UPSC Prelims 2024 – Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Admit Card, Notes
Last Updated :
12 Jan, 2024
The UPSC Prelims Examination is the first stage of the UPSC exams conducted by the Union Public Service Commission, It is an important first step towards a career in the Indian civil services. UPSC Prelims Examination is conducted to shortlist students for UPSC Mains. Candidates must clearly understand the exam pattern, syllabus, admit card, and effective note-taking strategies. In this article, we will explore each of these aspects in detail including Exam pattern, Admit Card, and notes.
UPSC Prelims 2024 Exam Pattern
| Two Compulsory Papers |
General Studies Paper – I & General Studies Paper – II(CSAT) |
|
Number of Questions (GS Paper – I)
|
100
|
|
Number of Question(CSAT)
|
80
|
|
Total Number of Marks
|
Total – 400
- GS Paper – I- 200 Marks
- CSAT – 200 Marks
|
|
Negative Marking
|
1/3 of the total marks allotted to the question will be deducted for every wrong answer
|
| Time Allotted |
Two hours for each exam: GS Paper – I- 2hrs CSAT – 2hrs |
UPSC Prelims Exam Syllabus
The UPSC Preliminary Syllabus Examination consists of two papers General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper- II( CSAT). In this article, we will understand the syllabus of UPSC Prelims, providing a comprehensive overview of the subjects and topics to be covered. Candidates need to clear this stage of UPSC Prelims as this stage is a screening test that qualifies aspirants for the UPSC Mains exams which is the second stage of the Exam.
General Studies Paper – I
The General Studies Paper – I cover the following given Topics :
- Current events of national and international importance: It is important to mainly focus on events of significance from a social, economic, political, and environmental standpoint. Candidates must stay updated with the latest happenings at the international and national levels.
- History of India and the Indian National Movement: understanding Indian history, including ancient, medieval, and modern periods, is important. Aspirants should also be well-versed in the Indian freedom struggle and the contributions of various leaders.
- Indian and World Geography: Indian and World Geography generally covers the physical, social, and economic geography of India and the world. The main topics that are included are the physical features of India, climate, urbanization, resources, population, global geography, transportation, and regional geography.
- Indian Polity and Governance: Candidates should have a deep knowledge of the Indian Constitution, governance structures, political systems, and public policies. Having an understanding of topics like Panchayati Raj, political ideologies, and rights issues is essential.
- Economic and Social Development: This segment focuses on India’s economic development, social issues, and government initiatives for inclusive growth. Topics include sustainable development, poverty, demographic trends, social sector schemes, and financial planning.
- General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity, and Climate Change: Topics that come under this are environmental concepts, biodiversity conservation, ecological balance, climate change, and related national and international initiatives. Candidate must have a better understanding of these topics accordingly.
- General Science: This particular section covers basic scientific concepts, recent developments in science and technology, and their uses in everyday life. Aspirants should be familiar with topics from biology, chemistry, physics, and environmental science.
General Studies Paper – II (CSAT)
- Comprehension: The reading and Comprehension skills of the aspirants will be tested through passages and questions based on them. It shows their ability to analyze and understand their written information.
- Interpersonal skills including communication skills: In this section, one must evaluate aspirants’ communication abilities, both verbal and non-verbal, and their knowledge of effective interpersonal skills.
- Logical reasoning and analytical ability: Aspirants thinking ability and analytical abilities will be tested through various questions, including syllogisms, analogies, logical deductions, and data interpretation.
- Decision-making and problem-solving: Questions are framed in this section to evaluate their approach to critical situations and their ability to find effective solutions. This particular section checks the candidate’s problem-solving and decision-making skills.
- General mental ability: Candidates’ general mental ability, including logical, numerical, and verbal reasoning, will be tested in this section. Topics that are included in this General mental ability are series, coding-decoding, direction sense, blood relations, etc.
- Basic numeracy: Candidates should have a good grasp of basic numerical concepts, such as numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, and data interpretation using charts, graphs, tables, and data sufficiency. Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc.)rs for each exam: GS Paper – I- 2hrs CSAT – 2hrs
UPSC Prelims Admit Card
The admit card is an important document that aspirants must carry to the examination center. It serves as proof of identity and enables entry to the examination hall. Candidates should daily check the official UPSC websites to download their admit card within the specified timeline. It is compulsory to verify all the details like – Photograph, registration number, name, and other important details. Also, check your examination venue to avoid any last-minute issues.
