How to prepare for UPSC GS paper 1 for civil services Mains
There are 9 papers included in the UPSC mains exam for general studies.
GS I, GS II, GS III, GS IV, Essay paper, Compulsory English paper, compulsory Indian language paper, Paper 1(Optional subject), Paper 2( optional subject)
The syllabus of the UPSC mains exam has been divided into many subtopics to make the preparation more effective so that aspirants can revise easily.
If you appear for the Civil Service exam 2021, then topic wise preparation is a good choice for you. There is no need to worry if you have missed any topic while preparing for the General studies paper I for the IAS exam. Skip it.
Please don’t add any new topic at the last moment because it will affect your whole preparation strategy. In IAS, mains exam questions are designed to check the basic understanding of aspirants towards all relevant issues.
In this exam, candidates’ point of view and analysis power on conflicting social, economic goals, demands, and objectives matter. The answer should be meaningful, relevant and succinct.
Topic-wise, UPSC GS preparation is a great idea. Remember!! You do not need to be a master in every topic. Basic understanding and the ability to analyze are the main things in the UPSC exam.
To get this understanding read the topics again and again. Answer writing will enable you to analyze what you have understood from reading.
Syllabus for general studies paper first.
-Indian Heritage and culture history and geography of the world and society.
-Indian culture preset Salient features of literature, art forms and architecture from ancient to modern Times.
-Modern Indian history includes significant personalities and events, issues during the middle of the eighteenth century until the present.
-Various stages of the freedom struggle and important contributors and contributions from different parts of the country
-Consolidation and reorganization of the country after independence
-World history includes the effect of the events from the 18th century like the industrial revolution, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like capitalism, communism, socialism, redraw of national boundaries.
-Salient aspects of diversity of India and Indian society
-The issues related to population, poverty, development, urbanization their problem and solution, Role of women and women’s organization
-Communalism, regionalism, social empowerment, secularism
-Factors which are responsible for the location of primary, secondary and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world as well India, Distribution of key natural resources across the world, including Indian subcontinent and South Asia
-Globalization’ effects on the Indian society
-Some important geographical happenings, e.g. volcano, cyclone, Tsunami and earthquakes
-Geographical features and their location, changes in critical geographical features, including flora & fauna, ice caps and water bodies, and such changes.
-Important features of the world’s physical geography.
Divide this whole syllabus into major topics and subtopics so that you can prepare these topics easily and in an effective manner Note down the syllabus with all the topics and subtopics and revise them. Keep this syllabus in your mind every time.
Indian culture
This topic includes art forms, literature and architecture from ancient to modern. Read NCERT and NIOS books to cover the art and culture topic
Start with the class 11th NCERT (An introduction to Indian art)
-6th NCERT History (Our past)
-7th NCERT (Our past first)
-8th NCERT (Our past II and III)
-12th NCERT (Themes in Indian history I)
-12th NCERT (Themes in Indian history II)
Read the topics which are related to art and culture and make separate notes for every topic.
There are no separate chapters of art and culture in NCERT books.
Read-only the chapters which are related to subtopics and are mentioned in the syllabus of GS paper I. NIOS books on art and culture provide you with information related to art and culture.
Modern Indian history
This topic covers the significant personalities, events, issues and history about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present. Cover the important events from 1750 until the present time, eg.
The impact of all important events and contributions of personality on the country from freedom struggle till now.
Check the previous year’s question papers to observe the type of question which is asked from this topic. Understand the basic elements from the NCERT book and keep an eye on current affairs for relevant issues.
Freedom struggle
The specific knowledge of the freedom struggle is necessary for this topic.
Important contributors, freedom struggle from the various parts of the country.
Post-independence consolidation and reorganization. Read some books about Gandhiji.
World history
Always start your preparation with the NCERT books
Read the modern History part from NCERT books
Salient features of Indian society diversity of India
To cover this topic, read Class 12th NCERT Indian society
Role of women and women organization
Population related issue urbanization their problems and solutions poverty and developmental issue
To cover these topics, daily news analysis for UPSC current affairs is necessary. All the sub-topics of the General Studies paper will be a cover-up.
effects of globalization on Indian society
-Check the current issues which are in the news to cover this topic.
-Youth Destinations notes
Social empowerment communalism secularism and regionalism
Know the basic concepts of communalism, secularism and regionalism. NCERT books will help a lot.
World’s physical geography
-Class 11th NCERT (Fundamentals of Physical Geography)
-Read Certificate physical and human geography
Distribution of key natural resources across the world, including the Indian subcontinent and South Asia
-Class 11th NCERT human geography
-Class 12th NCERT India people and economy
Important Geophysical happening, e.g. volcano, cyclone, Tsunami, earthquakes etc
Check the latest news and current affairs about volcanoes, cyclones, tsunamis, earthquakes, and countries affected by these disasters.
Revision is the key to success in UPSC General studies paper I. Don’t forget it. So answer writing practice is the most important part of preparing General Studies Paper I.
Start answer writing practice today because it will give you an idea of what kind of questions are asked in the UPSC exam. Regular answer writing practice will improve your skills, and you will frame your answer in a better way.
