Every year, lots of people in India want to become important government workers. They take a hard test called UPSC Civil Services Exam. The first part of this tough test is UPSC Prelims. It has two papers about many different subjects. To help you understand the things you need to learn, we've made the Complete UPSC Prelims Syllabus for 2024 simpler. We explain the main subjects and topics you need to be really good at.

Introduction to UPSC Prelims:

The UPSC Preliminary Examination, often referred to as the UPSC Prelims, is the first stage of the three-tiered selection process for the coveted civil services of India. It consists of two papers: General Studies Paper I (GS Paper I) and General Studies Paper II (GS Paper II) - commonly known as the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT). While GS Paper I tests candidates on subjects like History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Science, and Environment, GS Paper II evaluates their comprehension, reasoning, and analytical abilities.

Preparation Strategies:

Thorough Study: Start by building a strong foundation in each subject. Understand key concepts, historical events, geographical features, and current affairs.

Current Affairs: Stay updated with current events, especially those related to national and international significance. Focus on issues impacting society, economy, and governance.

Practice Tests: Regularly take mock tests and practice previous years' question papers. This helps you get familiar with the exam pattern and manage time effectively.

Note-making: Create concise notes for each subject, highlighting important points and facts. This aids in quick revision before the exam.

Mind Mapping: Use mind maps to connect related concepts and visualize complex information. This technique enhances memory retention.

Analytical Skills: Dedicate time to improving your logical reasoning and analytical abilities. Solve puzzles, riddles, and practice decision-making scenarios.

CSAT Focus: Don't neglect the CSAT portion. Practice reading comprehension, logical reasoning, and numerical aptitude regularly.

Time Management: Divide your study schedule effectively, allocating time to each subject based on your strengths and weaknesses.

Revision: Regularly revise what you've learned to reinforce your understanding and memory.

Key Subjects and Topics UPSC Prelims 2024 GS paper I

UPSC Civil Services Exam is considered to be one of the most difficult exams in India, mainly due to its vast and somewhat vague syllabus. An aspirant needs to have the right approach in order to clear the exam, that right approach consists of the right strategy which is basically “What to study?” and “What not to study?”. This article lists all the important topics/chapters subject-wise that need to be studied and revised with the highest priority.

Modern Indian History

·         Expansion and Consolidation of British Power in India

·         The Revolt of 1857

·         Socio-Religious Reform Movements

·         A General Survey of the Reform Movements and Their Leaders

·         Beginning of Modern Nationalism in India

·         Indian National Congress: Foundation and the Moderate Phase

·         First Phase of Revolutionary Activities(1907 – 1917)

·         First World War and Nationalist Response

·         Non-Cooperation Movement and Khilafat Aandolan

·         Emergence of Swarajists, Socialist Ideas, Revolutionary Activities and Other New Forces

·         Simon Commission and the Nehru Report

·         Civil Disobedience Movement and Round Table Conferences

·         Nationalist Response in the Wake of World War II

·         Quit India Movement, Demand for Pakistan, and the INA

·         Constitutional, Administrative and Judicial Developments

·         Survey of British Policies in India

·         Economic Impact of British Rule in India

·         Development of Indian Press

·         Development of Education

·         Peasant Movements 1857 – 1947

·         The Movement of the Working Class

Medieval Indian History

·         Northern India: Age of the Three Empires (Circa 800 – 1000)

·         South India: The Chola Empire (Circa 900 – 1200)

·         Economic and Social Life, Education and Religious Beliefs (Circa 800 – 1200)

·         The Delhi Sultanate

·         Government, and Economic and Social Life under the Delhi Sultanate

·         The Age of Vijayanagara and the Bahmanids, and the Coming of the Portuguese (Circa 1350 – 1565)

·         Cultural Development in India (Circa 1200 – 1500)

·         Mughals and Afghans (Circa 1525 – 1555)

·         Consolidation of the Mughal Empire

·         The Deccan and South India (Up to Circa 1656)

·         Economic and Social Life under the Mughals

·         Cultural and Religious Developments

Ancient Indian History

·         The topics and chapters below are taken from the “India’s Ancient Past” by R. S. Sharma:

·         The Linguistic Background

·         Old Stone Age

·         Neolithic Age

·         Harappan Culture

·         Age of Rig Veda

·         Jainism and Buddhism

·         Territorial States and the Rise of Magadh

·         The Maurya Age

·         The Satavahana Phase

·         Crafts, Commerce and Urban Growth (200 BC to 250 AD)

·         Rise and Growth of Gupta Empire

·         Life in Gupta Age

·         Harsha and his Times

·         Cultural Interaction with Asian Countries

Geography

·         The Earth’s crust

·         Volcanism and earthquake

·         Landforms made by running water

·         Landform of glaciations

·         Arid or Deserts land reform

·         Limestone and chalk landforms

·         Lakes

·         Coastal landforms

·         Islands and coral reefs

·         The oceans

·         Weather

·         Climate

·         The Hot, wet equatorial climate

·         The Tropical monsoon and tropical marine climates

·         The savanna or Sudan climate

·         The hot desert and mid-latitude deserts climates

·         The warm temperate and western margin (Mediterranean) climates

·         The temperate continental (steppe) climate

·         The Arctic and polar climate

Apart from the aforementioned chapters one also needs to study the following topics:

