<Meta description: Explore the detailed UPSC Mains GS Paper 1 syllabus covering Indian culture, history, society, world history, geography & key focus areas for IAS preparation.
General Studies Paper 1 (GS-1) is a crucial part of the UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination (CSE). It focuses on assessing a candidate’s understanding of Indian heritage, history, geography, and society. The topics covered in this paper are vast and multidimensional, requiring both factual knowledge and analytical depth.
Below is the UPSC Mains GS Paper 1 syllabus as officially prescribed by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
(Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society)
- Indian Culture – 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 Industrial Revolution, world wars, Redrawal of National Boundaries, Colonization, Decolonization, political philosophies like Communism, Capitalism, Socialism etc.— their forms and effect on the 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 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.
IAS Mains General Studies – I
The table below mentions the subjects included in UPSC Mains Paper-II which is also called the Mains GS 1 along with NCERT Notes on each subject:
| Topics | Sub-topics |
|---|---|
| Indian Heritage and Culture | Art and culture |
| History | Ancient History |
| Medieval History | |
| Modern History | |
| Post-Independence India | |
| World History | |
| Geography of the World | World and Indian Geography |
| Society | Indian Society |
Focus Areas in Mains General Studies-I
Below are the key focus areas in Mains General Studies Paper-I that every aspirant should concentrate on during their preparation:
| Art and culture | |
|---|---|
| Indian Culture – Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times | |
| Indian Art Forms | Indian PaintingsMural PaintingsMiniature PaintingsMughal, Rajput, Pahari PaintingsDances in IndiaClassical Dance FormsFolk Dance FormsModern DanceMusicClassical MusicFolk MusicPuppetryString PuppetsShadow PuppetsRod PuppetsGlove puppetsModern PuppetryTribal PuppetryPotteryOchre Coloured Pottery(OCP)Black and Red Ware (BRW)Painted Grey Ware (PGW)Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW)Glazed and Unglazed PotteryDrama/TheatreClassical Sanskrit TheatreRegional TheatreModern TheatreMartial ArtsThang TaGatkaKalaripayattuMallakhambSilambamOther Important Martial ArtsVisual ArtSculptures of Harappan CivilizationSculptures of the Mauryan AgePost-Mauryan PeriodJain SculpturesBuddhist SculptureGupta SculptureMedieval School of SculptureModern Indian SculptureBhakti & Sufi MovementsSpread of Bhakti and Sufi MovementsWomen Poets of Bhakti |
| Literature | Classical Sanskrit LiteratureVedas, Upanishads, PuranasBooks written by Kalidasa, Vishakhadatta etcAncient Buddhist LiteratureAncient Jainism LiteratureEarly Dravidian Literature (eg Sangam Period)Medieval LiteratureTrends in Medieval LiteratureModern Indian Literature |
| Architecture | Harappan ArchitectureMauryan ArchitecturePost-Mauryan Period Gupta PeriodTemple ArchitectureNagara StyleDravida StyleVesara StyleCave ArchitectureBuddhist CaveJaina CavesGupta Period CavesMedieval and Indo-Islamic ArchitectureImperial Style Delhi SultanateProvincial StyleMughal StyleSikh Style of ArchitectureRajput ArchitectureSalient featuresColonial Architecture & Modern ArchitectureEuropean InfluenceIndo-Saracenic ArchitecturePost-Independence PeriodContribution of Buddhism & Jainism to the Development of Indian ArchitectureRock Cut ArchitectureSouth IndianWestern IndianEastern Indian |
| Ancient History | |
|---|---|
| Pre-historic | Stone Age Chalcolithic Age Iron Age |
| Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) | Town PlanningHarappan SocietyCharacteristics of Major CentersHarappan Art & ArchitectureDecline of Harappan Culture |
| Vedic Society | Original Home of AryansSocio- Economic Characters of VedicSocietyVedic LiteratureSocial Organization and Varna SystemReligion and Thought |
