The main components of the UPSC syllabus for the Preliminary Examination include two papers: General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II, commonly known as CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test). Paper I covers topics such as Indian polity, history, geography, and current affairs. Paper II assesses the candidates' comprehension, logical reasoning, and quantitative aptitude skills. Both papers are designed to evaluate a candidate's readiness for the subsequent stages of the selection process, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of essential skills and knowledge.