·         Physiography of India

·         Biodiversity in the Himalayas

·         Peninsular Plateau

·         Indian Desert

·         Coastal Plains

·         Islands

·         Drainage System

·         Indian Drainage System

·         Weather and Climate of India

Environment and Ecology

·         Functions of an Ecosystem

·         Terrestrial Ecosystem

·         Aquatic Ecosystem

·         Environmental Pollution

·         Biodiversity

·         Indian Biodiversity

·         Schedule Animals of WPA, 1972

·         Animal Diversity of India

·         Plant Diversity of India

·         Marine Organism

·         Protected Area Network

·         Conservation Efforts

·         Climate Change

·         Ocean Acidification

·         Impact of Climate Change – India

·         Mitigation Strategies

·         Climate Change Organisations

·         Agriculture

·         Acts and Policies

·         Institution and Measures

·         Environmental Organisations

·         International Environmental Conventions

Indian Polity

·         Making of the Constitution

·         Salient Features of the Constitution

·         Schedules of the Constitution

·         Preamble

·         Union and its Territory

·         Citizenship

·         Fundamental Rights

·         Directive Principles of State Policy

·         Fundamental Duties

·         Amendment to the Constitution

·         Federal System

·         Centre State Relations

·         Inter State Relations

·         Public Acts, Records and Zonal Councils

·         Emergency Provisions

·         President

·         Vice President

·         Parliament of India

·         Prime Minister and Council of Ministers

·         Presiding Officers of The House

·         Legislative Procedure in Parliament

·         Annual Financial Statement or Budget [Article 112]

·         Parliamentary Privileges

·         Supreme Court

·         Governor of States

·         Chief Minister and his Council of Ministers

·         State Legislature

·         Legislative Procedure in the State

·         High Court

·         Subordinate Courts

·         Panchayati Raj

·         Urban Local Government

·         Scheduled Areas And Tribal Areas

·         Election Commission

·         Union Public Service Commission

·         State Public Service Commission

·         Finance Commission

·         National Commission for SC and ST

·         Comptroller And Auditor General of India

·         Attorney General of India

·         Advocate General of States

·         National Development Council

·         National Human Rights Commission

·         State Human Rights Commission

·         Central Information Commission

·         State Information Commission

·         Central Vigilance Commission

Economics

·         National Income Accounting

·         Money and Banking

·         Income Determination

·         The Government: Functions and Scope

·         Open Economy Macroeconomics

·         Theory of Consumer Behaviour

·         Production and Costs

·         The Theory of Firm under Perfect Competition

·         Market Equilibrium

Science and Technology

·         Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering

·         Health and Diseases

·         Nanotechnology

·         Nuclear Science

·         Advancements in the Field of Fundamental Physics

·         Robotics

·         Space Technology

·         Defence

·         Energy Technologies

·         ICT and Computer

·         Technologies and Innovations in Day – To – Day Life

Art and Culture

·         Indian Architecture, Sculpture, and Pottery

·         Indian Paintings

·         UNESCO’s List of Tangible World Heritage Sites in India

·         Indian Music

·         Indian Dance Forms

·         UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage

·         Indian Literature

GS Paper II - Decoding the CSAT:

This is the lists of all the important segments that need to be studied without ignoring, because the difficulty level of CSAT is gradually increasing.

Comprehension

·         English/Hindi Paragraph Comprehension

Interpersonal skills including communication skills

·         Analogies

·         Critical Reasoning

Logical Reasoning and Analytical ability

·         Logical Reasoning based on Arrangement

·         Logical Reasoning based on Ranking

·         Team Formations

·         Quantitative Reasoning

·         Sequences and Series

·         Blood Relation

·         Direction Test

·         Puzzle Test

Decision-making and problem-solving

·         Hypothetical questions based on ethical dilemmas

·         Decoding facts logically into answers

General mental ability

·         Syllogisms

·         Logical Deductions

·         Statement and Conclusions

·         Statement and Assumptions

·         Assertion and Reason

·         Statement Courses of Action

·         Set Theory and Venn Diagrams

·         Network Diagrams

·         Verbal Reasoning Based on Binary Logic

Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level),

·         Number System and Number Series

·         HCF and LCM of Numbers

·         Fraction

·         Simplification

·         Percentage

·         Average

·         Ratio and Proportion

·         Partnership and Share

·         Mixtures

·         Chain Rule

·         Time, Work and Wages

·         Pipes and Cisterns

·         Profit, Loss and Discount

·         Simple Interest

·         Time and Distance

·         Trains

·         Clocks

Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc. – Class X level)

 Bottomline:

To excel in the UPSC Prelims 2024, you need to put in an honest effort. It's important to deeply grasp the main subjects and topics listed in the syllabus. By simplifying the syllabus and breaking it into manageable parts, you can prepare with a clear and confident mindset. Remember, success in the UPSC Prelims isn't just about memorizing information; it's also about honing your analytical abilities, critical thinking, and getting a comprehensive understanding of the subjects. With a solid plan and consistent hard work, you can overcome the UPSC Prelims and come closer to making your dream of becoming an Indian civil servant a reality.