Preparation Strategy for GS Paper I UPSC Mains

Nov 23, 2021

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Syllabus of General Studies Paper 1 of UPSC Civil Services Examination

High-Priority Topics of GS Paper I

How to Prepare for UPSC Mains GS Paper I

Recommended Books for Mains GS Paper I Preparation

Is your Civil Services Mains preparation underway? Are you looking for the right study plan and material for the GS Paper I preparation?

If yes, then you have landed on just the right page.

Here we will discuss the UPSC GS Paper 1 preparation strategy, tips, essential books, and valuable resources that will assist you in preparing for the UPSC Mains seamlessly.

It is a well-known fact that the marks obtained in the UPSC Mains are counted for the final merit list of the examination and interview. Hence, you should leave no stone unturned and devote extra time during the UPSC exam preparation to make it more productive.

Before moving further in this article, we want you to quickly look at the General Studies Paper I syllabus of the UPSC Mains to know what has to be studied for the paper.

Also read: How To Stay Motivated Throughout Your UPSC Preparation Journey

Syllabus of General Studies Paper 1 of UPSC Civil Services Examination

General Studies‐I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society.

Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
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.
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.
Salient features of the 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, 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.

It is evident that there is too much to study and grasp during the GS Paper I. To save you crucial time and to ensure that you invest your energy at the right place, we have compiled a list of important topics that you must study on priority while preparing for General Studies Paper I of UPSC Mains.

Also read: How to Write Good Quality Answers for UPSC Mains

High-Priority Topics of GS Paper I

Topic	Sub-topics
Art & Culture	Indian Art Forms Classical Dance Forms Folk Dance Forms Ancient Indian Literature Classical Sanskrit Literature Medieval Literature Modern Indian Literature Harappan Architecture Temple Architecture Cave Architecture Indo-Islamic Architecture Medieval Architecture Modern Architecture Contribution of Buddhism & Jainism to the Development of Indian Architecture
Modern History	European Penetration of India British Conquest of India British Policies & Their Impact – Economic, Administrative & Socio-cultural Socio-cultural Reform Movements Uprisings Against British Pre-1857 Growth of Nationalism in India (1858-1905) Political, Economic & Administrative Unification of the Country Role of Western Education Role of Press Rediscovery of India’s Past Early Political Movements Formation of INC Swadeshi & Boycott Movement Surat Split International Influence Morley – Minto Reforms Growth of Communalism Mahatma Gandhi – His Ideas & Leadership Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms Rowlatt Act Satyagrah and Jallianwala Bagh Massacre Non-cooperation & Khilafat Movement Swarajists & No-Changers The emergence of New Forces – Socialistic Ideas, Youth & Trade Unionism Communal Award & Poona Pact Participation in Elections to Central Legislature (1934) & Provincial Assemblies (1937) Government of India Act, 1935 Towards Freedom & Partition (1939-1947) National Movement During World War II August Offer Individual Satyagraha Growth of Communalism Peasant Movements State People’s Struggle Cripps Mission Quit India Movement
Post-Independence India	Nation Building Partition and Its Aftermath Integration of Princely States Reorganisation of States Issue of Official Language Tribal Consolidation Non-Aligned Movement Panchsheel Wars with Pakistan & China Nuclear Policy Planned Development Green Revolution, Operation Flood & Cooperatives Agrarian & Land Reforms The era of One-Party Dominance The emergence of Opposition Parties Emergency: Crisis of Democratic Order Communalism Indian Women Since Independence Naxalism
World History	Renaissance Discovery of Sea Routes Reformation Counter-Reformation Rise of Capitalism, Colonialism & Imperialism Industrial Revolution World War I Causes of the War Scope & Course of the War Russian Revolution Europe After the War – Fascism & Nazism The Great Depression The emergence of the Soviet Union The US as a Strong Power World War II Fascist Aggression & Response of Western Democracies Europe after World War II Cold War Rise of Asia & Africa Developments in West Asia & North Africa Communism Capitalism Socialism
Indian Society	Diversity (Types – caste, linguistic, social and religious, race, tribe and ethnicity, culture) Challenges posed by Diversity Unity Pluralism Unity in Diversity Women's Organisations – Empowerment through Action 19th Century Social Reform Movements and Early Women's Organisations – (1) Agrarian Struggles and Revolt, (2) Participation in Freedom Struggle Women's Organisations Post – 1947 Basic Demography of India Population Trends in India and their Implications Causes and Effects of Overpopulation Challenges of Population Explosion Changing Age Structure of Indian Population Demographic Dividend: Boon or Bane for India Population Aging in India India's Population Policy & Initiatives Concept of Development and Poverty Types of Poverty Measurement of Poverty – Poverty Line Causes of Poverty Poverty as a Social Problem Poverty Alleviation Initiatives Urbanisation Trends in India and Their Implications - Demographics and Social Dimensions Factors Driving Urbanisation State of Service Delivery and Challenges posed by Urbanisation Problems of Urban Areas Social Consequences of Urbanisation Impact of Urbanisation in Rural Areas Urban Planning and Role of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) Reforms Required and Government Initiatives Taken So Far Understanding Globalisation – Its Different Dimensions Globalisation & Culture - Homogenisation vs. Glocalisation Factors Driving Globalisation Globalisation & India Communalism – Its Characteristics Communalism in India in the Past Communalism in Contemporary India Causes of Communalism Consequences of Communalism Concept of Region & Regionalism Different Forms of Regionalism Regionalism in India Causes of Regionalism Concept of 'Sons of Soil' Consequences of Regionalism Federalism & Regionalism Concept of Secularism Indian Model of Secularism Secularism in India Nature & Practice of Secularism in India Uniform Civil Code Challenges faced by Secularism in India
Geography	Geomorphology Origin & Evolution of Earth Interior of the Earth Distribution of Continents & Oceans Plate Tectonic Theory Distribution of Earthquakes & Volcanoes Rocks & Rock Cycle Hydrological Cycle Seafloor Spreading Ocean Floor Configuration Temperature & Salinity of Oceans Movement of Oceans – Waves, Tides, Currents Climatology Earth’s Atmosphere – Composition & Structure Solar Radiation, Heat Budget & Temperature Atmospheric Circulation & Weather Systems Soil & Soil Contents Process of Soil Formation Soil Forming FactorsTypes of Soils (examples) Land Utilisation Land Use Pattern Types & Distribution – Grasslands, Forests etc. Causes of Depletion Conservation of Forests Marine & Freshwater Water Scarcity & Need For Conservation Types of Farming Cropping Patterns Contribution to Economy, Employment & Output Classification of Minerals – Ferrous & Non-Ferrous Occurrence of Minerals Conservation of Minerals Location & Distribution of the Industries on the Basis of Raw Material, Labour, Market, Capital, Land, Grants & Financial Incentives, Power, Transport, Water, and Communication. Earthquakes Earthquake Waves Shadow Zone Types of Earthquake Tsunami What Causes Tsunami Effect of Tsunami Types of Volcanoes What Causes Volcanoes? Volcanic Landforms Cyclone Tropical Cyclones Anti-Cyclone Extra-Tropical Cyclones Factors Causing Changes in Critical Geographical Features Examples of Changing Geographical Features - Melting of Ice Sheets, Desertification etc. Impact of Changing Geographical Features

