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UPSC Syllabus 2024 PDF

- IAS Prelims & Mains
Syllabus

Aspirants of Civil Services Examination are at the

right place to get the details of the UPSC
Syllabus. Here, at BYJU’S, you will find the
complete IAS Syllabus for all the stages of the
examination:

Preliminary Stage – General Studies &

CSAT

Mains Stage – 9 Theory Papers (GS I-IV,

Language Papers, Essay & Optional)

Personality Test – Interview

UPSC Syllabus in English (IAS Prelims):-

Download PDF Here

UPSC Syllabus in Hindi (IAS Prelims):-

Download PDF Here

Table of Content for Syllabus of UPSC:

IAS Syllabus for Prelims

IAS Syllabus of Mains

Syllabus for UPSC Optionals

Is there any syllabus for UPSC Interview?

FAQs on UPSC IAS Syllabus

UPSC Syllabus for CSE Prelims

IAS Prelims is the first stage of the Civil Services
Examination. More than 11 lakhs candidates
applied for UPSC Prelims in 2023 while
approximately 10 lakh candidates applied for the
same in 2022.

It is important to know the syllabus for IAS

Prelims as it is the screening test that qualifies
candidates for the next stage, i.e. Mains. All UPSC
Exam aspirants must familiarise themselves with
the exam pattern and IAS Exam syllabus first,
and then move on with the preparation.

Aspirants preparing for UPSC 2024 must start

preparing for the Civil Services exam in February
2023. One year of preparation is a must thing if
aspirants want to score well in UPSC 2024 exam.
This timeline of almost a year is crucial if you
want to have a planned and smooth
preparation phase where you can strengthen
your concepts and clarify all doubts related to
topics.

Exam Pattern & Syllabus for UPSC Prelims

Two General Studies Paper-I

Compulsory
Papers General Studies Paper-II
(CSAT)

Number of 100
Questions
asked in GS
Paper-I

Number of 80
Questions
asked in
CSAT

Total Number 400;

of Marks
GS Paper-I – 200 Marks

CSAT – 200 Marks

Negative ⅓ of the total marks allotted

Marking to the question will be
deducted for every wrong
answer

Time Allotted Two hours each;

GS Paper-I – 2 Hours
(9:30 AM -11:30 AM)

CSAT – 2 Hours (2:30 PM

– 4:30 PM)

The two papers of the IAS prelims are

discussed in detail below:

1. General Studies
The General Studies test is the first
paper of the preliminary
examination.

This test is intended to test the

general awareness of a candidate in
a wide range of subjects that include:
Indian Polity, Geography, History,
Indian Economy, Science and
Technology, Environment and
Ecology, International Relations and
associated UPSC current affairs.

2. Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT)

(Generally conducted between 2:30 PM
and 04:30 PM)
This UPSC Prelims syllabus for CSAT
intends to assess the aptitude of the
candidate in solving ‘Reasoning and
Analytical’ questions, apart from
‘Reading Comprehension’ and the
occasionally asked ‘Decision Making’
questions.

The ‘Decision Making’ based

questions are generally exempt from
negative marks.

To be noted:

The preliminary examination is only meant

for screening a candidate for the
subsequent stages of the exam.

The marks obtained in the Prelims will not

be added up while arriving at the final rank
list.

The subjects included in the prelims are

common for all. However, there is an option to
opt for a few subjects in the mains phase of the
examination. Get the detailed list of IAS Subjects
included in the syllabus for UPSC prelims and
mains at the linked article.

UPSC Syllabus for GS Paper (Prelims

Paper I)
Current events of national and
international importance.

History of India and Indian National

Movement.

Indian and World Geography-Physical,

Social, Economic Geography of India and
the World.

Indian Polity and Governance –

Constitution, Political System, Panchayati
Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.

Economic and Social Development –

Sustainable Development, Poverty,
Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector
initiatives, etc.

General issues on Environmental Ecology,

Biodiversity, and Climate Change – that do
not require subject specialisation.

General Science

Some important links for UPSC Prelims GS Paper-

I Preparation are listed below:

Topic-wise UPSC NCERT Notes for UPSC

Prelims Questions PDF

Important Acts of International

India Organizations
Reports

UPSC Prelims Subject- Environment

wise Weightage Conventions &
Protocols

UPSC Syllabus for CSAT Paper

(Prelims Paper-II)
Comprehension

Interpersonal skills including

communication skills

Logical reasoning and analytical ability

Decision-making and problem solving

General mental ability

Basic numeracy (numbers and their

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

Candidates are advised to refer to the following

links below that will help them to cover the UPSC
CSE syllabus for the CSAT paper:

CSAT Questions Tips to Prepare for

CSAT

CSAT: Introduction to CSAT Mock Test

Decision-making

How Difficult is CSAT IAS Questions for

Exam? UPSC 2023

Get in touch with previous years’ questions

asked in prelims from the UPSC Civil Services
syllabus. The compilation of topic-wise UPSC
Prelims Questions PDF can be downloaded from
the linked article.

