Top 5 Must-Scoring GS Topics for Prelims - Testbook

For anyone preparing for the Civil Services Preliminary Examination conducted by the UPSC , mastering General Studies (GS) is a decisive step towards success. The weightage of the GS paper in the preliminary round is significant, hence comprehensive understanding of all aspects of General Studies is imperative.

To optimise your preparation, Civil Service aspirants must pay attention to the key issues and events of the previous year - in essence, Current Affairs. The traditional subjects such as History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment and Ecology form a substantial part of the GS Paper in the Civil Services Preliminary Examination, accounting for more than 120 marks.

This article aims to guide aspirants in devising their preparation strategy for the UPSC exam.

Combining a comprehensive understanding of the core subjects with a thorough coverage of current affairs, ensures a smooth transition to the Mains level of the examination. Now that we have identified the vital topics for the Prelims paper, let's delve into some of the essential sources and books to refer to for the Civil Services Prelims examination.

The Role of Current Affairs

• Current Affairs often play a pivotal role in shaping the nature of questions in both the Prelims and Mains Examination. For instance, the recent crisis in Yemen had a profound impact on the Indian diaspora living in the region.
• The ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, which has been a global concern for several years, has received extensive coverage due to the escalating tensions between the two nations.

How does the UPSC frame these questions in the Prelims Exam?

• The UPSC poses map-based questions in the Civil Services Preliminary Examination, focusing on the regions where these conflicts have taken place. These questions can be easily tackled if one has a thorough knowledge of the geographical aspects of these regions and their neighbouring countries.
• Along with articles from leading newspapers like The Hindu and The Indian Express, aspirants are advised to refer to resources such as the Economic Survey and the India Year Book.
• Many questions in the IAS Prelims Examination can be easily solved by paying close attention to the significant points highlighted in these sources.

With comprehensive coverage of the GS syllabus, current affairs, daily news analysis, and more, students can effectively grasp the entire GS syllabus. Weekly current affairs videos further align an aspirant’s preparation efforts with the examination.

Candidates can further enhance their UPSC exam preparation by exploring the links provided below-