UPSC Mains GS Paper Breakdown: What to Study for Each Paper

Although the UPSC Civil Services Mains draws heavily on conceptual clarity, UPSC asks questions based on current affairs, so the examination never feels truly stale. Each of the four General Studies Papers is allowed a 250 mark each and demands analytical as well as knowledge of current affairs. Thus, UPSC Institute in Delhi has provided a detailed paper-wise breakdown of what to study for each GS Paper:

GS Paper I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History, and Geography of the World and Society

Indian Heritage and Culture

Aspirants need to explore the diverse art and cultural aspects of India. It may include classical dances, music, puppetry, paintings, theater, and crafts. Architecture belonging from Harappan times to post-independence is also a part of the GS Paper I. If we talk about literature, ancient texts (Vedas, Upanishads), regional literature, Bhakti, and Sufi literature are also important.

Modern Indian History (1757–1947)

The modern history part includes key elements during the freedom struggle of India- from the revolt of 1857, Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience, Quit India Movement. This section also involves the role of leaders and ideologies in social reform movements like the involvement of Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Jyotirao Phule, and B.R. Ambedkar, among others. Moreover, aspirants should also cover the post-independence consolidation of princely states into free India after 1947.

World History

Important events include the French Revolution, Industrial Revolution, World Wars, decolonization and Cold War. Additionally, aspirants should gauge the role of political ideologies like Capitalism, socialism, and communism and their global impact seen during these major events.

Indian Society

This section should be deftly dealt with as it talks about diverse ideologies relevant to Indian Society, namely the caste system, secularism, and regionalism, among others. Social issues like poverty, population, communalism, women's issues, and the impact of globalisation should not be ignored.

Geography

This section of GS Paper I is technical and scoring. Aspirants need to focus on different landforms, climatology, oceanography, population distribution, urbanisation, migration, industries, river systems and natural disasters, among others.

GS Paper II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations

Indian Constitution and Polity

In this section, aspirants should be well versed with the basic structure of the constitution, like features of the constitution, amendments, preamble to the constitution, directive principles of state policy, fundamental rights and duties. Additionally, aspirants should focus on the governance structure like the role of the President, the Prime Minister and his cabinet, the Judicial system and the nature of Indian federalism. For better expressing views and supporting the answers, aspirants should also include popular judgments like Kesavananda Bharati and SR Bommai, among others.

Governance and Public Policy

Aspirants while preparing for GS Paper II also include the RTI Act, e-governance, citizen charters, Lokpal, CVC, CBI, civil services reforms, and governance initiatives like Digital India, and good governance index.

Social Justice

Social Justice is an important part of GS Paper II, which includes welfare schemes for SC/STs, minorities, women, and differently-abled individuals. The focus should also be on health, education, and human development aspects, which are reflected in government initiatives like the National Health Mission, NEP 2020, and SDGs. Additionally, issues like poverty, malnutrition, gender inequality, and manual scavenging should also be studied.

International Relations

International Relations is an important part of GS Paper II and comprises both bilateral and multilateral relations of India with major powers. Aspirants should also be aware of global institutions like the UN, WTO, IMF and India's role.

GS Paper III: Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management

Economy

This paper mainly deals with the outcome of institutions and superstructures prevalent in society, for example, institutions like IMF, World Bank, WTO, and RBI and how they affect the overall world economic progress. Aspirants should have a strong hold on the basics like GDP, inflation, fiscal policy, monetary policy, financial inclusion, and digital economy. Additionally, aspirants should also focus on sectors that help grow the economy like agriculture along with allied industries and its ramifications on MSP, irrigation and policy reforms.

Science and Technology

Science and Technology is an integral part of GS Paper III which includes recent developments undertaken by ISRO, DRDO, quantum tech, AI and robotics. Health and Biotech also form an integral part of this section where questions can be asked from pandemic responses to genome editing.

Environment and Ecology

This is an important part of GS Paper III which revolves around conservation of biodiversity, climate change, forest and wildlife preservation and the allied reforms and Government Acts. For instance, the Ramsar Convention, or the "Wetlands Convention," is an international treaty signed in 1971 that focuses on the conservation and wise use of wetlands. This section also deals with a detailed understanding of conventions like UNFCCC and NGT and treaties like the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Disaster Management and Internal Security

This portion of GS Paper III is more dynamic and goes hand-in-hand with the current happenings in the world regarding natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, cyclones and other anthropogenic disasters. The syllabus also mentions the need to stay updated with NDMA guidelines, and threats like terrorism, insurgency, cyber security, border issues and the ensuing role of intelligence agencies, CAPFs, and the role of state and central forces in tackling such issues.

GS Paper IV: Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude

Ethics, Human Interface and Aptitude

General Paper IV deals with Ethics and Civil services Aptitude. Aspirants should be well-versed in key concepts ranging from honesty, compassion, empathy, integrity and moral attitude. Reading philosophers like Gandhi, Kant, Plato, and Aristotle, among others can lend insight into tackling this paper. Understanding the need for tolerance, impartiality and objective thought should be the main focus of this paper. This Paper also assesses core concepts related to the code of conduct for civil servants, the need to take down corruption and the necessity for accountability. While preparing for Paper IV, aspirants should also keep in mind the moral challenges associated with bureaucracy and the ensuing ethical dilemmas.

Case Studies

Paper IV also assesses the practical knowledge of the candidate by devising case studies that test the aspirant on multiple levels of decision-making, ethical reasoning, and probity.

Final Tips

It is essential to integrate current affairs in dynamic Papers, for example, interlinking content with recent SC judgments, economic data, and international developments. Aspirants can refer to NITI Aayog reports, PIB, Economic Survey, and India Year Book for relevant data. Furthermore, focusing on structuring the answer with balanced viewpoints and using examples or data can add substance to the answer. To master GS Paper, it is essential to learn the art of linking one topic to the other, which can only be acquired if you are clear with the concepts and have a thorough knowledge of the syllabus. Thus, hard work coupled with smart work and regular revision can significantly boost the chances of success in the exam.