IAS Prelims Paper 1 General Studies Paper

The IAS Preliminary Examination Paper 1, also known as General Studies (GS), is designed to test a candidate’s knowledge and understanding of a broad range of subjects that are crucial for a civil servant. Here’s a detailed breakdown of IAS Prelims Paper 1:

IAS Prelims Paper 1: General Studies (GS)

Total Marks: 200

Duration: 2 hours

Type: Objective (Multiple Choice Questions – MCQs)

Number of Questions: Approximately 100

Marking Scheme:

  • Each question carries 2 marks.
  • Negative marking of 1/3rd (0.66 marks) for each incorrect answer.

Topics Covered:

  1. Current Events of National and International Importance:
    • Significant national and international events.
    • Major political, economic, social, and cultural events.
    • Government policies and schemes.
  2. History of India and Indian National Movement:
    • Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Indian history.
    • Freedom struggle and key personalities involved in the Indian National Movement.
  3. Indian and World Geography:
    • Physical Geography of India and the World.
    • Social and Economic Geography.
    • Geography-related current events.
  4. Indian Polity and Governance:
    • Constitution of India.
    • Political system and governance.
    • Public policy and rights issues.
    • Panchayati Raj and local governance.
  5. Economic and Social Development:
    • Sustainable development.
    • Poverty, inclusion, and demographics.
    • Social sector initiatives.
    • Economic growth and development indicators.
  6. Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change:
    • Basic concepts of environment and ecology.
    • Biodiversity and its conservation.
    • Climate change and its impact.
    • Environmental pollution and policies.
  7. General Science:
    • Basic concepts and developments in science and technology.
    • Recent advancements and their applications.
    • Health and disease-related science.

Preparation Strategy for IAS Prelims Paper 1

  1. Syllabus Understanding:
    • Thoroughly understand the syllabus and the weightage of each section.
    • Focus on interlinking topics from different subjects.
  2. Standard Reference Books:
    • History:
      • “India’s Struggle for Independence” by Bipan Chandra
      • “A Brief History of Modern India” by Spectrum
    • Geography:
      • “Certificate Physical and Human Geography” by G.C. Leong
      • NCERT textbooks (Class 6-12)
    • Polity:
      • “Indian Polity” by M. Laxmikanth
    • Economy:
      • “Indian Economy” by Ramesh Singh
    • Environment:
      • “Environment” by Shankar IAS
    • Science:
      • NCERT textbooks (Class 6-10)
  3. Current Affairs:
    • Regularly read newspapers like The Hindu, Indian Express, and business dailies.
    • Follow monthly current affairs magazines and online compilations.
    • Watch daily news analysis videos and read summaries from reliable sources.
  4. Revision and Notes Making:
    • Make concise notes for each subject.
    • Regularly revise these notes to retain key facts and figures.
  5. Practice and Mock Tests:
    • Solve previous years’ question papers to understand the exam pattern.
    • Take regular mock tests to build speed and accuracy.
    • Analyze mock test results to identify weak areas and work on them.
  6. Time Management:
    • Allocate specific time slots for each subject daily.
    • Balance between static portions and current affairs.
  7. Focus on Key Areas:
    • Prioritize high-weightage and frequently asked topics.
    • Develop a strategy for attempting the paper, such as time allocation for each section.

Important Tips

  • Accuracy over Guesswork: Due to negative marking, avoid blind guessing. Attempt questions you are confident about.
  • Regular Updates: Stay updated with recent developments, especially in current affairs and environmental issues.
  • Balanced Preparation: Ensure equal focus on all subjects to avoid low scores in any particular area.

By following a structured and disciplined approach to preparation, candidates can significantly enhance their chances of clearing the IAS Prelims Paper 1: General Studies. Good luck with your preparation!

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