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UPPSC Prelims Exam

The UPPSC Prelims Exam is the first stage of the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) Provincial Civil Services (PCS) Examination. It is a screening test designed to shortlist candidates for the Mains Exam. The UPPSC Prelims is objective in nature, consisting of multiple-choice questions (MCQs), and only those candidates who qualify the Prelims move on to the Mains.

Below is a detailed overview of the UPPSC Prelims Exam:

1. Overview of the UPPSC Prelims Exam:

  • Mode of Exam: Offline (Pen and Paper based)
  • Type of Questions: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
  • Number of Papers: 2 (General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II)
  • Total Marks: 400 Marks
  • Negative Marking: 1/3rd marks deducted for each incorrect answer
  • Total Duration: 2 hours per paper (4 hours in total)
  • Qualifying Nature: The Prelims exam is qualifying in nature. Marks obtained in the Prelims are not considered for the final merit list, but candidates must clear the cut-off to move to the next stage (Mains).

2. UPPSC Prelims Exam Pattern:

The Prelims exam consists of two papers:

Paper 1: General Studies I

  • Marks: 200 Marks
  • Number of Questions: 150 MCQs
  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Topics: General awareness, current events, and various subjects.

Paper 2: General Studies II (CSAT – Civil Services Aptitude Test)

  • Marks: 200 Marks
  • Number of Questions: 100 MCQs
  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Topics: Logical reasoning, comprehension, data interpretation, and quantitative aptitude.
  • Qualifying Paper: Candidates need to secure only 33% marks to qualify. The marks of Paper II are not counted in the merit for shortlisting candidates for the Mains.

3. Key Features of UPPSC Prelims:

  • Qualifying Nature: The Prelims exam is designed to screen candidates for the Mains exam. The marks obtained in Prelims are not added to the final merit list.
  • Negative Marking: There is a negative marking of 1/3rd of the marks for every incorrect answer in both papers.
  • Cut-Off: Candidates need to score above the cut-off marks (which vary each year depending on the number of candidates, difficulty of the paper, and number of vacancies) to qualify for the Mains.

4. Detailed Syllabus for UPPSC Prelims:

A. General Studies Paper I (200 Marks, 150 Questions):

This paper tests the candidate’s knowledge in a wide range of subjects, including current affairs, Indian polity, history, geography, economy, and general science. The syllabus is designed to assess a candidate’s general awareness and understanding of important issues.

1. Current Events of National and International Importance:
  • Major events and developments in India and across the world.
  • Government policies and schemes, both state and central.
  • National and international organizations, treaties, and agreements.
  • Social, political, economic, and environmental issues.
2. History of India and Indian National Movement:
  • Ancient, medieval, and modern history of India.
  • The Indian freedom struggle and key personalities involved in the movement.
  • Social and economic aspects of Indian history.
  • Important milestones in India’s history like the rise of nationalism, the impact of British colonialism, and independence movements.
3. India and World Geography:
  • Physical Geography of India and the World: Mountains, rivers, plateaus, climate, soils, and natural vegetation.
  • Economic Geography: Natural resources, agriculture, industries, and distribution of minerals.
  • Human Geography: Population, migration, urbanization, and related challenges.
  • Geography of Uttar Pradesh: Specific geographical features, resources, industries, and issues related to the state.
4. Indian Polity and Governance:
  • Constitution of India: Features, amendments, and significant provisions.
  • Political System: Structure of government, roles of President, Prime Minister, Parliament, and Judiciary.
  • Panchayati Raj and Local Governance: Grassroot-level governance and devolution of powers.
  • Public Policies and Schemes: Government initiatives for various sectors like health, education, social justice, etc.
  • Rights Issues: Fundamental rights, Directive Principles of State Policy, and the functioning of democratic institutions.
5. Economic and Social Development:
  • Indian Economy: Planning, economic reforms, growth, and development.
  • Sectors of the Economy: Agriculture, industries, and services.
  • Economic Planning in India: Five-year plans, NITI Aayog, public sector, and government policies.
  • Poverty, Unemployment, and Inflation: Causes and effects.
  • Sustainable Development and Social Sector Initiatives: Social welfare schemes, inclusive growth, poverty alleviation programs, health, and education initiatives.
  • Government Schemes: Such as Ayushman Bharat, PM-Kisan, MGNREGA, etc.
6. Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change:
  • Environmental Conservation: Biodiversity hotspots, endangered species, wildlife sanctuaries, and national parks.
  • Climate Change: Causes, effects, and global agreements like the Paris Agreement.
  • Pollution: Types of pollution (air, water, noise, etc.), its impact on health, and mitigation strategies.
  • Government Policies on Environment Protection: Laws related to conservation and sustainable development in India.
7. General Science:
  • Basic concepts of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
  • Science and Technology: Developments and their impact on daily life.
  • Biotechnology and IT: Innovations and applications in agriculture, health, and other fields.
  • Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology: Key contributions and advancements.
  • Space Technology: ISRO’s space missions, satellite launches, and their applications.
8. General Issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change:
  • Awareness of general environmental issues, their effects, and solutions.
  • Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Global initiatives and India’s progress in achieving them.
9. Uttar Pradesh-Specific Questions:
  • Geography of Uttar Pradesh: Rivers, climate, natural resources, and major industries.
  • Cultural Heritage: Historical monuments, art forms, fairs, and festivals of the state.
  • Polity and Economy: Government schemes, political structure, and the economy of Uttar Pradesh.

