UPSC IAS Preparation 2024 - Check Important Topics & Study Plan

47.5K Views

Registration: 22 Jan '25 - 11 Feb '25

Updated on Dec 9, 2024 17:04 IST

UPSC IAS preparation 2024 requires a focused effort of over one year. It takes time to complete all the study material and books, as suggested by the UPSC IAS toppers and mentors. UPSC IAS preparation can be done in stages. The candidates should set short-term targets and analyse their speed of preparation. Every candidate is different and hence there is no standard preparation plan which can fit all. UPSC IAS 2024 exam was conducted on June 16, 2024.

Also Read: UPSC Exam Timing 2024

UPSC IAS preparation is the preparation to transform the personality of the candidate to suit the position of IAS officer. UPSC IAS syllabus, the previous year's question papers and the official answer key of UPSC IAS are the only three authentic sources that can guide the candidates in a better way. UPSC IAS preparation requires a sustained effort of more than a year. The candidates need to sustain their motivation during the period of UPSC IAS preparation.

Also Read: UPSC 2024 Interview Questions

UPSC IAS preparation is a combination of the right strategy and study material. The candidates should make a plan depending on their strengths and weaknesses. The UPSC IAS Toppers interviews can help the candidates immensely in preparing their strategies. The candidates should start with the current events of national and international importance. After the newspaper and current affairs, the candidates should follow the given steps.

Search the facts and details about the issues
Search for the core issue
Search for the government opinion and steps taken
Search for the experts' views about the issue
Form a sustainable and pertinent solution to the problem

It is high time to start the UPSC IAS preparation because not much time is left in the UPSC IAS 2024 exam. The candidates should analyse the previous year's question papers and the changes done by the recent legislation to keep themselves abreast of the latest developments. The UPSC IAS preparation flows from the UPSC IAS syllabus and the understanding of the social fabric of Indian society. UPSC IAS Syllabus lay down the outline for the UPSC IAS preparation. The candidates should start reading the newspaper daily and start preparing the notes. Handwritten notes are the key to success in the UPSC IAS exam. Though UPSC IAS Prelims is an objective type exam, it requires subjective as well as objective preparation.

Q: How many hours of study are required for IAS?

All the IAS toppers and mentors suggest that a consistent and quality study of 8-10 hours over a period of over one year is required in IAS preparation. The number of hours does not matter, it is the quality of study that matters. The candidates should read, understand, learn extensively. Moreover, the candidates should think the solution of the ongoing Socio-Economic problems of the Common man and devise a sustainable solution to those problems.

The Study of hours will also depend on the affinity of the candidate towards a subject, their previous knowledge and the stage of exam for which they are preparing.

Upvote

Registration

Ongoing

Exam Date

Results

Cutoff

Counselling

Table of Contents

How to Score Better in UPSC IAS Main exam?
How to Start the UPSC IAS Preparation?
How to plan for UPSC IAS preparation?
What to prepare for the UPSC IAS Exam?
Important Topics for UPSC IAS Exam
UPSC IAS Preparation 2024 FAQs

How to Score Better in UPSC IAS Main exam?

UPSC IAS preparation is one of the toughest things because the candidates need to prepare the interrelation of one aspect with all the other aspects of the topic. Current event of national and international importance shapes the UPSC IAS preparation because the candidates need to see the event from the prism of the topics given in the UPSC IAS syllabus. For any event, the candidates need to prepare their historical, geographical, economic and political significance. The candidates also need to assess its impact on the environment and the future consequences of the event on society and mankind as a whole.UPSC IAS preparation depends on the books, study material and nowadays the online study material. Best books for UPSC IAS provide the right information which forms the basis of knowledge and analysis. UPSC IAS preparation for prelims requires more practice of the mock tests and revision after each test.

See here: How to read the newspaper for UPSC IAS exam

See here: UPSC Essay preparation strategy

Current Events of national and international importance are very important for UPSC IAS preparation. UPSC IAS preparation goes hand in hand with current affairs. When the candidate understands the current events of national and international importance, he or she starts connecting the dots and understands the backlinks of current affairs with the general studies static topics as mentioned in the UPSC IAS Syllabus. The UPSC IAS preparation involves the interlinking of the topics mentioned in the UPSC IAS syllabus with one another and with current affairs. UPSC IAS preparation demands an understanding of the impact of one event on the other and vice-versa.

See here: UPSC IAS Toppers Success Stories

The UPSC IAS toppers, mentors and teachers suggest that every candidate needs to design the path of UPSC IAS preparation based on his own potential. UPSC IAS preparation is a process and the candidates themselves evolve in this process and become a better human being.

