UPSC Prelims Syllabus

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination is one of India’s most prestigious competitive exams, aiming to recruit candidates for various civil services positions, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS), among others. The examination is conducted in three stages: Prelims, Mains, and Interview.

UPSC Prelims Examination Overview

The Preliminary Examination serves as the first filtering stage and consists of two objective-type papers:

1. General Studies Paper I
2. General Studies Paper II (Civil Services Aptitude Test – CSAT)

Both papers are conducted on the same day, with a total of 400 marks—200 marks for each paper. The Prelims are primarily qualifying in nature for the Mains examination, but the General Studies Paper I score is also used for ranking purposes.

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1. General Studies Paper I Syllabus

Duration: 2 hours
Marks: 200
Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Topics Covered:

1. Current Events of National and International Importance
   • Significant events from the last six months.
   • Government policies, international relations, and major socio-economic issues.
2. History of India and Indian National Movement
   • Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Indian History.
   • Key movements, leaders, and events leading to India’s independence.
3. Indian and World Geography – Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World
   • Physical features: Landforms, climate, vegetation, and natural resources.
   • Economic geography: Agriculture, industries, infrastructure, and urbanization.
   • Human geography: Population, migration, and cultural patterns.
4. Indian Polity and Governance
   • Constitution of India: Features, amendments, and fundamental rights.
   • Governance: Executive, Legislature, Judiciary, and local governance.
   • Policies and programs related to governance.
5. Economic and Social Development
   • Sustainable development, poverty, inclusion, and demographics.
   • Economic planning, sectors of the economy, and development initiatives.
   • Social justice, welfare schemes, and human development indices.
6. General Issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change
   • Environmental challenges and conservation efforts.
   • Biodiversity and its significance.
   • Climate change and its impact on India and the world.
7. General Science
   • Basics of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and their applications.
   • Technological developments and their societal impacts.

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2. General Studies Paper II (CSAT) Syllabus

Duration: 2 hours
Marks: 200
Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Note: Minimum qualifying marks are required to move to the Mains.

Topics Covered:

1. Comprehension
   • Understanding and interpreting written passages.
   • Analytical reasoning based on provided texts.
2. Interpersonal Skills including Communication Skills
   • Effective communication techniques.
   • Non-verbal and verbal communication strategies.
3. Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability
   • Logical sequences, syllogisms, and pattern recognition.
   • Analytical problem-solving skills.
4. Decision Making and Problem Solving
   • Strategies for effective decision-making.
   • Approaches to solving complex problems.
5. General Mental Ability
   • Basic numerical and analytical skills.
   • Data interpretation and data sufficiency.
6. Basic Numeracy (Numbers and their Relations, Orders of Magnitude, etc.)
   • Arithmetic problems, ratios, percentages, and averages.
   • Basic mathematical concepts and their applications.
7. Data Interpretation (Charts, Graphs, Tables, etc.)
   • Interpretation of data presented in various formats.
   • Analytical skills to derive meaningful conclusions from data.

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Preparation Tips for UPSC Prelims Syllabus

1. Understand the Syllabus Thoroughly:
   • Familiarize yourself with each topic and sub-topic.
   • Prioritize subjects based on your strengths and weaknesses.
2. Stay Updated with Current Affairs:
   • Regularly read newspapers like The Hindu or The Indian Express.
   • Follow reputable news portals and monthly current affairs magazines.
3. Refer to Standard Study Materials:
   • NCERT textbooks (6th to 12th standard) for foundational knowledge.
   • UPSC-specific books like Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth, India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra, etc.
4. Practice Previous Years’ Papers:
   • Solving past question papers helps understand the exam pattern and difficulty level.
   • Time management and accuracy can be improved through regular practice.
5. Take Mock Tests:
   • Enroll in a reputable mock test series, such as those offered by Star Mock Test.
   • Regular mock tests help in assessing your preparation and identifying areas for improvement.
6. Revise Regularly:
   • Regular revision ensures retention of information.
   • Create concise notes for quick revisions before the exam.
7. Develop Analytical and Reasoning Skills:
   • Engage in activities that enhance logical reasoning and problem-solving abilities.
   • Practice CSAT-specific questions to improve speed and accuracy.
8. Maintain a Balanced Study Schedule:
   • Allocate time effectively to cover all subjects.
   • Ensure adequate breaks to avoid burnout and maintain productivity.

The UPSC Prelims syllabus is vast and requires a strategic approach to cover all topics comprehensively. Leveraging resources like the UPSC Prelims Mock Test Series at Star Mock Test can significantly enhance your preparation by providing realistic exam simulations, detailed performance analytics, and targeted feedback to help you excel in the examination.

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