IAS Prelims Exam 2020: Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Previous Papers, Books and Toppers Strategy

5 years ago

IAS Prelims Exam 2020

The first stage of the UPSC Civil Services 2020 is to qualify the IAS Prelims Exam. As per the UPSC Civil Services Notification 2020, the IAS Prelims exam will be held on 31st May 2020. IAS Prelims is considered as the toughest exam at all India level due to its lowest selection ratio. IAS Prelims exam is qualifying in nature; it is like a screening test for candidates to get selected for IAS Mains 2020 exam. Candidates need to obtain at least 33% mark to pass the Prelims exam. The UPSC sets IAS Prelims question paper in two parts for General Ability Test (GAT) and the Civil Service Aptitude Test (CSAT). Both the papers are compulsory.

In IAS Prelims exam, questions are asked in Objective Multiple Choice format. Candidates need to choose the most appropriate option as answer out of the available four options. The question paper is set in bilingual mode – English and Hindi. The Exam Pattern and Syllabus of IAS Prelims exam is very vast. Only right strategy and reliable study material can help a candidate in qualifying the Prelims and sit for Mains exam.

Lakhs of candidates appear for the IAS Prelims Exam every year and the number of applicants keep on increasing year by year. In such a high competition, it is suggested that IAS aspirants should prepare well for the exam. Go through IAS Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Best Preparation Books and Topper Strategy below and start your preparations now.

UPSC IAS Notification 2020

IAS Prelims Exam Syllabus 2020

Detailed below is the new syllabus and pattern of the Preliminary Examination, which is brought to the notice of the prospective candidates intending to appear at the Civil Services Examination (CSE)

Syllabus for IAS Prelims (UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Exam) Paper 1
Total Marks: 200 marks
Duration: Two hours
Questions: 100
Question Type: Objective

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, Bio-diversity and Climate Change - that do not require subject specialization
General Science

Syllabus for IAS Prelims 2020 (UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Exam) Paper 2
Total Marks: 200 marks
Duration: Two hours
Questions: 100
Question Type: Objective

Communication skills
Logical reasoning and analytical ability
Decision making and problem solving
Basic numeracy (Class 10 Level)
Data Interpretation (Class 10 Level)
English language comprehension skills (Class 10 Level)

Important topics for IAS Prelims Exam 2020

IAS Prelims Exam Pattern 2020

The IAS Preliminary Exam or IAS Prelims is a one day exam conducted in two sessions. The IAS Preliminary Exam stage consists of two papers- General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II. General Studies Paper I consists of 100 questions of 2 marks each which is to be answered in 2 hours. The syllabus for Paper I can be found here.

General Studies Paper II consists of 80 questions of 2.5 marks each which is to be answered in 2 hours. The syllabus for General Studies Paper II can be found here.

For each question for which a wrong answer is given by the candidate, one-third of the marks assigned to that question are deducted as penalty. If a candidate gives more than one answer it is treated as wrong answer. If a question is left blank, there is no penalty for that question.

The question papers are designed both in English and Hindi. There is sectional cut off for both the papers.

IAS Prelims Exam- Eligibility conditions

The age limit for IAS Exam will be changed. The Niti aayog has given its recommendations to reduce the UPSC Age limit to 27 years by the year 2023. Niti Aayog also recommended that it should be done in a phased manner, not in only one year. This was the reiteration of the Second ARC recommendations. The 2^nd ARC recommended reducing the IAS age limit from 30 years to 27 years. However, later, UPSC has increased the age limit for the general category candidates to 32 years. So, presently the IAS age limit is 32 years for the General Category candidates.

Other Eligibility Conditions

IAS Exam 2020 Dates Notified by the UPSC

Date of Notification: 12 February 2020
Last Date to apply: 3 March 2020
IAS Prelims (CSAT) Exam Date : 31 May 2020
Civil Services Main Exam 2020: 18 September 2020

Best Books for IAS Prelims Exam

Details of Posts
Indian Administrative Service.
Indian Foreign Service.
Indian Police Service.
Indian P & T Accounts & Finance Service, Group ‘A’.
Indian Audit and Accounts Service, Group ‘A’.
Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Central Excise), Group ‘A’.
Indian Defence Accounts Service, Group ‘A’.
Indian Revenue Service (I.T.), Group ‘A’.
Indian Ordnance Factories Service, Group ‘A’ (Assistant Works Manager,Administration).
Indian Postal Service, Group ‘A’.
Indian Civil Accounts Service, Group ‘A’.
Indian Railway Traffic Service, Group ‘A’.
Indian Railway Accounts Service, Group 'A'.
Indian Railway Personnel Service, Group ‘A’.
Post of Assistant Security Commissioner in Railway Protection Force, Group ‘A’
Indian Defence Estates Service, Group ‘A’.
Indian Information Service (Junior Grade), Group ‘A’.
Indian Trade Service, Group 'A' (Gr. III).
Indian Corporate Law Service, Group "A".
Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service, Group ‘B’ (Section Officer’s Grade).
Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Civil Service, Group 'B'.
Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Police Service, Group 'B'.
Pondicherry Civil Service, Group 'B'.
Pondicherry Police Service, Group 'B'.

IAS Exam Process

UPSC IAS Eligibility Criteria for IAS Prelims Exam 2020

Educational Qualification

The candidate must hold a degree of any of Universities incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India or other educational institutions established by an Act of Parliament or declared to be deemed as a University under Section-3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956, or possess an equivalent qualification.

How to Apply in IAS Exam
Candidates are required to apply Online by using the website http://www.upsconline.nic.in on or before 3 March 2020.

Complete IAS Prelims Study Material

IAS Prelims Papers and Answer Key

IAS Prelims 2019 GS Paper I

IAS Prelims 2019 GS Paper II(CSAT)

IAS Prelims 2018 GS Paper I

IAS Prelims 2018 GS Paper II(CSAT)

IAS Prelims 2017 GS Paper I

IAS Prelims 2017 GS Paper II (CSAT)

UPSC IAS Prelims 2016 General Studies:Answer Key
UPSC IAS Prelims 2016 General Studies Paper II (CSAT): Answer Key

UPSC IAS Prelims 2015 General Studies:Answer Key
UPSC IAS Prelims 2015 General Studies Paper II (CSAT): Answer Key
IAS Prelims 2014 General Studies II CSAT Answer Key
IAS Prelims 2014: General Studies I: Answer Key

UPSC IAS Prelims Question Papers
UPSC IAS Prelims General Studies Solved Papers Online Test Package
IAS Prelims 2014: General Studies Paper I: Solution with Explanation
IAS Prelims 2013 Paper 1: Solved Question Paper
IAS Prelims 2014: General Studies Paper II CSAT: Solution with Explanation
IAS Prelims 2013 Paper 2(CSAT): Solved Question Paper
IAS Prelims 2012 General Studies Paper I Solved Question Paper
Solved GS Paper-1 of IAS Prelims 2012
IAS Prelims 2012 General Studies Paper II (CSAT) : Solved Question Paper
IAS CSAT 2011 Solved Paper (General Studies- II)
IAS CSAT Question Paper 2011 (General Studies II)
IAS Prelims General Studies Solved Question Paper 2007
IAS Prelims General Studies Solved Question Paper 2008
IAS Prelims Question Paper 2011 Solved
IAS Prelims General Studies Solved Question Paper 2009
IAS Prelims General Studies Solved Question Paper 2010
IAS Prelims General Studies Solved Question Paper I of 2011