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May 16, 2024 06:36
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UPSC mains GS paper exam analysis helps candidates to follow the right preparation path. With proper understanding, you have a great chance of succeeding in UPSC mains.
UPSC mains GS paper exam analysis is a very important part of a candidates’ preparation. With 1000 marks, GS papers hold the key to a good performance in UPSC mains examination.
Due to UPSC’s tendency to repeat themes, it becomes important for candidates to perform UPSC mains GS paper exam analysis. The topics that are important for GS papers can be deduced through analysis.
UPSC mains GS paper exam analysis shows us that trends have changed over the last 6-7 years. This is because UPSC wants to test candidates on different aspects, including their ability to improvise. Here, you can check out the changing trends in UPSC mains GS papers.
UPSC mains exam consists of nine papers, which have to be answered in descriptive format. Two papers among these are qualifying in nature. The marks scored in the remaining seven papers will be used to determine merit ranking.Â
Out of these seven papers, there are four GS papers, which have a combined weightage of 1000 marks. Details about the UPSC mains exam can be found below.
| 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 |
| Qualifying Papers | Paper A (Indian Language)
Paper B (English) |
| Qualifying Marks | 75 Marks |
| Papers used for Calculating Merit | Essay
General Studies 1 General Studies 2 General Studies 3 General Studies 4 Optional Paper 1 Optional Paper 2 |
| Total Marks | 250 X 7 = 1750 |
| Cutoff marks | Varies Every Year (741 for General in 2023) |
There are four UPSC mains General Studies (GS) Papers, each having a value of 250 marks. These GS papers cover different subjects such as History, Polity, Economy, Ethics etc.Â
Out of the combined weightage of 1000 marks, candidates who score ~400 marks have a very high chance of qualifying for the Personality Test. The details about GS papers and the covered subjects are given below.
| Paper Name | Nature of Paper | Subjects | Marks | Duration |
| General Studies 1 | Considered for Merit Calculation | Geography
History Indian Heritage and Culture Social Issues |
250 | 3 hrs |
| General Studies 2 | Considered for Merit Calculation | Polity and Governance
Constitution Social Justice International Relations |
250 | 3 hrs |
| General Studies 3 | Considered for Merit Calculation | Economy and Growth
Science and Technology Environment and Ecology Disaster Management Internal Security |
250 | 3 hrs |
| General Studies 4 | Considered for Merit Calculation | Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude | 250 | 3 hrs |
UPSC mains GS paper exam analysis is based on trends from the past 4-5 years. Based on this information, we can deduce the following information:
UPSC has been trying to interlink multiple themes and ask questions.
UPSC mains GS paper 1 consists of subjects such as History, Geography and Indian society. The difficulty level of questions asked about History and Geography has increased over the years.
Candidates must not restrict their preparation to GS level. They may need to analyse questions asked in History and Geography Optional subjects to predict the nature of questions.
Below, we have provided an analysis of the number of questions asked in each subject and also provided links to download GS Paper 1 questions from previous years.
| Year | Download Link |
| 2024 | Click Here |
| 2023 | Click Here |
| 2022 | Click Here |
| 2021 | Click Here |
| 2020 | Click Here |
| 2019 | Click Here |
In UPSC mains GS paper 2, Indian polity and constitution have remained a priority topic for asking questions. Combined with governance and IR, UPSC has been asking topics based on current affairs. The analysis of number of questions asked from different GS subjects is given below:
| Year | Download Link |
| 2024 | Click Here |
| 2023 | Click Here |
| 2022 | Click Here |
| 2021 | Click Here |
| 2020 | Click Here |
| 2019 | Click Here |
Current affairs is the main theme in UPSC mains GS paper 3. Every question asked in this paper has been in the news and candidates are expected to know about them. Analytical understanding of topics is critical while answering these questions. Given below is the detailed breakdown of subjects asked in GS paper 2.
| Year | Download Link |
| 2024 | Click Here |
| 2023 | Click Here |
| 2022 | Click Here |
| 2021 | Click Here |
| 2020 | Click Here |
| 2019 | Click Here |
GS Paper 4 consists of two parts: theoretical and case studies. Candidates have to apply the theories studied in part 1 to answer questions in part 2. Candidates having a good understanding of the subject have a good chance of scoring high marks in this paper.
The distribution of themes based on the number of marks is given below.
| Year | Download Link |
| 2024 | Click Here |
| 2023 | Click Here |
| 2022 | Click Here |
| 2021 | Click Here |
| 2020 | Click Here |
| 2019 | Click Here |
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| Must Read | |
| NCERT Notes For UPSC | UPSC Daily Current Affairs |
| UPSC Blogs | UPSC Daily Editorials |
| Daily Current Affairs Quiz | Daily Main Answer Writing |
| UPSC Mains Previous Year Papers | UPSC Test Series 2024 |
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| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
| 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
| 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 |
| 28 | 29 | 30 | ||||
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