See here: IPS Salary and Allowances

Prepare CSAT English with Experts

Click Here

Prepare Basic Numeracy for UPSC IAS Prelims (CSAT) Exams with Expert Prep Tips

Click Here

Q: What are the five fundamental subjects of IAS syllabus?

The candidates should prepare the five fundamental subjects as mentioned for the IAS prelims exam. These fundamental subjects are

History
Geography
Economy
Polity
Current Affairs
Environment issues
General Science

The candidates should also prepare the Environmental issues because they have gained more importance in the recent years.

Upvote

How to Start the UPSC IAS Preparation?

It is the most difficult question which crops up in the mind of an UPSC IAS aspirant. Since the beginning is always hard and same is the case with UPSC IAS preparation. Since it is a behavioural change, it requires time. The candidates need to change his thinking orientation and daily routine.

See here: How to prepare Geography for UPSC IAS

The candidate should ideally start with the newspaper and NCERT books. NCERT books should be the starting point for any section of the UPSC IAS syllabus. NCERT books provide the fundamental structure of the subject and help the candidate build up the foundation of the subject.

Once the foundation is laid, it is easy to make a building. The candidates need to understand that UPSC IAS preparation should be an integrated approach to the prelims and main exam. An integrated approach means the candidate should prepare for the UPSC IAS main exam and in the process also learn the factual information of the topics for the UPSC IAS prelims exam.

See here: How to prepare Current Affairs?

Newspaper is the essential ingredient for covering the UPSC IAS syllabus. The newspaper provides the linkage of current happenings with the implications. Newspaper can be taken as North East West South past and present event report but some candidates gave too much time in reading the newspaper which is also very harmful in the long run. The candidates should limit their time to a maximum of two hours a day for the newspaper.

Read and download: Latest Current Affairs 2023

The editorial part of the newspaper is very important for the UPSC IAS preparation because the editorial of the newspaper is written by present and past diplomats and sometimes by the subject experts. The editorial provides insight into the topic and its linkage and impact on society.

See here: UPSC IAS preparation in 100 days

Q: How should I start preparation for UPSC exams?

Hello The Civil Services Examination is a nationwide competitive examination in India conducted by the Union Public Service Commission for recruitment to higher Civil Services of the Government of India. UPSC is India's central agency which conducts exams like Civil Services Exam (CSE) to recruit candidates into top government services like IAS IPS, IFS etc. UPSC NOT ONLY PROVIDE PRESTIGIOUS JOB OPPORTUNITY BUT A REPUTED POST IN INDIA. Although regarded as one of the toughest exams in the country, with the right approach and strategy, an aspirant can crack the IAS examination in the very first attempt. It is essential for aspirants to know and understand the requirements of the IAS exam such as the UPSC syllabus for IAS Exam (Prelims-MCQ and Mains-DESCRIPTIVE), pattern, eligibility criteria, application procedure and other such significant details before kick-starting the preparations.

Upvote

How to plan for UPSC IAS preparation?

The candidates should see and try to solve the UPSC IAS question papers of previous years and try to find out their weak areas so they can assign more time to weak areas and sufficient time to other areas.

The candidates should assess their strengths and weaknesses and make a plan accordingly. The candidate should also balance the traditional topics and the current happenings related to that topic.

See here: UPSC IAS question papers

They should make short-term and a long-term plan. The short-term plan can be a weekly or a fortnightly plan. The candidate should divide the whole syllabus into the long-term goals and short-term goals and divide these goals into the plans accordingly so that they can cover the whole UPSC IAS syllabus.

The Candidates should plan in such a way that they prepared the fundamentals of the topic first and then go for the external linkage of the topic with the current events and its impact on society.

DFP-Banner

Q: How to start revision and make short notes for UPSC preparation?