How to Prepare for UPSC Mains GS Paper I

For Modern History: Refer to books such as A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir as the History area contains almost 30-35% of GS Paper I. Since more time is invested in preparing for the History part, it is recommended to make short notes during preparation. However, for a more detailed study, you can also refer to History of Modern India by Bipin Chandra (Selective Reading)

To fetch more marks, one should memorize and mention the dates of wars and important events accurately.

For Art & Culture: Also called the ‘Indian Heritage and Culture,’ Art and Culture is roughly 15% of GS Paper I. Indian Art can be classified under three headings, namely Performing Arts, Visual Arts, and Literary Arts. You can also refer to the official website of CCRT India.

Begin the preparation for Art & Culture with the NCERTs to understand the fundamentals and make short notes.

For Indian Society: Apart from the NCERT books for a basic understanding, refer to newspapers (The Hindu/The Indian Express) and the internet for preparing notes on the topics mentioned in the syllabus such as Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.

Read more: What are PrepLadder NCERT Notes?

For Geography: Mastering this area of GS Paper I is an easy task if you start from the very beginning. This approach will help you to understand the basic concepts. Referring to NCERTs is the best way to start the Geography preparation and studying Certificate Physical and Human Geography - G C Leong will yield good results if studied thoroughly. Memorize important terms and definitions related to this section to fetch extra marks.

Recommended Books for Mains GS Paper I Preparation

Indian Art and Culture – Nitin Singhania
Indian Culture and Heritage of NIOS
Mastering Modern World History by Norman Lowe
Old NCERT for Ancient India by R S Sharma
History Of Modern India – Bipan Chandra
NCERT Standard XI -Fundamental of Physical Geography
NCERT Standard XI - Indian Geography
NCERT Standards XII – Human Geography
Understanding Society- NCERT XI

We hope this article will help you prepare seamlessly for the UPSC Mains GS Paper I.

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Raminder Singh

Raminder is a Content Manager at PrepLadder. He has worked in several aspects of the education industry throughout his career and has assisted numerous candidates in cracking major competitive exams.