UPSC Notes
Welcome to our dedicated platform for UPSC aspirants, where we simplify your civil services journey with high-quality UPSC notes and a detailed look at the UPSC Syllabus. Whether you’re starting out or refining your strategy, our blog offers structured, exam-focused study material.
Preparing for the Civil Services Exam requires more than hard work—it demands the right guidance. At 99Notes, our UPSC Notes are crafted by experts to match the latest exam trends, covering the entire syllabus with precision.
Get topic-wise, exam-ready content that includes both static and current affairs. With clear explanations, regular updates, and structured formats, 99Notes UPSC Notes help you study smarter and stay ahead in your preparation.
General Studies Syllabus for UPSC Civil Service Exam:
The General Studies in UPSC forms the backbone of both the Prelims and Mains stages. Covering key areas like governance, economy, society, environment, and international affairs, the GS syllabus is designed to assess your awareness, critical thinking, and analytical skills.
But it’s more than just theory. General Studies helps you understand and articulate real-world issues—an essential skill for writing impactful essays, tackling ethics questions, and performing well in the UPSC interview.
Building a strong foundation in GS subjects not only boosts your exam performance but also shapes you into a thoughtful, informed, and future-ready administrator.
General Studies Subjects for UPSC:
|
General Studies |
Subjects |
|---|---|
|
GS 1
|
|
General Studies Weightage in Mains Exam:
The UPSC Mains includes four GS papers , each carrying 250 marks , totaling 1000 marks , making them a decisive component in your final merit. Here's a breakdown:
|
General Studies |
Weightage |
Importance |
|---|---|---|
|
General Studies 1 |
250 Marks |
Builds your foundational understanding of India’s past and its socio-cultural structure. |
|
General Studies 2 |
250 Marks |
Tests your understanding of India's constitutional setup, governance challenges, and international affairs — vital for a future civil servant. |
|
General Studies 3 |
250 Marks |
Highly dynamic; demands strong command over current affairs. Also evaluates decision-making and problem-solving in real-life economic and security scenarios. |
|
General Studies 4 |
250 Marks |
Evaluates your moral compass, values, and attitude as a public servant. This paper is qualitative in nature and can become a major differentiator in final ranking. |
Resources for UPSC Exam Preparation:
There are various sources for UPSC Exam preparation, varying from NCERT Textbooks to Newspaper and Magazines. Here's how you should portion your resources with right guidance:
List of UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE) Toppers from 2020 to 2024
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YEAR |
TOPPERS NAME |
OPTIONAL SUBJECT |
|---|---|---|
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2020 |
Shubham Kumar |
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2021 |
Shruti Sharma |
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2022 |
Ishita Kishor |
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2023 |
Aditya Srivastava |
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2024 |
List of Top 10 UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE) Toppers of 2024
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AIR RANK |
TOPPER NAME |
OPTIONAL SUBJECT |
|---|---|---|
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1 |
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2 |
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3 |
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4 |
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5 |
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6 |
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7 |
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8 |
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9 |
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10 |
List of Top 10 UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE) Toppers of 2023
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AIR RANK |
TOPPERS NAME |
OPTIONAL SUBJECT |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Aditya Srivastava |
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2 |
Animesh Pradhan |
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3 |
Donuru Ananya Reddy |
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4 |
P K Sidharth Ramkumar |
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5 |
Ruhani |
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6 |
Srishti Dabas |
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7 |
Anmol Rathore |
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8 |
Ashish Kumar |
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9 |
Zufishan Haque |
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10 |
Kush Motwani |
List of Top 10 UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE) Toppers of 2022
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AIR RANK |
TOPPERS NAME |
OPTIONAL SUBJECT |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Ishita Kishore |
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2 |
Garima Lohia |
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3 |
Uma Harathi N |
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4 |
Smriti Mishra |
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5 |
Mayur Hazarika |
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6 |
Gahana Navya James |
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7 |
Waseem Ahmad Bhat |
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8 |
Aniruddh Yadav |
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9 |
Kanika Goyal |
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10 |
Rahul Srivastava |
List of Top 10 UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE) Toppers of 2021
|
AIR RANK |
TOPPERS NAME |
OPTIONAL SUBJECT |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Shruti Sharma |
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2 |
Ankita Agarwal |
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3 |
Gamini Singla |
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4 |
Aishwarya Verma |
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5 |
Utkarsh Dwivedi |
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6 |
Yaksh Chaudhary |
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7 |
Samyak Jain |
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8 |
Ishita Rathi |
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9 |
Preetam Kumar |
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10 |
Harkeerat Singh Randhawa |
List of Top 10 UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE) Toppers of 2020
|
AIR RANK |
TOPPERS NAME |
OPTIONAL SUBJECT |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Shubham Kumar |
|
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2 |
Jagrati Awasthi |
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3 |
Ankur Kaushik |
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4 |
Ananya Das |
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5 |
Anmol Jain |
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6 |
Vishal Sah |
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7 |
Ajit Kumar Yadav |
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8 |
Abhijit Kumar Sinha |
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9 |
Shikha Goel |
|
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10 |
Arushi Mishra |
FAQs about UPSC Notes and Syllabus:
Q1. What is the age limit for UPSC Prelims?