UPSC is not everyone's cup of tea you need to work smart. Revision and note making are important. Following tips are there. Learning is the first step of notes Making. Notes making is quite often confused with writing everything down on paper or digital devices. Quite often you will see students go for notes making in one go and without understanding the exact meaning of notes making and the importance of notes making. The very exact meaning of notes making is to write down things, which you can forget and things which can be revised in a quick succession of time. Notes making is an art where you read things and use that information smartly in pinning down that information in a crispy and precise manner so that you can remember those things. Reading less analyzing more Visualize things to remember the studied matter. One of the common problems that are found in students is that they forgot, what they had read after some time. You don't have to worry about these things much, as although it is quite natural that you will forget the studied things but revising time and again holds the key in this examination. Civil service examination is not about bookish knowledge but beyond limited knowledge of books. So, keep on expanding your knowledge, not by book alone but by analyzing the things in practicality that is understanding the concept more innately. E. g. Delhi government implement the Odd-Even scheme in November every year. In this case, understand that Delhi pollution is solely responsible for pollution in Delhi or neighboring states also contributes to Air pollution in Delhi. You should also understand what kind of air is injurious to health and their source of emergence. Making notes in own words Make a Mind-map or Flow chart. Making a mind-map or flow chart is not only beneficial in notes making point of view but, this same flow chart can be utilized in Mains answer writing to get an edge ahead as compared to other students. Making a diagram or flow chart is beneficial in terms of answer writing; when due to time crunch you may have to go to depict relevant information on your copy. These little things can also fetch you good marks. Confining notes as Small as Possible Make precise and crisp points.

Upvote

What to prepare for the UPSC IAS Exam?

The UPSC IAS questions always ask about the background of the event and sometimes about the process. The candidate should understand that they have to prepare the topic in its entirety covering its past present and its future implication. In other words, we can say, the candidate should prepare the why, how, when, which, when and what of the topic.

See here: UPSC interview preparation tips

“What to prepare for the UPSC IAS exam” is a question that depends on the current affairs. When we see the syllabus of UPSC IAS prelims exam, Current Affairs is the first topic mentioned in the syllabus. Current Events of national and international importance have a significant shadow on the UPSC IAS preparation. Current Affairs sets the locus of the UPSC IAS preparation. The questions asked in the UPSC IAS question paper have a bearing of current affairs directly or indirectly.

See here: How to prepare Indian Polity for the UPSC IAS exam?

All the papers in the UPSC IAS main exam have a majority of questions from current affairs. Except for General Studies Paper I, all other papers have a direct or indirect relation with the current affairs.

See here: UPSC IAS Syllabus for Current Affairs

The candidates can see below some of the important points on what to study for UPSC IAS exam

Q: What is the syllabus of IAS exam?

UPSC Prelims Syllabus for GS Paper (Prelims Paper I) 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 Syllabus for CSAT Paper (Prelims Paper II) 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).

Upvote

Important Topics for UPSC IAS Exam

The candidates should prepare all the topics mentioned in the UPSC IAS syllabus because all the topics mentioned there are important. The candidates can divide the UPSC IAS syllabus into two types of topics.

1. Fundamental Topics

2. Current Topics having linkage with the fundamental topics

The fundamental topics are the basic concepts that will never change in the future and some of them are time-independent. Some of the examples of the fundamental topics are the concepts of Science, Astronomy, Geography, the Constitution of India (up to some extent), fundamentals of the Indian Economy, and the like. This list is not complete and there are various other topics that can be included in it.

See here: UPSC IAS Prelims Syllabus in detail

The candidates should prepare the fundamental topics first and then try to relate the topics with the current happening around the world.

Contraction of GDP in India and its significance
The economic slowdown and its revival
Poverty in India and GDP contraction
Impact of contraction of GDP on Industries
Monsoon and Agriculture
Indian Economy and Economic Development of India
Fundamental Rights and Duties
India’s Freedom Struggle
Ancient History of India
Basic tenets of India’s Foreign Policy
Women Empowerment
Child labour issues
Poverty in India
Unemployment in India
Social Issues in Indian Society
Governance in India
Consumer rights

These are some of the topics which are always important for the UPSC IAS preparation and the Government initiative to tackle the problems related to these topics are very important for the UPSC IAS preparation.

See here: Most Important Topics for UPSC IAS Exam 2023

Q: What are the five fundamental subjects of IAS syllabus?

The candidates should prepare the five fundamental subjects as mentioned for the IAS prelims exam. These fundamental subjects are

History
Geography
Economy
Polity
Current Affairs
Environment issues
General Science

The candidates should also prepare the Environmental issues because they have gained more importance in the recent years.

Upvote

Q: Which topics are mentioned in the IAS Ethics Syllabus for the main exam?

The Ethics paper in the UPSC IAS main exam is a relatively new paper. It is recently introduced and the candidates are required to prepare all the topics mentioned in the official syllabus and the case studies. The candidates face difficulty in answering the questions having case studies because the questions have the inter-twined problem involving the problem related to more than one basic principle of probity in the administration.

The candidates are tested for their clarity of the behaviour in the Public life. It tests, how the candidate prioritise and choose from the various options available to them. The UPSC mentioned the following broad topics in the IAS Ethics Syllabus:

Ethics and Human Interface:
Attitude
Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service
Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration:
Emotional intelligence
Probity in Governance
Ethics, Codes of Conduct

Upvote

UPSC IAS Preparation 2024 FAQs

The candidates can see here important questions related to UPSC IAS preparation.

