IAS Syllabus 2020 - UPSC IAS Syllabus for Prelims & Mains

IAS Syllabus 2020 - UPSC has provided the syllabus of IAS 2020 along with the official notification. Students appearing for UPSC Civil Services Exam should check the UPSC syllabus 2020 for better preparation. IAS 2020 syllabus contains important topics of General Studies and other subjects. IAS Question papers are created from the topics of the UPSC Civil Services syllabus. Candidates must go through the UPSC IAS syllabus 2020 before they start their preparation. This will help students to create a good IAS study plan. UPSC was to conduct the IAS 2020 preliminary exam on May 31, but due to the COVID 19 pandemic and the lockdown which followed the exam might be held on a new date, the new date for Preliminary exam is expected to be announce on June 5, 2020. UPSC Civil Services Examinations is one of the toughest exams. Hence, knowing the complete UPSC syllabus can is the first step towards better preparation. IAS syllabus 2020 is different for prelims and main exam. Read the article to have complete details on UPSC syllabus 2020 for prelims and main exam.
Latest: UPSC Prelims exam was scheduled for May 31, but it has been postponed. UPSC will share new date for Preliminary exam on June 05, 2020.

UPSC Admit Card 2020 will be released online in the last week of April 2020!

IAS Syllabus 2020 for Prelims - Civil Service Aptitude Test (CSAT)

Candidates have to first qualify the UPSC prelims exam followed by the Main exam. IAS prelims 2020 is conducted for two papers - General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper-II. UPSC IAS prelims exam 2020 is intended to test the general awareness of a candidate in subjects like Indian Polity, Geography, History, Indian Economy, Science and Technology, Environment and Ecology, International Relations and associated current affairs. The detailed IAS syllabus 2020 for prelims exams is given below

UPSC IAS Prelims Syllabus 2020 - General Studies (Paper I)

The topics below need to be prepared for the syllabus of IAS 2020.

• Current events of national and international importance.
• General issues on Environmental ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change - that do not require subject specialization
• Economic and Social Development-Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
• General Science.
• Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc
• Indian and World Geography-Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World.

UPSC IAS Prelims Syllabus 2020 - General Studies (Paper-II)

In the General Studies Paper II (CSAT), questions will be asked from the following topics of UPSC syllabus 2020

• Comprehension

• Interpersonal skills including communication skills

• Logical reasoning and analytical ability

• Decision making and problem-solving

• General mental ability

• Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc. — Class X level

Best books for UPSC IAS for General Studies Paper I

To prepare the complete IAS syllabus 2020, candidates are advised to follow the below-mentioned books-

• Manorama Yearbook
• Yojana Magazine
• Newspapers: Hindu or Indian Express
• NCERT Biology Books Class 12th
• Indian Economy- Ramesh Singh
• Economic Survey of India, by the Ministry of Finance
• The Lexicon for Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude by Niraj Kumar
• NCERT Books for Class 9th
• NCERT Books for Class 12th
• Indian Polity, by Laxmikanth
• Introduction to the Constitution of India, by Durga Das Basu
• Certificate Physical & Human Geography, by Goh Cheng Leong
• Geography of India, by Majid Hussain
• Oxford School Atlas
• NCERT Books for Class 6th to 12th

Best Books for IAS 2020 General Paper II CSAT

• Yojana, Kurukshetra, Frontline and the newspapers like Indian Express, The Hindu

• Analytical Reasoning – MK Pandey

• Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning– RS.Aggarwal

IAS Syllabus 2020 for Mains

According to UPSC IAS selection process, the next stage is the mains stage wherein there will be seven papers - paper I, II, II, IV, V, VI, and VII. The table below contains the IAS 2020 of the seven papers from the questions are expected to be asked.

IAS Main Syllabus 2020 (Paper 1)

In paper I of the mains exam of UPSC IAS 2020, candidates will be given multiple topics out of which candidates will have to write an essay.

IAS Main Syllabus 2020 (Paper 2)

General Studies - I: 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.
• Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.
• Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
• Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
• Effects of globalization on Indian society.
• The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
• Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
• History of the world will include events from the 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.— their forms and effect on the Society.
• Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
• Salient features of the world's physical geography.
• Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian
• sub-continent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector
• Industries in various parts of the world (including India).
• Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone 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.

IAS Main Syllabus 2020 (Paper 3)

General Studies - II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations

• Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
• Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
• Parliament and State legislatures—structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
• Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary—Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity.
• Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.
• Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
• Salient features of the Representation of the People's Act.
• Development processes and the development industry —the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
• Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and the States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these 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.
• 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 poverty and hunger.
• Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
• Role of IAS in a democracy.
• India and its neighborhood-relations.
• 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.

UPSC IAS Main Syllabus 2020 (Paper 4)

General Studies - III: Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment,

Security and Disaster Management

• Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
• Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
• Government Budgeting.
• Major crops-cropping patterns in various parts of the country, - different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers.
• 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.
• Land reforms in India.
• Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
• Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
• Investment models.
• Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
• 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.
• Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
• Disaster and disaster management.
• Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
• Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
• Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social
• networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security, money-laundering and its prevention.
• Security challenges and their management in border areas - linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
• Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.

UPSC IAS Main Syllabus 2020 (Paper 5)

• Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
• 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.
• 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; role of family society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
• 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.
• 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.
• Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and the world.
• Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and
• Probity; Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery,
• Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.
• Case Studies on the above issues.

UPSC IAS Main Syllabus 2020 (Paper 6 & 7)

Paper VI and VII will contain topics from the optional subject selected by the candidates. There are various subjects that the candidates can select for paper VI and VII. Check the list of papers below

IAS Subjects for paper VI and VII

UPSC IAS Exam Pattern 2020

Along with the IAS syllabus 2020, it is a must to know the exam pattern. The prelims exam comprises two papers – General Studies paper I and General Studies paper 2. Both papers will contain only objective type questions. Prelims exam is conducted to select candidates for mains.

IAS Prelims Paper Pattern

UPSC IAS Main Papers Pattern

UPSC IAS 2020 Question Papers

The best source to know the correct IAS Syllabus 2020 is the previous year's question papers. It will help the candidates understand the types of questions asked in the exam. Candidates can also check and download the set-wise Civil Services question papers below.

Previous Year UPSC IAS Question Papers

How to Prepare for UPSC IAS 2020?

In order to prepare for the UPSC IAS exam, candidates must strategise their preparation techniques so that they can prepare well for the exam. There are a few tips and tricks mentioned below to help the aspirant prepare well for the exam.

• Know all the topics of IAS Syllabus 2020 from where the questions can be asked in the exam.

• Pick the best books for preparation

• Make a study schedule and follow it

• Solve previous year’s question papers

• Take as many mock tests as possible

Other Related Articles

UPSC IAS Selection Process 2020

UPSC IAS Answer key 2020

UPSC IAS Exam Analysis 2020