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UPSC Mains GS Paper 1 syllabus

GS Paper 1 covers Indian heritage and culture, history, and the geography of the world and society. Here it is in 7 topics and 79 subtopics you can study and tick off one at a time.

Answers
descriptive
Marks
250
Time
3 hours

Contents

  1. Art & Culture — Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times
  2. Modern History — mid-18th century to the present; the Freedom Struggle and its stages
  3. Post-Independence Consolidation and Reorganization within the Country
  4. World History — 18th century events: industrial revolution, world wars, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies
  5. Indian Society — salient features, diversity, women's issues, population, poverty, urbanization, globalization
  6. Physical Geography and Geophysical Phenomena
  7. Human and Economic Geography — resource distribution, industry location

Art & Culture — Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times

  1. Indian Architecture — Rock-cut, Temple Styles (Nagara, Dravida, Vesara)
  2. Buddhist and Jain Architecture — Stupas and Caves
  3. Indo-Islamic Architecture — Forts, Mosques, Tombs
  4. Modern and Colonial Architecture
  5. Schools of Painting — Mural, Miniature, Regional Styles
  6. Modern Indian Painters and Art Movements
  7. Classical Dance Forms
  8. Folk and Tribal Dance Forms
  9. Hindustani and Carnatic Music Traditions
  10. Musical Instruments of India
  11. Theatre and Puppetry Traditions
  12. Ancient and Classical Literature
  13. Bhakti and Sufi Literature
  14. Philosophical Schools — Astika and Nastika
  15. Accounts of Foreign Travelers

Modern History — mid-18th century to the present; the Freedom Struggle and its stages

  1. Advent of European Powers and Carnatic Wars
  2. Expansion of British Rule (Plassey, Buxar, Anglo-Maratha, Anglo-Sikh Wars)
  3. British Economic Policies and Land Revenue Systems
  4. Administrative and Constitutional Developments (1773–1909)
  5. Socio-Religious Reform Movements
  6. Revolt of 1857 — Causes and Consequences
  7. Formation of Indian National Congress
  8. Moderates, Extremists and Partition of Bengal
  9. Gandhi's Early Movements (Champaran, Kheda, Ahmedabad)
  10. Non-Cooperation and Khilafat Movement
  11. Simon Commission and Nehru Report
  12. Civil Disobedience Movement and Round Table Conferences
  13. Government of India Act 1935
  14. Quit India Movement and INA
  15. Post-War Developments and Independence (Mountbatten Plan, Partition)

Post-Independence Consolidation and Reorganization within the Country

  1. Integration of Princely States
  2. States Reorganisation and Linguistic Movements
  3. Land Reforms and Zamindari Abolition
  4. Green Revolution
  5. Foreign Policy — NAM and Panchsheel
  6. Indo-Pak and Indo-China Wars
  7. Emergency (1975–77)
  8. Separatist and Regional Movements (Punjab, Kashmir, North-East)
  9. Economic Reforms of 1991

World History — 18th century events: industrial revolution, world wars, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies

  1. Renaissance and Age of Enlightenment
  2. American Revolution and Constitution
  3. French Revolution and Napoleonic Era
  4. Industrial Revolution — Causes and Global Spread
  5. Unification of Germany and Italy
  6. Imperialism and Colonial Scramble for Africa
  7. World War I and Treaty of Versailles
  8. Russian Revolution
  9. Rise of Fascism and Nazism
  10. World War II
  11. Decolonization in Asia and Africa
  12. Cold War and Bipolar World
  13. Fall of Soviet Union and End of Cold War

Indian Society — salient features, diversity, women's issues, population, poverty, urbanization, globalization

  1. Salient Features of Indian Society
  2. Caste System and Social Stratification
  3. Communalism and Secularism
  4. Family Structures and Marriage Practices
  5. Women's Issues and Empowerment
  6. Population Dynamics and Demographic Transition
  7. Urbanization and Related Challenges
  8. Poverty and Social Exclusion
  9. Globalization's Impact on Society
  10. Regionalism and Diversity

Physical Geography and Geophysical Phenomena

  1. Origin and Interior Structure of the Earth
  2. Plate Tectonics and Continental Drift
  3. Landform Development — Fluvial, Aeolian, Glacial
  4. Volcanism and Earthquakes
  5. Ocean Currents, Tides and Salinity
  6. Coral Reefs and Ocean Acidification
  7. Atmospheric Composition and Circulation
  8. Monsoon Mechanism and Jet Streams
  9. Cyclones — Tropical and Temperate
  10. Major Biomes and Soil Types

Human and Economic Geography — resource distribution, industry location

  1. Distribution of Minerals and Energy Resources
  2. Location Factors for Primary Industries
  3. Location Factors for Secondary and Tertiary Industries
  4. Indian Agriculture — Cropping Patterns
  5. Population Growth and Distribution
  6. Migration and Urban-Rural Linkages
  7. Industrial Corridors and Urban Infrastructure

This is Mented's breakdown of the official UPSC syllabus into study-sized subtopics. For the syllabus as notified, see the Civil Services Examination notice on upsc.gov.in.

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