UPSC IAS Syllabus 2024 - Download Prelims & mains exam syllabus PDF here

Candidates before starting their preparation for the Civil Services exam are advised to download the IAS syllabus pdf and make a study plan accordingly. The IAS 2024 syllabus is available separately for prelims and mains for the UPSC IAS exam. Aspirants should check the exam patterns along with the IAS syllabus.
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This Story also Contains

1. IAS Syllabus - Prelims
2. IAS Prelims Syllabus 2024
3. IAS Exam Pattern 2024 (Prelims)
4. IAS Syllabus - Mains
5. IAS Mains Syllabus 2024
6. IAS Syllabus for Paper 6 & 7 (Optional Paper I & II)
7. UPSC IAS Optional Subject 2024
8. IAS Syllabus 2024 for Language Papers
9. UPSC IAS Exam Pattern 2024 (Mains)

The UPSC IAS syllabus is provided separately for all the General Studies papers. Along with that candidates can also check the IAS syllabus 2024 for optional subjects. As per the scheme of UPSC IAS 2024, there are two papers for the prelims exam while for the main exam, there are 9 papers that include two optional subjects and language papers.

IAS Syllabus - Prelims

Aspirants before starting their preparation, it is advised to go through the UPSC prelims syllabus 2024. The UPSC IAS syllabus 2024 will help you to know your weaker and stronger sections of the preparation level. The important topics for the prelims exam, as per the IAS syllabus are mentioned below.

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IAS Prelims Syllabus 2024

IAS Syllabus for Paper 1 (General Studies 1)

• Current events related to national and international importance.

• General issues on Biodiversity and Climate Change, Environmental ecology specially climate change, solar inventions, green energy etc

• Economic and Social Development specially Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Government schemes, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.

• General Science.

• Indian and World Geography - Social, Physical, Economic Geography of India and the World.

• Indian Polity and Governance - Political System, Constitution, Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Vidhan Sabha, Governor and President powers, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Fundamental Rights Issues, Directive policy of state principals

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• UPSC IAS Question Paper

IAS Syllabus for Paper 2 (General Studies 2)

• Interpersonal skills including communication skills

• Comprehension

• Logical reasoning and analytical ability

• Basic numeracy (orders of magnitude, numbers and their relations, etc.) (Class 10th level)

• Decision-making and problem-solving

• Questions on General mental ability

• Data interpretation (graphs, charts, data sufficiency, tables etc. — Class 10th level

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IAS Exam Pattern 2024 (Prelims)

As per the UPSC IAS 2024 exam pattern for prelims, there are two papers General Studies 1 and 2. The total marks allotted for GS paper 1 is 100 marks while for GS paper 2 is 80 marks. The question paper of IAS prelims will be in English and Hindi.

IAS Prelims Exam Pattern 2024

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IAS Syllabus - Mains

The complete UPSC IAS syllabus for mains can be downloaded on the official website and also they can check here. The IAS exam syllabus for mains is available for each topic. According to the UPSC main syllabus 2024, candidates can check the IAS syllabus for seven General Studies papers, Optional papers and Language papers here.

Also Read - UPSC IAS Mains Question Paper

IAS Mains Syllabus 2024

UPSC IAS Syllabus for Paper 1

• Essay: Candidates are required to write essays on various topics provided by the UPSC in the question paper. Some of the previous year's UPSC IAS Essay topics are given below.

IAS Syllabus for General Studies 1 (Paper 2)

The UPSC IAS syllabus for paper 2 is based on Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society.

• Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.

• Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, the problems caused by it and the remedies.

• Effects of globalization on Indian society.

• Modern Indian history from the middle of the eighteenth century till the present- famous personalities, significant events and issues.

• Salient features of Indian Society and Diversity of India.

• The Freedom Struggle — various stages and important contributions from famous personalities from all parts of the country.

