UPSC Prelims 2023 – Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Notes, Strategy
According to the UPSC 2023 schedule, the UPSC Prelims were conducted on May 28, 2023. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) announced the results of the Civil Services preliminary exam on June 12, 2023. The marks, cut-off marks, and answer keys for the Prelims exam will be made available on upsc.gov.in after the completion of the entire examination process, including the declaration of the final result. The IAS Mains exams are set to commence on September 15, 2023.
Prospective candidates aiming for UPSC CSE 2024 should initiate their preparation without delay.
The UPSC Prelims 2022, held on June 5, 2022, concluded successfully, and the UPSC Prelims Result 2022 was announced on June 22, 2022. The UPSC Mains examination concluded on September 25, 2022. Aspirants can access the UPSC Mains Question Papers 2022 from the provided link.
Following the UPSC Prelims 2023, our faculty meticulously analyzed the questions posed in the exam. Candidates can refer to the UPSC Prelims 2023 Answer Key and delve into the question paper analysis through the provided link.
For those preparing for other UPSC exams, the UPSC Calendar 2023 serves as a valuable reference.
UPSC Prelims 2023 – Exam Pattern
The UPSC Civil Service Prelims exam pattern, according to the UPSC 2023 notification, is outlined below. Any modifications to the forthcoming UPSC CSE Prelims exam pattern will be updated here following the release of the CSE 2023 notification on February 1, 2023.
The UPSC CSE Prelims consist of two objective-type papers (General Studies I and General Studies II or CSAT), amounting to a total of 400 marks. Typically, both papers are conducted on the same day in two sessions through offline mode (pen-paper).
The Prelims Admit Card is anticipated to be released on the official UPSC website 2-3 weeks before the examination date.
| UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern | General Studies I | General Studies II or CSAT |
| Number of questions | 100 | 80 |
| Negative Marking | Yes (1/3rd of the maximum marks for the question)-0.66 marks for every incorrect answer | Yes (1/3rd of the maximum marks for the question)-0.83 marks for every incorrect answer |
| Duration of exam | 2 hours | 2 hours |
| UPSC Prelims 2023 Date of exam | 28th May 2023 | 28th May 2023 |
| Language of exam | English/Hindi | English/Hindi |
| Maximum marks | 200 | 200 |
| Cut Off marks | Counted for Merit. Cut-off varies every year. | 33% qualifying criteria (66 marks) |
The official cut-off for Prelims 2023 will be made available after the examination is conducted. In the Prelims 2021, the cut-off for General category candidates was 87.54. For detailed information on UPSC Cut Off, please refer to the linked article.
Before commencing their preparation, candidates are encouraged to consult the linked page containing UPSC Prelims Previous Year Question Papers.
To download UPSC Prelims Answer Keys from 2016 to 2023, visit the linked page.
UPSC Prelims 2023 – Syllabus
The detailed UPSC Preliminary syllabus for the 2023 exam is given below:
General Studies Paper-1 Syllabus:
- Current events of national and international importance.
- History of India and Indian National Movement.
- Indian and World Geography-Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World.
- 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.
- General issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change- that do not require subject specialization.
- General Science.
General Studies Paper-2 (CSAT) Syllabus:
- Comprehension.
- Interpersonal skills including 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).
- English language comprehension skills – Class X level.
You can find the in-depth syllabus for UPSC Prelims here.
Preparation Strategy for UPSC Prelims
Here is a strategy that can assist candidates in achieving success in the IAS prelims exam:
1. Current Affairs Preparation:
- Focus on preparing for 12 to 15 months’ worth of current affairs.
- Key sources for current affairs for UPSC exam 2023 include Yojana Magazine, Newspapers (The Hindu/The Indian Express), Press Information Bureau (PIB), and Economic and Political Weekly (EPW).
2. Simultaneous Preparation for Prelims and Mains:
- Prepare for UPSC Prelims and UPSC Mains concurrently due to syllabus overlap. Refer to the complete IAS Syllabus 2023.
- Access previous years’ UPSC question papers for additional practice.
3. CSAT (General Studies Paper-II) Preparation:
- Review previous years’ question papers for CSAT to assess your proficiency.
- Utilize UPSC Prelims solved question papers for effective preparation.
- Explore comprehensive information on CSAT, including books, strategy, and trend analysis, through the provided link.
4. Note-Making:
- Create thorough notes for both UPSC Prelims and Mains. Many candidates prefer notes in their own handwriting.
5. Practice Objective-Type Questions:
- Since UPSC Prelims questions are entirely objective, dedicate time to practicing solving Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) during your preparation.
Key Areas of Focus for Various Subjects in UPSC Prelims:
Indian Independence Movement:
- Main congress sessions, including the year, president, and significant resolutions.
- Viceroyalties and their respective periods, highlighting important decisions.
- Government of India Acts 1909, 1919, 1935, and charter acts.
Ancient History:
- Exploration of Hindu philosophy, Buddhism, and Jainism.
- Insights into the Mauryan and Gupta Periods.
- Examination of art, architecture, and scientific developments during these eras.
Medieval History:
- Noteworthy kings such as Sher Shah, Akbar, etc.
- Overview of the Delhi Sultanate.
