UPPSC Philosophy syllabus covers key areas of Indian and Western philosophy. It includes topics such as metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, logic, and the philosophy of religion. Indian philosophy explores schools like Vedanta, Nyaya, Sankhya, Buddhism, and Jainism, while Western philosophy includes thinkers like Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Kant, and Hegel.
The syllabus also covers contemporary philosophical issues, moral philosophy, and social-political thought. Candidates are expected to understand philosophical concepts, critical reasoning, and their practical applications. The syllabus is designed to test a candidate’s depth of understanding, clarity of thought, and ability to analyze and compare philosophical systems.
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UPPSC Philosophy Syllabus Overview
UPPSC Philosophy syllabus includes core areas like Indian and Western philosophy, ethics, logic, and more. It is designed to assess a candidate’s understanding of key philosophical concepts and thinkers.
The syllabus is divided into two papers. For a structured and simplified view of the syllabus, check the table below outlining all major sections and topics.
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UPPSC Philosophy Syllabus Overview
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Organisation
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Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC)
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Exam Name
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UPPSC Combined State/Upper Subordinate Services Examination
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Optional Subject
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Philosophy
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Number of Papers
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2 (Philosophy Paper I and Philosophy Paper II)
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Total Marks (Optional)
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500 marks (250 marks each paper)
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Paper I Topics
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Indian Philosophy, Western Philosophy, Logic
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Paper II Topics
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Ethics, Social & Political Philosophy, Philosophy of Religion, Contemporary Philosophy
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Exam Type
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Written (Mains), Descriptive
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Medium
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English or Hindi (as chosen by candidate)
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Check: UPPSC Syllabus 2025
Detailed Topics in UPPSC Philosophy Syllabus
The UPPSC Philosophy syllabus covers a wide range of topics, including classical Indian schools of thought, major Western philosophers, ethical theories, logic, metaphysics, and contemporary ideas. It also includes the philosophy of religion and socio-political concepts. These areas test analytical and comparative understanding. For a detailed breakdown of topics covered in both papers, check the table given below.
UPPSC Philosophy Syllabus for Paper I
UPPSC Philosophy Syllabus for Paper I (Philosophy and Problems of Philosophy) is as follows:
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UPPSC Philosophy Syllabus for Paper I
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(SECTION-A)
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1. Plato:Theory Of ideas
2. Aristotle :Form,matter and Causation.
3.Descartes: Method, soul,God,Mind Bodydualism.
4.Spinoza :Substance, Attributes and Modes,Pantheism.
5. Leibnitz: Monads, God.
6. Locke : Theory of knowledge, Rejection of Innate ideas, Substance and Qualities.
7. Berkeley : Refutation of Abstract Idea, Refutation of Matter,Refutation of the distinction between Primary and Secondary Qualities, Idealism.
8. Hume:Theory of knowledge,Scepticism,Self,Causality.
9.Kant:Apriori and Aposteriori Knowledge, Analytic and Synthetic Judgements, possibility of Synthetic Apriori Judgement, Space, Time, Categories, Ideas of Reason, Criticism of the proo fs for the existence of God
10. Hegel: Dialectical Method, Absolute idealism.
11 (a) Moore: Defence of Common sense, Refutation of Idealism.
11 (b) Russell : Theory of Descriptions, Incomplete Symbols, Logical Atomism : Atomic Facts.
12. Wittgenstein: Elementary Propositions, Picture Theory Of Meaning, Distinction Of Saying And Showing.
13. Logiical Positivism:Verification Theory,Rejection Of Me taphysics,Linguistic Theory of Necessary Propositions.
14. Phenomenology: Husserl Phenomological Method, Intentionality of Consciousness.
15. Existentialism: (Kierkegaard and Sartre) - Existence and Essence, Freedom and Choice, Responsibility and Autheni tc Existence.
16. Quine: Radical Translation.
17.Strawson Theory Of Person.
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(SECTION-B)
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1. Carvaka: Theory of knowledge, Materialism.
