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UPSC Prelims 2023, Exam Pattern, Syllabus ,Preparation Tips & Trend Analysis

UPSC Prelims 2023 is the first stage of Civil Services Examination. Aspirants who qualify UPSC Prelims 2023 will be eligible for UPSC Mains examination.

UPSC Prelims 2023

UPSC Prelims 2023: UPSC Prelims is the preliminary stage of the Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in India. It is the first phase of the three-tiered examination process and serves as a screening test for candidates aspiring to join prestigious civil services like the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and more.

The UPSC Prelims exam assesses candidates’ general awareness, aptitude, and analytical abilities through multiple-choice questions. Successful candidates who clear the UPSC Prelims qualify for the Main Examination, which is the subsequent stage of the selection process.

The Civil Services Examination is supposed to be one of the toughest exams in the world, and it is conducted annually to select candidates for numerous administrative and executive positions in the Indian Civil Services, such as the IPS, IFS, and IAS.

For details on IAS Exam, refer to the linked article.

UPSC Prelims 2023 Highlights

UPSC Prelims 2023 is the initial stage of the Civil Services Examination conducted by UPSC in India. It serves as a qualifying round for candidates aiming to join prestigious civil services like IAS, IPS, IFS, etc. The exam evaluates general awareness, aptitude, and analytical abilities through multiple-choice questions. Below check the exam overview of the UPSC Prelims 2023 Exam.

UPSC Prelims 2023 Exam Highlights
IAS Exam Conducting Body UPSC
Mode of IAS exam Offline
Number of times conducted Once every year
Prescribed age limit 21 – 32 years (for reserved candidates there is a upper age relaxation)
UPSC Prelims Exam date 2023 28th May 2023 – Sunday (Prelims 2022 was on 5th June 2022)
UPSC Exam – Mains 2023 From 15th September 2023 ( five days for exam )
IAS Exam Pattern Prelims (MCQs), Mains (Descriptive papers), Interview Stage.

UPSC Prelims 2023 Exam Pattern

The UPSC CSE Prelims consist of two objective-type papers: General Studies I and General Studies II (CSAT), carrying a total of 400 marks. These papers are typically conducted on the same day in two sessions using the traditional pen-paper (offline) mode.

The Prelims Admit Card was released on the official website of UPSC on May 8, 2023.

UPSC Prelims 2023 Exam Pattern
Exam Paper Number of questions Duration Language Maximum marks Negative marking
UPSC Prelims General Studies I 100 2 hours English and Hindi 200 0.33 marks for each wrong answer
General Studies II (CSAT) 80 2 hours English and Hindi 200 0.83 marks for each wrong answer

The UPSC Prelims 2023 is a qualifying exam for the Civil Services Mains Exam. Candidates who clear the Prelims Exam are eligible to appear for the Mains Exam. The Mains Exam is a more difficult exam than the Prelims Exam 2023 and is held in two stages: the written exam and the interview.

The written exam of Mains Exam 2023 consists of nine papers. The papers are as follows:

Paper Name
Paper 1 Compulsory Indian language
Paper 2 English Language
Paper 3 Essay
Paper 4 General Studies I
Paper 5 General Studies II
Paper 6 General Studies III
Paper 7 General Studies IV
Paper 8 Optional: Paper- 01
Paper 9 Optional: Paper- 02

UPSC Prelims 2023 Important Dates

Candidates must know the important dates, To know more about the UPSC exam, candidates can refer to UPSC calendar 2023.

Important Dates For UPSC Prelims 2023
CSE Exam 2023 Events 2023 Events
UPSC Notification 2023 Release Date 01 February 2023
UPSC Application Date 2023 01 February 2023
Last date to apply for UPSC Exam 2023 21 February 2023
UPSC Prelims Admit Card Release Date 2023 08 May 2023
UPSC 2023 Prelims Exam Date 28 May 2023
UPSC Prelims Result 2023 June 2022
IAS Mains Exam Date 2023 15 September 2023
UPSC Mains Result 2023 December 2023
UPSC Exam Date 2023 for IAS Interview January 2024 onwards
UPSC Final Result 2023 Third Week of May

Check the list of UPSC Books here.

UPSC Prelims 2023 Syllabus

The UPSC exam’s official syllabus is published along with the IAS notification. The UPSC notification for 2023 was released on 1st February 2023. The UPSC Prelims Exam 2023 for Civil Services was successfully conducted on 28th May 2023 in two shifts. Paper 1 was held from 9:30 am to 11:30 am, and Paper II (CSAT), a qualifying exam, took place from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm. Aspirants can find the UPSC Prelims 2023 Answer Key in the linked article.

UPSC Prelims 2023 Syllabus
Subject Topics
 

General Studies Paper-1 Syllabus:

  • Current events of national and international importance.
  • History of India and Indian National Movement.
  • Indian and World Geography-Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World.
  • Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
  • Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector initiatives, etc.
  • General issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change- that do not require subject specialization.
  • General Science.
 