Q: Can I clear UPSC prelim exam in the 6 months?

Hello dear, Yes you can definitely prepare for UPSC in 6 months with hard work and dedication. As per the UPSC IAS Age Limit, the minimum age of the candidate should be 21 years and the maximum age should be 32 years as of the 1st of August, 2023 I. e. , the candidate must have been born not earlier than 2nd August, 1991, and not later than 1st August, 2002. The Civil Services Examination is a nationwide competitive examination in India conducted by the Union Public Service Commission for recruitment to higher Civil Services of the Government of India. UPSC is India's central agency which conducts exams like Civil Services Exam (CSE) to recruit candidates into top government services like IAS IPS, IFS etc. UPSC NOT ONLY PROVIDE PRESTIGIOUS JOB OPPORTUNITY BUT A REPUTED POST IN INDIA. Although regarded as one of the toughest exams in the country, with the right approach and strategy, an aspirant can crack the IAS examination in the very first attempt. It is essential for aspirants to know and understand the requirements of the IAS exam such as the UPSC syllabus for IAS Exam (Prelims-MCQ and Mains-DESCRIPTIVE), pattern, eligibility criteria, application procedure and other such significant details before kick-starting the preparations. If you want to prepare then you can download the LK ACADEMY app from play store because in self-studies guidance is very important. The coaching provides a comprehensive way to cover the syllabus and make you prepare for the preliminary, Mains and interview round. It has faculty members with years of experience to guide you and teach you to ace the exam with flying colors. Total study material is available, doubt sessions, test series, best amenities and many more. For any other information or guidance, you can contact LK ACADEMY - 7285043606.

Upvote

Q: Which graduation course would be beneficial for UPSC preparation after doing 12th with PCM?

If you have completed your 12th grade with PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics), and you're interested in pursuing a graduation course that would be beneficial for UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) preparation, you have several options to consider. Here are a few courses that are popular among UPSC aspirants:

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Political Science: This course provides a strong foundation in political science, which is a relevant subject for the UPSC exam. It covers topics such as Indian politics, international relations, public administration, and governance.
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in History: History is an important subject in the UPSC syllabus. A BA in History will help you develop a comprehensive understanding of India's past, which is crucial for the history and culture sections of the UPSC exam.
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Public Administration: Public Administration is a highly relevant subject for UPSC preparation as it covers topics related to governance, bureaucracy, and public policy. This course will provide you with a good understanding of administrative systems and their functioning.
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Economics: Economics is an important subject in the UPSC exam, particularly in areas such as Indian economy, economic development, and social issues. A BA in Economics will equip you with the necessary knowledge and analytical skills required for these topics.
Bachelor of Lawns (LLB): Pursuing a law degree can be advantageous for UPSC preparation, especially for subjects such as institutional law, administrative law, and international law. Additional, a legal background can be beneficial for a career in the civil services.

These are just a few examples, and there are other graduation courses that can be helpful for UPSC preparation as well. Ultimately, the choice of course depends on your interests and strengths.

Upvote

Q: How to start UPSC preparation from the basics?

Some steps to help you get started: Understand the exam: The first step in UPSC preparation is to understand the exam pattern and syllabus thoroughly. You can visit the official website of the Union Public Service Commission UPSC and download the syllabus and exam pattern. Read newspapers: Reading newspapers regularly will help you stay updated with Current Affairs and improve your comprehension and writing skills. You can read The Hindu, Indian Express, or any other newspaper of your choice. NCERT books: The NCERT textbooks for classes 6 to 12 are a great source of information for basic concepts in subjects like history, geography, polity, and Science. You can start with the NCERT books and then move on to standard reference books for each subject. Standard reference books: There are many books available in the market that cover the entire UPSC syllabus. You can refer to books by authors like Laxmikanth, Bipin Chandra, and RS Sharma for polity, history, and geography, respectively. Make notes: As you study, make notes of important points, facts, and figures. This will help you revise the material quickly before the exam. Practice answer writing: Answer writing is an important aspect of UPSC preparation. Start practicing answer writing by writing short and precise answers to questions related to Current Affairs and static topics. Take mock tests: Taking mock tests will help you assess your preparation level and identify your strengths and weaknesses. You can take online or offline mock tests to simulate the actual exam environment. Stay motivated: UPSC preparation is a long and demanding process, and it is important to stay motivated throughout. Set small goals and reward yourself when you achieve them.

Upvote