UPSC Syllabus for Mains

IAS Mains Exam Pattern

P Subject M
a a
p r
er k
s

P Essay (can be written in the medium 2

a of the candidate’s choice) 5
p 0
er
-I

P General Studies – I (Indian Heritage & 2

a Culture, History & Geography of the 5
p World & Society) 0
er
-II

P General Studies – II (Governance, 2

a Constitution, Polity, Social Justice & 5
p International Relations) 0
er
-
III

P General Studies – III (Technology, 2

a Economic Development, Biodiversity, 5
p Security & Disaster Management) 0
er
-
IV

P General Studies – IV (Ethics, Integrity 2

a & Aptitude) 5
p 0
er
-
V

P Optional Subject – Paper I 2

a 5
p 0
er
-
VI

P Optional Subject – Paper II 2

a 5
p 0
er
-
VI
I

Must-Know Facts about UPSC Mains

The Mains examination constitutes the 2nd
phase of the Civil Services Examination.
Only after successfully qualifying in the
prelims exam would the candidates be
allowed to write the IAS Mains.

The Mains exam tests the candidate’s

academic talent in depth and his/her
ability to present his/her understanding
according to the requirements of the
question in a time-bound manner.

The UPSC Mains exam consists of 9 papers,

out of which two are qualifying papers of
300 marks each.

The two qualifying papers are:

Any Indian Language Paper

English Language Paper

The papers on Essay, General Studies and

Optional Subject of only such candidates
who attain 25% marks in both the
language papers as a minimum qualifying
standard in these qualifying papers, will be
taken cognizance of, for evaluation.

In case a candidate does not qualify in

these language papers, then the marks
obtained by such candidates will not be
considered or counted.

Practise answer-writing with BYJU’S UPSC

Mains Answer Writing 2023 Initiative. It covers
expert questions from GS 1 to GS 4.
Categorized into sub-topics, this answer-
writing would help you understand the
demand of different subjects included in the
IAS Syllabus.

IAS Syllabus for UPSC Mains GS-I

General Studies-I is also called Paper-II of UPSC
Mains. It covers – Indian Heritage and Culture,
History and Geography of the World and Society.
The detailed UPSC Syllabus for this paper is given
below:

Indian culture will cover the salient aspects

of Art Forms, literature and Architecture
from ancient to modern times.

Modern Indian history from about the

middle of the eighteenth century until the
present – significant events, personalities,
issues.

The Freedom Struggle — its various stages

and important contributors/contributions
from different parts of the country.

Post-independence consolidation and

reorganization within the country.

History of the world will include events from

18th century such as industrial revolution,
world wars, redrawal of national
boundaries, colonization, decolonization,
political philosophies like communism,
capitalism, socialism etc.— their forms and
effect on the society.

Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity

of India.

Role of women and women’s organization,

population and associated issues, poverty
and developmental issues, urbanization,
their problems and their remedies.

Effects of globalization on Indian society.

Social empowerment, communalism,

regionalism & secularism.

Salient features of world’s physical

geography.

Distribution of key natural resources across

the world (including South Asia and the
Indian sub-continent); factors responsible
for the location of primary, secondary, and
tertiary sector industries in various parts of
the world (including India).

Important Geophysical phenomena such

as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity,
cyclone. etc., geographical features and
their location-changes in critical
geographical features (including water-
bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and
fauna and the effects of such changes.

Get the UPSC Mains GS Paper 1 Strategy in the

linked article.

IAS Syllabus for Mains GS-II

General Studies-II is also called Paper-III of UPSC
Mains. It majorly covers Governance,
Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and
International relations. The detailed UPSC
syllabus for this paper is given below:

Constitution of India —historical

underpinnings, evolution, features,
amendments, significant provisions and
basic structure.

Functions and responsibilities of the Union

and the States, issues and challenges
pertaining to the federal structure,
devolution of powers and finances up to
local levels and challenges therein.

Separation of powers between various

organs dispute redressal mechanisms and
institutions.

Comparison of the Indian constitutional

scheme with that of other countries.

Parliament and State legislatures—

structure, functioning, conduct of business,
powers & privileges and issues arising out
of these.

Structure, organization and functioning of

the Executive and the Judiciary—Ministries
and Departments of the Government;
pressure groups and formal/informal
associations and their role in the Polity.

