Madhavi Gaur
July 03, 2023 01:15
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UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern and UPSC Prelims Preparation Strategy are very important things that help the aspirants in their UPSC Preparation. The IAS Prelims examination for the year 2023 was conducted on May 28, as per the UPSC calendar. On June 12, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) announced the result for the Civil Services preliminary exam 2023. The marks, cut-off marks, and answer keys for the Prelims exam will be made available on the official website, upsc.gov.in, after the completion of the entire examination process and declaration of the final result. The IAS Mains exams are scheduled to commence on September 15, 2023.
The UPSC Prelims for the year 2022 were successfully conducted on June 5, 2022, and the results were announced on June 22, 2022. The UPSC Mains examination concluded on September 25, 2022. Candidates can access the UPSC Mains Question Papers 2022 by visiting the provided link.
Following the UPSC Prelims 2023, our faculty thoroughly analyzed the exam questions. Candidates can find the UPSC Prelims 2023 Answer Key and read the question paper analysis by clicking on the provided link.
The exam pattern for UPSC Civil Service Prelims 2023, as mentioned in the UPSC 2023 notification, is outlined below. Any modifications to the upcoming UPSC CSE Prelims exam pattern will be provided here once the CSE 2023 notification is released. The notification for UPSC CSE 2023 was published on February 1, 2023.
The UPSC CSE Prelims consists of two objective-type papers: General Studies I and General Studies II or CSAT, with a total of 400 marks. Both papers are typically conducted on the same day in two sessions through offline mode (pen-paper).
The Prelims Admit Card will be made available on the official UPSC website approximately 2-3 weeks prior to the exam date. Below is the overview of the UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern for the year 2024:
| UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern | GS Paper I | GS Paper II (CSAT) |
| Number of questions | 100 | 80 |
| Negative Marking | 1/3rd of the maximum marks for the question, i.e. 0.66 marks | 1/3rd of the maximum marks for the question, i.e. 0.83 marks |
| Exam Duration | 2 hours (120 Minutes) | 2 hours |
| UPSC Prelims 2024 Date of exam | May 26, 2023 | May 26, 2023 |
| Language of exam | Bilingual (English and Hindi) | Bilingual (English and Hindi) |
| Total marks | 200 | 200 |
| Qualifying Marks | Cutoff decided after the exam | 33% qualifying criteria (66 marks) |
After knowing the UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern 2024, one must know the UPSC Prelims Exam Syllabus. Below is the syllabus for the UPSC Preliminary exam in 2024:
1. Current events of national and international importance.
2. History of India and the Indian National Movement.
3. Geography of India and the world – Physical, Social, and Economic Geography.
4. Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
5. Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector initiatives, etc.
6. General issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change – without requiring specialized knowledge.
7. General Science.
1. Comprehension.
2. Interpersonal skills, including communication skills.
3. Logical reasoning and analytical ability.
4. Decision-making and problem-solving.
5. General mental ability.
6. Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) – Class X level.
7. Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc.) – Class X level.
8. English language comprehension skills – Class X level.
The following approach will assist candidates in achieving good scores in the IAS prelims examination.
Having knowledge of current affairs is crucial for the UPSC Prelims. It is recommended that candidates prepare for current affairs spanning a period of 12 to 15 months.
For the UPSC exam in 2023, the following are important sources for current affairs preparation:
– Yojana Magazine
– Newspapers such as The Hindu and The Indian Express
– Press Information Bureau (PIB)
– Economic and Political Weekly (EPW)
In case time is limited, BYJU’S free IAS preparation offers the following resources:
– Summarized content from Yojana Magazine
– Summarized content from EPW
– Daily video analysis of The Hindu
– Economy This Week for UPSC Preparation
Candidates should simultaneously prepare for both UPSC Prelims and UPSC Mains as there is an overlap in the syllabus.
Preparing for the GS Paper II (CSAT) of the UPSC exam requires a structured and focused approach. The CSAT is designed to test your aptitude and comprehension skills. Here is a preparation strategy to help you perform well in the GS Paper II:
Familiarize yourself with the exam pattern, marking scheme, and syllabus of the CSAT. This will help you understand the weightage of different topics and plan your preparation accordingly.
Go through previous year question papers to understand the types of questions asked, the difficulty level, and the areas from which questions are frequently asked. This will give you insights into the exam’s pattern and help you identify important topics.
The CSAT tests your aptitude skills, including quantitative aptitude, logical reasoning, analytical ability, and reading comprehension. Practice solving mathematical problems, puzzles, and logical reasoning questions regularly to improve your problem-solving abilities. Solve sample papers and take online mock tests to enhance your speed and accuracy.
Work on improving your reading speed and comprehension abilities. Read newspapers, magazines, and articles on a wide range of topics to develop a better understanding of diverse subjects. Practice summarizing and extracting key information from the given passages.
Data interpretation is an important aspect of the CSAT. Practice analyzing and interpreting data presented in the form of graphs, charts, and tables. Solve a variety of data interpretation questions to become comfortable with different types of data sets.
The CSAT is a time-bound exam, so it is crucial to manage your time effectively. Develop a strategy to allocate time to different sections based on your strengths and weaknesses. Practice solving questions within the prescribed time limit to improve your speed.
Regularly take online mock tests to evaluate your preparation and identify areas where you need improvement. Analyze your performance and learn from your mistakes. Mock tests will also help you familiarize yourself with the online exam interface and build your confidence.
