UPSC Medical Science Syllabus 2025

Dive deep into the Mains Optional Papers 1 & 2. Your comprehensive guide to mastering Medical Science for the UPSC Civil Services Examination.

Why Medical Science Optional?

Choosing Medical Science as an Optional Subject not only showcases your passion for healthcare but also allows you to delve deep into the intricate world of medicine and its applications in public administration.

In this guide, we will discuss the UPSC Medical Science Syllabus, and its preparation tips. Whether you are a medical professional seeking to combine your expertise with civil service or an aspirant with a keen interest in healthcare, understanding the scope and depth of this optional subject is essential to your UPSC preparation.

Exam Structure:

The UPSC Medical Science Optional Subject has two papers – Paper I and Paper II in the CSE Main Examination. Each paper is worth 250 marks, for a total of 500 marks.

UPSC Medical Science Syllabus: Paper 1

Human Anatomy
  • Applied anatomy including blood and nerve supply of upper and lower limbs and joints of shoulder, hip and knee.
  • Gross anatomy, blood supply and lymphatic drainage of tongue, thyroid, mammary gland, stomach, liver, prostate, gonads and uterus.
  • Applied anatomy of diaphragm, perineum and inguinal region.
  • Clinical anatomy of kidney, urinary bladder, uterine tubes, vas deferens.
  • Embryology: Placenta and placental barrier. Development of heart, gut, kidney. uterus, ovary, testis and their common congenital abnormalities.
  • Central and Peripheral Autonomic Nervous System: Gross and clinical anatomy of ventricles of brain, circulation of cerebrospinal fluid; Neural pathways and lesions of cutaneous sensations, hearing and vision; Cranial nerves distribution and clinical significance; Components of autonomic nervous system.
Human Physiology
  • Conduction and transmission of impulse, mechanism of contraction, neuromuscular transmission, reflexes, control of equilibrium, posture and muscle tone, descending pathways, functions of cerebellum, basal ganglia, Physiology of sleep and consciousness.
  • Endocrine System: Mechanism of action of hormones; formation, secretion, transport, metabolism, function and regulation of secretion of the pancreas and pituitary gland.
  • Physiology of Reproductive System: Pregnancy, menstrual cycle, lactation, pregnancy.
  • Blood: Development, regulation and fate of blood cells.
  • Cardio-vascular: cardiac output, blood pressure, regulation of cardiovascular functions.
Biochemistry
  • Organ function tests— liver, kidney, thyroid
  • Protein synthesis.
  • Vitamins and minerals.
  • Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP).
  • Polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
  • Radio-immunoassays (RIA).
Pathology
  • Inflammation and repair
  • Disturbances of growth and cancer
  • Pathogenesis and histopathology of rheumatic and ischaemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus.
  • Difference between benign and malignant tumours, primary and metastatic malignancies.
  • Pathogenesis and histopathology of bronchogenic carcinoma, carcinoma breast, oral cancer, cancer cervix, leukaemia.
  • Etiology, pathogenesis and histopathology of— cirrhosis liver, glomerulonephritis, tuberculosis, acute osteomyelitis.
Microbiology
  1. Humoral and cell-mediated immunity.
  2. Diseases caused by and laboratory diagnosis of —
    • Meningococcus, Salmonella
    • Shigella, Herpes, Dengue, Polio, HIV/AIDS
    • HIV/AIDS, Malaria, E. Histolytica, Giardia
    • Candida, Cryptococcus, Aspergillus.
Pharmacology

Mechanism of action and side effects of the following drugs:

  • Antipyretics and analgesics
  • Antibiotics
  • Antimalaria, Anti Kala-azar
  • Antidiabetics
  • Antihypertensive, Antidiuretics
  • General and cardiac vasodilators
  • Antiviral, Antiparasitic, Antifungal
  • Immunosuppressants
  • Anticancer
Forensic Medicine and Toxicology
  • Forensic examination of injuries and wounds; Examination of blood and seminal stains; Poisoning, sedative overdose, hanging, drowning, burns, DNA and fingerprint study.

UPSC Medical Science Syllabus: Paper 2

General Medicine
  • Etiology, clinical features, diagnosis and principles of management (including prevention) of—Typhoid, Rabies, AIDS, Dengue, Kala-azar, Japanese Encephalitis.
  • Etiology, clinical features, diagnosis and principles of management of Ischaemic heart disease, pulmonary embolism, Bronchial asthma.
  • Pleural effusion, tuberculosis, Malabsorption syndromes; acid peptic diseases, Viral hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver.
  • Glomerulonephritis and pyelonephritis, renal failure, nephrotic syndrome, renovascular hypertension, complications of diabetes mellitus, coagulation disorders, leukaemia, Hypo and hyperthyroidism, meningitis and encephalitis.
  • Imaging medical problems, ultrasound, echo- cardiogram, CT scan, MRI.
  • Anxiety and Depressive Psychosis and schizophrenia and ECT.
Paediatrics
  • Immunisation
  • Baby friendly hospital
  • Congenital cyanotic heart disease
  • Respiratory distress syndrome, broncho— pneumonias
  • Kernicterus
  • IMNCI classification and management
  • PEM grading and management.
  • ARI and Diarrhoea of under five and their management
Dermatology
  • Psoriasis, Allergic dermatitis, scabies, eczema, vitiligo, Stevan Johnson’s syndrome, Lichen Planus.
General Surgery

