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Before starting your UPSC Preparation, the most crucial step for aspirants is to familiarize themselves with the UPSC Syllabus 2024 by reviewing and memorizing it repeatedly. Despite its extensive nature, the syllabus methodically encompasses all necessary topics, guiding aspirants to focus and gather information from trusted sources like textbooks, websites, and newspapers. The UPSC Syllabus 2024 PDF acts as a blueprint for focused study, and overlooking it can result in spending time on irrelevant materials. For a detailed grasp of the UPSC CSE Syllabus 2024, consult the article below.
UPSC Syllabus
The UPSC Syllabus 2024 was released along with the UPSC Notification 2024 on 14 February 2024. It becomes very important to know various facets of the examination right from the syllabus to the exam pattern to the need for the examination at each level. Aspirants can check all the details like the UPSC Syllabus 2024, UPSC CSE Vacancies, UPSC Eligibility Criteria, etc. from the UPSC Notification 2024. Candidates can check UPSC CSE 2024 Important dates from the link given below.
Check UPSC 2024 Important Dates!
UPSC Syllabus 2024
If you’re getting ready for the UPSC Civil Service 2024 exams, it’s crucial to begin your preparation promptly. Adhering to the UPSC Syllabus 2024 can greatly enhance your performance in the exam. The UPSC will conduct the CSE Prelims exam on May 26th, 2024. The syllabus is segmented into three parts: Prelims, Mains, and Interview. This article provides a detailed insight into the UPSC Syllabus 2024 to aid your preparation process effectively.
UPSC Syllabus 2024 Overview
UPSC Civil Service Exam, which is the backbone of Indian governance constitutes all ministries and their departments. The Civil service and Forest service exams are conducted by the UPSC. UPSC Civil Service Examination consists of 3 stages as mentioned below:
UPSC New Syllabus Overview | ||
Particulars | Prelims | Mains |
UPSC Exam Date | 26 May 2024 | To be notified |
No. of Papers | Two | Nine |
Types of Questions | Objective Type | Descriptive Type |
Duration of Exam | 2 hours each | 3 hours each |
Total Marks | 400 | 1750 |
Medium of Exam | English & Hindi | English & Hindi (except language paper) |
Negative Marking | ⅓rd mark | No negative marking |
Marks Counted in Merit | No | Yes |
UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern 2024
UPSC Prelims is the first stage of the exam that shortlists candidates for the Mains exam. IAS Prelims tests the candidate’s level of understanding of Indian and World scenarios historically as well as from a current point of view. The UPSC Prelims exam pattern is given in the table given below.
UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern 2024 | ||||
Paper | Subjects | Marks | No. of Question | Duration |
I | General Studies (GS) | 200 | 100 | 2 hours (9:30 AM to 11:30 AM) |
II | CSAT | 200 | 80 | 2 hours (2:30 PM to 4:30 PM) |
UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2024
Certain topics in UPSC Prelims Syllabus have a high weightage and questions are repeatedly asked about such topics. Candidates are advised to go through the IAS Prelims Syllabus before strategizing their preparation. Candidates can check the syllabus for UPSC Prelims here.
GS Paper 1 broadly consists of the following topics as mentioned in the Prelims syllabus section of the UPSC
- Current events of National and international importance
- History of India & Indian National Movement
- Indian & World Geography
- Indian Polity & 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, Bio-diversity & climate change – that do not require subject specialization
- General Science
GS Paper 2(CSAT) covers the following topics
The UPSC Prelims CSAT Syllabus 2024 consists of 80 questions on specific subjects, worth up to 200 marks, and you have 2 hours to answer them. UPSC holds the CSAT exam in the evening shift.
- Interpersonal skills including communication skills.
- Logical reasoning & analytical ability.
- Decision-making & problem-solving.
- General mental ability.
- Basic numeracy and data interpretation.
UPSC Mains Exam Pattern 2024
UPSC Mains Exam will consist of 9 papers of conventional descriptive type out of which two papers will be of qualifying in nature. Marks obtained for all the compulsory papers (Paper-I to Paper-VII) and Marks obtained in the Interview for Personality Test will be counted for ranking.
UPSC IAS Mains Exam Pattern 2024 | ||
Qualifying Papers | Marks | |
Paper-A | One of the Indian Language to be selected by the candidate from the Languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution | 300 |
Paper-B | English | 300 |
Papers Counted for Merit | ||
Paper-I | Essay | 250 |
Paper-II | General Studies-I (Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society) | 250 |
Paper-III | General Studies-II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations) | 250 |
Paper-IV | Genera Studies-III (Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management) | 250 |
Paper-V | General Studies-IV (Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude) | 250 |
Paper-VI | Optional Subject – Paper 1 | 250 |
Paper-VII | Optional Subject – Paper 2 | 250 |
Sub Total (Written Test) | 1750 | |
Personality Test | 275 | |
Grand Total | 2025 |
UPSC Mains Syllabus 2024
The UPSC Mains Exam comprises 9 papers of conventional descriptive type, with two papers being of a qualifying nature. This section thoroughly addresses the details of the UPSC Mains syllabus 2024. It is recommended to go through it to gain a comprehensive understanding of this phase of the examination.
