UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2024 for Paper 1 & 2 - Download PDF here

UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2024 for Paper 1 & 2 - Download PDF here

Edited By Meghana Mohana Krishnan | Updated on May 27, 2024 04:20 PM IST | #UPSC CSE
Upcoming Event
UPSC CSE  Exam Date : 22 Aug' 2025 - 22 Aug' 2025

The Commission mentioned the UPSC IAS 2024 prelims syllabus in the official notification. The IAS preliminary exam syllabus can be downloaded from upsc.gov.in. Candidates preparing for the UPSC IAS exam must check the detailed prelims syllabus. With the help of the UPSC IAS 2024 exam syllabus, candidates can make an effective preparation strategy for the exam.

UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2024 for Paper 1 & 2 - Download PDF here
UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2024 for Paper 1 & 2 - Download PDF here
LiveUPSC Prelims Results 2025 LIVE: CSE will soon release the UPSC Prelims results at upsc.gov.in, latest updatesJun 8, 2025 | 4:12 PM IST

The UPSC Main exam is conducted around 3-4 months after the Union Public Service Commission Prelims exam.

Read More

Applicants can also check important topics and chapters from where the questions will be asked in the UPSC IAS prelims exam. Along with the syllabus, candidates can also check the previous year's UPSC question papers for their preparations. The IAS prelims syllabus pdf comprises topics asked in GS paper 1 and GS paper 2. Applicants can also download the UPSC prelims syllabus in Hindi here.

UPSC IAS 2024 prelims exam will be conducted on June 16, 2024 in offline mode. For more details about the UPSC IAS prelims syllabus, candidates can check the article given below.

Also read: Information about category-wise career exams

UPSC Prelims Syllabus for Papers 1 & 2

Paper

UPSC syllabus

General Studies Paper 1

  • Current events of national and international importance

  • History of India and the 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, Rights Issues, etc.

  • Economic and Social Development-Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.

  • General issues on Environmental ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change - that do not require subject specialization

  • General Science.

CSAT Paper 2

  • 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);

Related Articles

UPSC CSE Preparation Strategy and Best Books
UPSC CSE preparation strategy along with best books for prelims as well as mains exam for sure success.
Download EBook

UPSC IAS Exam Pattern 2024

Union Public Service Commission released the IAS 2024 exam pattern in the official notification. Along with the exam pattern, candidates must also check the UPSC prelims IAS syllabus for their preparations. With the help of the UPSC 2024 prelims syllabus, candidates can make their preparation strategy to score well in the exam. For more details, candidates can check the tale below.

IAS Prelims 2024 Exam Pattern

Paper

Number of questions

Maximum marks

Duration

GS Paper (Prelims Paper 1)

100

200

2 hours

CSAT Paper (Prelims Paper 2)

80

200

2 hours

Also read: UPSC Mock Tests Series for UPSC

UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern 2024 - Important Points

  • Paper-II of the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination will be a qualifying paper with minimum qualifying marks fixed at 33%.

  • The questions will be of multiple choice, objective type in both papers

  • It is compulsory to appear for both UPSC IAS prelims GS papers.

UPSC Prelims Preparation Tips 2024

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the selection process of IAS 2024?

The IAS selection 2024 process comprises the prelims exam, mains exam and personal interview.

2. What are the details required to download the admit card of IAS 2024?

Candidates can download UPSC IAS 2024 admit card through their registration number and date of birth.

3. How will UPSC result 2024 be released?

The UPSC IAS result 2024 will be released in PDF form having details of all the qualified candidates.

4. Can I challenge the UPSC IAS answer key 2024?

No, candidates are not allowed to challenge UPSC IAS answer key 2024.

5. What are the 7 papers of UPSC 2024?

There are 9 papers in UPSC out of which 2 papers are qualifying in nature. The IAS 2024 Prelims exam consists of GS 1 and GS 2. The UPSC Mains 2024 paper consists of Paper A – Compulsory Indian Language Paper , Paper B – English Language Paper , Paper I – Essay , Paper II - Paper V – General Studies, Paper VI – Paper VII – Optional Paper II.


Articles

Certifications By Top Providers

Access to Justice
Via National Law University, New Delhi
Geography XII Part-I
Via National Council of Educational Research and Training
Home Science-Extension and Communication Management Level-2
Via English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad
Swayam
 220 courses
Edx
 199 courses
LawSikho
 127 courses
NPTEL
 92 courses
Futurelearn
 89 courses
Coursera
 76 courses

Explore Top Universities Across Globe

University of Essex, Colchester
 Wivenhoe Park Colchester CO4 3SQ
University College London, London
 Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT
The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh
 Old College, South Bridge, Edinburgh, Post Code EH8 9YL
University of Bristol, Bristol
 Beacon House, Queens Road, Bristol, BS8 1QU
University of Nottingham, Nottingham
 University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD

Questions related to UPSC CSE

Have a question related to UPSC CSE ?

Hello ,

If you want to give IAS exam then you should complete your graduation first or also if you are in your last year of graduation then you can fill the application form.

To know more, refer this:

https://competition.careers360.com/articles/upsc-ias-application-form

I hope this helps you!

If you want to become an IAS or IPS officer after completing your 12th in PCMC ,  focus on graduation because the UPSC Civil Services exam requires you to have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university. You can choose any graduation stream, but many students prefer degrees like Political Science, Public Administration, History, or Sociology because these subjects help build a strong foundation for the UPSC syllabus. it’s not mandatory to pick these; you can also pursue Science, Commerce, or Arts as long as you complete your graduation. Along with your degree,  start preparing for the UPSC exam early by reading newspapers, improving your general knowledge, and practicing answer writing. So, after 12th, pick a degree you are comfortable with, and plan your UPSC preparation alongside

Hii,

Yes, even if you have an ECE diploma, you can still become an IAS officer. However, you must graduate from an accredited college in any field in order to apply for the IAS exam (UPSC). A diploma is insufficient on its own.

First, enroll in a degree program such as a B.A., B.Sc., or B.Tech (lateral entry is acceptable). You can then get ready for the IAS exam. Many IAS officers have backgrounds in the arts, sciences, or diploma programs. So don't worry, just finish your graduation first and move on.

Hello!
IRAS (Indian Railway Accounts Service) officers can be posted in both cities and rural areas since Indian Railways has offices and operations nationwide. They typically work in divisional offices, zonal offices, workshops, and production units. Transfers do happen but are usually not very frequent and depend on government policies and organizational needs.

Hope this helps!

To become an IAS officer, you must clear the Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), and then undergo training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA). While any bachelor's degree is acceptable, choosing a degree that aligns with the UPSC syllabus, particularly in humanities and social sciences, can be advantageous.

UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE):

This is the primary exam for becoming an IAS officer, involving three stages: Preliminary, Main, and Personality Test (Interview).

Any Bachelor's Degree:

A graduate degree from a recognized university is the basic requirement to be eligible for the CSE.

Beneficial Degrees:

Degrees in humanities and social sciences, such as Bachelor of Arts (BA), can be helpful due to the syllabus overlap with subjects like History, Political Science, Sociology, and Economics.

Optional Subject:

You can choose an optional subject in the Mains exam, and a BA degree can provide a wide range of options.

Hope it helps!!

View All
Back to top