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Home / IAS Preparation / UPSC IAS Preparation Strategy for Mains General Studies Paper 1

UPSC IAS Preparation Strategy for Mains General Studies Paper 1

Last Updated on Jun 18, 2024
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Cracking the UPSC Civil Services Exam is a dream for many aspirants in India. The General Studies Paper 1 of the UPSC Mains examination is the foundation stone for your success. This paper tests your understanding of Indian heritage and culture, the world's history and geography, and the role of humanity in society. Acing this paper requires a well-structured study plan that weaves together these seemingly disparate subjects.

Fortunately, the syllabus for Paper 1 remains unchanged for years, giving you a clear roadmap for your preparation. Moreover, there is a significant overlap between the syllabus of the Prelims and the GS I Paper of Mains exam. This article provides a super-simplified and scientific strategy to approach Paper 1. It will guide you through the entire process, from syllabus coverage to incorporating current events into your answers. 

The Union Public Service Commission carries out UPSC Civil Services Exam to recruit students for the posts of IAS, IPS, IFS, ICAS plus many more. UPSC Mains exam is one of the most anticipated exams for the Graduates of India aspiring to make a career as an IAS/IPS. There are a total of four GS papers in the UPSC Mains exam and the General Studies I paper is the common paper for all UPSC aspirants. 

Download UPSC IAS Preparation strategy for General Studies-1 in PDF!

UPSC IAS Mains General Studies I - Highlights

The UPSC General Studies Paper 1 is your chance to showcase a well-rounded understanding of our world – from the echoes of ancient history to the intricate dance of geography and society. Before delving into the UPSC IAS Mains General Studies Paper I, let us get some facts about this paper correct –

  • The IAS Mains GS Paper 1 will be conducted for a total of 250 marks, over a duration of 3 hours.
  • There will be 20 questions printed both in ENGLISH and HINDI.
  • All questions are compulsory.
  • The number of marks carried by a question/part will be printed against it.
  • Answers must be written in the medium authorized in the admission certificate which must be stated clearly on the cover of this question-cum-answer (QCA) booklet in the space provided.
  • No marks will be given for answers written in the medium other than the authorized one.
  • Answers to questions no. 1 to 10 should be in 150 words, whereas answers to questions no. 11 to 20 should be in 250 words.
  • Keep the word limit indicated in the questions in mind.
  • Any page or portion of the page left blank, must be struck off clearly.

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UPSC IAS Preparation Strategy for General Studies Paper 1

UPSC IAS could be strenuous and to bail you out by helping you to have a smooth preparation path, mentioned below are a few essential preparation tips for the UPSC IAS General Studies-1 Exam –

  • Jot down the entire Syllabus as well as the General Studies-I Exam.
  • Analyze the syllabus and the paper pattern and then prepare an executable schedule accordingly.
  • Begin preparing for the examination by following the schedule thoroughly. Try to pick the topics with higher weightage first, followed by the medium, and the lower ones.
  • Solve as many papers as you possibly can. The only successful way to crack the UPSC IAS CSE Exam in the very initial attempt is by solving at least 10 years of previous years’ papers and by appearing for numerous mock tests.
  • Stay on course with round-the-clock Current affairs by referring to the newspapers and keep on revising all the topics time and again. Rectify your errors and focus on them even more.

Topic Wise Preparation Strategy for UPSC IAS General Studies Paper 1

The UPSC CSE's General Studies Paper 1 covers a vast and diverse range of subjects. To conquer this paper, a strategic approach for each topic is crucial. The following is a topic-wise strategy, dissecting the syllabus of Paper 1. By following this approach, you'll gain clarity on how to effectively tackle each subject area and maximize your score. The following topics are part of the UPSC IAS Mains General Studies Paper 1 Syllabus.

  • Art & Culture
  • Modern History
  • India after Independence & Political Philosophies
  • World History
  • Society of India
  • Geography

“A serious UPSC aspirant should know that History for the UPSC exam is nothing like the history they read in school where you could get away with simple memorization.”

Let us look at the topic-wise preparation strategy for Mains GS Paper 1 –

Subject

What to Focus On?