Salient features of the Representation of

People’s Act.

Appointment to various Constitutional

posts, powers, functions and
responsibilities of various Constitutional
Bodies.

Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-

judicial bodies.

Government policies and interventions for

development in various sectors and issues
arising out of their design and
implementation.

Development processes and the

development industry —the role of NGOs,
SHGs, various groups and associations,
donors, charities, institutional and other
stakeholders.

Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of

the population by the Centre and States
and the performance of these schemes;
mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies
constituted for the protection and
betterment of these vulnerable sections.

Issues relating to development and

management of Social Sector/Services
relating to Health, Education, Human
Resources.

Issues relating to poverty and hunger.

Important aspects of governance,

transparency and accountability, e-
governance applications, models,
successes, limitations, and potential;
citizens charters, transparency &
accountability and institutional and other
measures.

Role of civil services in a democracy.

India and its neighbourhood- relations.

Bilateral, regional and global groupings

and agreements involving India and/or
affecting India’s interests.

Effect of policies and politics of developed

and developing countries on India’s
interests, Indian diaspora.

Important International institutions,

agencies and fora- their structure,
mandate.

Get the UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 Strategy in the

linked article.

IAS Syllabus for Mains GS-III

General Studies-III is also called Paper-IV of the
UPSC Mains. The major topics covered are
Technology, Economic Development,
Biodiversity, Environment, Security and Disaster
Management. The detailed UPSC syllabus for this
paper is given below:

Indian Economy and issues relating to

planning, mobilization, of resources,
growth, development and employment.

Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.

Government Budgeting.

Major crops-cropping patterns in various

parts of the country, – different types of
irrigation and irrigation systems storage,
transport and marketing of agricultural
produce and issues and related
constraints; e-technology in the aid of
farmers.

Issues related to direct and indirect farm

subsidies and minimum support prices;
Public Distribution System- objectives,
functioning, limitations, revamping; issues
of buffer stocks and food security;
Technology missions; economics of
animal-rearing.

Food processing and related industries in

India- scope’ and significance, location,
upstream and downstream requirements,
supply chain management.

Land reforms in India.

Effects of liberalization on the economy,

changes in industrial policy and their
effects on industrial growth.

Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads,

Airports, Railways etc.

Investment models.

Science and Technology- developments

and their applications and effects in
everyday life.

Achievements of Indians in science &

technology; indigenization of technology
and developing new technology.

Awareness in the fields of IT, Space,

Computers, robotics, nano-technology,
bio-technology and issues relating to
intellectual property rights.

Conservation, environmental pollution and

degradation, environmental impact
assessment.

Disaster and disaster management.

Linkages between development and

spread of extremism.

Role of external state and non-state actors

in creating challenges to internal security.

Challenges to internal security through

communication networks, role of media
and social networking sites in internal
security challenges, basics of cyber
security; money-laundering and its
prevention.

Security challenges and their

management in border areas – linkages of
organized crime with terrorism.

Various Security forces and agencies and

their mandate.

Get the UPSC Mains GS Paper 3 Strategy in the

linked article.

IAS Syllabus for Mains GS-IV

General Studies Paper-IV is also called Paper-V
of UPSC Mains. The major topics covered under it
are Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude. This paper will
include questions to test the candidates’
attitude and approach to issues relating to
integrity, probity in public life and his problem-
solving approach to various issues and conflicts
faced by him in dealing with society. Questions
may utilize the case study approach to
determine these aspects. The following broad
areas will be covered:

Ethics and Human Interface: Essence,

determinants and consequences of Ethics
in-human actions; dimensions of ethics;
ethics – in private and public relationships.
Human Values – lessons from the lives and
teachings of great leaders, reformers and
administrators; role of family society and
educational institutions in inculcating
values.

Attitude: content, structure, function; its

influence and relation with thought and
behaviour; moral and political attitudes;
social influence and persuasion.

Aptitude and foundational values for Civil

Service, integrity, impartiality and non-
partisanship, objectivity, dedication to
public service, empathy, tolerance and
compassion towards the weaker sections.

Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their

utilities and application in administration
and governance.

Contributions of moral thinkers and

philosophers from India and the world.

Public/Civil service values and Ethics in

Public administration: Status and
problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas
in government and private institutions;
laws, rules, regulations and conscience as
sources of ethical guidance; accountability
and ethical governance; strengthening of
ethical and moral values in governance;
ethical issues in international relations and
funding; corporate governance.

Probity in Governance: Concept of public

service; Philosophical basis of governance
and probity; Information sharing and
transparency in government, Right to
Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of
Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture,