MPSC Rajyaseva Syllabus 2026: Prelims and Descriptive Mains Guide

The MPSC Rajyaseva syllabus covers two written stages: an objective Prelims with General Studies and CSAT, and a descriptive Mains with two language papers, an Essay, four General Studies papers and, in the 2026 cycle, two optional papers. The Maharashtra Public Service Commission moved the State Services Mains to this UPSC-style descriptive format from the 2025 cycle.

This page lists the topics for each paper, shows where Prelims and Mains overlap, and gives a phased plan to cover it all. MPSC publishes the official syllabus with its scheme of examination. The topic lists below follow the official headings and questions asked in recent papers. Use them as a working checklist, and confirm the paper-wise text in the latest scheme on the official website.

MPSC syllabus at a glance

Key changes to know

• Descriptive Mains since 2025: The old objective Mains with four GS papers of MCQs has been replaced. Many older pages and books still show the old syllabus.

• Optional subject in 2026: The 2026 Mains still includes two optional papers. Choose your subject early, because it needs its own preparation time.

• Optional removed from 2027: MPSC has announced that the optional papers will be dropped from the 2027 Mains, leaving seven compulsory papers.

• Format under review: As of 11 October 2026, the 2026 Mains is postponed and the state is reviewing the exam system. Check for any official change before your final revision.

MPSC Prelims syllabus

High-weight areas in recent papers are polity, Maharashtra-focused history and geography, environment and current affairs. Science questions are usually conceptual, so school textbooks are enough for most of them.

CSAT (Paper II)

• Comprehension: Passages in Marathi and English. This is often the biggest block, so read daily in both languages.

• Reasoning and mental ability: Logical reasoning, analytical ability and general mental ability.

• Decision making: Situation-based questions on interpersonal and administrative choices.

• Numeracy: Class X level number system, percentages, ratio, averages, time and work, and data interpretation from tables and graphs.

MPSC Mains syllabus (descriptive)

Paper I and II: Marathi and English

Both are qualifying at 25%, but if you fail either one, your other papers are not counted.

Paper III: Essay

The Essay paper has two sections, and you write one essay from each. Topics range across society, economy, governance, science and philosophy. You must write in the medium you chose.

Paper IV: General Studies I

• Heritage and culture: Art forms, literature and architecture from ancient to modern times, the Bhakti movement and saint traditions of Maharashtra.

• Modern history: Mid-18th century to the present, the freedom struggle and post-independence reorganisation.

• World history: Industrial revolution, world wars, colonisation and decolonisation, political ideologies.

• Society and geography: Indian society, women, urbanisation, globalisation, world physical geography, resources and geophysical events.

Paper V: General Studies II

• Constitution and polity: Evolution, features, amendments, basic structure, federal issues, separation of powers.

• Governance: Legislatures, executive, judiciary, local government, constitutional and statutory bodies, e-governance, role of civil services.

• Social justice: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections, health, education, poverty and hunger.

• International relations: India and its neighbours, groupings, diaspora and international institutions.

Paper VI: General Studies III

• Economy: Planning, growth, employment, budgeting, agriculture, MSP, PDS, food processing, land reforms, infrastructure.

• Science and technology: Space, IT, biotechnology, nanotechnology, intellectual property rights.

• Environment and disasters: Conservation, pollution, impact assessment, disaster management.

• Internal security: Extremism, cyber security, money laundering, border management, security agencies.

Paper VII: General Studies IV (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude)

• Ethics and values: Determinants of ethics, values from leaders and reformers, attitude and emotional intelligence.

• Civil service values: Integrity, impartiality, objectivity, empathy, probity in governance, codes of conduct, RTI.

• Case studies: Practical ethical dilemmas, which carry a large share of the paper.

Paper VIII and IX: Optional subject (2026 cycle)

You choose one optional subject from the list in the scheme of examination and write two papers on it. Pick a subject you can finish within your time frame, with steady past-question patterns and enough material in your medium. From 2027, this paper is removed.

Overlap between Prelims and Mains

Interview

The interview has no written syllabus. Expect questions on your background, your district and Maharashtra, current issues and the posts you have chosen.

How to cover the MPSC syllabus

1. Weeks 1 to 8: Core GS subjects from school-level books, plus daily current affairs. Start CSAT practice twice a week.

2. Weeks 9 to 16: Maharashtra-specific topics, environment and science. Begin two to three Mains answers a day and choose your optional.

3. Weeks 17 onwards: Topic tests, then full Prelims mocks with analysis. Keep weekly essays and GS IV case studies going.

4. Final phase: Revise from short notes and your error log.

For the official text, refer to the scheme of examination on mpsc.gov.in.