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Know about the expected UPSC Prelims Subject Wise Weightage 2025, syllabus analysis, and cutoff trends. Plan your UPSC Civil Services Exam preparation with insights and effective strategies for success.
UPSC Prelims Subject Wise Weightage 2025: The UPSC Prelims examination is the initial and most important step towards the journey of clearing the UPSC Civil Services Exam and becoming a civil servant like IAS, IPS, or IFS officer. To maximize your chances of success, it is essential to understand the UPSC Prelims Subject Wise Weightage 2025. This will help the aspiring candidates to effectively allocate their time and effort to subjects that carry more importance based on previous years’ trends. Additionally, analyzing the UPSC Prelims syllabus and question paper patterns gives insight into the exam’s nature.
This specifically tailored guide will discuss the UPSC Prelims Subject Wise Weightage 2025, analyze the syllabus, and provide tips to prepare an effective UPSC Prelims preparation strategy.
The UPSC Prelims examination consists of two papers, General Studies Paper I (GS I) and General Studies Paper II (CSAT – Civil Services Aptitude Test). While CSAT is qualifying in nature (requiring at least 33% to pass), GS I determines whether a candidate clears the UPSC Prelims cutoff and proceeds to the Mains. Therefore, understanding the subject-wise weightage of GS I is necessary.
| Overview of UPSC Prelims Examination | |
| Feature | Details |
| Examination Name | UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Examination Level | National |
| Mode of Examination | Offline (Pen and Paper Based) |
| Number of Papers | 2 (General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II – CSAT) |
| Duration | 2 hours per paper |
| Total Marks | 400 (200 marks each paper) |
| Negative Marking | Yes (1/3rd of the marks deducted for incorrect answers) |
| Type of Questions | Objective (Multiple Choice Questions) |
| Qualifying Nature | Paper II (CSAT) is qualifying, requiring 33% to pass |
| Cut-off Criteria |
|
| Subjects Covered | Paper I: History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, Science, Current Affairs |
| Eligibility for Mains | Candidates qualifying for Prelims are eligible for the UPSC Mains Examination |
| Language of Exam | English and Hindi |
| Exam Frequency | Once a year |
| Age Limit | 21-32 years (with relaxation for reserved categories) |
| Number of Attempts | 6 attempts (general category); relaxations for reserved categories |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
The UPSC Prelims examination consists of two papers, General Studies Paper I (GS I) and General Studies Paper II (CSAT – Civil Services Aptitude Test). While CSAT is qualifying in nature (requiring at least 33% to pass), GS I determines whether a candidate clears the UPSC Prelims cutoff and proceeds to the Mains. Therefore, understanding the subject-wise weightage of GS I is necessary.
Subject
2021 Weightage
2022 Weightage
2023 Weightage
2024 Weightage
Expected Weightage for 2025
Polity
15-18%
18-20%
16-18%
20%
18-20%
History
18-20%
15-17%
18-20%
15%
16-18%
Geography
13-15%
18%
16-18%
15-17%
15-17%
Economy
15-17%
12-15%
12-15%
12-14%
13-15%
Current Affairs
18-20%
20-22%
20-22%
20-22%
22-24%
Environment
10-12%
12-14%
12-14%
12-14%
13-15%
Science
8-10%
8-10%
8-10%
7-9%
7-9%
1. Polity (18-20% Expected)
In 2024, Polity questions dominated the paper, with around 20 mostly easy questions, with a few challenging ones. Over the last few years, Polity has remained a core subject in the UPSC prelims, often comprising 15-20% of the paper.
In 2024, the History section comprised fewer questions, especially in Modern History. However, Ancient and Medieval History questions were complex. The 2023 exam had a balanced mix of Ancient, Medieval, and Modern History questions, with some emphasis on world history.
Geography has been a steady section in the Prelims, often carrying 15-18% weightage. In 2024, Geography had conceptual and GK-based questions, continuing the pattern from previous years.
The Economy subject has also been a relatively stable section in terms of weightage, which contributes around 13-15% of the paper. In 2024, questions focused on banking operations and basic economic concepts.
Current Affairs remains one of the most important sections in the Prelims, which contributes nearly 22-24% of the paper in 2025. In 2024, it dominated the paper with questions on global and national events, government schemes, and international relations.
The environment has been growing in importance, contributing 13-15% in recent years. In 2024, the focus was on species conservation and biodiversity.
Science contributes around 7-9% of the total questions. In 2024, the questions ranged from easy to moderate, focusing on basic scientific concepts and their application.
Here is the UPSC prelims analysis 2024 for GS Paper I, which will help you in examining the UPSC Prelims Subject Wise Weightage 2025;
| UPSC Prelims Analysis 2024 GS Paper | |||
| Subjects | Total Questions | Difficulty Level | Type |
| Polity | 18 | Easy to Moderate | Application Based |
| Economy | 15 | Moderate | Application Based |
| History | 9 | Moderate to Difficult | Static |
| Science & Technology | 9 | Easy | Application Based |
| Geography | 19 | Easy to Moderate | Static |
| Environment | 10 | Moderate | Application Based |
| Current Affairs /Misc. | 20 | Easy to Moderate | Application Based |
| Total | 100 | Moderate | Mostly Application Based |
| UPSC Prelims 2024 Question Paper Analysis | |
| Prelims Question Paper 2024 | Download Link |
| UPSC Prelims GS Paper 1 2024 | Click Here |
| UPSC Prelims GS Paper 2 2024 | Click Here |
The UPSC Prelims cutoff varies every year depending on factors like the number of vacancies, the difficulty level of the exam, and the number of candidates. Based on previous trends, the cutoff has ranged between 90 and 95 marks for the General Category in GS Paper I.
| Expected Cutoff for UPSC Prelims 2024 Category Wise | |
| Category of Candidates | UPSC Prelims Expected Cutoff Marks |
| General | 90-95 |
| EWS | 80-85 |
| OBC | 85-90 |
| SC | 70-75 |
| ST | 65-70 |
| PwBD 1 | 60-65 |
| PwBD 2 | 60-65 |
| PwBD 3 | 55-60 |
| PwBD 5 | 50-55 |
According to the expected UPSC Prelims Subject Wise Weightage 2025, the preparation strategy should focus on both static and dynamic topics. Here are some key strategies:
The UPSC Prelims Subject Wise Weightage 2025 provides a clear guide for aspirants to plan their preparation effectively. By understanding the distribution of questions across subjects, analyzing the syllabus, and aligning it with a comprehensive UPSC Prelims preparation strategy, candidates can increase their chances of success. Regular practice, keeping up with current affairs, and consistent revision will help clear the UPSC Prelims cutoff and move toward the Mains examination.
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| UPSC Exam-Related Articles | |
| UPSC Notification 2025 | UPSC 2025 Exam Date |
| When To Start Preparing For UPSC 2025? | UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2025 |
| UPSC Eligibility 2025 | One-Year Plan For UPSC 2025 |
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