UPSC Exam Syllabus Overview

UPSC Syllabus

• Preliminary Examination:

  • General Studies Paper I: Current events, History, Geography, Polity, Economic and Social Development, Environment, and General Science.
  • General Studies Paper II (CSAT): Comprehension, Interpersonal skills, Logical reasoning, Analytical ability, Decision-making, and General mental ability.

• Main Examination:

  • Nine papers, including:
    1. Essay
    2. General Studies Paper I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History, and Geography of the World.
    3. General Studies Paper II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice.
    4. General Studies Paper III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Security.
    5. General Studies Paper IV: Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude.
    6. Two papers of any optional subject (various subjects available).
    7. Language papers (qualifying).

Historical Events

• Ancient India: Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic Period, Mauryan Empire.
• Medieval India: Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire, Bhakti and Sufi movements.
• Modern India: British Raj, Revolt of 1857, Indian National Movement, Independence and Partition.
• Post-Independence: Constitution framing, major socio-political events, economic reforms.

Current Affairs Analysis

• Sources: Newspapers (The Hindu, Indian Express), Magazines (Yojana, Frontline), Online portals.
• Focus Areas:
  • National issues: Governance, Politics, Economy, and Social issues.
  • International relations: Bilateral relations, Global issues, International organizations.
  • Environment: Climate change, Sustainable development.
  • Technology: Digital India, Cybersecurity.

Interview Preparation

• Understanding the Board:

  • Comprise of experienced members, assess personality, and suitability for civil services.

• Key Areas of Focus:

  • Personal background, education, hobbies, and motivations.
  • Awareness of current events, national policies, and socio-economic issues.
  • Ethical scenarios and decision-making.

• Preparation Tips:

  • Mock interviews for practice.
  • Review and articulate personal experiences and achievements.

Preparation Strategies

• Time Management:

  • Create a study schedule, allocate time for each subject, and revise regularly.

• Study Material:

  • NCERT books for basic concepts, standard reference books for advanced topics.

• Practice:

  • Regularly solve previous years' question papers and take mock tests.

• Group Study:

  • Join study groups for discussions and knowledge sharing.

• Health and Wellbeing:

  • Maintain a healthy lifestyle, include physical exercises, and manage stress effectively.

Preliminary Examination

• General Studies Paper I covers current events, history, geography, polity, economic and social development, environment, and general science.
• General Studies Paper II (CSAT) assesses comprehension, interpersonal skills, logical reasoning, analytical ability, decision-making, and general mental ability.

Main Examination

• Comprises nine papers, including:
  • Essay: Focuses on writing skills.
  • General Studies Paper I: Covers Indian heritage, culture, world history, and geography.
  • General Studies Paper II: Focuses on governance, constitution, polity, and social justice.
  • General Studies Paper III: Addresses technology, economic development, biodiversity, and security.
  • General Studies Paper IV: Emphasizes ethics, integrity, and aptitude.
  • Optional Subjects: Two papers from various available subjects.
  • Language Papers: Qualifying papers for language proficiency.

Historical Events

• Ancient India: Notable periods include the Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic Period, and Mauryan Empire.
• Medieval India: Important entities consist of the Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire, and movements like Bhakti and Sufi.
• Modern India: Key events encompass the British Raj, Revolt of 1857, the Indian National Movement, and the Partition of India.
• Post-Independence: Focus on constitution framing, significant socio-political events, and economic reforms.

Current Affairs Analysis

• Sources for Current Affairs: Reliable options include newspapers such as The Hindu and Indian Express, and magazines like Yojana and Frontline, along with various online portals.
• Focus Areas:
  • National Issues: Governance, politics, economy, and social issues.
  • International Relations: Examines bilateral relations, global issues, and roles of international organizations.
  • Environmental Topics: Discusses climate change and sustainable development.
  • Technology Trends: Covers aspects of Digital India and cybersecurity challenges.

Interview Preparation

• Understanding the Board: Comprising experienced members who assess candidates' personality and suitability for civil services.
• Key Focus Areas: Personal background, education, and hobbies; current affairs awareness; ethical decision-making scenarios.
• Preparation Tips: Engage in mock interviews for practice, and articulate personal experiences and achievements clearly.

Preparation Strategies

• Time Management: Develop a structured study schedule, allocate dedicated time for each subject, and ensure regular revision.
• Study Material: Utilize NCERT books for foundational understanding and standard reference materials for advanced study.
• Practice: Consistently solve previous years' question papers and participate in mock tests for assessment.
• Group Study: Collaborate in study groups for enhanced discussions and knowledge sharing.
• Health and Wellbeing: Prioritize a healthy lifestyle through physical activity and effective stress management techniques.

This quiz covers the comprehensive syllabus for the UPSC examination, including both Preliminary and Main Examination requirements. Topics range from current events and Indian heritage to governance and ethics. Enhance your understanding of the subjects and prepare effectively for this prestigious exam.