UPSC Mains Syllabus for Language Paper
The pattern of questions would be broad as follows:
English Language:
(i) Comprehension of given passages.
(ii) Precis Writing.
(iii) Usage and Vocabulary.
(iv) Short Essays.
Indian Languages:
(i) Comprehension of given passages.
(ii) Precis Writing.
(iii) Usage and Vocabulary.
(iv) Short Essays.
(v) Translation from English to the Indian Language and vice-versa.
UPSC Syllabus for Essay
Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics.
They will be expected to keep close to the subject of the essay, arrange their ideas in an orderly fashion, and write concisely.
Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.
UPSC Syllabus for General Studies I
Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society.
(i) Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature, and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
(ii) Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, and issues.
(iii) The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
(iv) Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
(v) History of the world will include events from the 18th century such as the Industrial Revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism, etc.— their forms and effects on society.
(vi) Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
(vii) Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
(viii) Effects of globalization on Indian society.
(ix) Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
(x) Salient features of the world’s physical geography.
(xi) Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India).
(xii) Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclones, etc., geographical features and their location-changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
UPSC Syllabus for General Studies II
Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations.
(i) Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions, and basic structure.
(ii) Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges about the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels, and challenges therein.
(iii) Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
(iv) Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
(v) Parliament and State legislatures—structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
(vi) Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary—Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity.
(vii) Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
(viii) Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
(ix) Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
(x) Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
(xi) Development processes and the development industry —the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
(xii) Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
(xiii) Issues relating to the development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, and Human Resources.
(xiv) Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
(xv) Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
(xvi) Role of civil services in a democracy.
(xvii) India and its neighborhood- relations.
(xviii) Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
(xix) Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
(xx) Important International institutions, agencies and fora – their structure, mandate.
UPSC Syllabus For General Studies III
Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management
(i) Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
(ii) Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
(iii) Government Budgeting.
(iv) Major crop-cropping patterns in various parts of the country, – different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers.
(v) Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution Objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.
(vi) Food processing and related industries in India- scope’ and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
(vii) Land reforms in India.
(viii) Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
(ix) Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
(x) Investment models.
(xi) Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
(xii) Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and development of new technology.
(xiii) Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, Nano-technology, bio-technology, and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
(xiv) Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
(xv) Disaster and disaster management.
(xvi) Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
(xvii) Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
(xviii) Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention.
(xix) Security challenges and their management in border areas – linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
(xx) Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.
UPSC Syllabus For General Studies IV
Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude
This paper will include questions to test the candidates’ attitudes and approaches to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and problem-solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced in dealing with society. Questions may utilize the case study approach to determine these aspects. The following broad areas will be covered:
(i) Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics – in private and public relationships. Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; the role of family society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
(ii) Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
(iii) Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker sections.
(iv) Emotional intelligence concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance.
(v) Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and the world.
(vi) Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.
(vii) Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.
(viii) Case Studies on the above issues.
UPSC Optional Syllabus 2024
Optional Subject Papers I & II. Here you have to choose one subject from the list and the subject will have two papers.
A candidate may opt for any one Optional Subject from the following:
(i) Agriculture
(ii) Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science
(iii) Anthropology
(iv) Botany
(v) Chemistry
(vi) Civil Engineering
(vii) Commerce and Accountancy
(viii) Economics
(ix) Electrical Engineering
(x) Geography
(xi) Geology
(xii) History
(xiii) Law
(xiv) Management
(xv) Mathematics
(xvi) Mechanical Engineering
(xvii) Medical Science
(xviii) Philosophy
(xix) Physics
(xx) Political Science and International Relations
(xxi) Psychology
(xxii) Public Administration
(xxiii) Sociology
(xxiv) Statistics
(xxv) Zoology
(xxvi) Literature of any one of the following languages: Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu and English.
UPSC Mains Optional Subjects List 2024 | ||||
UPSC Agriculture Syllabus | UPSC Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Syllabus | UPSC Anthropology Syllabus | UPSC Botany Syllabus | UPSC Chemistry Syllabus |
UPSC Civil Engineering Syllabus | UPSC Commerce and Accountancy Syllabus | UPSC Economics Syllabus | UPSC Electrical Engineering Syllabus | UPSC Geography Syllabus |
Statistics | Sociology | Physics | Philosophy | Medical Science |
Political Science and International Relations | Public Administration | Psychology | Mechanical Engineering | Mathematics |
Zoology | Geology | History | Management | Law |
UPSC Syllabus PDF Download 2024
Candidates are advised to go through the detailed UPSC Syllabus 2024, before appearing for UPSC 2024 Exam. Certain topics in UPSC Syllabus have a high weightage and questions are repeatedly asked about such topics. To crack the UPSC CSE 2024, aspirants should go through the complete UPSC Syllabus and focus on each & every topic that is repeatedly asked in the examination.