Nidhi
Anvi Staff answered 6 months ago
The Indian Administrative Service (IAS) examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) covers a wide range of subjects, both in the Preliminary and Main examinations.
Here are the main subjects along with brief details about each and their syllabus:
General Studies (GS):
Details: General Studies is a comprehensive subject covering various aspects of Indian society, governance, history, geography, polity, economy, environment, science, and current affairs. It forms the backbone of the IAS examination.
Syllabus: The syllabus includes topics such as Indian History, Indian and World Geography, Indian Polity and Governance, Economic and Social Development, Environmental Ecology, General Science, and Current Events of National and International Importance.
Optional Subjects:
Candidates are required to choose one optional subject for the Main Examination from a list provided by the UPSC. The syllabus for each optional subject varies based on the discipline chosen by the candidate.
Here are some popular optional subjects along with brief details about each:
Public Administration:
Details: Public Administration deals with the study of administrative systems, bureaucracy, governance, public policy, and public sector management.
Syllabus: The syllabus includes topics such as Evolution of Indian Administration, Administrative Thinkers, Comparative Public Administration, Development Administration, Public Policy, Personnel Administration, Financial Administration, and Ethics in Public Administration.
Geography:
Details: Geography covers physical, human, and economic geography along with topics like geomorphology, climatology, oceanography, and environmental geography.
Syllabus: The syllabus includes topics such as Physical Geography, Human Geography, Economic Geography, Regional Planning, and Geographical Thought.
History:
Details: History covers ancient, medieval, modern, and world history along with the cultural, social, and economic aspects of historical events.
Syllabus: The syllabus includes topics such as Ancient and Medieval Indian History, Modern Indian History, World History, Post-Independence Indian History, and Indian Culture.
Political Science and International Relations (PSIR):
Details: PSIR covers political theory, comparative politics, Indian government and politics, international relations, and political ideologies.
Syllabus: The syllabus includes topics such as Political Theory and Indian Political Thought, Comparative Politics and International Relations, Indian Government and Politics, and Globalization.
Economics:
Details: Economics covers microeconomics, macroeconomics, Indian economy, international economics, and economic development.
Syllabus: The syllabus includes topics such as Microeconomic Theory, Macroeconomic Theory, Indian Economy, Development Economics, International Economics, and Environmental Economics.
These are just a few examples of optional subjects available for the IAS examination. Candidates should choose an optional subject based on their interest, background, and preparation strategy. The syllabus for each optional subject is provided by the UPSC and should be referred to for detailed information.
Sameer Staff answered 6 months ago
The Indian Administrative Service (IAS) exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) covers a wide range of subjects, and there isn’t one single “main subject” as such. However, if we were to identify the most crucial subject that forms the backbone of the IAS exam, it would be General Studies (GS).
General Studies is a comprehensive subject that encompasses various disciplines and topics relevant to the Indian administrative system, governance, society, economy, environment, science, and technology. It consists of multiple papers in both the Preliminary Examination and the Main Examination.
In the Preliminary Examination, candidates are tested on their knowledge of General Studies through two papers:
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- General Studies Paper I: This paper covers subjects such as Indian History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, Science and Technology, and Current Affairs.
- General Studies Paper II (Civil Services Aptitude Test – CSAT): This paper evaluates candidates’ comprehension, interpersonal skills, communication, logical reasoning, analytical ability, decision-making, problem-solving, and basic numeracy skills.
In the Main Examination, General Studies remains a significant component with multiple papers covering various aspects of Indian and world affairs. These papers include topics like Indian History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, Science and Technology, Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude.
While General Studies is a critical subject in the IAS exam, candidates are also required to choose an optional subject for the Main Examination. The choice of the optional subject is crucial as it allows candidates to specialize in a particular area of interest or expertise. The optional subject also carries significant weightage in the Main Examination, contributing to a candidate’s overall score.
Therefore, while General Studies can be considered the primary subject in the IAS exam due to its comprehensive nature and coverage, candidates must also pay close attention to their optional subject choice and preparation to maximize their chances of success.