Embarking on the challenging yet rewarding journey of the UPSC Mains examination demands a profound understanding of its intricate syllabus. This blog serves as your gateway, guiding you through the details, importance, preparation strategies, and the overall examination structure. The UPSC Mains syllabus, encompassing subjects like General Studies, Optional Papers, and Essay Writing, is the blueprint for success in the civil services arena.
- Introduction
- UPSC Mains Syllabus 2024 – Overview
- UPSC Mains Syllabus – Language Papers (Paper A & B)
- UPSC Mains Syllabus For Paper 1 (Essay)
- UPSC CSE Mains Syllabus For Paper 2 (General Studies 1)
- UPSC Mains Syllabus For Paper 3 (General Studies 2)
- UPSC Mains Syllabus For Paper 4 (General Studies 3)
- Conclusion
- FAQ’s
- Introduction
UPSC Mains Syllabus 2024 - Overview
Preparing for the UPSC Mains 2024 examination demands not just dedication but a meticulous understanding of the intricate syllabus that forms the backbone of this esteemed civil services evaluation. The UPSC Mains Syllabus is a comprehensive guide, intricately woven to assess candidates on a myriad of subjects vital for effective administration and policymaking. From General Studies that tests broad awareness to Optional Papers allowing specialization, the syllabus is designed to gauge the intellectual depth and versatility of aspirants aspiring to serve the nation.
Key Points to Note:
- Comprehensive Subjects: The UPSC Mains Syllabus encompasses a diverse range of subjects, including General Studies, Essay Writing, and Optional Papers, ensuring a holistic evaluation of candidates.
- In-Depth Knowledge: The syllabus demands a profound understanding of contemporary issues, governance, ethical dilemmas, and an ability to articulate thoughts coherently, reflecting the multifaceted responsibilities of civil servants.
- trategic Preparation: Aspirants must adopt a strategic approach to preparation, balancing depth and coverage across subjects, mastering the art of essay writing, and choosing optional papers aligned with their strengths.
- Civil Services Competency: The UPSC Mains exam is more than an assessment; it’s a gateway to a career in civil services where aspirants contribute meaningfully to societal progress, and the syllabus is the roadmap to acquire the necessary competencies.
UPSC Civil Services Mains Syllabus – Overview Paper Title of the Paper Marks Allotted Paper 1 Essay writing 250 Marks Paper 2 General Studies–I (Indian Heritage and Culture, History, and Geography of the World and Society) 250 Marks Paper 3 General Studies –II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations) 250 Marks Paper 4 General Studies –III (Technology, Economic Development, Bio‐diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management) 250 Marks Paper 5 General Studies –IV (Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude) 250 Marks Paper 6 Optional Subject – Paper 1 250 Marks Paper 7 Optional Subject – Paper 2 250 Marks Sub Total in the written Test 1750 Marks Personal Interview 275 Marks Grand Total ( for merit calculation) 2025 Marks
UPSC Mains Syllabus - Language Papers (Paper A & B)
Navigating Linguistic Proficiency: Introduction to UPSC Mains Syllabus – Language Papers (Paper A & B):
The UPSC Mains Syllabus, specifically the Language Papers (Paper A & B), holds a special put within the gracious administrations examination, recognizing the significance of etymological capacities in authoritative parts. Paper A centers on an Indian dialect, chosen by the candidate, testing their get a handle on of its writing and expression. Paper B assesses English dialect aptitudes, surveying candidates on viewpoints like comprehension, exact composing, and essential language structure. These language papers are not around phonetic capability; they serve as a device to gage compelling communication and comprehension aptitudes, pivotal for a gracious servant’s victory in different proficient settings.
Key Focuses to Note:
- Dialect Capability: Paper A requires a comprehensive understanding of an Indian dialect, requiring candidates to illustrate capability in its writing, script, and conversational viewpoints.
- Viable Communication: Both papers emphasize the significance of successful communication. Paper B, centering on English, assesses candidates on their capacity to comprehend complex thoughts, verbalize exact reactions, and show a authority of essential linguistic use.
- Social Affectability: Dialect Papers contribute to the all encompassing assessment of candidates by testing their mindfulness and appreciation of assorted phonetic and social subtleties, adjusting with the ethos of a respectful hireling.
- Candidate’s Choice: Paper A permits candidates to select an Indian dialect from the endorsed list, empowering them to use their qualities and social nature.
- Weightage in Add up to Marks: While the dialect papers are qualifying in nature, candidates got to secure the least qualifying marks to move on to the following stages of the examination. They contribute to the in general assessment but are not included within the positioning prepare.
Candidates have to choose any one language for Paper A from the list of languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution which are as mentioned below –
- Assamese,
- Bengali,
- Gujarati,
- Hindi,
- Kannada,
- Kashmiri,
- Konkani,
- Malayalam,
- Manipuri,
- Marathi,
- Nepali,
- Oriya,
- Punjabi,
- Sanskrit,
- Sindhi,
- Tamil,
- Telugu,
- Urdu,
- Bodo,
- Santhali,
- Maithili, and
- Dogri.