What to Read for Preparation?

Art & Culture
  • Classical dances, Temple architecture.
  • Themes of ancient Indian history, Literature, Music, and musical instruments.
  • NCERT Class VI – History – Our Past
  • NCERT Class VII – Our Past -I
  • NCERT Class VIII – Our Past II and III
  • NCERT Class XII – Themes In Indian History I
  • NCERT Class-XII – Themes in Indian History – II (Only Chapters 2 and 3)
  • NCERT Class XII – Themes In Indian History III
  • NIOS Books

Modern History
  • Four important agitations or movements are the Swadeshi & Boycott movement, Khilafat & Non-cooperation movement, and the Quit India Movement along with various other movements.
  • Social or religious reform movements i.e. personalities & their contributions
  • Contributions of important personalities (National and International)
  • Modern Indian History: The middle of the eighteenth century till current significant events accompanied by significant individuals.
  • This topic necessitates a thorough understanding of the freedom struggle and its various aspects; we recommend Bipan Chandra’s Struggle for India’s Independence as the best book for UPSC Mains preparation, though some may prefer Spectrum’s Modern History Book. This book should be read at least twice.
  • If you have time, you can read from Plassey to Partition in sections. This book is more analytical, with valuable insights into all of the major events and figures in this topic’s history.

India after Independence and Political Philosophies
  • Admission of sovereign states including the Role of significant personalities
  • Significant movements after 1947
  • Communism followed by Capitalism & socialism
  • Bipan Chandra’s India Since Independence – Aspirants should read from Chapter 6 to Chapter12 in this book
  • India After Gandhi: The History of the World’s Largest – In this book, one should read from Chapter 8 to Chapter 14.

World History
  • American, French, Russian, Industrial Revolutions
  • WW I & II
  • Ongoing Affairs
  • International pages of The Hindu and The Indian Express
  • Except for the Industrial Revolution, Norman Lowe’s Mastering Modern World History (Amazon India) covers all topics in this section of the syllabus. 
  • NCERT books of class IX, X, and XI (only modern world history part).
  • Arjun Dev – History of the World from the Late Nineteenth to the Early Twenty-First Century
  • Old NCERT World History Class-X – if you are fond of old NCERT books.

Society of India
  • Diversity in India
  • Women Empowerment
  • Issues in Indian Society
  • Effects of Globalization on Indian society
  • Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems, and their remedies.
  • Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism
  • NCERT Class 12 Indian Society
  • Indian Society – Ram Ahuja
  • Social Problems in India – Ram Ahuja
  • Candidates can refer to the Platform for Action-Report on Indian Women PDF for women’s concerns in India, where they can find and learn everything about women’s issues.
  • Newspapers and Current affairs

Geography
  • Salient features of the world’s physical geography.
  • Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent); 
  • Factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India)
  • Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, tsunamis, Volcanic activity, cyclones, etc., geographical features and their location- changes in critical geographical features (including water bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
  • Goh Cheng Leong’s Certificate Physical and Human Geography 1st Edition
  • NCERT Class-XI – Fundamentals of Physical Geography
  • NCERT Class XII – Human Geography
  • NCERT Class-XII – India-People and Economy
  • Majid Husain: Geography of India

Also Read – How to Prepare for UPSC GS Paper 2 here!

Subject Wise Books for GS Paper 1

Referring to the right reference books is of so much importance and could ultimately result in efficient preparation. Mentioned below are the subject-wise books for the UPSC General Studies Mains Paper-1:

Subject

Sub-Topic

History
  • India’s Ancient Past – R.S. Sharma
  • Indian Art and Culture – Nitin Singhania
  • India’s Struggle For Independence – Bipan Chandra
  • History Of Modern India – Bipan Chandra
  • Facets of Indian Culture by Spectrum
  • India Since Independence by Bipin Chandra
  • Mastering Modern World History – Norman Lowe
  • Themes of History (NCERT Textbook of Standard XII)
  • NCERT books for History

