The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is one of the most prestigious recruitment bodies in India, responsible for selecting candidates for various civil service positions in the country. The UPSC exam is known for its rigorous and comprehensive testing, and requires a thorough understanding of the syllabus and exam pattern in order to succeed. In this article, we will provide an in-depth overview of the UPSC syllabus for both the Preliminary and Mains exams, including the topics covered in each paper, and the importance of being familiar with the syllabus for aspiring candidates.
Explanation of the importance of being familiar with the UPSC Syllabus
It is important for candidates who are preparing for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam to be familiar with the UPSC syllabus as it helps them understand the topics and subjects they need to focus on to score well in the exam. The UPSC syllabus provides a detailed outline of the topics that will be covered in the exam, which enables the candidates to make a study plan and prepare effectively. It also helps them to identify the areas they need to focus on and the areas where they are already strong.
Additionally, being familiar with the UPSC syllabus helps candidates to manage their time more efficiently as they can prioritize their studies based on the weightage given to each topic. It also helps them to avoid wasting time on topics that are not included in the syllabus and, instead, focus on the ones that are important from the exam perspective.
Furthermore, the UPSC exam is known for its vast syllabus and high level of difficulty, which makes it crucial for candidates to be aware of the syllabus to avoid missing out on any important topics or subjects. This, in turn, increases their chances of qualifying for the exam and getting shortlisted for the next round, i.e., the interview/personality test round.
Therefore, it is important for candidates to download and thoroughly study the UPSC syllabus to ensure that they are well-prepared for the exam and increase their chances of success.
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Explanation of the UPSC Prelims and Mains exam pattern
The UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) conducts the Civil Services Examination in three stages – Prelims, Mains, and Personality Test (Interview). Understanding the exam pattern is important for candidates to prepare effectively for the exam. Below is an explanation of the UPSC Prelims and Mains exam pattern:
UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern:
- The UPSC Prelims exam consists of two papers – General Studies Paper-I and General Studies Paper-II (CSAT).
- General Studies Paper-I comprises 100 questions of 2 marks each, which are to be answered in 2 hours. This paper covers subjects like Current events, Indian Polity and Governance, Indian and World Geography, Economic and Social Development, History of India and Indian National Movement, General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity, and Climate Change, and General Science.
- General Studies Paper-II (CSAT) comprises 80 questions of 2.5 marks each, which are to be answered in 2 hours. This paper covers subjects like Comprehension, Interpersonal skills including communication skills, Basic numeracy, Decision-making and problem-solving, General mental ability, Logical reasoning and analytical ability, and Data interpretation.
- The UPSC Prelims exam is of objective type (multiple choice questions) and carries a maximum of 400 marks.
UPSC Mains Exam Pattern:
- The UPSC Mains exam consists of 9 papers of conventional essay type, which are conducted over a period of 5-7 days.
- Out of the 9 papers, two papers are qualifying in nature and their marks are not counted in the final merit list.
- The remaining 7 papers include four General Studies papers, one Essay paper, and two Optional papers, where candidates have to choose one optional subject.
- Each paper carries 250 marks, making the total marks for the Mains exam 1750.
- The Interview/personality test carries 275 marks.
Step-by-step guide on how to download the UPSC Syllabus from the official website
Sure, here are the steps to download the UPSC Syllabus from the official website:
- Go to the official website of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) at https://www.upsc.gov.in/.
- On the homepage, click on the “Examinations” tab located on the top menu bar.
- From the drop-down menu, click on “Active Examinations” and select the exam for which you want to download the syllabus.
- Click on the “Advertisement” link for the selected exam.
- In the new page that opens, scroll down to find the “Syllabus” section.
- Click on the “Download” link next to the syllabus section to download the syllabus in PDF format.
- Save the PDF file on your device and take a printout for future reference.
Check more details about UPSC exam date, syllabus, pattern at https://www.shiksha.com/exams/upsc-exam
UPSC Syllabus for Preliminary Exam
The UPSC Preliminary Exam consists of two papers: General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II. General Studies Paper I focuses on topics related to Indian polity and governance, history and culture of India, economic and social development, environmental ecology, biodiversity, and climate change, and general science. General Studies Paper II tests the candidate’s aptitude and comprehension skills, including topics such as logical reasoning, analytical ability, decision-making, problem-solving, and basic numeracy.
UPSC Syllabus for Main Exam
The UPSC Mains Exam consists of nine papers, including Indian and English Language, General Studies-I, General Studies-II, General Studies-III, General Studies-IV, and two optional subject papers. The Indian Language Paper and English Language Paper test the candidate’s language skills. General Studies-I covers Indian Heritage and Culture, History, and Geography of the World and Society. General Studies-II covers Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations. General Studies-III covers Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management. General Studies-IV covers Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude. Optional Subject Papers I & II are chosen by the candidate from a list of subjects provided by the UPSC.
Conclusion
it is essential for candidates preparing for the UPSC exam to be familiar with the UPSC Syllabus for both Preliminary and Mains exams. The article provides a detailed overview of the topics included in each paper, which can help candidates strategize their preparation and focus on the most important topics. Understanding the UPSC Syllabus can also help candidates avoid wasting time on irrelevant topics and focus on strengthening their knowledge and skills in areas that are crucial for the exam.