Regular revision is essential to reinforce your learning. Create concise notes and revise them regularly. Solve practice questions and sample papers to strengthen your understanding of different topics. Focus on solving questions from a variety of sources to expose yourself to different question styles.
If you face difficulties in understanding certain concepts or topics, do not hesitate to seek guidance from teachers, mentors, or online forums. Joining a coaching institute or enrolling in an online course can also provide structured guidance and access to study materials.
Remember to maintain a positive attitude, stay focused, and remain consistent with your preparation. Develop a study schedule that suits your needs and stick to it. With dedicated effort and a well-rounded preparation strategy, you can perform well in the UPSC GS Paper II (CSAT) exam. Best of luck!
Focus Areas for different subjects in UPSC Prelims:
– Main congress sessions including the year, president, and significant resolutions
– Important viceroys and their tenure, along with significant decisions
– Government of India Acts 1909, 1919, 1935, and charter acts
– Hindu philosophy, Buddhism, and Jainism
– Mauryan and Gupta Period
– Art, architecture, and scientific advancements during that period
– Notable kings such as Sher Shah, Akbar, etc.
– Delhi Sultanate
– Current events related to changes in the constitution, new acts or amendments, and schemes
– Understanding of Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties, and Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)
– Knowledge of the committee system, parliament, and parliamentary proceedings
– Understanding of the judiciary and constitutional bodies
– Basic science concepts covered in NCERT books, with selective focus as in-depth knowledge is not necessary
– Emphasis on current affairs related to S&T
– Environmental and ecological issues
– Familiarity with important declarations, conventions, IUCN’s Red List, Biosphere Reserves, Tiger Reserves, and international bodies
– Solar system
– Latitudes and longitudes
– Layers of the atmosphere
– Global atmospheric wind patterns, cyclones
– Pressure belts
– Understanding of revolution, rotation, and seasons
– Knowledge of monsoons, types of rainfall, Koeppen classification
– Understanding of jet streams, ocean currents, El Nino, and La Nina
– India’s physical geography including rivers, hills, soil, mineral resources, and geological history
– Basics of agriculture as covered in NCERT
– Map reading skills
– Awareness of current events such as new bills and important committees
– Focus on fundamental concepts such as growth and development, poverty, unemployment, and inflation
– Understanding of the state of national and global economy
– Familiarity with major committees, bills, and the latest budget and economic survey
Below is the UPSC Prelims Previous Year Subject wise analysis:
Below is the UPSC Prelims 2023 Subject wise analysis:
| UPSC Prelims 2023 Subject | Number of questions in UPSC Prelims 2023 |
| History | 14 |
| Economy | 14 |
| Polity | 15 |
| Environment & Ecology | 14 |
| Geography | 16 |
| Science & Technology | 12 |
| International Relations | 11 |
| Miscellaneous | 4 |
Below is the UPSC Prelims 2022 Subject wise analysis:
| UPSC Prelims 2022 Subject | Number of questions in UPSC Prelims 2022 |
| History | 10 |
| Economy | 16 |
| Polity | 11 |
| Environment & Ecology | 17 |
| Geography | 10 |
| Science & Technology | 14 |
| International Relations | 14 |
| Miscellaneous | 3 |
Below is the UPSC Prelims 2021 Subject wise analysis:
| UPSC Prelims 2021 Subject | Number of questions in UPSC Prelims 2021 |
| History | 20 |
| Economy | 10 |
| Polity | 14 |
| Environment & Ecology | 11 |
| Geography | 10 |
| Science & Technology | 08 |
| Current Affairs | 27 |
Below is the UPSC Prelims 2020 Subject wise analysis:
| UPSC Prelims 2020 Subject | Number of questions in UPSC Prelims 2020 |
| History | 18 |
| Economy | 14 |
| Polity | 16 |
| Environment & Ecology | 17 |
| Geography | 10 |
| Science & Technology | 10 |
| Current Affairs | 15 |
Below is the UPSC Prelims 2019 Subject wise analysis:
| UPSC Prelims 2019 Subject | Number of questions in UPSC Prelims 2019 |
| History | 17 |
| Economy | 14 |
| Polity | 15 |
| Environment & Ecology | 11 |
| Geography | 14 |
| Science & Technology | 7 |
| Current Affairs | 22 |
Ans: Practicing questions daily and staying updated with current affairs are indeed important strategies for preparing for competitive exams like the Prelims. Additionally, studying NCERTs (National Council of Educational Research and Training) and standard preparation books can provide you with a strong foundation of knowledge.
Ans: According to the official calendar published on May 10, 2023, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has scheduled the UPSC Exam Date for 2024 on May 26, 2024. The Civil Services Examination (CSE) is a highly competitive test administered by the UPSC every year, consisting of three stages: Preliminary, Mains, and Interview.
Ans: Here are five effective strategies for getting ready for the IAS exam in the comfort of your own home:
Ans: To begin, prioritize the subjects that are covered in both the preliminary and main examination syllabi. For the preliminary exam specifically, it is advisable to commence focused preparation at least three months in advance. Another useful tip is to create a well-structured plan and bear in mind its significance throughout your preparation process.
Ans: The UPSC Prelims Preparation Strategy is as follows. Create a schedule that includes specific time slots for reviewing a particular subject, taking notes on current events, and completing a minimum of 50 practice questions each day. You can begin by tackling the most challenging or lengthy subject initially. Emphasize the utilization of NCERT books and concentrate on reviewing the material you have already covered.
UPSC Mains Syllabus 2024, Know the Complete UPSC CSE Mains Syllabus
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