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:
- Current Events of National and International Importance:
- Significant national and international events.
- Major political, economic, social, and cultural events.
- Government policies and schemes.
- History of India and Indian National Movement:
- Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Indian history.
- Freedom struggle and key personalities involved in the Indian National Movement.
- Indian and World Geography:
- Physical Geography of India and the World.
- Social and Economic Geography.
- Geography-related current events.
- Indian Polity and Governance:
- Constitution of India.
- Political system and governance.
- Public policy and rights issues.
- Panchayati Raj and local governance.
- Economic and Social Development:
- Sustainable development.
- Poverty, inclusion, and demographics.
- Social sector initiatives.
- Economic growth and development indicators.
- 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.
- 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
- Syllabus Understanding:
- Thoroughly understand the syllabus and the weightage of each section.
- Focus on interlinking topics from different subjects.
- 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)
- History:
- 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.
- Revision and Notes Making:
- Make concise notes for each subject.
- Regularly revise these notes to retain key facts and figures.
- 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.
- Time Management:
- Allocate specific time slots for each subject daily.
- Balance between static portions and current affairs.
- 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!