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UPSC Mains Syllabus 2024, Exam Pattern, Download PDF!

PWOnlyIAS July 18, 2024 12:05 1104 0

UPSC Mains syllabus 2024 will be helpful for all the aspirants aiming to appear for UPSC Mains 2024. Check all the details regarding the syllabus here!

UPSC Mains Syllabus 2024, Exam Pattern, Download PDF!

UPSC Mains Syllabus 2024 consists of a total of 9 papers, including language papers, General Studies, Essays, and Optional Subject papers. Candidates aiming to appear for UPSC mains 2024 will have to prepare comprehensively for all these papers. It is crucial for the candidates to check the complete UPSC Mains Syllabus in order to have a basic understanding of the exam pattern and how vast the syllabus is. The UPSC mains syllabus 2024 consists of nine papers, out of which seven are used for calculating merit. The two other papers are qualifying in nature.

The complete information on the UPSC mains syllabus for all the papers is comprehensively covered here. Check out the details and begin your preparation now.

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UPSC Mains Syllabus 2024 Overview

The UPSC mains exam is descriptive in nature and is made up of 9 papers. Candidates who have qualified for the Prelims will appear for UPSC Mains. Comparatively, the Mains Syllabus is more descriptive and vast than Prelims Syllabus. The details of the UPSC mains syllabus are provided below.

Event Details
Exam Name UPSC Mains Exam 2024
Eligibility Qualify Prelims
UPSC Mains Exam Date 20th to 28th September 2024
Exam Format Descriptive Paper
Number of Papers 9
Duration 3 hrs each
Nature of Exam
Qualifying in nature
Considered for Merit
Qualifying Papers Paper A (Indian Language)

Paper B (English)

Qualifying Marks 75 Marks
Papers used for Calculating Merit Essay

General Studies I

General Studies II

General Studies III

General Studies IV

Optional Paper V

Optional Paper 2

Total Marks 250 X 7 = 1750
Cutoff marks Varies (741 for General in 2023)

UPSC Mains Exam Overview

 The UPSC mains syllabus consists of nine papers. While Paper A and Paper B are qualifying in nature, a candidate’s score in Essay, General Studies, and Optional paper will be used to determine their merit ranking. The details are given in the table below.

Paper Number Paper Name Nature of Paper Subjects Marks
Paper A Indian Language Qualifying Compulsory Indian Language from 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution. 300
Paper B English Qualifying English Language 300
Paper 1 Essay Considered for Merit Calculation Candidates are required to write two essays, covers a broad range of subjects, including: Socio-political, Economic issues, Environmental issues, International relations, Science and technology, Philosophical topics, etc. 250
Paper 2 General Studies 1 Considered for Merit Calculation Geography

History

Indian Heritage and Culture

Social Issues

250
Paper 3 General Studies 2 Considered for Merit Calculation Polity and Governance

Constitution

Social Justice

International Relations

250
Paper 4 General Studies 3 Considered for Merit Calculation Economy and Growth

Science and Technology

Environment and Ecology

Disaster Management

Internal Security

250
Paper 5 General Studies 4 Considered for Merit Calculation Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude 250
Paper 6 Optional Paper 1 Considered for Merit Calculation NA 250
Paper 7 Optional Paper 2 Considered for Merit Calculation NA 250

Comprehensive Paper-wise UPSC Mains Syllabus

The complete UPSC mains syllabus 2024 is given in this table below. Candidates can refer to this information while preparing for UPSC mains.

Paper Name Syllabus
Paper A: Compulsory Indian Language (i) comprehension of given passages. 

(ii) Precis Writing. 

(iii) Usage and Vocabulary. 

(iv) Short Essays. 

(v) Translation from English to the Indian Language and vice-versa.

Paper B: Compulsory English (i) Comprehension of given passages. 

(ii) Precis Writing. 

(iii) Usage and Vocabulary. 

(iv) Short Essays.

Essay Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics. 

They will be expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay, arrange their ideas in an orderly fashion, and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression. 

General Studies 1
  • 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. 
  • 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 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. 
  • 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. 
  • 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 subcontinent); 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, cyclones 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.
General Studies 2
  • Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure. 
  • 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. 
  • 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. 
  • Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act. 
  • 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. 
  • 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 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. 
  • 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 civil services 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.
General Studies 3
  • 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. 
General Studies 4
  • This paper will include questions to test the candidates’ attitude and approach to issues relating to 
  • integrity, probity in public life and his problem solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him in dealing with society. Questions may utilise the case study approach to determine these aspects. 
  • The following broad areas will be covered: 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. 
  • 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. 
  • Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance. 
  • Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world. 
  • 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. 
  • 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 above issues. 
Optional Paper 1 Optional Syllabus
Optional Paper 2 Optional Syllabus

UPSC Mains Optional Subjects

As part of UPSC Mains syllabus, candidates have to select one optional subject, which will consist of two papers. Each paper will have 250 marks. 

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There are a total of 48 optional subjects provided by the UPSC including 23 literature subjects. The detailed optional subject list is given below.

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 Literature of any one of the following languages: 

Available Literature Languages:

Assamese, Bodo, Bengali, Dogri, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kashmiri, Konkani, Kannada, Manipuri, Marathi, Santhali, Sanskrit, Maithili, Malayalam, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. 

Strategy to Cover UPSC Mains Syllabus

Candidates can adopt some of the strategies mentioned below to cover UPSC mains syllabus comprehensively.

  • Complete Mains Syllabus before Writing Prelims: Candidates have to complete their mains syllabus at least six months prior to the prelims exam.
  • Regularly Focus on Optional: Candidates have to dedicate certain amount of time every day to completing the optional subject. 
  • Make Notes: Candidates have to make notes on main topics during their preparation phase so that they can revise them multiple times.
  • Revision: After writing prelims, candidates have to begin revising their main syllabus. This will give them certain advantages over others.

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UPSC Mains Previous Year Papers UPSC Test Series 2024

 

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UPSC Mains Syllabus FAQs

Candidates have to cover the mains syllabus within six months of beginning their preparation.

No. Paper A and Paper B are qualifying in nature. Candidates have to score 75 marks each in these papers.

Yes. UPSC asks questions linked to current affairs in UPSC mains exam.

Candidates have to study 1 optional subject, which consists of two papers.

Yes. Essay is part of UPSC mains syllabus and carries 250 marks.

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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

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Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
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Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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