Geography
  • Geography NCERT (class VI to class XII)
  • Goh Cheng Loeng’s Certificate Physical and Human Geography
  • Indian Geography (Majid Hussain)
  • Concise Geography (ALS)
  • Environment (Shankar IAS Academy)
  • Oxford Student Atlas

Indian Society
  • Social Problems in India by Ram Ahuja
  • Contemporary Issues in Globalization by Soumyen Sikdar
  • IGNOU Material on Indian Democracy and Development
  • The Hindu newspaper – Relevant Editorials
  • Indian Express newspaper – Relevant Editorials

These were a few highly recommended books. Apart from these, the candidates must regularly read newspapers such as The Hindu, BBC, Indian Express, etc. for the UPSC General Studies Mains Paper-1.

Check UPSC GS Paper 1 Syllabus for various subjects.

UPSC IAS General Studies Paper 1 Exam Pattern

The entire UPSC General Studies Mains Paper 1 is of 250 marks and also encompasses CA. Listed below is a detailed paper pattern of the UPSC IAS General Studies-1 Mains Exam:

Papers for Merit

Marks 

Paper II

General Studies I:

  • Art & Culture
  • Modern History
  • India after Independence & Political Philosophies
  • World History
  • Society of India
  • Geography

250 marks

Also Read : UPSC IAS Previous Year Papers here!

Trend Analysis for General Studies (GS) Paper I

UPSC General Studies Paper 1 Consist of Topics such as History, Art & Culture, Geography and Indian Society. Below listed tables consist an overview of questions asked over the years for these topics so aspirants can get the idea of which topic to focus more on.

Subject Wise Number of Questions asked over the years

Year

History

Art & Culture

Geography

Indian Society

2021

5

1

8

6

2020

2

4

8

6

2019

4

1

8

10

2018

3

3

4

11

2017

5

2

6

7

2016

4

2

9

6

2015

4

2

7

6

2014

6

4

10

5

2013

12

3

12

6

Subject Wise Previous Year Questions Asked in UPSC GS 1 Paper

As important as it is to follow a preparation strategy for the Mains GS Paper 1, candidates should spend a majority of their preparation time for GS Paper 1 in dealing with the elephant in the room, i.e., by practicing actual questions! The following are topic-wise previous year questions asked in the UPSC GS 1 Paper for IAS Mains exam –

UPSC GS 1 Paper Questions on History

Mentioned below are the previous years’ questions that have been asked in the UPSC Paper-1 Exam along with their marks and years:

Year

Question

Marks

2020

The rock-cut architecture signifies the most important source of our knowledge of the early art of India- Discuss

10

2020

The Pala period is the most significant phase in the history of Buddhism in India.- Enumerate.

10

2020

Evaluate the policies of Lord Curzon and their long term implications on the national movements

10

2020

Indian Philosophy and tradition played a significant role in conceiving and shaping the monuments and their art in India. -Discuss

15

2020

Persian literary sources of medieval India reflect the spirit of the age. -Comment

15

2020

Since the decade of the 1920s, the national movement acquired various ideological strands and thereby expanded its social base. -Discuss.

15

2018

Assess the importance of the accounts of the Chinese and Arab travellers in the reconstruction of the history of India.

10

2018

Throw light on the significance of the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi in the present times.

10

2018

Safeguarding the Indian art heritage is the need of the moment. -Comment

10

2018

The Bhakti movement received a remarkable re-orientation with the advent of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. -Discuss

15

2019

Highlight the Central Asian and Greco Bactrian elements in the Gandhara art.

10

2019

The 1857 uprising was the culmination of the recurrent, big and small local rebellions that had occurred in the preceding hundred years Of the Commonwealth of Nations or the British Empire. -Elucidate.

10

2019

Examine the linkages between the nineteenth century’s ‘Indian Renaissance’ and the emergence of national identity.

10

2019

Many voices had strengthened and enriched the nationalist movement during the Gandhian phase. -Elaborate.

15

2019

Assess the role of British imperial power in complicating the process of transfer of power during the 1940s.

15

The questions asked are generally from the NCERT and from a few reference books and newspapers. These questions are mainly static in nature but a few of them are static plus analytical or static plus dynamic.