| Pre-Mauryan Period | Mahajanapadas Haryanka dynasty Shishunaga dynasty Nanda dynasty |
| Jainism and Buddhism | Gautam Buddha Mahavira Growth of Jainism and Buddhism |
| Mauryan Empire | Chandragupta and Bindusara Arthasastra (Book by Kautilya) Megasthenes Asoka and His Successors Asoka’s Inscriptions and Sites Asoka’ a Dhamma Mauryan. Administration, Economy, Society and Art Decline of Maurya |
| Post-Mauryan India | Arrival of Indo-Greeks, Shakas, Parthians & Kushana Satavahanas and Other Indigenous Dynasties Schools of Art: Gandhara; Mathura; Amravati Imperial Guptas Political history of Guptas Gupta Administration Development of Art & Culture Age of Golden age Economic Conditions Urban centres in Gupta periodHarshavardana Sources for Harsha’s Period Early life of Harsha Harsha’s Administration Important Officials of the empire Economy under Harsha Huen Tsang Society Religion The Southern Dynasties Satavahanas (230 BC TO AD 225) Pallavas (AD 330–796) Chalukyas (AD 535–1190) Pandyas of Madurai (AD 590–1323) Chola Dynasty (AD 850–1310) Rashtrakutas (AD 753–973) |
| Medieval History | |
|---|---|
| Delhi Sultanate | Slave (Ghulam) or Mamluk Dynasty Khilji Dynasty Tughlaq dynasty Sayyid Dynasty Lodi dynasty |
| Struggle for Empire in North India (Afghans, Rajputs and Mughals) | |
| Mughals | Babur Humayun Akbar Jahangir Shah Jahan Aurangzeb Later Mughals Decline of Mughal Empire |
| Sur Dynasties | |
| Maratha Empire | |
| Deccan Sultanate | Ahmednagar Sultanate Bijapur Sultanate Berar Sultanate Golconda Sultanate Bidar Sultanate |
| Modern 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 | |
| Important Modern History Events Before 1857 | Later Mughals Regional powers in 18th Century Carnatic Wars Battle of Plassey & Buxar Anglo-Mysore War Anglo Punjab War Socio-economic Condition of People 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 |
| Revolt of 1857 | Causes, Leaders, and Nature of revolt of 1857 Suppression of revolt of 1857 Consequences of Revolt of 1857 Act of Good Governance 1858 |
| 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 Era of Moderates |
| Growth of Militant Nationalism & Revolutionary Activities (1905-1918) | Swadeshi & Boycott Movement Surat Split International Influence Morley – Minto Reforms Growth of Communalism |
| Beginning of Mass Nationalism (1919-1939) | Mahatma Gandhi – His Ideas & Leadership Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms Rowlatt Act, Satyagrah and Jallianwala Bagh Massacre Non-cooperation & Khilafat Movement Swarajists & No-Changers Emergence of New Forces – Socialist Ideas, Youth & Trade Unionism Revolutionary Activity Simon Commission & Nehru Report Civil Disobedience Movement Round Table Conferences 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 Wavell Plan INA & Subhash Chandra Bose Cabinet Mission Nationalist Upsurge Post-World War II Independence with Partition |
| Post-Independence India | |
| Nation Building | Partition and Its AftermathIntegration of Princely StatesLinguistic Regionalism in IndiaReorganisation of StatesIssue of Official LanguageTribal ConsolidationRegional Aspirations |
| Foreign Policy | Non-Aligned MovementPanchsheelWars with Pakistan & ChinaNuclear Policy |
| Economy | Planned DevelopmentGreen Revolution, Operation Flood & CooperativesAgrarian & Land ReformsIndustrial ReformsLPG Reforms |
| Polity | Era of One-Party DominanceEmergence of Opposition PartiesEmergency: Crisis of Democratic OrderRise of Regional PartiesCoalition Era |
| Social | Popular MovementsCommunalismIndian Women Since IndependenceIssue of Women and Evolution of Women MovementNaxalism |
| Post-Independence Policy of Science And Technology | India’s Policy in the Field of the Science and TechnologyImpact of Economic Reform on the Science and Technology in India |
| World History | |
|---|---|
| History of the World will include events from 18th century such as Industrial Revolution, world wars, Redrawal of National Boundaries, Colonization, Decolonization, political philosophies like Communism, Capitalism, Socialism etc.— their forms and effect on the society | |
