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UPSC Prelims Examination: Detailed Overview

The UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination (Prelims) is the first stage of the prestigious Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination (CSE). It is a highly competitive screening test that serves as a gateway to the main examination and interview rounds. The Prelims is conducted annually, and its purpose is to filter out candidates for the next stage of the selection process, i.e., the Mains Examination.

Let’s dive into the key aspects of the UPSC Prelims Exam:

1. Exam Structure of UPSC Prelims

The Prelims exam consists of two objective-type papers, each having multiple-choice questions (MCQs). Both papers are held on the same day in two separate shifts.

a. Paper I: General Studies (GS-I)

  • Total Marks: 200
  • Total Number of Questions: 100
  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Syllabus:
    • Current events of national and international importance
    • Indian history and the Indian National Movement
    • Indian and World Geography (Physical, Social, and Economic Geography)
    • 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
    • General Science

Key Highlights:

  • Paper I is crucial as it determines the candidate’s ranking in the Prelims.
  • Marks obtained in Paper I are considered for shortlisting candidates for the Mains exam.

b. Paper II: Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT)

  • Total Marks: 200
  • Total Number of Questions: 80
  • Duration: 2 hours
  • 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.)
    • Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc.)

Key Highlights:

  • Paper II is qualifying in nature. Candidates must secure 33% (or 66 out of 200 marks) to pass.
  • Failure to pass CSAT will disqualify a candidate, irrespective of their performance in Paper I.

2. Eligibility for UPSC Prelims

To appear for the UPSC Prelims, candidates must meet certain eligibility criteria:

a. Nationality

  • For IAS and IPS: Candidates must be Indian citizens.
  • For other services: Indian citizens or nationals of Nepal, Bhutan, or those of Indian origin who have migrated from specified countries can apply.

b. Educational Qualification

  • Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
  • Final-year students are also eligible but must present proof of passing before the Mains.

c. Age Limit

  • The minimum age is 21 years, and the maximum is 32 years for general category candidates (as of August 1 of the exam year).
  • OBC candidates get a relaxation of 3 years, while SC/ST candidates have a relaxation of 5 years.

d. Number of Attempts

  • General category candidates can attempt the Prelims six times, while OBC candidates get nine attempts. There is no restriction on the number of attempts for SC/ST candidates, but they must be within the upper age limit.

3. Marking Scheme and Negative Marking

  • Correct Answer: 2 marks are awarded for every correct answer in Paper I and 2.5 marks for each correct answer in Paper II (CSAT).
  • Negative Marking: For each incorrect answer, 1/3rd of the marks allocated to that question are deducted. This means 0.66 marks are deducted for a wrong answer in Paper I, and 0.83 marks are deducted in Paper II.
  • Unattempted Questions: No marks are deducted for questions left unanswered.

Candidates must carefully attempt questions to avoid unnecessary penalties from negative marking.

4. Purpose of UPSC Prelims

The Prelims exam is a screening test. The marks obtained in this stage are not counted towards the final merit list of the Civil Services Examination. Instead, the marks are only used to qualify candidates for the next stage, which is the Mains Examination.

  • Cut-off Marks: Each year, UPSC sets a cut-off score for Paper I, which varies depending on the difficulty level of the exam and the number of candidates. Candidates scoring above this cut-off are eligible to appear for the Mains.
  • The cut-off score is generally in the range of 90-110 marks for the general category in recent years.

5. Syllabus in Detail

Understanding the syllabus thoroughly is crucial for cracking the Prelims exam. Here is a more detailed breakdown of important topics from Paper I:

a. Current Affairs

  • Major national and international events from the past year, focusing on political, social, economic, and environmental issues.
  • Government schemes, policies, and initiatives.

b. Indian History

  • Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Indian history.
  • The Indian freedom struggle and key events, movements, and leaders.

c. Geography

  • Physical geography of India and the world (mountains, rivers, lakes, etc.)
  • Indian economic geography (industries, resources, etc.)
  • Human geography and demography.

d. Polity and Governance

  • The Indian Constitution, its features, amendments, and important articles.
  • Functions and structure of the Indian government (Legislative, Executive, and Judiciary).
  • Panchayati Raj system, fundamental rights, duties, and important laws.

e. Economy

  • Basic economic concepts (GDP, inflation, fiscal policies, etc.)
  • Current trends in the Indian economy.
  • Budget, monetary policy, and economic growth.

f. Environment

  • Environmental issues such as climate change, conservation, biodiversity, and ecology.
  • International conventions and treaties related to the environment (e.g., Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement).

g. General Science

  • Basics of physics, chemistry, and biology.
  • Recent scientific developments and technological advancements in India and the world.

6. Preparation Strategy for UPSC Prelims

To clear the Prelims, aspirants need to follow a well-rounded preparation strategy:

  • Study Resources:
    • NCERT books: Cover all key concepts from standard 6th to 12th.
    • Standard reference books for each subject (e.g., Laxmikanth for Polity, Spectrum for Modern History).
    • Regular reading of newspapers (The Hindu, Indian Express) and following monthly current affairs compilations.
  • Revision: Continuous revision of key topics and regular note-taking is essential to retain facts and figures.
  • Mock Tests: Solving previous years’ question papers and practicing mock tests are critical for familiarizing with the exam pattern and managing time.
  • Time Management: Divide study hours between different subjects and ensure proper balance between static topics and current affairs.

7. Result Declaration

Results of the Prelims are generally declared 40-45 days after the exam. Candidates who pass the Prelims are eligible to appear for the UPSC Mains Examination, the second stage of the UPSC Civil Services Examination.

 

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