The IAS Preliminary Examination (Prelims) is the first stage of the Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The Prelims exam is designed to filter out candidates for the Main Examination. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the IAS Prelims Exam pattern:
IAS Preliminary Examination (Prelims)
Objective: To screen candidates for the Main Examination.
Components:
Paper I: General Studies (GS)
Paper II: Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT)
Paper I: General Studies (GS)
Total Marks: 200
Duration: 2 hours
Type: Objective (Multiple Choice Questions – MCQs)
Topics Covered:
Current Events: National and International importance.
History of India: Ancient, Medieval, and Modern History.
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.
Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change: General issues on environmental ecology, biodiversity, and climate change that do not require subject specialization.
General Science
Marking Scheme:
Each question carries equal marks.
Negative marking for incorrect answers (typically 1/3rd of the marks assigned to the question).
Paper II: Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT)
Total Marks: 200
Duration: 2 hours
Type: Objective (Multiple Choice Questions – MCQs)
Topics Covered:
Comprehension
Interpersonal Skills and 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)
Marking Scheme:
Each question carries equal marks.
Negative marking for incorrect answers (typically 1/3rd of the marks assigned to the question).
Note: CSAT is qualifying in nature, requiring a minimum of 33% marks to pass (66 out of 200).
Important Points
Qualifying Nature of Prelims:
Only the marks obtained in Paper I (General Studies) are counted for the merit list for the Main Examination.
Paper II (CSAT) is qualifying in nature, meaning candidates must score at least 33% (66 out of 200 marks) to be eligible for the Mains.
Number of Questions:
Paper I: Approximately 100 questions.
Paper II: Approximately 80 questions.
Negative Marking:
Negative marking is applicable for both papers. Typically, 1/3rd of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for each incorrect answer.
Language:
The question papers are set in both Hindi and English.
Cut-Off:
The cut-off marks for Paper I vary each year based on the difficulty level of the exam and the number of candidates appearing.
Candidates who clear the cut-off for Paper I and qualify in Paper II are eligible to appear for the Main Examination.
Preparation Tips for IAS Prelims
Understand the Syllabus and Exam Pattern: Thoroughly go through the syllabus and understand the exam pattern to plan your study strategy.
Current Affairs: Regularly read newspapers like The Hindu, Indian Express, and magazines like Yojana and Kurukshetra. Use reliable current affairs resources and monthly compilations.
Standard Books: Follow standard reference books such as:
History: “India’s Struggle for Independence” by Bipan Chandra
Geography: “Certificate Physical and Human Geography” by G.C. Leong
Polity: “Indian Polity” by M. Laxmikanth
Economy: “Indian Economy” by Ramesh Singh
Environment: “Environment” by Shankar IAS
Revision and Practice: Regularly revise the topics you have studied and practice mock tests and previous years’ question papers to build accuracy and speed.
CSAT Preparation: Practice comprehension, logical reasoning, and basic numeracy questions to ensure you can comfortably clear the qualifying marks.
By understanding the exam pattern and focusing on a structured preparation strategy, you can enhance your chances of success in the IAS Prelims Examination. Good luck!