UPSC Mains Syllabus For Paper 1 (Essay)
Crafting Perspectives: Introduction to UPSC Mains Syllabus – Paper 1 (Essay):
In the expansive canvas of the UPSC Mains Syllabus, Paper 1 holds a distinctive position with its focus on essay writing. This section, designed to assess the candidate’s ability to articulate thoughts coherently, demands more than just linguistic prowess. It seeks to evaluate a candidate’s analytical skills, depth of understanding, and the capacity to present arguments in a structured manner. The Essay Paper in UPSC Mains is a canvas where candidates can showcase not only their knowledge but also their ability to critically engage with diverse topics, making it a crucial component in the evaluation of aspiring civil servants.
Key Points to Note:
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Evaluation Focus | The Essay Paper evaluates candidates on their analytical and expressive skills. |
| Topic Diversity | Topics can range from philosophical issues to current affairs, requiring a well-rounded knowledge base. |
| Word Limit | Candidates are typically required to write two essays within a specific word limit, testing their conciseness and clarity. |
| Scoring Criteria | Clarity of expression, logical coherence, and the ability to present a balanced argument are key factors in scoring. |
| Relevance to GS Syllabus | Essay topics often overlap with the General Studies syllabus, promoting a comprehensive understanding of subjects. |
UPSC CSE Mains Syllabus For Paper 2 (General Studies 1)
The UPSC Mains GS 1 Syllabus focuses on the topics of Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geology of the World and Society. Candidates should get ready these subjects in detail. Have a see at the syllabus for IAS Mains Common Ponders Paper 1 in detail underneath.
- Indian culture will cover the notable perspectives of Craftsmanship Shapes, writing and Engineering from antiquated to present day times.
- Cutting edge Indian history from approximately the center of the eighteenth century until the display– noteworthy occasions, identities, and issues.
- The Flexibility Battle – its different stages and critical contributors/contributions from distinctive parts of the nation.
- Post-independence combination and reorganization inside the nation.
- History of the world will incorporate occasions from the 18th century such as the mechanical transformation, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political methods of insight like communism, capitalism, communism etc. – their shapes and impact on society.
- Notable highlights of Indian Society, Differing qualities of India.
- Part of ladies and women’s organization, populace and related issues, destitution and formative issues, urbanization, their issues and their cures.
- Impacts of globalization on Indian society.
- Social strengthening, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
- Notable highlights of world’s physical geology.
- Dissemination of key characteristic assets over the world (counting South Asia and the Indian subcontinent); components mindful for the area of essential, auxiliary, and tertiary division businesses in different parts of the world (counting India).
- Imperative Geophysical marvels such as seismic tremors, tsunamis, Volcanic action, violent winds etc., geological highlights and their area changes in basic topographical highlights (counting water-bodies and ice-caps) and in vegetation and fauna and the impacts of such changes.
UPSC Mains Syllabus For Paper 3 (General Studies 2)
The UPSC Mains GS 2 Paper Syllabus centers on the themes of Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations. Have a look at the IAS Mains GS 2 Syllabus in detail below.
- Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, advancement, highlights, alterations, critical arrangements and essential structure.
- Capacities and duties of the Union and the States, issues and challenges relating to the government structure, devolution of powers and accounts up to neighborhood levels and challenges in that.
- Division of powers between different organs debate redressal instruments and educate.
- Comparison of the Indian sacred conspire with that of other nations.
- Parliament and State legislatures—structure, working, conduct of trade, powers & benefits and issues emerging out of these.
- Structure, organization and working of the Official and the Judiciary—Ministries and Divisions of the Government; weight bunches and formal/informal affiliations and their part within the Nation.
- Notable highlights of the Representation of People’s Act.
- Arrangement to different Sacred posts, powers, capacities and duties of different Sacred Bodies.
- Statutory, administrative and different quasi-judicial bodies.
- Government arrangements and intercessions for improvement in different segments and issues emerging out of their plan and usage.
- Improvement forms and the improvement industry —the part of NGOs, SHGs, different bunches and affiliations, givers, charities, regulation and other partners.
- Welfare plans for helpless segments of the populace by the Middle and States and the execution of these plans; instruments, laws, teach and Bodies constituted for the security and improvement of these defenseless segments.
- Issues relating to the improvement and administration of Social Sector/Services relating to Wellbeing, Instruction, and Human Assets.
- Issues relating to destitution and starvation.
- Vital perspectives of administration, straightforwardness and responsibility, e-governance- applications, models, triumphs, confinements, and potential; citizens charters, straightforwardness & responsibility and organization and other measures.
- Part of respectful administrations in a popular government.
- India and its neighborhood relations.
- Two-sided, territorial and worldwide groupings and assentions including India and/or influencing India’s interface.
- Impact of approaches and legislative issues of created and creating nations on India’s interface, Indian diaspora.
- Vital Universal educate, offices and fora- their structure, order.
UPSC Mains Syllabus For Paper 4 (General Studies 3)
Conclusion
FAQ's
The UPSC Mains Syllabus includes a range of subjects such as General Studies, Essay Writing, Optional Papers, Language Papers, and specific papers on governance, technology, security, and more.
While the Prelims focus on general knowledge and aptitude testing, the Mains Syllabus delves deeper into subjects, requiring candidates to showcase in-depth knowledge, critical thinking, and analytical skills.
The Essay Paper is crucial as it evaluates a candidate’s ability to articulate thoughts coherently, analyze issues critically, and present arguments in a structured manner. It is not just about linguistic proficiency but also about expressing ideas effectively.
The Language Papers (Paper A & B) assess proficiency in Indian languages and English. Candidates should focus on grammar, comprehension, and precise writing. Paper A allows the choice of an Indian language from a prescribed list.