Ans. The age limit for UPSC Prelims is determined based on the category of the candidate:
|
Categories |
Age Limit |
|---|---|
|
General & EWS Category |
21 to 32 years |
|
OBC Category |
21 to 35 years |
|
SC/SC Category |
21 to 37 years |
The minimum age to appear for UPSC Prelims is 21 years, and the upper age varies based on reservation policies.
Q1.1. Which is tougher: UPSC Prelims or Mains?
Ans. It's difficult to definitively compare the two, but generally, UPSC Mains is considered more challenging than UPSC Prelims. Mains demands strong analytical skills and answer writing, whereas Prelims is objective in nature and consists only of MCQ-type questions.
Q1.2. Is NCERT enough for UPSC Prelims?
Ans. NCERT books form a strong foundation for UPSC Prelims preparation. However, relying solely on them might not be sufficient. They should be complemented with other standard reference materials for a comprehensive approach.
Q2. What is the latest UPSC Syllabus 2025?
Ans. The UPSC Prelims syllabus 2025 which consists of General Studies Paper 1 and CSAT include subjects such as History, Polity, Indian constitution, Science & Tech, English Comprehension, Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude.
Whereas the UPSC Mains syllabus 2025 is comprised of 1 essay, 2 Language Papers, 4 GS Papers and 2 Optional Papers. Download Latest UPSC Syllabus for 2025- UPSC Syllabus
The syllabus of these papers includes subjects like Modern Indian History, World Geography, International Relations, Indian Economic development, Disaster Management and Ethics, Aptitude and Integrity.
Q2.1. Is the UPSC syllabus different for Mains and Prelims?
|
Aspect |
UPSC Prelims |
UPSC Mains |
|---|---|---|
|
Nature |
Objective (Multiple Choice Questions) |
Descriptive (Written Answers) |
|
Papers |
• General Studies Paper I |
• Essay Paper |
|
Subjects |
• Current Affairs |
• Indian Heritage & Culture |
|
Purpose |
Screening test for Mains qualification |
Evaluates analytical depth, subject knowledge, and writing skills |
Q2.2. How much time does it take to complete the full UPSC syllabus?
Ans. On average, it takes 10 to 12 months of consistent and focused study to complete the full UPSC syllabus, including both Prelims and Mains.
Here's a general breakdown:
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First 3 months: Cover NCERTs, basic understanding of core subjects, and current affairs.
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Next 4–6 months: Study standard reference books, make UPSC notes, and align preparation with the UPSC syllabus and PYQs.
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Last 2–3 months: Focus on revision, mock tests, and answer writing practice for Mains and MCQ practice for Prelims.
Q3. How should I make effective UPSC notes?
Ans. Focus on note-making techniques like bullet points, flowcharts, and diagrams. Align them with the UPSC syllabus and previous year questions (PYQs).
Q3.1. How can I get UPSC notes for free?
Ans. Free UPSC Notes, 99Notes. Download the free UPSC material and notes for Prelims and Mains exams preparation. Get the latest current affairs and GK resources for free to effectively prepare for the CSE exam.
Q3.2. Are Coaching Institute Notes Sufficient for UPSC Preparation?
Ans. Coaching institute notes offer a good foundation, but they aren't sufficient alone. For effective UPSC preparation, combine them with self-made notes and updated resources like 99Notes to personalize your learning and cover current affairs.