• History of the world including events from the 18th century - industrial revolution, redrawal of national boundaries, world wars, colonization, decolonization, capitalism, political philosophies like communism, socialism etc.— their forms and effect on society.

• Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.

• Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.

• Salient features of the world's physical geography.

• Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including

• Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, tsunamis, 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.

• South Asia and the Indian subcontinent factors responsible for the location of the primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors

• Industries in various parts of the world (including India).

IAS Syllabus for Paper 3 (General Studies 2)

The syllabus for UPSC IAS for paper 3 of mains is based on Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations.

• The Indian Constitution — historical underpinnings, evolution of the constitution, features of the constitution, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure of the constitution of India.

• Functions and responsibilities of Union and States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges.

• Separation of powers between various organs disputes redressal mechanisms and institutions.

• Salient features of Representation of People's Act.

• Development processes and development industry — the role of SHGs, NGOs, various groups and associations, charities, donors, institutional and stakeholders etc.

• Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of population by Centre and States and performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for protection and betterment of vulnerable sections.

• Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

• Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.

• Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.

• Parliament and State legislatures—structure, functioning, the conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising.

• Structure, organization and functioning of Executive and Judiciary— Ministries and Departments of Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in Polity.

• Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.

• Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

• Issues relating to hunger and poverty.

• Important aspects of governance, e-governance- applications, transparency and accountability, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures..

• Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

• Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.

• Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.

• Role of IAS in democracy.

• India and its neighbourhood-relations

IAS Syllabus for Paper 4 (General Studies 3)

The Paper 4 of the UPSC IAS syllabus is based on Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management

• Indian Economy and issues relating to mobilization of resources, planning, growth, development and employment.

• Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.

• Government Budgeting.

• Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.

• Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.

• Major crops-cropping patterns in various parts of the country, - transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers.

• Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.

• Land reforms in India.

• Science and technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.

• Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.

• Investment models.

• Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.

• Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.

• Disaster and disaster management.

• Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.

• Linkages between development and spread of extremism.

• Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cybersecurity, money-laundering and its prevention.

• Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.

• Security challenges and their management in border areas - linkages of organized crime with terrorism.

• Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.

IAS Syllabus for Paper 5 (General Studies 4)

The IAS syllabus for paper 5 is based on Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

• 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.

• 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.

• Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.

• Government strives to have a workforce which reflects gender balance and women candidates are encouraged to apply. Emotional intelligence concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance.

• 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.

• Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and the world.

• Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Information sharing and transparency in government, Philosophical basis of governance and Probity, Codes of Ethics, Right to Information, Codes of Conduct, Work culture, Citizen’s Charters, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.

• Case Studies on the above issues.

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IAS Syllabus for Paper 6 & 7 (Optional Paper I & II)

UPSC IAS Optional Subject 2024

For the UPSC IAS mains exam, candidates need to choose their optional UPSC subjects. Check the list of UPSC IAS optional subjects mentioned below.

UPSC IAS Syllabus for Optional Papers 6 and 7

IAS Syllabus 2024 for Language Papers

The objective of the paper is to test candidates' ability to read and understand serious conversational texts and express ideas clearly and correctly in relevant English and Indian languages. The UPSC IAS paper pattern of questions would be broad as comprehension of given passages, Precis Writing, Usage and Vocabulary, Short Essays and Translation from English to the Indian Language and vice-versa.

UPSC IAS Syllabus - Indian Language Papers

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UPSC IAS Exam Pattern 2024 (Mains)

As per the UPSC IAS mains exam pattern, there are 9 papers which include GS papers, Language papers and Optional papers. The UPSC question paper for mains will be of essay type. The duration of each paper will be 3 hours.

UPSC IAS Mains Exam Pattern 2024

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IAS Syllabus - Personality Test

Candidates who qualify in the UPSC IAS mains exam will be called for Personal Interview/Personality Test. The total marks allotted to the Personality Test is 275. The question will be based on matters of general interest. Candidates will be interviewed by a Board nominated by the UPSC.