Also read – UPSC Preparation Strategy for Prelims, Mains & Interview rounds. 

UPSC GS 1 Paper Questions on Geography

Look at the following questions for Geography portion in the GS Paper 1 for UPSC Mains exam –

Year

Question

Mark

2020

Discuss the geophysical characteristics of Circum- Pacific Zone

10

2020

The process of desertification is deprived of climate barriers. Explain why with epitomes.

10

2020

How will the melting of Himalayan glaciers have a far-reaching impact on the water resources of the country i.e. India?

10

2020

Account for the present location of iron and steel industries away from the source of raw material, by giving examples.

10

2020

The interlinking of revivers can provide viable solutions to the multi-dimensional inter-related problems of droughts, floods and interrupting navigation. (Critically analyse & Examine).

15

2020

Account for the huge flooding of million cities in India including the smart ones like Hyderabad and Pune. (Suggest way outs.)

15

2018

Why is the Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS) needed? (How does it help in navigation?)

10

2018

Why is India taking a keen interest in the Arctic region?

10

2018

Define mantle plume and explain its role in plate tectonics.

10

2018

What are the consequences of spreading ‘Dead Zones’ on the marine ecosystem?

10

2018

The ideal solution to depleting groundwater resources in India is a water harvesting system. (Suggest on How to convert it into effective for urban areas too?)

15

2018

Defining the blue revolution, explain the problems and strategies for pisciculture development in India.

15

2019

Assess the impact of global warming on the coral life system with examples.

10

2019

Discuss the causes of the depletion of mangroves and explain their importance in maintaining coastal ecology.

10

2019

What is water stress? How & why does it differentiate regionally in India?

15

The Geography questions are generally Current Affairs based and static in nature. They are mainly from either newspapers or reference books.

Download UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2021 now.

UPSC GS 1 Paper Questions on Indian Society

Mentioned below is a detailed analysis of the Indian Society Questions asked in the previous years of the UPSC Mains General Studies Paper-1 Exam.

Year

Question

Marks

2020

Customs and traditions suppress reason leading to obscurantism. Do you agree?

15

2020

Are diversity and pluralism in India under threat due to globalisation? Justify the given question.

15

2020

Do you agree that regionalism in India appears to be a consequence of rising cultural assertiveness? Argue

10

2018

“Caste system is assuming new personalities & associational forms. That is why the caste system cannot be eradicated in India.” -(Comment.)

10

2018

‘Despite the implementation of various programmes for eradication of poverty by the government in India, poverty is still existing’. Explain by giving reasons

10

2018

How is the Indian concept of secularism different from the western model of secularism? Discuss.

10

2019

What makes Indian society unique in sustaining its culture? Discuss.

10

2019

“Empowering women is the sole path to handle population thrive.” Discuss.

10

2019

What are the challenges to our cultural practices in the name of secularism?

10

2019

What are the continued challenges for women in India against time and space?

15

These questions are generally asked directly from the syllabus and the topic or from the reference books recommended. However, most of the questions are static in nature.

When it comes to UPSC, there is no such thing as less important. Everything is equally of the essence and it is necessary to put in the persistent effort, dedication and hard work if the candidates want to clear the UPSC IAS General Studies-1 Exam.

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UPSC IAS Preparation Strategy for General Studies Paper 1 FAQs

To prepare for IAS General Studies Paper 1, focus on topics such as Indian history, culture, geography, and current events. Read standard textbooks, analyze previous year question papers, and practice answer writing.

To prepare society for GS 1, study topics related to social issues, diversity, and social movements in India. Understand the social dynamics, government initiatives, and challenges faced by different sections of society.

UPSC GS Paper 1 carries a weightage of 250 marks in the Civil Services Mains examination.

GS 1 in UPSC refers to General Studies Paper 1, which is one of the compulsory papers in the Civil Services Mains examination. It covers topics like Indian history, culture, society, geography, and current events.

The highest marks attained in UPSC GS Paper 1 can vary each year and are not publicly disclosed.

The marks for GS 1 are calculated based on the evaluation of the answers written by candidates in the Civil Services Mains examination. The evaluation follows the marking scheme provided by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
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