2. Jainism: Theory of Reality. Syadvada and Saptabhanginaya Bondage and Liberation.
3. Buddhism: Pratityasamutpada, Ksanikavada, Nairatmyavada, Schools of Buddhism.
4. Sankhya - Yoga: Prakriti, Purusa, Theory of Causation, Liberation, Ashtanga yoga, Cittabhumi, Ishvara.
5. Nyaya VaisesikaPramanas, Self, Liberation, Nature Of God And Proofs For Existence of God, Categories, Theory of Causation, Atomism.
6. Mimamsa: Theory of Knowledge, Prama, Pramanas, Svatahpramanyavada,
7. Vedanta : Sankara, Ramauja and Madhva(Brahma, Isvara, Atma, Jiva,Jagata,Maya,Avidya,Adhyasa,Moksha)
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UPPSC Philosophy Syllabus for Paper II
Philosophy Paper-II in the UPPSC exam focuses on Socio-Political Philosophy and Philosophy of Religion. It explores key ideas like justice, liberty, equality, rights, democracy, and religious concepts such as the existence of God, faith, evil, and salvation. These topics require critical thinking and philosophical reasoning. For the complete list of topics covered in Paper-II, check the table below.
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UPPSC Philosophy Syllabus for Paper II
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SECTION-A
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1. Social and Political Ideals: Equality, Justice, Liberty
2. Sovereignty
3. Individual and State
4. Democracy: Concept and Forms
5 .Socialism and Marxism
6 .Humanism
7.Secularism
8. Multiculturalism
9Theories of Punishment
10 . Violence, Non-violence, Sarvodaya
11 . Gender-Equality
12 .Scientific Temper and Progress
13 .Philosophy of Ecology.
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SECTION-B
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1. Religion: Theology and Philosophy of Religion.
2. Religion and Morality
3. Notions of God: Personalistic, Impersonalistic, Naturalistic.
4. Proofs for the existence of God.
5. Immortality of Soul
6. Liberation
7. Religious Knowledge; Reason, Revelation and Mysticism
8. Religion without God
9. Problem of Evil
10. Religious Tolerance.
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UPPSC Philosophy Syllabus Preparation Strategy
To score well in the UPPSC Philosophy optional paper, it is important to build strong conceptual clarity, cover both Indian and Western philosophy thoroughly, and practice answer writing regularly.
Focus on thinkers, theories, and logical reasoning. Integrate ethics and current issues smartly. For a detailed, step-by-step preparation strategy specific for this exam, check the pointers given below.
Start of your Preparation - Start by carefully reading the official UPPSC Philosophy syllabus and dividing it into Paper I and Paper II. This will help you understand the scope and weightage of each section. Keep a printed syllabus handy and tick off topics as you cover them.
Foundation - Begin with foundational resources like NCERTs or IGNOU study material to build a clear conceptual base. Avoid starting with complex texts immediately. Simple explanations will help you understand abstract ideas in Indian and Western philosophy better.
Indian Philosophy - For Indian Philosophy, focus on both orthodox schools like Vedanta, Sankhya, Nyaya, and heterodox ones like Buddhism, Jainism, and Charvaka. Understand key concepts such as Atman, Brahman, Moksha, and Pramanas. Use comparison tables to differentiate between schools.
Western Philosophy - In Western Philosophy, study major philosophers like Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Hume, Kant, and Hegel. Focus on epistemology, metaphysics, and theories of knowledge and reality. Try to connect their ideas with examples and explain them in your own words.
Practice - Logic is scoring but requires consistent practice. Study deductive and inductive logic, categorical syllogism, symbolic logic, and truth tables. Solve practice questions regularly from books like Copi’s Introduction to Logic to gain confidence.
Answer Writing - Start answer writing practice early—write 1–2 answers a week using previous year questions. Maintain structure: clear introduction, balanced discussion, relevant examples, and a strong conclusion. Use quotes, flowcharts, and comparisons to stand out.
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