General Studies
General Studies
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What is General Studies?
General Studies (GS) forms the foundation of the UPSC CSE Exam 2025. It includes various subjects, including Indian Polity, Economy, Geography, History, Environment, Science and Technology, International Relations . The GS component is a critical part of both the Prelims and Mains stages of the exam. While the UPSC Prelims Exam 2025 evaluates factual knowledge and basic understanding, the UPSC Mains Exam 2025 focuses on analytical thinking and conceptual clarity across various themes. This section is structured to assess a candidate’s general awareness and ability to connect current affairs with foundational knowledge. A strong command over General Studies significantly contributes to better performance across all papers and improves overall marks.
Importance of General Studies in UPSC Exam
The General Studies in UPSC Exam account for 1000 marks out of the total 1750 in the UPSC Mains Exam 2025. These papers comprehensively assess a candidate’s understanding of India’s socio-political landscape, economic frameworks, international relations, and governance mechanisms. The Essay and Personality Test stages frequently draw upon themes covered in General Studies, underscoring its relevance throughout the exam process. A solid foundation in GS not only enhances performance in the dedicated GS papers but also contributes meaningfully to writing essays and solving ethical case studies.
How to Prepare General Studies for UPSC Effectively
1. Start with NCERT textbooks from Class 6 to 12 to gain conceptual clarity, especially in Polity, Geography, Economy, and History. These are simple, reliable, and aligned with the UPSC Syllabus 2025.
2. Vajiram & Ravi offer General Studies Foundation Courses. These include classroom lectures, faculty notes, updated content, and regular doubt-clearing sessions that streamline GS preparation.
3. Daily newspaper reading (like The Hindu or Indian Express), Vajiram & Ravi’s current affairs monthly magazine, helps aspirants connect dynamic events to static portions of GS papers.
4. Writing practice is the key to success in GS Mains. Vajiram & Ravi’s Mains Test Series and answer writing sessions help students develop structure and time management.
5. Frequent revision through concise notes and topic-wise mock tests improves retention and readiness. Test series help simulate real exam conditions and fill gaps in preparation.
FAQs on General Studies for UPSC
Q1. How many GS papers are there in UPSC Mains?+
Q2. Is General Studies also asked in Prelims?+
Q3. Can I rely only on current affairs for GS Mains?+
Q4. What is the weightage of current affairs in GS Mains?+
Q5. How does Vajiram & Ravi help in GS preparation?+