if you want to prepare more for UPSC Eams or Interviews then refer to the links mentioned below
UPSC Preparation Tips
UPSC Previous papers
UPSC Previous Year Question Paper & Solutions
UPSC Civil Services Prelims – Trend Analysis
UPSC Civil Services Prelims Chapter-Wise Analysis will provide you with an idea about the subject’s number of question that comes in every year. This analysis will help you to get a proper understanding of the pattern of examination that changes every year accordingly.
|
Subjects
|
Number of Questions
|
|
History
|
14
|
|
Economy
|
14
|
|
Polity
|
15
|
|
Environment & Ecology
|
14
|
|
Geography
|
16
|
|
Science & Technology
|
12
|
|
International Relations
|
11
|
|
Miscellaneous
|
4
|
|
Total
|
100
|
|
Subject
|
Number of Questions
|
|
History
|
10
|
|
Economy
|
16
|
|
Polity
|
11
|
|
Environment & Ecology
|
17
|
|
Geography
|
10
|
|
Science and Technology
|
14
|
|
International Relations
|
14
|
|
Miscellaneous
|
3
|
|
Total
|
100
|
|
Subject
|
Number of Questions
|
|
History
|
18
|
|
Economy
|
14
|
|
Polity
|
16
|
|
Environment & Ecology
|
17
|
|
Geography
|
10
|
|
Science and Technology
|
10
|
|
Current Affairs
|
15
|
|
Total
|
100
|
|
Subject
|
Number of Questions
|
|
History
|
18
|
|
Economy
|
14
|
|
Polity
|
16
|
|
Environment & Ecology
|
17
|
|
Geography
|
10
|
|
Science and Technology
|
10
|
|
Current Affairs
|
15
|
|
Total
|
100
|
Preparation Strategy for UPSC Prelims
Step 1: Understand the Exam Pattern and Syllabus
The first step is to understand the pattern of the exam and the syllabus thoroughly. The UPSC Prelims consist of two papers: General Studies (GS) Paper-I and CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) Paper-II.
Step 2: Gather Study Material
Collect the necessary study materials for each subject. Standard books like NCERTs are a must for basic understanding. For current affairs, refer to newspapers like The Hindu or Indian Express and monthly magazines like Yojana, Kurukshetra, etc.
Step 3: Make a Study Plan
Create a realistic and flexible study plan. Allocate time for each subject based on its weightage in the exam and your comfort level with the subject. Include time for revision and practice tests in your plan.
Step 4: Start with Basics
Start your preparation with NCERT books from classes 6 to 12 to build your basics. Subjects like History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Science and Technology, and Environment should be covered thoroughly.
Step 5: Current Affairs
Regularly read newspapers and follow reliable online sources for daily current affairs. Make notes of important news and events. Try to link current affairs with static topics for a better understanding.
Step 6: Practice with Mock Tests
Regularly take mock tests to assess your preparation level. This will help you understand the exam pattern, improve your speed, and manage time effectively. Analyze your performance after each test to identify your weak areas.
Step 7: Revision
Revision is a crucial part of your preparation. Make sure to revise all the topics regularly. Use the notes you have made during your preparation for quick revisions.
Step 8: Stay Healthy and Positive
Maintain a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and regular exercise. Take regular breaks during your study hours. Stay positive and confident.
Step 9: Solve Previous Year Question Papers
Solving previous year question papers will give you an idea about the type of questions asked in the exam. It will also help you to manage your time effectively during the exam.
Step 10: Stay Updated with UPSC Notifications
Keep an eye on the official UPSC website for any updates or changes in the exam pattern, dates, or syllabus.
Note:- Remember, consistency is the key to crack the UPSC Prelims. It’s not about studying for long hours but about regular and focused study. Good luck with your preparation!
Conclusion
Preparing for UPSC interviews is important as it provides knowledge, communication skills, and overall personality traits. By aiming ion subject knowledge, interpersonal skills, and interview process familiarity. By staying updated with current affairs, aspirants can significantly enhance their chances of getting selected.
FAQs on UPSC Prelims
Q1. Are there any Negative Markings in UPSC prelims?
Answer: Yes, There is a negative marking for UPSC Prelims. For every incorrect answer, there will be a deduction of (0.33) of the marks accordingly. However, there is no negative marking for unanswered questions.
Q2. How can I download the Admit Card for UPSC Prelims?
Answer: Candidates can download their e- Admit card by visiting the official UPSC website and logging in with their credentials. Admit cards are released on the site just a few weeks before the examination.
Q3. What is the Syllabus of UPSC Prelims?
Answer: The syllabus of UPSC prelims is vast and covers the GS Paper-I includes topics such as current events, history, geography, economics, general science, and environmental ecology. GS (CSAT) Paper II focuses on comprehension, logical reasoning, analytical ability, decision-making, and basic numeracy.
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