| Beginning of the Modern World | RenaissanceDiscovery of Sea RoutesReformationCounter ReformationIndustrial RevolutionEuropean Nations Settle North AmericaRise of Slave TradeAmerican War of IndependenceFoundation of American ColoniesThe Independence of United States of AmericaThe American Revolutionary WarWhat was the impact of the American Revolution?US Civil WarImpact of Civil War on USAGlobal Impact of US Civil WarImpact on IndiaFrench RevolutionCausesThe revolution in FranceFrance under NapoleonImpact of revolutionSignificance of revolutionNationalism in EuropeRise of the nation- state systemUnification of ItalyUnification of GermanyRise of Capitalism, Colonialism & ImperialismColonialismThe age of Imperialism (1870-1914)Imperialism in AsiaAnalysis of ColonialismWorld War ICauses of the WarScope & Course of the WarRussian RevolutionMajor events in pre-revolution RussiaCausesCourse of revolutionConsequencesAftermath of the warPost-Lenin RussiaEnd of the War & Peace TreatiesConsequences of the WarLeague of Nations |
| World Between the Two Wars | Europe After the War – Fascism & NazismThe Great DepressionEmergence of Soviet UnionNationalist Movements in Asia & AfricaUS as a Strong Power |
| World War II | Fascist Aggression & Response of Western DemocraciesOutbreak of the WarTheatres of the WarUS Entry into the WarGlobal Nature of the WarThe HolocaustResistance MovementsAfter-effects of the War |
| Decolonialisation & Redrawal of National Boundaries | Europe after World War IICold WarRise of Asia & AfricaDevelopments in West Asia & North AfricaSpread of CommunismKorean WarVietnam WarCuban CrisisCollapse of Soviet Union |
| Concept, Types & Social Impact of Political Philosophies | CommunismCapitalismSocialism |
| Indian Society | |
|---|---|
| Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India | Features of Indian societyDiversity (Types – caste, linguistic, social and religious, race, tribe and ethnicity, culture)Challenges posed by DiversityUnityPluralismUnity in DiversityInequality and ExclusionFamily SystemExamples of above. |
| Role of Women and Women’s Organization | Women’s organizations in Indian historyTypes of women’s organizationsLevel of penetration19th Century Social Reform Movements and Early Women’s Organisations –Agrarian Struggles and RevoltParticipation in Freedom StruggleWomen’s organization (With Examples)Problems faced by women’s organizationsIs a larger vocal role possible and ways to achieve the sameRole of SHGs, Micro finance Institution |
| Population and Associated Issues | Basic Demography of IndiaPopulation Trends in India and their ImplicationsCauses and Effects of Over PopulationChallenges of Population ExplosionChanging Age Structure of Indian PopulationDemogarphic Dividend: Boon or Bane for IndiaPopulation Aging in IndiaIndia’s Population Policy & Initiatives |
| Poverty and Developmental Issues | Concept of Development and PovertyTypes of PovertyMeasurement of Poverty – Poverty LineCauses of PovertyPoverty as a Social ProblemSocio-economic Spread of PovertyConsequences of Poverty –InequalityContinuation of Vicious CycleWho is worst affected by poverty?Problem of Rising Urban PovertyPoverty Alleviation InitiativesPolicy shifts from “Trickle Down” Economics to Inclusive or Pro-poor Development to Reduce PovertyRelation between Poverty Reduction and Development: Poverty-Inequality-Development Nexus |
| Urbanization, their problems and their remedies | Urbanisation Trends in India and Their Implications – Demographic and Social DimensionsFactors Driving UrbanisationState of Service Delivery and Challenges posed by UrbanisationProblems of Urban AreasSocial Consequences of UrbanisationImpact of Urbanisation in Rural AreasUrban Planning and Role of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)Reforms Required and Government Initiatives Taken So FarProblems of Slums |