B. General Studies Paper II (CSAT – 200 Marks, 100 Questions):

The CSAT paper assesses candidates’ reasoning ability, comprehension, decision-making, problem-solving, and general mental aptitude.

1. Comprehension:
  • Reading passages followed by multiple-choice questions.
  • Understanding and interpreting information presented in the passage.
2. Interpersonal Skills and Communication:
  • Verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to interact with others and convey thoughts clearly.
3. Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability:
  • Questions on logical reasoning, deductions, patterns, and puzzles.
  • Data sufficiency, coding-decoding, and critical reasoning.
4. Decision Making and Problem Solving:
  • Situational questions to assess decision-making skills and ethical problem-solving.
5. General Mental Ability:
  • Basic math skills (up to class 10 level), including arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and mensuration.
6. Basic Numeracy:
  • Number Systems: Simple mathematical concepts like averages, percentages, ratios, and proportions.
  • Data Interpretation: Graphs, charts, tables, and statistical analysis.
7. English Language Comprehension Skills:
  • Understanding and answering questions based on English passages.

5. UPPSC Prelims Cut-off and Selection Process:

  • Cut-off Marks: The cut-off marks for the Prelims vary each year based on the number of candidates, the difficulty of the exam, and the number of vacancies. Candidates must clear the cut-off for General Studies Paper I to qualify for the Mains.
  • General Studies Paper II (CSAT) is qualifying: Candidates must score a minimum of 33% in the CSAT paper, but its marks are not considered for merit.
  • The final merit list is prepared based on Mains and Interview marks, not Prelims.

6. Preparation Tips for UPPSC Prelims:

A. Know the Syllabus:

  • Familiarize yourself with the syllabus to avoid wasting time on irrelevant topics. Focus on areas like history, polity, geography, and current affairs.

B. Regularly Update on Current Affairs:

  • Keep yourself updated with national and international events. Reading newspapers like The Hindu, The Indian Express, and government publications like Yojana and Kurukshetra is highly beneficial.

C. Practice Mock Tests:

  • Regularly attempt mock tests to improve speed, accuracy, and time management. This will help you identify your weak areas and improve upon them.

D. Focus on CSAT Preparation:

  • Even though CSAT is a qualifying paper, don’t neglect it. Practice reasoning, comprehension, and numeracy questions regularly.

E. Revise Thoroughly:

  • Focus on revision, especially in subjects like history, polity, economy, and general science. Revision helps retain important facts and figures.

F. Analyze Previous Year Papers:

  • Go through previous year question papers to understand the exam
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