UPSC Syllabus, IAS Prelims & Mains Syllabus in detail

It is crucial to decode the UPSC syllabus before commencing preparation for the exam. One could argue that comprehending the exam and its syllabus is equivalent to completing half of the preparation.

Introduction

The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is one of the most prestigious exams in India, attracting thousands of aspirants every year. It is also one of the most challenging exams. It is conducted every year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to recruit eligible candidates for various prestigious positions in the civil services of the Government of India, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Revenue Service (IRS).

Conducted in three stages - Prelims, Mains, and Interview - the exam is known for its rigorous selection process and challenging syllabus. Understanding the UPSC syllabus is critical for aspirants to prepare for the exam effectively and maximize their chances of success.

Overview of UPSC CSE Syllabus

The UPSC CSE exam consists of three stages - Prelims, Mains, and Interview. Each stage is equally important and has its own specific syllabus and weightage.

PRELIMS

The Prelims exam is a screening test that filters out candidates for the Mains exam. It is important to have a clear understanding of the Prelims syllabus and an effective preparation strategy to crack this stage. It is the first stage of the UPSC CSE exam. It consists of two papers - General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II (CSAT).

General Studies Paper - 1

The General Studies Paper I of Prelims exam covers a wide range of topics. Aspirants should focus on the following areas while preparing for the Prelims exam:

History - Ancient, Medieval, and Modern History of India and the World.
Geography - Physical, Economic, and Human Geography of India and the World.
Polity - Indian Constitution, Governance, and Public Policy.
Economy - Indian Economy and its various sectors.
Environment - Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change.
Science Technology - Developments in Science and Technology, and their applications in everyday life.
Current Affairs - National and International events of the past year.

Aspirants can follow the following tips and strategies for effective preparation for the Prelims exam: