What is the IAS Syllabus for the Prelims Exam?

UPSC conducts the IAS exam in two phases. The first step in IAS preparation is knowing the right syllabus. The prelims phase has two papers –

Paper I – General Studies

Paper II – CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test)

Both papers are conducted on the same day in two different shifts. The UPSC exam syllabus for Prelims has been mentioned below. 

Syllabus for General Studies Paper I

UPSC Exam 2022 is one of the toughest exams that is conducted in India. Hence, the syllabus must be known by all the candidates in detail. The questions in GS I are based on current events taking place in India and abroad. The total number of questions asked from the current affairs section is 12. Further, questions are also asked from different subjects included in the UPSC syllabus. 

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History

·       Vedic period

·       Jainism and Buddhism

·       Indus valley civilization

·       Mahajanapadas

·       Mauryan empire

·       Gupta empire

·       Harshawardhana period

·       Sangam dynasty

·       All dynasties of medieval India

·       Muslim invasions

·       Delhi sultanate

·       All south-Indian Kingdoms

·       North-Indian Kings

·       Mughal Empire

·       Europeans advent in India

·       British expansion in India

·       1857 revolt – impact and changes

·       British policies and administration

·       Development of press and education

·       Social reforms

·       Indian movements from 1905 to 1947

·       Governors and Viceroys

·       Constitutional framework

Approx. number of questions asked from this section = 15

Geography

·       Formation of universe

·       Evolution

·       Interiors of Earth

·       Dynamics of earthquakes, volcanoes, landforms, and rocks

·       Continents and ocean

·       Submarines

·       Temperature and salinity

·       Waves and tides

·       Marine life – deposits, corals, and resources

·       Climates of the world

·       Precipitation patterns

·       Wind and pressure

·       Soil, vegetation, and crop production

·       Demography and census

·       Economic infrastructure

·       Transport and communication

·       Domestic trade

·       Drainage system

·       Population

·       Mineral and energy resources

·       Agricultural development

Approx. number of questions asked from this section = 15

Science and Technology

·       Space research organizations and their programs

·       Information and communication technology

·       Nanotechnology

·       Robotics

·       Defense

·       Biotechnology

·       Nuclear technology

·       Intellectual property rights

Approx. number of questions asked from this section = 8

Environment

•                     Ecology

•                     Biodiversity

•                     Resource management

•                     Environmental pollution and measures against it

•                     Climate change

Approx. number of questions asked from this section = 15

Economy

·       Micro and macro-economic concepts

·       National income and GDP

·       Growth and development of economy

·       Inflation and deflation

·       Functions and classification of money

·       Dynamics of finance market

·       Budgeting

·       Banking structure

·       Indian taxation system

·       Fiscal policy

·       Five-year plans in India

·       Planning institutions

·       NITI Aayog

·       Poverty and unemployment

·       Government schemes and programs

·       Trade agreements and foreign trade

·       International economic organizations

Approx. number of questions asked from this section = 16

Indian Polity

•                     Indian Constitution – origin, development, and features

•                     Fundamental rights and duties

•                     Union and its territory

•                     Union executive and legislature

•                     State executive and legislature

•                     State policy’s directive principles

•                     Citizenship

•                     Indian judiciary

•                     Governance

•                     Political system

•                     International relations

•                     Union territory and special areas

•                     Non-constitutional bodies

Approx. number of questions asked from this section = 16

Art and Culture

•                     Paintings and sculptures

•                     Architectures

•                     Performing and national arts

•                     Literature

•                     Religious learnings

•                     Pottery

•                     National and regional festivals

•                     Numismatics

Approx. number of questions asked from this section – 4

General Studies Paper II/CSAT Syllabus for IAS Prelims Exam

•                     General mental ability questions

•                     Logical reasoning

•                     Analytical reasoning

•                     Comprehension

•                     Communication skill-based questions

•                     Decision-making

•                     Problem-solving

•                     Numeracy and data interpretation

Approx. number of questions asked from this section = 80

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