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UPSC Prelims GS Paper 1 syllabus

GS Paper 1 decides whether you clear Prelims: every mark counts toward the cut-off. Here it is in 7 topics and 78 subtopics you can study and tick off one at a time.

Questions
100, objective
Marks
200
Time
2 hours
Wrong answer
minus one third of its marks (0.66)
Counts for
the Prelims cut-off

Contents

  1. History of India and Indian National Movement
  2. Indian and World Geography
  3. Indian Polity and Governance
  4. Economic and Social Development
  5. Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change
  6. General Science
  7. Current Events of National and International Importance

History of India and Indian National Movement

  1. Indus Valley Civilization
  2. Vedic Age and Later Vedic Period
  3. Mahajanapadas and Rise of Magadha
  4. Mauryan Empire and Ashoka
  5. Post-Mauryan Dynasties (Kushanas, Satavahanas)
  6. Gupta Empire — Golden Age
  7. South Indian Kingdoms (Cholas, Pallavas, Chalukyas)
  8. Delhi Sultanate (Slave, Khalji, Tughlaq, Lodi Dynasties)
  9. Vijayanagara and Bahmani Kingdoms
  10. Mughal Empire
  11. Bhakti and Sufi Movements
  12. Maratha Empire
  13. Advent of Europeans and Carnatic Wars
  14. Revolt of 1857
  15. Indian National Congress — Moderates to Extremists
  16. Gandhian Era and Mass Movements
  17. Revolutionary Movements and INA
  18. Path to Independence and Partition

Indian and World Geography

  1. Physical Features of India
  2. Drainage Systems and Rivers
  3. Climate and Monsoon Mechanism
  4. Soil Types and Distribution
  5. Natural Vegetation and Forests
  6. Agriculture and Cropping Patterns
  7. Mineral and Energy Resources
  8. Industries and Industrial Regions
  9. Population and Settlement Patterns
  10. Transport Networks
  11. World Physical Geography Basics
  12. Major World Climatic Regions
  13. Ocean Currents and Water Bodies

Indian Polity and Governance

  1. Historical Background of the Constitution
  2. Preamble, Fundamental Rights, DPSPs
  3. Union Executive — President, PM, Council of Ministers
  4. Parliament — Structure and Functioning
  5. State Executive and State Legislatures
  6. Judiciary — Supreme Court and High Courts
  7. Local Self-Government — Panchayati Raj and Municipalities
  8. Constitutional Bodies (ECI, UPSC, CAG, Finance Commission)
  9. Non-Constitutional and Statutory Bodies
  10. Centre-State Relations
  11. Amendment Procedure and Key Amendments
  12. Public Policy and Governance Schemes
  13. Rights-related Issues and Landmark Judgments

Economic and Social Development

  1. Basic Concepts — GDP, GNP, National Income
  2. Planning in India and NITI Aayog
  3. Money and Banking — RBI, Monetary Policy
  4. Fiscal Policy and Government Budget
  5. Inflation and Price Indices
  6. Poverty and Unemployment Measurement
  7. Inclusive Growth and Financial Inclusion
  8. Sustainable Development Goals
  9. Demographics — Census, Sex Ratio, Literacy
  10. Social Sector Schemes (Health, Education, Welfare)
  11. External Sector — Balance of Payments, FDI/FII

Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change

  1. Ecology Basics — Ecosystem, Food Chains
  2. Biodiversity — Hotspots, Protected Areas
  3. Wildlife Protection Act and Species Conservation
  4. Climate Change — Causes and Impacts
  5. International Climate Agreements (UNFCCC, Paris Agreement)
  6. Pollution — Air, Water, Soil
  7. Environmental Impact Assessment
  8. National Parks, Sanctuaries and Biosphere Reserves
  9. Government Environmental Missions and Schemes

General Science

  1. Physics — Mechanics, Optics, Electricity Basics
  2. Chemistry — Elements, Compounds, Everyday Chemistry
  3. Biology — Human Body, Diseases, Nutrition
  4. Science and Technology in the News
  5. Space Technology and ISRO Missions
  6. Defence Technology Basics
  7. Health and Disease-related Current Developments

Current Events of National and International Importance

  1. National Government Schemes and Policies
  2. Important Reports and Indices (NITI Aayog, World Bank, UN)
  3. International Organizations and Summits
  4. Awards, Appointments and Obituaries in News
  5. Science and Technology Developments in News
  6. Sports and Miscellaneous Current Affairs
  7. Government Bills and Acts Passed

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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