General Studies Paper-2 (CSAT) Syllabus:

  • Comprehension.
  • Interpersonal skills including communication skills;
  • Logical reasoning and analytical ability.
  • Decision-making and problem-solving.
  • General mental ability.
  • Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level)
  • Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc. – Class X level).
  • English language comprehension skills – Class X level.

You can find the in-depth UPSC Prelims syllabus here.

UPSC Prelims 2023 Preparation Strategy

Preparing for the UPSC Prelims exam requires a comprehensive approach that covers all the crucial topics and subjects. Here are few tips and tricks that can help you prepare for the exam:

Understand the UPSC syllabus

The first step in preparing for the UPSC prelims is to thoroughly understand the syllabus. Go through the syllabus and note down the topics that you need to concentrate on.

The UPSC syllabus is very huge and enlists a wide range of concepts, like Indian polity and governance, economic and social development, international relations and environmental issues, current affairs, Indian and world history, geography and culture, Indian and world politics, and Indian and world economy. It also includes topics from law and ethics, defense, science and technology, and other miscellaneous topics. Make sure you are familiar with all the topics in the syllabus and revise them regularly.

Create a study plan

Once you have understood the syllabus, create a study plan that completes all the topics in the syllabus. Divide your time evenly between all the subjects and allocate more time to the topics that are difficult.

Creating a study plan for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam can provide a number of benefits, including:

  1. Effective Time Management:
  2. Consistent Study:
  3. Targeted Preparation
  4. Avoiding Burnout:
  5. Increased Confidence

creating a UPSC study plan is essential for effective exam preparation, better time management, and a more targeted approach to studying. It helps you to stay focused, avoid burnout, and feel more confident about your preparation for the exam.

Read newspapers

Reading newspapers on a daily basis is an excellent way to stay updated on current affairs. Make it a routine to read a newspaper every day and take notes on important topics.It is an essential part of UPSC exam preparation, and it provides several benefits, including:

  1. Current Affairs:
  2. Broaden Your Perspective:
  3. Improve Language Skills:
  4. Develop Analytical Skills:
  5. Enhance General Knowledge:

Reading newspapers is an important part of UPSC exam preparation, and it provides several benefits, including improving your current affairs knowledge, broadening your perspective, developing language and analytical skills, and enhancing your general knowledge.

Refer to NCERT textbooks

NCERT textbooks are an excellent source of information for the UPSC prelims. Refer to the NCERT textbooks for history, geography, economics, and other subjects.

NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) books are considered a crucial source of information for the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) examination preparation. There are several reasons why reading NCERT books is important for UPSC preparation:

  • Provides a Strong Foundation: NCERT books are designed to provide a strong foundation in basic concepts and facts.
  • Covers the Syllabus: NCERT books cover the entire syllabus for Classes 6 to 12.
  • Clarity of Concepts: NCERT books are written in simple and lucid language, making it easy for aspirants to understand the concepts.
  • Helps in Answer Writing: UPSC examination requires good writing
  • Skills and reading NCERT books can help in developing these skills.
  • Helps in Revision: The UPSC examination requires a lot of revision.
  • Practice previous year’s question papers

Practicing the previous year’s question papers is a good way to get a sense for the exam. It will also help you rectify the topics that you need to concentrate on.

Join a coaching institute

Joining a coaching institute that can help you stay disciplined with your preparation. A good coaching institute will provide you with guidance, study materials, and mock tests. Students can check out various UPSC online platforms

Stay motivated

Preparing for the UPSC prelims can be a long and arduous process. Students must stay motivated and focused on your goal. Keep reminding yourself why you want to clear the exam and how it will help you achieve your career aspirations.

UPSC Prelims 2023 Important Topics

Check the important topics for UPSC Prelims 2023 in the given below table:

UPSC Prelims 2023 Important Topics
Topics Description
Indian Constitution – Borrowed Features Features of the Indian Constitution that were borrowed from other countries.
Important terms from Ancient Indian History Important terms and concepts from Ancient Indian History.
List of Hydroelectric Power Plants in India List of hydroelectric power plants in India, along with their location and capacity.
List of important cities and rivers in India List of important cities and rivers in India, along with their location and significance.
List of important monuments in India List of important monuments in India, along with their location and history.
List of Elephant Reserves in India List of elephant reserves in India, along with their location and size.
Important terms from Medieval History of India Important terms and concepts from Medieval Indian History.
List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India, along with their location and significance.
Timelines for quick revision – Medieval History of India Timelines for quick revision of Medieval Indian History.
List of Thermal Power Plants in India List of thermal power plants in India, along with their location and capacity.
Geography preparation through Maps Tips for preparing for geography through maps.
List of National Waterways in India List of national waterways in India, along with their length and significance.
List of diseases and causing agents List of diseases and their causing agents.
List of Mahajanapadas (Ancient Indian History) List of Mahajanapadas (kingdoms) from Ancient Indian History.
List of Important Days and Dates List of important days and dates in India, along with their significance.
List of National Highways in India List of national highways in India, along with their number and length.
List of important Straits List of important straits in the world, along with their location and significance.
List of Environment Conventions and Protocols List of environmental conventions and protocols that India is a signatory to.
List of Indian Army Exercises List of Indian Army exercises, along with their purpose and duration.
Government Schemes List of government schemes in India, along with their purpose and eligibility criteria.
List of Ramsar Sites in India List of Ramsar Sites in India, along with their location and significance.

