UPSC Mains: General Studies IV (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude)

Main Examination: General Studies IV. Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude. In UPSC's numbering this is Paper V: Paper I is the Essay, and General Studies I to IV are Papers II to V. At a glance: • 250 marks, 3 hours. Counted for merit (the final ranking), provided you reach 25% in both qualifying language papers (Indian Language, unless you are exempt from it, and English). The Commission may also fix qualifying marks in this paper. • Descriptive written answers, not multiple choice. • The question paper is in Hindi and English. You answer in the medium you chose in your application: English or one of the 22 Indian languages of the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution, such as Hindi. What the questions test: The main Examination is intended to assess the overall intellectual traits and depth of understanding of candidates rather than merely the range of their information and memory. The nature and standard of questions in the General Studies papers (Paper II to Paper V) will be such that a well-educated person will be able to answer them without any specialized study. The questions will be such as to test a candidate's general awareness of a variety of subjects, which will have relevance for a career in Civil Services. The questions are likely to test the candidate's basic understanding of all relevant issues, and ability to analyze, and take a view on conflicting socio-economic goals, objectives and demands. The candidates must give relevant, meaningful and succinct answers. What this paper covers: This paper will include questions to test the candidates' attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and his problem solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him in dealing with society. Questions may utilise the case study approach to determine these aspects. The following broad areas will be covered: • 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. • Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion. • 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. • Emotional intelligence: concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance. • Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world. • 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. • 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. • Case Studies on above issues. Source: UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026, Examination Notice No. 05/2026-CSE, 4 February 2026.