Best IAS Coaching In Delhi
Best IAS Coaching Institute In India
IAS Syllabus
There is a common UPSC syllabus pattern for services such as the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Foreign Service, Indian Police Service, Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Central Excise) to name a few. However, different stages of the IAS exam have different syllabi. The UPSC Prelims syllabus focuses on general and societal awareness which is tested by objective-type (MCQ) questions. The UPSC Mains syllabus is much more comprehensive as this stage comprises nine theory papers.
The Civil services exam is conducted in three phases:
Phase 1: Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination (Objective Type)
Phase 2: Civil Services (Mains) Examination (Descriptive Type)
Phase 3: Personal Interview (Personality Test)
- 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.
- 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.
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
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)
- 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.
Structure of the language papers:
The types of questions asked are –
- Essay – 100 marks
- Reading comprehension – 60 marks
- Precis Writing – 60 marks
- Translation:
- English to compulsory language (e.g. Hindi) – 20 marks
- Compulsory language to English – 20 marks
- Grammar and basic language usage – 40 marks
The rest of the seven papers can be written in any of the languages mentioned under the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India or in English.
UPSC Syllabus for IAS Interview
Known as Personality Test, UPSC Interview is the last stage of the examination. There is no defined UPSC syllabus for the interview. Questions are asked from wide-ranging issues.
- Candidates who qualify the UPSC Mains Exam will be called for the ‘Personality Test/Interview’. These candidates will be interviewed by a Board appointed by the UPSC.
- The objective of the interview is to assess the personal suitability of the candidate for a career in civil services by a board of competent and unbiased observers.
- The interview is more of a purposive conversation intended to explore the mental qualities and analytical ability of the candidate.
- The Interview test will be 275 marks and the total marks for the written examination is 1750. This sums up to a Grand Total of 2025 Marks, based on which the final merit list will be prepared.
2. Comprehensive study of the subjects: UPSC exam is akin to an obstacle race. Superficial knowledge is bound to let you down on one of the many hurdles. So, to succeed, it's important to gain in-depth knowledge of the subjects and topics.
3. Get acquainted with the UPSC exam format: The UPSC or IAS exam has three phases with different syllabus and question patterns. Proper knowledge of the exam format is beneficial while preparing for it.
4. Gain familiarity with the question pattern and marking scheme: There is a different question pattern for each exam and negative marking for wrong answers. The knowledge of question paper and marking scheme helps in bagging more marks.
5. Start preparing at least a year before appearing: IAS exam has an enormous syllabus with vast topics to cover. It is beneficial to keep at least one year in hand for in-depth preparation. Check out our Blog section to know when to start preparing for the IAS exam and more.
6. Stress on your General Knowledge: A good grasp of general knowledge can be achieved by reading different books, journals, articles and yearbooks.
7. Follow the current affairs: It is important to be consistently aware of the current affairs. Reading newspapers is the most effective way to do so.
8. Habit of writing: Acquiring a habit of writing regularly can accompany you a long way to a successful end of your IAS journey. You can set aside some time for writing your opinions and thoughts on current affairs and also write essays on important events and happenings.
9. Study the recommended books: Study from NCERT books and the standard books for having a strong foundation and in-depth knowledge of each subject.
10. Have a subject strategy: It is helpful to chalk out a plan for studying and stick to this routine. To achieve this, one must have a clear study plan or strategy.
11. Avoid covering new topics just before the UPSC exam: Rather, revise and practice your weak areas to make them stronger and strong areas to move them to perfection. Covering new topics just before the exam, when you hardly have time to gain in-depth knowledge or to practice, can cause retroactive inhibition wherein new learning interferes with retention of previously attained proficiency.
12. Keep revising, keep practicing: Revision and practice are the key aspects that help enhance our memory and learning.
13. Proper analysis to avoid repetition of mistakes: Practice without analysis like a car without a steering wheel. You may hit the accelerator as hard as you can, shift the gears as many times as you want, but the direction is missing. So, a detailed analysis of whatever you practice will point you to the right path and lead you to the road to success. The most important outcome of 'analysis' is understanding your mistakes so that you don't repeat them. You may notice that the explanation to this point is the biggest. Well, it is intentional because we believe that once you've gathered all the tools and resources, gained the required skills and knowledge, this one point of 'practice and analyse' will make all the difference. Most candidates work very hard, gain all the required skills and knowledge but still lose out in the final race. That's because they lack the rudder, the direction to put to use all they have attained. Analysis gives that direction.
14. Take UPSC mock tests and solve previous years' papers: These tests and papers help in getting accustomed to the timing and format of the UPSC exam. If you've taken enough of these, the real exam feels like just another mock test. This helps in maintaining composure and strategically dividing the time during the main exams.
15. Select the correct optional paper: It is better to choose a subject you are comfortable with and interested in rather than blindly following others to make a choice.
IAS Tips from Toppers
Tip #1: When to start UPSC preparation
Most toppers give themselves at least a year to prepare for the UPSC exams. The syllabus to be covered is mammoth and it requires time to acquire a comprehensive understanding of the topics involved.
Tip #2: How to choose optional subject for UPSC
You might be really motivated to study and put in extra-long hours when you start your IAS preparation, but would you be able to remain as motivated half-way through or until the very end? So, it is essential to choose subjects that you are genuinely interested in so that you are enthused about learning more about the topics.
Brief checklist for how to select an optional:
- Narrow the entire list of optional subjects into a maximum of 3 – 4 subjects which you can pursue.
- Go through the syllabi of those shortlisted subjects.
- Evaluate your own academic background and knowledge levels.
- Check your interests in the subjects.
- Weigh the pros and cons of each subject.
- Choose one subject.
Best IAS Coaching Institute In Delhi



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