UPSC Mains General Studies Paper 1 Syllabus Pdf

GS Paper 1 is one of the four general studies papers of UPSC Mains exam. It is a subjective type of paper consisting of subjects like History, Geography, Art and Culture, and Indian Society. GS Paper 1 is one of the nine papers in the Mains stage of the IAS Examination.

This article will provide you with the GS 1 Syllabus and Structure for UPSC Preparation. It has 100 questions broadly covering the following topics carrying a maximum of 200 marks to be solved in 2 hours.

Detailed Information of Mains General Studies Paper-I for IAS exam:

The important features of the UPSC General Studies I Mains paper are:

There are 20 compulsory questions printed in Hindi and English which are to be answered in the language selected while filling out the application form. Questions that are answered in any other language are not evaluated.
The paper is of a total of 250 marks.
The word limit for 10 marks questions is 150 and 15 marks is 250.
From the history syllabus, there is a significant emphasis on Modern History topics with questions asked from Freedom struggle, Indian Renaissance, and related sub-topics.
From the Geography syllabus, the emphasis lies on current affairs related topics along with static sub-topics.
From the Indian Society syllabus, the questions are asked from topics like women empowerment, secularism, a culture of Indian Society, etc.

IAS Mains General Studies – I:

Subjects	Sub-Topics
History	Art & Culture
	Modern History
	World History
Geography	Physical Geography of India & World
Geography	Human Geography
Indian Society	Demography, Social Issues, and Developments in Indian Society

Overview of the topics for UPSC Mains General Studies Paper 1 Syllabus:

Art & Culture	Classical dances Temple architecture Themes of ancient Indian history Literature Music and musical instruments
Modern History	Four important agitations/movements: Swadeshi and Boycott movement, Khilafat and Non-cooperation movement, Civil Disobedience movement, Quit India movement. Social/religious reform movements: personalities and their contributions Contributions of important personalities (Indian and foreign)
India after Independence & Political Philosophies	Admission of princely states Role of important personalities Important movements after 1947 Communism Capitalism socialism
World History	American, French, Russian and Industrial Revolution World War I and II Current affairs International pages of The Hindu and The Indian Express
Society of India	Diversity in India Women Empowerment Issues in Indian Society
Geography	Cyclones, hurricanes, earthquakes Location of industries in India Water bodies Climate change Natural Resources

Unlike other general studies papers, GS Paper 1 syllabus has subjects from where direct questions can be asked. As in the case of History of GS paper-I. Questions can directly be asked from ancient, medieval, modern, and world history. However, there are also topics in Indian Society and Geography, where an aspirant need to connect the static syllabus of GS Paper 1 with the current affairs.

How to approach Mains General Studies Paper 1

The following table will mention the important sources which an aspirant can refer to prepare for UPSC Mains GS-I:

Subject	Sources
History	Modern Indian History from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues. The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country. Post-independence Consolidation and Reorganization within the country. History of the World will include events from the 18th century such as the Industrial Revolution, world wars, Redrawal of National Boundaries, Colonization, Decolonization, political philosophies like Communism, Capitalism, Socialism etc.— their forms and effect on society. Art & Culture Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times Books: India’s Ancient Past – RS Sharma Facets of Indian Culture (Spectrum publications) Website: Centre for Cultural Resources & Training (CCRT) website Get previous years’ Art & Culture Questions of UPSC Mains GS 1 in the linked article. Modern History Books: India’s Struggle for Independence – Bipan Chandra A Brief History of Modern India – Rajiv Ahir (Spectrum Publications) India After Independence Books: India Since Independence – Bipan Chandra World History Books: Mastering World History – Norman Lowe History of the World – Arjun Dev
Society of India	Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India. Role of Women and Women’s Organization, Population and Associated Issues Poverty and Developmental issues, Urbanization, their problems and their remedies. Effects of Globalization on Indian society. Social Empowerment Communalism Regionalism Secularism. Source: Newspapers Magazines (EPW) Reports of NGOs, international organizations etc.
Geography	Salient features of World’s Physical Geography. Distribution of Key Natural Resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent); 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, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone 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. Source: NCERTs from classes VI through XII.

As we can see from the UPSC GS 1 syllabus, there is a high probability that questions can be asked straight from the topics and also can be asked on current affairs-based approach. UPSC aspirants can also refer UPSC Mains GS Paper 1 pdf from the official government site to strategies to better understand the exam.

Check out >> UPSC Mains General Studies Paper-II Syllabus 2021