Syllabus for the UPSC Exam 2024, encompassing the three stages of the exam: Preliminary Exam, Main Exam, and Interview Round (Personality Test)
Preliminary Exam
Paper-I
General Studies
Current events of national and international importance: Candidates should stay updated with the latest happenings in the country and across the globe and understand their significance from various perspectives.
History of India and Indian National Movement: Topics include ancient, medieval, and modern Indian history, highlighting key events, personalities, social and cultural aspects, and the freedom struggle.
Indian and World Geography: This section covers physical, social, and economic aspects of Indian and world geography, including topics like physical features, climate, population distribution, resources, agricultural patterns, industrialization, urbanization, etc.
Indian Polity and Governance: Candidates need to have a thorough understanding of the Indian Constitution, political system, governance structures, public administration, and current political dynamics at the national and state levels.
Economic and Social Development: Topics include economic theory, policies, planning, sustainable development, poverty, inequality, social sector initiatives, demographics, and issues related to rural and urban development.
General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity, and Climate Change: This section covers various environmental challenges, conservation efforts, climate change and its impacts, biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and environmental policies.
Paper-II: Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT)
Comprehension: Candidates are tested for their ability to understand and analyze written passages, draw inferences, and derive conclusions.
Interpersonal skills, including communication skills: This section assesses candidates' ability to communicate effectively, understand and convey information, and maintain good interpersonal relationships.
Logical reasoning and analytical ability: Topics include critical thinking, logical reasoning, and analytical ability to solve problems, make decisions, and evaluate arguments logically.
Decision-making and problem-solving: Candidates are tested on their ability to analyze situations, identify problems, and provide suitable solutions.
General mental ability: This section covers logical reasoning, numerical ability, data interpretation, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning.
Basic numeracy: Candidates should have a good understanding of numbers, their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.
Data interpretation: This section involves the interpretation of data presented in various forms, such as charts, graphs, tables, and data sufficiency.
Mains Exam
Qualifying Papers
Any Indian language: Candidates can choose any Indian language from the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. The objective is to test their basic language skills.
English: This paper assesses candidates' proficiency in English language and comprehension.
Merit Papers
Essay: Candidates are required to write an essay on a given topic to test their ability to express their thoughts coherently and critically.
General Studies I: This paper covers Indian heritage and culture, history, and geography of the world and society. Topics include art and architecture, literature, freedom struggle, global events, and social issues.
General Studies II: Topics include governance, Constitution, polity, social justice, and international relations. Candidates need to have a good understanding of the Indian political system, international organizations, bilateral and multilateral relations, welfare schemes, and current social issues.
General Studies III: This paper focuses on technology, economic development, biodiversity, environment, security, and disaster management. Topics include science and technology, economic policies, environmental conservation, internal security, disaster management, etc.
General Studies IV: Candidates are tested on their ethical and moral integrity, aptitude, and decision-making abilities. This paper covers ethics, integrity, and aptitude in public service.
Optional Subject-Paper 1: Candidates can choose an optional subject from the list provided by UPSC. This paper assesses in-depth knowledge of the chosen subject.
Optional Subject-Paper 2: Candidates need to choose a second optional subject from the list provided by UPSC. This paper further tests their understanding of the chosen subject.
Interview Round (Personality Test)
Candidates who qualify for the Main Exam are called for the Interview Round. The objective is to assess the candidate's overall personality, clarity of expression, intellectual and moral integrity, leadership qualities, and suitability for a career in public services.
It is important to note that the syllabus for the Main Exam may vary as per the optional subject chosen by the candidate.
The syllabus mentioned above is a broad outline, and candidates are advised to refer to the official UPSC notification and the recommended books and study material for a comprehensive understanding of the topics to be covered. Candidates can visit the main site of SHRI RAM IAS, Mukherjee Nagar for elaborated syllabus.