Ancient History of India

Prehistoric cultures in India

Indus Valley Civilization. Origins- the different phases- society, economy, and
culture- Contacts with other cultures- factors lead to the decline.
Geographical distribution and characteristics of pastoral and farming society.
Vedic society-Vedic texts- change from Rigvedic to later Vedic phases.
Vedic society Religion- Upanishad thought-Political and social organisation, the
evolution of the Varna system and monarchy.
Formation of the State and urbanisation, from the Mahajanapadas to the Nandas.
Buddhism and Jainism- Factors for the spread of Buddhism.
The Mauryan Empire- Chandragupta and Megasthenes.
Ashoka and his inscriptions, his dhamma, culture, administration, and art
Society of Post-Mauryan India, BC 200- AD 300- Evolution of Jatis.
The Satavahanas and formation of the state in the Peninsula.
Sangam texts and society.
Indo-Greeks, Sakas, Parthians, Kushans, Kanishka-Contacts with the outer world.
Different Religion- Bhagavatism, Shaivism, Mahayana Buddhism and Hinayana, Jainism
and Culture and art.
The Guptas and their descendants.
Literature Science, Arts, Economy, and society -Modification in the political
organisation of empire.
Medieval Indian History

Early Medieval India. Major dynasties; Political and Agrarian organisation. Status
of women, Extent of social mobility. The Arabs in Sind and the Ghaznavids.
Cultural trends, 750-1200, Religious circumstances: the significance of temples and
monastic institutions; Sankaracharya; Islam; Sufism. Art and architecture.
Literature and Science.
13th and 14th Centuries: Ghorian invasions reasons and consequences. Delhi
Sultanate under the Slave Rulers. Aladdin Khalji: invasion; administrative,
agrarian and economic measures. Muhammad Tughlug’s innovations. Firuz Tughluq and
the decline of the Delhi Sultanate. Development of urbanisation and commerce.
Spiritual movements in Hinduism and Islam. Literature. Architecture, Technological
changes.
The 15th and early 16th Century: Key Provincial dynasties; Vijayanagara Empire. The
Lodhis, First stage of the Mughal Empire: The Sur Empire and administration.
Monotheistic movements: Kabir; Guru Nanak and Sikhism; Bhakti. The spread of
regional literature. Art and Culture.
The Mughal Empire, Akbar: invasion, administrative measures, Policy of Sulh-I-Kul.
Jagir and Mansab systems; Jahangir, Shahjahan, and Aurangzeb: extension of Mughal
empire in the Deccan; religious policies. Shivaji. Persian and regional literature.
Religious idea: Abul Fazl; Maharashtra dharma. Architecture. Painting. Economy:
state of affairs of peasants and artisans, escalation in trade; trade with Europe.
Social stratification and position of women.
The decline of the Mughal Empire, Reason behind the decline. Maratha power under
the Peshwas. The Afghans. Regional states. Most important components of composite
culture. Sawai Jai Singh, astronomer. The rise of the Urdu language.
Modern India -Indian National Movement

British extension: The Carnatic Wars, invasion of Bengal. Mysore and its
confrontation to British expansion: The three Anglo-Maratha Wars. Regulating and
Pitt’s India Acts. Early composition of the British raj.
Economic Impact of the British Raj: land revenue settlements like Zamindari,
Ryotwari, Mahalwari; Deindustrialisation; Railways and commercialisation of
agriculture; increase of landless labour.
Cultural encounter and social changes: the inception of western education and
modern thoughts. Indian Renaissance, religious and social reform movements; Social
reforms events before 1857. Development of Indian middle class; the vernacular
press and its effects: the rise of modern literature in Indian languages.
Confrontation to British rule: Early uprisings; The 1857 Revolt-reasons, character,
course and result.
Indian Freedom struggle the first stage: Growth of national consciousness; creation
of Associations; Establishment of the Indian National Congress and its Moderate
stage; Swadeshi Movement; Economic Nationalism; The development of Extremism and
the split in Congress; The policy of Divide and Rule; Congress-League Pact of 1916.
Gandhian thoughts and techniques of mass mobilisation- Civil Disobedience, the
Khilafat movement, Non-Cooperation Movement, and Quit India Movement; another
strand in the National Movement-Revolutionaries, Subhash Chandra Bose, and the
Indian National Army.
Separatist movements in Indian politics- the Hindu Mahasabha and the Muslim League;
Partition and Independence; The post -1945 developments.
India independent to 1964. A parliamentary, democratic, secular. Jawaharlal Nehru’s
vision, Foreign policy of Non-alignment, Planning and state-controlled
industrialisation. Agrarian modification.
The art, culture and architecture in the ancient and medieval times are quite
crucial from the IAS exam perspective, although it isn’t explicitly mentioned in
the syllabus for UPSC Prelims.

