy Syllabus In Hindi PDF

UPSC Philosophy Syllabus Paper 1

Paper 1 of the UPSC philosophy syllabus focuses on the history and problems of philosophy which is divided into subtopics. UPSC Philosophy Syllabus for paper 1 include topics related to thinkers such as Plato, Kant, etc.

UPSC Philosophy Syllabus Paper 2

Two major topics included in the UPSC philosophy syllabus are socio-political philosophy, and philosophy of religion

Socio Political Philosophy UPSC Syllabus

This is a part of paper 2 of IAS Philosophy optional. 

• Social and Political Ideals: Equality, Justice, Liberty.
• Sovereignty: Austin, Bodin, Laski, Kautilya.
• Individual and State: Rights; Duties and Accountability
• Forms of Government: Monarchy; Theocracy and Democracy.
• Political Ideologies: Anarchism; Marxism and Socialism
• Humanism; Secularism; Multiculturalism.
• Crime and Punishment: Corruption, Mass Violence, Genocide, Capital Punishment.
• Development and Social Progress.
• Gender Discrimination: Female Foeticide, Land, and Property Rights; Empowerment.
• Caste Discrimination: Gandhi and Ambedkar

UPSC Philosophy Syllabus- Preparation Tips

The UPSC philosophy syllabus is divided into four parts namely Indian Philosophy, Western Philosophy, Religious Philosophy, and Social-Political Philosophy. We have prepared a preparation strategy for each part.

• Indian Philosophy and Western Philosophy- Both these topics are included in paper 1 of the UPSC philosophy syllabus. Following good books, and online resources would be helpful while preparing for this topic.
• Social-political philosophy and religious philosophy- for preparing these topics, candidates need to refer to the Hindu editorials, and articles from monthly magazines. 
• Practicing answer writing, and preparing notes for this subject would be a good addition to the preparation.
• Refer to the answer of toppers and get a point of view of how the answers should be constructed.

UPSC Philosophy Syllabus- Books

Apart from strategic preparation, following good books is highly essential. Some of the highly recommended books to cover the UPSC philosophy syllabus are:

• An Introduction to Indian Philosophy by Satishchandra Chatterjee
• Contemporary Indian Philosophy by Basant Kumar Lal
• An Introduction to Political Theory by O.P. Gauba
• Philosophy of Religion by John H Hick
• A Critical History of Western Philosophy: Greek, Medieval and Modern by Yakub Masih
• A Critical Survey of Indian Philosophy by Chandradhar Sharma