Introduction to the UPSC Exam
The UPSC conducts the CSE in three stages - Preliminary, Mains, and Interview. The Preliminary exam consists of two papers - General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II (CSAT). The Mains exam consists of nine papers, out of which two papers are qualifying in nature - Paper A (Indian language) and Paper B (English). The remaining seven papers are considered for final ranking. The Interview is the last stage of the selection process, which is conducted by a board of experts.
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UPSC Syllabus - Preliminary Exam
General Studies Paper I
This paper tests the candidate's knowledge in various subjects like Indian Polity, Economy, History, Geography, Environment, Science, and Technology. The weightage of each subject is as follows:
- Indian Polity and Governance - 20%
- Indian Economy - 15%
- History and Culture of India - 15%
- Geography of India and the World - 20%
- Environment and Ecology - 15%
- Science and Technology - 15%
General Studies Paper II (CSAT)
This paper tests the candidate's aptitude and reasoning abilities. It includes topics like Comprehension, Interpersonal skills, Logical reasoning, Analytical ability, Decision-making, Problem-solving, Basic numeracy, and Data interpretation.
UPSC Syllabus - Mains Exam
The Mains exam consists of nine papers, and the weightage of each paper is as follows:
Paper A - Indian Language (Qualifying Paper)
The candidate has to choose one Indian language from the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. This paper is of 300 marks and is of qualifying nature.
Paper B - English (Qualifying Paper)
This paper is of 300 marks and is of qualifying nature. The candidate has to secure a minimum of 25% marks in this paper.
Paper I - Essay
This paper tests the candidate's ability to write an essay on a given topic. The candidate has to write two essays, one from each section. The weightage of each essay is 125 marks.
Paper II - General Studies I
This paper tests the candidate's knowledge in Indian Heritage and Culture, History, and Geography of the World and Society. The weightage of each section is as follows:
- Indian Heritage and Culture - 25%
- History and Geography of the World - 25%
- Society - 25%
Paper III - General Studies II
This paper tests the candidate's knowledge in Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International relations. The weightage of each section is as follows:
- Governance, Constitution, Polity - 40%
- Social Justice - 30%
- International relations - 30%
Paper IV - General Studies III
This paper tests the candidate's knowledge in Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management. The weightage of each section is as follows:
- Technology - 25%
- Economic Development - 25%
- Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management - 50%
Paper VI and VII - Optional Subjects (2 papers)
The candidate has to choose any one subject from the list of optional subjects. The optional subjects are as follows:
- Agriculture
- Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science
- Anthropology
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Commerce and Accountancy
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering
- Geography
- Geology
- History
- Law
- Management
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medical Science
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science and International Relations
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Sociology
- Statistics
- Zoology
- Hindi Literature
Each paper is of 250 marks, making it a total of 500 marks.
FAQs
Is the UPSC syllabus the same every year?
Yes, the UPSC syllabus remains the same every year.
What is the weightage of General Studies Paper I in the Preliminary exam?
The weightage of General Studies Paper I is 200 marks in the Preliminary exam.
Can I choose more than one optional subject in the Mains exam?
No, you can choose only one optional subject in the Mains exam.
Is it necessary to appear for the Interview stage?
Yes, the Interview stage is mandatory to qualify for the UPSC exam.
Can I change my optional subject after submitting the application form?
No, you cannot change your optional subject after submitting the application form.
Conclusion
The UPSC exam is one of the toughest exams in the world, and cracking it requires a lot of hard work and dedication. However, understanding the syllabus is the first step towards achieving success. In this article, we have discussed the UPSC syllabus in detail, including the weightage of each paper and the optional subjects. Aspirants should go through the syllabus thoroughly and prepare accordingly.
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