Polity:
- Emphasis on current events, constitutional changes, new acts, amendments, and schemes.
- In-depth understanding of Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties, and Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP).
- Exploration of the committee system, parliament, parliamentary proceedings, judiciary, and constitutional bodies.
Science and Technology (S&T):
- Basic science concepts from selective NCERT books.
- Focus on current affairs related to S&T.
Environment and Ecology:
- Knowledge of important declarations, and conventions.
- Familiarity with IUCN’s Red List, Biosphere Reserves, Tiger Reserves, etc.
- Awareness of international bodies related to the environment.
Geography:
- Understanding of the solar system, latitudes, and longitudes.
- Knowledge of atmospheric layers, global atmospheric wind, cyclones, and pressure belts.
- Awareness of revolution, rotation, seasons, monsoons, types of rainfall, Koeppen classification.
- Familiarity with jet streams, ocean currents, El Nino, La Nina.
- Exploration of India’s physical geography (NCERT), including rivers, hills, soil, mineral resources, and geological history.
- Basics of agriculture (NCERT) and map reading skills.
Economy:
- Focus on current events, such as new bills and important committees.
- Emphasis on fundamental economic concepts like growth and development, poverty, unemployment, inflation.
- Understanding of the state of the national and global economy.
- Knowledge of major committees, bills, and familiarity with the latest budget and economic survey.
UPSC Civil Services Prelims – Trend Analysis
In the table presented below, we have analyzed the UPSC Prelims papers for the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, specifically focusing on GS 1.
| UPSC Prelims 2023 GS Paper 1 Subject-Wise Analysis | |
| Subject | Number of questions |
| History | 14 |
| Economy | 14 |
| Polity | 15 |
| Environment & Ecology | 14 |
| Geography | 16 |
| Science & Technology | 12 |
| International Relations | 11 |
| Miscellaneous | 4 |
| Total | 100 |
| UPSC Prelims 2022 GS Paper 1 Subject-Wise Analysis | |
| Subject | Number of questions |
| History | 10 |
| Economy | 16 |
| Polity | 11 |
| Environment & Ecology | 17 |
| Geography | 10 |
| Science & Technology | 14 |
| International Relations | 14 |
| Miscellaneous | 3 |
| Total | 100 |
| UPSC Prelims 2021 GS Paper 1 Subject-Wise Analysis | |
| Subject | Number of questions |
| History | 20 |
| Economy | 10 |
| Polity | 14 |
| Environment & Ecology | 11 |
| Geography | 10 |
| Science & Technology | 08 |
| Current Affairs | 27 |
| Total | 100 |
| UPSC Prelims 2020 GS Paper 1 Subject-Wise Analysis | |
| Subject | Number of questions |
| History | 18 |
| Economy | 14 |
| Polity | 16 |
| Environment & Ecology | 17 |
| Geography | 10 |
| Science & Technology | 10 |
| Current Affairs | 15 |
| Total | 100 |
| UPSC Prelims 2019 GS Paper 1 Subject-Wise Analysis | |
| Subject | Number of questions |
| History | 17 |
| Economy | 14 |
| Polity | 15 |
| Environment & Ecology | 11 |
| Geography | 14 |
| Science & Technology | 7 |
| Current Affairs | 22 |
| Total | 100 |
UPSC Prelims – Study Material for IAS Preparation
A crucial aspect of UPSC preparation involves choosing the right study materials. Utilizing the best books for Civil Services Prelims ensures efficiency and effectiveness. NCERTs are indispensable for both UPSC Prelims and Mains due to their credibility and accessible language.
Explore the list of recommended UPSC books here.
Candidates who successfully clear the UPSC IAS Prelims must complete the Detailed Application Form (DAF) before proceeding to the Mains Exam.
For the year 2023, the UPSC Mains exams are scheduled to occur on September 15, 2023. Aspirants can refer to the linked article for more comprehensive information on UPSC Mains.
Frequently Asked Questions on UPSC Prelims Exam
Q 1. Is the UPSC prelims exam solely qualifying in nature?
Ans. Yes, the IAS prelims exam is exclusively qualifying. The cut-off for General Studies Paper-1 varies annually, while for the CSAT paper, a minimum of 33% is the qualifying criterion.
Q 2. What is the syllabus for the UPSC prelims exam?
Ans. The syllabus for GS Paper 1 includes current affairs, History of India and Indian National Movement, Indian and World Geography, Economic and Social Development, Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change, and General Science. The CSAT paper assesses analytical skills, reasoning ability, and interpersonal skills of the candidate. For a detailed UPSC Prelims 2023 Syllabus, refer to the linked article.
Q 3. How many exams are there in UPSC Prelims?
Ans. The IAS preliminary examination consists of two papers: GS Paper 1 and GS Paper 2 (CSAT). Each paper carries a maximum of 200 marks, with 100 and 80 questions, respectively.
Q 4. What is the educational qualification to apply for the civil services prelims exam?
Ans. To apply for the civil services exam, the candidate must hold a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline.
Q 5. Is the IAS prelims an offline or online paper?
Ans. The UPSC prelims exam is conducted in offline mode, i.e., the pen and paper mode.
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