Clinical features, causes, diagnosis and principles of management of:

  • Laryngeal tumour, oral and esophageal tumours
  • Cleft palate, harelip.
  • Peripheral arterial diseases, varicose veins, coarctation of aorta.
  • Tumours of Thyroid, Adrenal Glands.
  • Breast: Abscess, cancer, fibroadenoma and adenosis of breast.
  • Bleeding peptic ulcer, tuberculosis of bowel, ulcerative colitis, cancer of the stomach.
  • Renal mass, cancer prostate.
  • Haemothorax
  • Stones of Gallbladder
  • Kidney, Ureter and Urinary Bladder.
  • Management of surgical conditions of Rectum, Anus and Anal canal, Gallbladder and Bile ducts.
  • Splenomegaly, cholecystitis, portal hypertension, liver abscess, peritonitis, carcinoma head of pancreas.
  • Fractures of spine, Colles’ fracture and bone tumours.
  • Endoscopy.
  • Laparoscopic Surgery
Obstetrics and Gynaecology including Family Planning
  • Diagnosis of pregnancy.
  • Labour management, complications of 3rd stage,
  • Antepartum and postpartum haemorrhage, resuscitation of the newborn, Management of abnormal life and difficult labour. Management of small for date or premature newborn.
  • Diagnosis and management of anaemia. Preeclampsia and Toxemia of pregnancy
  • Management of Postmenopausal Syndrome.
  • Intrauterine devices, pills, tubectomy and vasectomy. Medical termination of pregnancy including legal aspects.
  • Cancer cervix.
  • Leucorrhoea, pelvic pain; infertility, dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB), amenorrhoea, Fibroid and prolapse of the uterus.
Community Medicine (Preventive and Social Medicine)
  • Principles, methods, approach and measurements of Epidemiology.
  • Nutrition, nutritional diseases/disorders and Nutrition Programmes.
  • Health information Collection, Analysis and Presentation.
  • Objectives, components and critical analysis of National programmes for control/eradication of : Malaria, Kala-azar, Filaria and Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, STDs and Dengue.
  • Critical appraisal of Health care delivery system.
  • Health management and administration; Techniques, Tools, Programme Implementation and Evaluation.
  • Objectives, Components, Goals and Status of Reproductive and Child Health, National Rural Health Mission and Millennium Development Goals.
  • Management of hospital and industrial waste.

UPSC Medical Science Optional Preparation Strategy

Understand the Syllabus

Thoroughly understand the syllabus for both Paper I and Paper II. This helps identify focus topics and create a study plan.

Choose Right Resources

Select relevant books and resources that cover the UPSC syllabus in a clear, concise style. Prioritize standard textbooks.

Make a Study Plan

Create a realistic study plan to cover all material. Schedule time for revision and practice tests regularly.

Take Notes

Make notes on important points and concepts while studying. This aids memory and simplifies revision.

Practice Questions

Solve previous year's question papers and take mock tests. This is the best way to prepare for the exam format.

Discuss Topics

Joining classes or study groups can help in organized preparation and doubt clarification.

Focus on Concepts

Understand the underlying concepts rather than just memorizing facts. Application-based questions are common.

Use Visual Aids

Utilize diagrams, flowcharts, and mnemonics to visualize and remember complex concepts effectively.

Take Breaks & Stay Healthy

Avoid burnout by taking regular breaks. Ensure adequate sleep and maintain a healthy diet for optimal performance.

Books for UPSC Medical Science Optional

Books for Paper-I

Human Anatomy

B D Chaurasia

Embryology

I B Singh

Human Physiology

Ganong; Guyton; A.K. Jain

Biochemistry

U. Satyanarayana

Pathology

Robbins and Cotran

Textbook of PATHOLOGY

Harsh Mohan

Essentials of Medical Pharmacology

K D Tripathi

Illustrated Reviews Pharmacology

Lippincott

Microbiology

D R Arora

Medical Parasitology

D R Arora

Ananthanarayan and Paniker’s Textbook of Microbiology

Essentials of Forensic medicine and Toxicology

Dr. K S Narayan Reddy

Park Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine

K Park

Books for Paper-II

General Medicine textbook of medicine

S N Chugh

Medicine: Prep Manual for Undergraduates

George Mathews

Emergency medicine

S N Chugh

Manipal Manual of Surgery

K. Rajgopal Shenoy

Clinical surgery

S Das

Pediatrics

Essential pediatrics by O P Ghai, Paul and Bagga

Practical Aspects Of Pediatrics

Dr. Mayoor K Chheda

Illustrated Synopsis of Dermatology and Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Dr. Neena Khanna

Textbook Of Obstetrics

D.C. Dutta