As History portion overlaps in UPSC Syllabus for Prelims and Mains, aspirants
should make notes keeping in mind the descriptive nature of questions in IAS Mains,
and practice MCQs for Prelims.

Important links related to UPSC Prelims Syllabus for History:

Check out the UPSC Mains syllabus for General Studies

Some tips, tricks and infographics for History portion of UPSC Prelims
UPSC mains optional History Syllabus
UPSC Prelims Syllabus – Indian and World Geography
As per the UPSC Prelims Syllabus, Geography portion comprises Physical, Social,
Economic Geography of India and the World. Similar to History, Geography is a vast
subject with an overlap in both UPSC syllabus for Prelims and Mains. Also,
Geography is an optional subject choice in IAS Mains.

Indian Geography

The basic idea about India

Location, latitude, longitude, time zone,
Neighbouring countries
States and its position and the states on International boundaries
Important straits
Physical features of India
The Himalayas
Geological Formation
Physiographic divisions
Climate, Vegetation, Soil and Biodiversity
Major passes
Significance
Recent issues
The Great North Indian plains
Geological Formation
Physiographic divisions
Climate, Vegetation, Soil and Biodiversity
Significance
Peninsular Plateau
Geological formation
Deccan plateau
Central Highlands
Western and Eastern Ghats
Socio-economic issues related
Indian Desert
Coastal plains and Islands
River systems – Characteristics, comparison and significance
Himalayan rivers
Peninsular rivers
River basins
Hydro-Power projects, Power plants and Major Dams
Regional development and planning
West flowing and east-flowing rivers
Interlinking of rivers
Climate in India
Monsoon
Driving mechanism
Effects of La-Nino and El-Nino
Recent theories
Season of India
Cyclones
Mineral and industries
Distribution of minerals
Industrial policies
Location factors
Issues and challenges of the industries
Industrial clusters
Agriculture and Allied-characteristics and Problems
Land utilisation
Types of agriculture practices
Soils and Crops
Trends agriculture (Green revolution )
Irrigation
Major irrigation projects
Land reforms
Government policies and schemes
Animal husbandry (livestock resources)
Natural vegetation and fauna- Characteristics, importance, comparison and
significance
Classification of natural vegetation
Rainfall distribution
Wildlife sanctuaries
National Forest Policy
Biosphere reserve
National parks
Environmental issues
Red-listed species (in recent news)
Economic infrastructure
Transportation,
Road(National Highways)- Rail- Air- Water(Major inland waterways) and its
Significance
Power and energy sector
Sources of conventional and non-conventional energy
Energy conservation and crisis
Recent developments
Human Geography
Demographics
Recent census- 2011
World Geography & Physical Geography

Universe
Theories related to Solar System
Theories related to the formation of the universe
Recent updates on the same
The basic idea about Earth
The motion of the Earth – Rotation and Revolution
Latitudes and Longitudes
The inclination of the Earth’s Axis – effect on seasons
Solar Eclipse, Lunar Eclipse and Tides and their significance
Geomorphology
Earth’s movement (exo-genetic and endo-genetic)
Earthquakes, volcanic activity
The basic idea about Continental Drift Theory, Plate Tectonics Theory, Sea Floor
Spreading
Interior of the earth
lithosphere
Interaction of lithosphere with other spheres
Boundaries and composition
Mass Movements of landforms, erosion and deposits
Basic information about geographical landforms and their significance
Rock system and Classification of Rocks
Climatology
Structure and composition of the atmosphere
Factors controlling the temperature distribution
Insolation and terrestrial radiation
Heat budget
Global warming and ozone layer
Humidity and condensation
Clouds
Classification of clouds
Precipitation
Precipitation mechanism
Different types and forms of precipitation
Pressure belts
Atmospheric circulation
Winds
Planetary Winds
Seasonal and Local Winds
Cyclones Tropical and Temperate cyclone
Formation of cyclone, characteristics and impact
Jet streams
Various atmospheric phenomenon
The hydrosphere
Bottom relief of ocean
Salinity and temp variation
Ocean Currents
Ocean deposit
Ocean resources
Recent issues and development with ref to oceanography- Eg: UNCLOS
Biosphere
Major Biomes
Flora and fauna
International organisation for biodiversity
Conservation of Biodiversity
Recent issues
Economic geography
Map work
Places in News
Note – Part of Geography portion and Environmental Ecology overlap in the syllabus
of UPSC Prelims.
Important links related to UPSC Prelims Syllabus for Geography:

UPSC Mains optional Geography Syllabus

Video lecture on understanding Geography and IR through Maps
UPSC Prelims Syllabus – Indian Polity and Governance
As per the UPSC Prelims Syllabus, Polity portion comprises Constitution, Political
System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc. Polity has a lot of
static and dynamic elements, and it has an overlap with the syllabus of UPSC
Prelims and Mains.