Some Important Topics  in UPSC Prelims 2023

Topics Subtopics
Indian Independence Movement Main congress sessions with the year, president and important resolutions, Significant viceroys and their period with important decisions, The Government of India Acts 1909, 1919, 1935 and charter acts.
Ancient history Hindu philosophy, Buddhism and Jainism,Mauryan and Gupta Period, Art, architecture and scientific development during that period
Medieval history Important kings such as Sher Shah, Akbar, etc., Delhi Sultanate
Polity Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties, Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP), Committee system, parliament, and parliamentary proceedings, Judiciary, Constitutional bodies
S&T For basic science concepts, refer to NCERT books selectively as in-depth knowledge is not needed, Focus on current affairs part
Environment and Ecology Important declarations, conventions, IUCN’s Red List, Biosphere Reserves, Tiger Reserves etc., International bodies
Geography Solar system, Latitudes and longitudes, Layers of the atmosphere, Global atmospheric wind, cyclones, Pressure belts, Revolution, rotation and seasons, Monsoons, Types of rainfall, Koeppen classification, Jet streams, ocean currents, El Nino, La Nina, India’s physical geography (NCERT), Rivers, hills, soil (India), Mineral resources (India), Geological history of India, Basics of agriculture (NCERT), Maps
Economy Importance should be given to current events like new bills and important committees, focus on basic and fundamental concepts like: Growth and development, poverty, unemployment, inflation, State of the national and global economy, Major committees and bills, Latest budget and economic survey

UPSC Prelims Trend Analysis

Below UPSC aspirants can check the UPSC Prelims Trend Analysis in a given table:

UPSC Prelims Trend Analysis
Year Topic Weightage
2019 Indian Independence Movement 15%
2020 Ancient history 10%
2021 Medieval history 15%
2019 Polity 20%
2020 S&T 15%
2021 Environment and Ecology 20%
2019 Geography 20%
2020 Economy 20%
2021 Unique insights 10%

  • The weightage of the Indian Independence Movement has decreased from 15% in 2019 to 10% in 2021. This is likely due to the fact that the Indian Independence Movement is a well-covered topic in most history textbooks.
  • The weightage of Ancient history has increased from 10% in 2019 to 15% in 2021. This is likely due to the fact that Ancient history is a relatively less-covered topic in most history textbooks.
  • The weightage of Medieval history has increased from 15% in 2019 to 20% in 2021. This is likely due to the fact that Medieval history is a relatively less-covered topic in most history textbooks.
  • The weightage of Polity has remained the same at 20% for all three years. This is likely due to the fact that Polity is an important topic for the UPSC exam.
  • The weightage of S&T has increased from 15% in 2019 to 20% in 2021. This is likely due to the fact that S&T is a rapidly evolving field and there is a need for candidates to be up-to-date on the latest developments.
  • The weightage of Environment and Ecology has increased from 20% in 2019 to 20% in 2021. This is likely due to the increasing importance of environmental issues in the world today.
  • The weightage of Geography has remained the same at 20% for all three years. This is likely due to the fact that Geography is an important topic for the UPSC exam.
  • The weightage of the Economy has increased from 20% in 2019 to 20% in 2021. This is likely due to the fact that the Economy is an important topic for the UPSC exam.
  • The weightage of Unique insights has been added for the first time in 2021. This is likely due to the fact that the UPSC exam is becoming increasingly competitive and candidates need to find new ways to stand out from the crowd.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

UPSC prelims exam is considered to be the first stage in the journey of becoming an officer under the Indian Government. Candidates who aspire to join the Indian civil services need to clear the prelims examination in order to clear the UPSC CSE exam.

Candidates who prepare well for the UPSC exam need not fear at the time of the examination. Students can prepare for the examination from any reliable platform such as PWOnlyIAS, which provides students with a curated study plan and experienced faculty members.

The state in India giving the highest number of IAS officers in India is Uttar Pradesh.

In the 2020 Civil Services Examination, the overall pass rate was 4.82%, with a total of 829 candidates qualifying for appointment to the Indian Police Service, Indian Foreign Service, Indian Administrative Service, and other central services. However, the pass rate can be different for different categories and can vary from year to year.

The UPSC prelims result will declare once the final result declare.

 Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!  PWOnlyIAS is NOW at three new locations Mukherjee Nagar ,Lucknow and Patna , Explore all centers     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 2022 Final Result🔥5 out of Top 10 from PW OnlyIAS Community. UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

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 Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!  PWOnlyIAS is NOW at three new locations Mukherjee Nagar ,Lucknow and Patna , Explore all centers     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 2022 Final Result🔥5 out of Top 10 from PW OnlyIAS Community. UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

Quick Revise Now !
AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD SOON
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
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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