UPSC Philosophy Optional Syllabus 2026

Section

Topics Covered

History and Problems of Philosophy

Plato and Aristotle: Ideas, Substance, Form and Matter, Causation, Actuality and Potentiality

Rationalism

Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz; Cartesian Method, Substance, God, Mind-Body Dualism, Determinism and Freedom

Empiricism

Locke, Berkeley, Hume; Theory of Knowledge, Substance and Qualities, Self and God, Scepticism

Kant

Synthetic a priori Judgments, Space and Time, Categories, Ideas of Reason, Antinomies

Hegel

Dialectical Method, Absolute Idealism

Moore, Russell and Early Wittgenstein

Common Sense, Refutation of Idealism, Logical Atomism, Picture Theory of Meaning

Logical Positivism

Verification Theory of Meaning, Rejection of Metaphysics

Later Wittgenstein

Meaning and Use, Language-games, Private Language

Phenomenology

Husserl’s Method and Theory of Essences

Existentialism

Kierkegaard, Sartre, Heidegger; Choice, Responsibility, Authentic Existence

Quine and Strawson

Critique of Empiricism, Theory of Basic Particulars and Persons

Carvaka

Theory of Knowledge, Rejection of Transcendent Entities

Jainism

Theory of Reality, Saptabhanginaya, Bondage and Liberation

Buddhism

Pratityasamutpada, Ksanikavada, Nairatmyavada

Nyaya-Vaisesika

Categories, Appearance, Pramana, Self, Liberation, God, Causation

Samkhya and Yoga

Prakriti, Purusa, Liberation, Citta, Klesas, Samadhi

Mimamsa and Vedanta

Theory of Knowledge, Brahman, Maya, Moksa, Jiva, Jagat

Aurobindo

Evolution, Involution, Integral Yoga

Section

Topics Covered

Socio-Political Philosophy

Equality, Justice, Liberty

Sovereignty

Austin, Bodin, Laski, Kautilya

Individual and State

Rights, Duties, Accountability

Forms of Government

Monarchy, Theocracy, Democracy

Political Ideologies

Anarchism, Marxism, Socialism

Humanism and Secularism

Humanism, Secularism, Multiculturalism

Crime and Punishment

Corruption, Genocide, Capital Punishment

Development and Social Progress

Social development and progress

Gender Discrimination

Female Foeticide, Property Rights, Empowerment

Caste Discrimination

Gandhi and Ambedkar

Philosophy of Religion

Nature and Attributes of God

Proofs for God

Indian and Western arguments and critiques

Problem of Evil

Philosophical perspectives on evil

Soul and Liberation

Immortality, Rebirth, Moksha

Faith and Reason

Revelation, Faith, Rationality

Religious Experience

Nature and Object of Religious Experience

Religion and Morality

The relation between ethics and religion

Religious Pluralism

Absolute Truth and diversity of religions

Religious Language

Analogical, Symbolic, Cognitivist, and Non-cognitive Theories

Recommended Books for UPSC Philosophy Optional Preparation

Paper I

• W. T. Stace: A Critical History of Greek Philosophy (Plato and Aristotle).

• Copleston: A History of Philosophy (Relevant Chapters from volumes I, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX & XI).

• Anthony Kenny: A New History of Western Philosophy. OUP Oxford.

• Datta & Chatterjee: An Introduction to Indian Philosophy. Rupa Publishing.

• C. D. Sharma: A Critical Survey of Indian Philosophy. MLBD.

• Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy.

• Bertrand Russell: A History Of Western Philosophy

Paper II

• John Hick: Philosophy of Religion.

• Michael B. Wilkinson: Philosophy of Religion: An Introduction.

• O. P. Gauba: Social & Political Philosophy.

• Political Theory, An Introduction. Edited By Rajeev Bhargava & Ashok Acharya.

• Oxford Dictionary of Politics.