UPSC IAS Syllabus 2024

UPSC IAS Syllabus Preliminary Examination (Prelims)

The UPSC Prelims consists of two papers: General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II (CSAT), both objective in nature.

• Current Events: National and international significance.
• History of India: Ancient, medieval, and modern history, with an emphasis on Indian National Movement.
• Indian and World Geography: Physical, social, and economic geography of India and the world.
• Indian Polity and Governance: Constitution, political system, Panchayati Raj, public policy, and rights issues.
• Economic and Social Development: Sustainable development, poverty, inclusion, demographics, and social sector initiatives.
• Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change: General awareness without scientific specialization.
• General Science: Basic concepts of science relevant to day-to-day experiences.

• Comprehension: Reading comprehension and logical reasoning.
• Interpersonal Skills: Communication skills and decision-making.
• Basic Numeracy and Data Interpretation: Class X level mathematics.
• Analytical Ability: Problem-solving and critical thinking.

UPSC IAS Syllabus Main Examination (Mains)

• Paper A: Indian Language (Qualifying).
• Paper B: English Language (Qualifying).
• Paper I: Essay.
• Paper II to Paper V: General Studies I to IV.
• Paper VI and Paper VII: Optional Subject Papers I and II.

• Art and culture, Indian history, world history, and Indian society.
• Geography of India and the world, including physical, social, and economic aspects.

• Indian Constitution, governance, and political system.
• Social justice, welfare schemes, and international relations.

• Economic growth, infrastructure, energy, and sustainable development.
• Environmental conservation, disaster management, and internal security.

• Candidates choose one optional subject from a list provided by UPSC, such as History, Geography, Public Administration, Sociology, etc. It includes two papers of the chosen subject.

UPSC IAS Syllabu Personality Test (Interview)

The final stage of the IAS exam is the Personality Test or Interview, conducted by the UPSC Board. It evaluates the candidate’s overall personality, including their intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and general awareness. The interview is more about testing the candidate’s soft skills, understanding of national and international affairs, and suitability for the civil services.

Key Takeaways

• The UPSC IAS Syllabus 2024 is vast and requires structured preparation.
• The Prelims focus on general awareness, current affairs, and aptitude.
• The Mains demands in-depth knowledge of history, geography, polity, economics, ethics, and more.
• The Interview assesses the candidate’s personality, leadership, and decision-making abilities.
• For a detailed syllabus and any updates, aspirants should refer to the official UPSC website. Proper time management, consistent revision, and staying updated with current affairs are essential to crack the exam.