Indian Polity and Governance

Preamble
Features of preamble
42nd Amendment
Swaran Singh committee
Schedules
The basic idea about 12 schedules
Constitution of India
The basic idea about All articles
Historical Background
Drafting committee and the making of the Constitution
Influence of other constitutions
Its salient features
Union and its Territory
The basic idea about Article 1-4
State reorganisation and different Commissions
Federal nature
Recent issues
Citizenship
The basic idea about Article 5-11
PIO, NRI, OCI and Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
Privileges available for Indian citizens and foreigners
Citizenship Amendment Act of 2016
New policies, schemes and recent changes in voting.
Fundamental Rights (FR)
The basic idea about Article 12-35
A thorough understanding of Articles 14- 30 and Art. 32
Rights and privileges available to citizens of India only and both to citizens and
foreigners
44th amendment act
Different types of Writs
Enforcement and Exceptional cases with regard to FR’s
RTE and recent issues related to FR
Fundamental Duties(FD)
Article 51A
Difference between FR and FD
Significance and Criticism
Enforcement of FD’s
Recent issues about FD
Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)
The basic idea about Article and Article 36-51 and Article 368
Sources and key features of DPSP
Classification of DPSP
Comparison/ conflicts between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles
Keshavananda Bharathi, Minerva Mills, Golaknath Case, Maneka Gandhi case.
Important Amendments- 42nd Amendment, 44th Amendment, and 97th amendment
Union
The basic idea about Article 52-73
Qualification and Election
Function and Powers- (Executive, Legislative, Financial, Judicial, Diplomatic,
Military and Emergency Powers)
Resignation and impeachment
Role and responsibilities and relationship with Prime minister, Council of
Minister, Cabinet ministers.
Prime minister and council of ministers- Basic idea about Article 74-75
Powers and Functions
Council of ministers
Resignation and Removal
Attorney general
Parliament
The basic idea about article related
Role and functions of the Parliament
Sessions, Motions, Parliamentary procedure – Summoning, Prorogation, Joint Sitting
Parliamentary proceedings like Question Hour, Zero Hour, and Adjournment Motion,
etc.
Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha,
Special powers of Rajya Sabha
Anti-defection law and 10th schedule
Parliamentary Privileges
Bill and lawmaking procedure
Budget, funds and it’s summary
Parliamentary Committees
Judiciary
The basic idea about article related to the judiciary.
Powers of Supreme court and high court
Qualification and appointment
Removal procedure
Recent controversy, verdicts, and constitutional provisions.
State Government- State Executive
Governor- appointment, removal and special powers.
Executive, Legislative, Financial, Judicial powers and discretionary of the
governor
7th constitutional amendment
Chief minister and council of ministers
Power of chief minister
State Legislature
State legislature compared to the Parliament with regard to composition, powers,
and functions.
Bicameral legislatures
Creation and abolition of the Legislative councils
Administration of Union Territories (UT)
Special provision for Delhi
Administration and jurisdiction in UT’s
Administration of Special Areas
Basic idea about 5thSchedule 6th Schedule
Recent issues related to Administration of Special Areas
Special provision for Jammu and Kashmir-Article 370
Difference between constitutional provisions related to Jammu and Kashmir
Emergency Provisions
National emergency- Article 352
President’s rule or State emergency- Article 356
Financial emergency- Article 360
44th amendment act
Effects and implications of emergency
Role of President in emergency time
The State of FR, Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha
Revoking emergency
State- centre and interstate relations
The basic idea about Articles 262 and 263
Composition and functions of Interstate council and Zonal council
Inter-State trade and Commerce
Recent disputes between states, controversies etc
New policies or schemes which impact interstate relations
Panchayati Raj and municipalities
Elections, auditing, powers and authority of panchayats
3 tier structure
73rd Amendment Act and the 74th Amendment Act
Relation with FR and DPSP
Schemes introduced
Metropolitan planning committee and urban development
Reservation
Constitution Bodies
Election Commission
UPSC
SPSC
JPSC
Finance Commission
National Commission for SCs and ST’s,
Composition, Powers and functions, Removal of the Constitutional bodies
Non-Constitutional Bodies
The basic idea about Composition, Functions, Working of the Non-Constitutional
bodies such as National Human Rights Commission, Central Information Commission,
Central Vigilance Commission, Central Bureau of Investigation, State Human Rights
Commission, State Information Commission, etc.
Tribunals
The basic idea about Article 323A and tribunals under Article 323B
Recent controversial issues related to tribunals
Different tribunals and importance
Special Provisions for SCs, STs, Backward Classes, Minorities and Anglo-Indians
Privileges and right issued to SC’s, ST’s, Backward Classes, Minorities and Anglo-
Indians
Issues related to vulnerable sections like women, child, SC’s, ST’s, Backward
Classes, Minorities and Anglo-Indians
Current affairs
Recent issues related to above-mentioned categories
Important schemes, programs, missions, laws, and policies launched by the
government.
Recent Government Bills and Governance- Actions
Important links related to UPSC Prelims Syllabus for Polity:

Polity preparation strategy for UPSC Prelims

Indian Polity syllabus for UPSC Mains GS II
UPSC Prelims Syllabus – Indian Economy
The UPSC Syllabus for Prelims mentions the broad topic Economic and Social
Development, which includes Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion,
Demographics, Social Sector initiatives, etc. While Indian Economy portion is
common to the syllabus of UPSC Prelims and Mains, Economics is also an Optional
Subject in the UPSC Mains.

For UPSC Prelims, the focus should be on current affairs related to the Indian
Economy and basic concepts.

Economic and Social Development

Economic growth and development – basic concept and definition of Economy and
economics, uses and transfer of resources, distributive effects, macro and
microeconomic policy, micro-macro balance, distributive impact of economic
policies, development versus growth, determinant of growth and development,
concepts such as HPI/MPI, HDI, PQLI, GEM, GDI/GII, TAI, Green index, sustainable
development, India’s ranking in the various indices.
Poverty – definitions, causes, distribution-deprivation, income versus calories,
measurement of poverty, the status of poverty, eradication programmes, poverty and
resource policy, tribal rights and issues, livelihood mission.
Inclusion – definition, relevance, types, financial inclusion, recent initiatives.
Demographics – census data, populations by gender, by state, by age group, socio-
economic status, caste, religion, literacy levels, etc. Trends in human development
– interstate comparison, etc.
Fiscal policy – definition, component, receipts, revenue and capital account, tax
revenue, expenditure, budget.
Important links related to UPSC Prelims syllabus for Indian Economy

UPSC Mains optional Economics syllabus

Union Budget 2021
UPSC Prelims Syllabus – General Science
In UPSC civil services prelims syllabus, candidates should not spend a lot of time
preparing General Science from theory books as most questions come from
topics/issues in the news. However, some focus areas as a comprehensive reference
are given below.

You can also get some tips for general science preparation for IAS here.

Universe – Big Bang, Redshift, Blueshift

Star Formation – Stellar Evolution, Life Cycle of A Star
Solar System Formation – Nebular Theory of Laplace
Solar System – Planets, Inner Planets, Outer Planets
Sun – Internal Structure, Atmosphere
Nuclear Fission, Nuclear Reactor Types
India’s Three-Stage Nuclear Power Programme
Cell Organelles – Plant Cell vs Animal Cell
Carbohydrates – Monosaccharides, Polysaccharides
Proteins – Amino Acids, Enzymes
Vitamins and Minerals – Deficiency Diseases
Fats – Healthy Fats and Unhealthy Fats
Animal Tissues – Epithelium, Connective Tissues
Human Digestive System – Digestive Glands
Respiratory System – NCERT General Science
Endocrine Glands and Hormones
Human Neural System – Human Brain
Muscular and Skeletal System
Nucleic acids – DNA and RNA, Recombinant DNA
Mitosis – Cell Cycle, Cell Division, Meiosis – Mitosis – Meiosis Comparison
Inheritance – Mendel’s Laws of Inheritance, Chromosomal Theory, Human Genome
Project
Sex Determination – Genetic Disorders
Diseases Caused by Microorganisms
Microbes in Human Welfare – Useful Microbes
Immunity – Human Immune System
AIDS, Cancer – causes
Drugs and Alcohol Abuse
Diseases – Acute, Chronic, Communicable Diseases
Blood – Blood Groups – Formed Elements
Circulatory System, Double Circulation
Excretory System – Kidney, Urine Formation
Origin and Evolution of Life on Earth
Biological Classification
Five Kingdom Classifications of Plants and Animals
Plant Parts and Their Functions
Plant Kingdom – Halophytes, Bryophytes
Plants with Seeds – Gymnosperms and Angiosperms
Plant Tissue – Simple, Complex Permanent Tissue
Plant Nutrition – Photosynthesis, Nitrogen Cycle, Fixation
Sexual and Asexual Reproduction in Plants
Classification of Animal Kingdom (Animalia)
Classification of Vertebrata (Phylum Chordata)
Human Reproductive System
Biotechnology – Genetic Engineering – Processes and Applications
Atomic Theory – Structure of an Atom