The four general studies paper of the UPSC Mains exam plays a crucial part in securing a high rank in the civil services examination. Each of the four GS papers carries 250 marks with a total of 1000 marks out of the aggregate 1750 marks for the written part of the mains. Hence, the candidates’ need to put their best effort in preparing for the GS Papers to meet the demand of the questions asked in the UPSC Mains Exam. Though the UPSC Mains Syllabus is defined and clear yet the questions set in the mains exam are vague though there are some questions from the defined syllabus. So, all a candidate need is to prepare to meet the needs of the ambiguous questions and which they can achieve only with conceptual clarity and an aptness to correlate the issues in the news or the current affairs with the concepts of the syllabus.

Preparation for General Studies Papers of UPSC Mains

A note before starting the general studies papers preparation, candidates should know the instruction given by the UPSC, which says,

“The main Examination is intended to assess the overall intellectual traits and depth of understanding of candidates rather than merely the range of their information and memory”.

Candidates should plan in such a way or should devise an efficient and systematic plan for General Studies’ papers that covers the Essay Paper and Personality Test/Interview indirectly.

The first step in the General Studies Papers Preparation is to know the UPSC Mains Syllabus thoroughly and well prepared with the UPSC previous years’ question papers by solving them.

Candidates’ need not master a large volume of information but all they have to do is learn the subjects selectively along with an analytical approach.

They should be able to classify the syllabus as the dynamic and static part and a knack to compare and correlate ideas with each other.

The Current Affairs plays a vital role in the UPSC Mains Exam similar to the prelims exam but descriptive in nature unlike the latter. 

Candidates should stay updated with the day-to-day happenings both national and international importance and recommended sources for this is The Hindu newspaper, AIR, YOJANA, PIB etc. One should watch for the news that hits the newspaper frequently and

The Aspirants as beginners can also take IAS Coaching classes to get an idea of how to prepare for the General Studies papers. One should also keep in mind that not all the coaching classes cover everything under current affairs section; hence candidates’ should also make a habit to read the newspaper and make their own current affairs notes.

Candidates can refer our Comprehensive News Analysis for UPSC Current Affairs.

The Civil Services Examination scheme mentioned in the UPSC Notification clearly states that 

The nature and standard of questions in the General Studies papers will be such that a well-educated person will be able to answer them without any specialised study. The questions will be such as to test a candidate’s general awareness of a variety of subjects, which will have relevance for a career in Civil Services. The questions are likely to test the candidate’s basic understanding of all relevant issues, and ability to analyse, and take a view on conflicting socio- economic goals, objectives and demands. The candidates must give relevant, meaningful and succinct answers.”

Candidates should prepare with an objective to meet the expectation of the examiner and answer the questions as indicated by the commission.