| Effects of Globalization on Indian society | Understanding Globalisation – Its Different DimensionsGlobalisation & Culture – Homogenisation vs. GlocalisationFactors Driving GlobalisationGlobalisation & IndiaImpact of Globalisation on India – Socio-cultural, economic, on women, agrarian sector etc.Does Globalisation cause Poverty? |
| Social Empowerment | Which are the Socially Disadvantaged Groups?Meaning and concept of social empowermentDimensions of Social EmpowermentWhy do we need social empowerment?Government Initiatives to Aide Social EmpowermentEmpowerment in reality and India’s experience |
| Communalism | Communalism – Its CharacteristicsCommunalism in India in the PastCommunalism in Contemporary IndiaCauses of CommunalismConsequences of CommunalismMeasures to Control & Eradicate CommunalismSecularism as an Antidote to Communalism |
| Regionalism | Concept of Region & RegionalismDifferent Forms of RegionalismRegionalism in IndiaCauses of RegionalismConcept of ‘Sons of Soil’Consequences of RegionalismFederalism & RegionalismRole of Regional PartiesMeasures to Contain RegionalismRegionalism in the International Sphere |
| Secularism | Concept of SecularismIndian Model of SecularismSecularism in IndiaNature & Practice of Secularism in IndiaUniform Civil CodeChallenges faced by Secularism in IndiaMeasures to Make India Truly Secular |
| World and Indian Geography | |
|---|---|
| Salient features of World’s Physical Geography | GeomorphologyOrigin & Evolution of EarthInterior of the EarthDistribution of Continents & OceansPlate Tectonic TheoryDistribution of Earthquakes & VolcanoesRocks & Rock CycleGeomorphic Processes – Endogenic & ExogenicLandforms & their EvolutionGeological Time ScaleOceanographyHydrological CycleSeafloor SpreadingOcean Floor ConfigurationTemperature & Salinity of OceansMovement of Oceans – Waves, Tides, CurrentsClimatologyEarth’s Atmosphere – Composition & StructureSolar Radiation, Heat Budget & TemperatureAtmospheric Circulation & Weather SystemsWorld Climate (examples)Soil GeographySoil & Soil ContentsProcess of Soil FormationSoil Forming FactorsTypes of Soils (examples)Soil Erosion & Conservation |
| Distribution of Key Natural Resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent) | Types of ResourcesOn the Basis of Origin, Ownership, Exhaustability etc.Land ResourcesLand UtilisationLand Use PatternLand Degradation & ConservationForest ResourcesTypes & Distribution – Grasslands, Forests etc.Causes of DepletionConservation of ForestsWater ResourcesMarine & FreshwaterWater Scarcity & Need For ConservationIntegrated Water Resources ManagementAgricultural ResourcesTypes of FarmingCropping PatternsContribution to Economy, Employment & OutputFood SecurityMineral & Energy ResourcesClassification of Minerals – Ferrous & Non-FerrousOccurrence of MineralsConservation of MineralsClassification of Energy Resources – Conventional & Non-ConventionalOccurrence of Energy ResourcesConservation of Energy Resources |
| Factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India) | Classification of IndustriesLocation & Distribution of the Industries on the Basis ofRaw MaterialLabourMarketCapitalLandGrants & Financial IncentivesPowerTransportWaterCommunicationDistribution of Major Industries – Iron & Steel, IT, Cotton TextileAgglomeration & Footloose Industries |
| 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 | EarthquakesWhy Does Earth Shake?Earthquake WavesShadow ZoneTypes of EarthquakeMeasuring EarthquakeEffects of EarthquakeTsunamiWhat Causes TsunamiEffect of TsunamiMitigating the Impact of TsunamiVolcanoesTypes of VolcanoesWhat Causes Volcanoes?Volcanic LandformsIntrusive volcanic LandformsExtrusive Volcanic LandformsDistribution of VolcanoesCycloneTropical CyclonesAnti-CycloneExtra Tropical CyclonesFactors Causing Changes in Critical Geographical FeaturesExamples of Changing Geographical Features – Melting of Ice Sheets, Desertification etc.Impact of Changing Geographical FeaturesPhysical Geography of IndiaPhysiography of IndiaDrainage SystemClimateSoils in IndiaNatural VegetationHuman GeographyDemographyUrbanizationCensusEconomic GeographyAgricultureMineral resourceEnergy resourcesIndustryTransport and Communication |
