Important Topics for UPSC Prelims 2024

by Vajiram & Ravi

Important Topics for UPSC: Crucial subjects and themes for the UPSC examination pertain to the subjects and areas of significance within the Civil Services Examination conducted by UPSC. The curriculum encompasses an extensive array of subjects, and being aware of those that are pivotal can substantially influence a candidate's prospects of success. Here, the important topics for Prelims 2024 are categorised paperwise and subjectwise, which would provide ease to the aspirants while going through them. Along with the Static topics, a list of the most important current affairs topics is also provided to interrelate them.

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Important Topics for UPSC Prelims

Though there are several important topics for UPSC Prelims and Mains that overlap, but here is the list of topics which are more significant from the UPSC Prelims perspective. The important topics for UPSC Prelims are given below:

1Tungnath Temple16Tropospheric Emissions Monitoring of Pollution (TEMPO)
2Konark Wheel1730 Years of Project Elephant
3Edakkal Caves18MeerKAT Telescope
4Sacred Ensembles of Hoysalas19International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA)
5Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)20Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable (GSDR)
6India’s New Parliament Building21Article 371F
7Washington Declaration22Dabba Trading
8NITI Aayog’s State Health Index23Logistic Performance Index 2023
9Enemy Property24Geographical Indication Tag
10National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)25SHREYAS Scheme
11Uttaramerur Inscription26AAINA Dashboard
12Thirunelly Temple27Digital Public Infrastructure and India Stack
13Pushkaralu Festival28Aspirational Block Programme
143200 Phaethon29Sarna Code
15TeLEOS-2 & Lumelite-430Freedom on The Net 2023 Report
31Vikshit Bharat Sankalp Yatra41Washington Declaration
32Railway Officers To Be Trained In Disaster Management42India To Train ASEAN Women in United Nations
33Road Crash Death In India43Peacekeeping Operation
34Gram Manchitra44India-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Trade Pact
35Cyber Surakshit Bharat Initiative45Israel-Palestine Conflict
36NCRB 2022 Report On Crime In India46NATO PLUS
37Innovative Finance Facility for Climate in Asia and The Pacific (IF-CAP)47World Bank President
38International Organization for Migration (IOM)48‘Silkworm Eating’ Strategy
39Visit of PM Modi to Egypt49Wagner Group
40Sanctions Committee of UNSC50India Gifts Missile Corvette INS Kirpan to Vietnam

Places on Map in News

1Cuba 11Orkney Islands21Gabon
2Gaza Strip 12Vilnius22Morocco
3Uzbekistan13Kakhovka Dam23Kostyantynivka
4Sittwe Port14Batagaika Crater24Armenia
5Coco Islands15Cam Ranh Bay259-Dash line
6Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant16Strait of Hormuz26Timor Leste
7Gulf of Oman17Crimean Bridge27Nagorno- Karabakh
8Yanomami18Democratic Republic of Congo28AlexandriaPort
9Chetumal Bay19Ubinas Volcano 29Libya
10Fuego Volcano20Peru30Hemis Monestry

Top Current Affairs Topics for UPSC Prelims 2024

The Current affairs occupy a very significant place in both UPSC Prelims as well as Mains. Following is the list of most important current affairs topics relevant to the UPSC Prelims 2024 examination:

History and Culture:

Social Issues:

International Relations:

Economics and Trade:

Science and Technology:

  • Chandrayaan - 3
  • Blue Hole
  • CoWIN Data Breach
  • Electronic Interlocking System in Railways
  • Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron (EMIC) Waves
  • LIGO-India Project
  • Human Genome Project
  • Seed Bank At Asola Bhatti Sanctuary
  • Space Science and Technology Awareness Training (START)
  • Foucault Pendulum
  • Dark Patterns

Governance and Policy:

  • Mission Vatsalya Scheme
  • Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023
  • National Medical Commission
  • Model Prisons Act
  • National Medical Devices Policy 2023
  • Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC)
  • Changes In GST
  • Foreign Exchange Management Act
  • Universal Basic Income (UBI)
  • India Rethinking Its Anaemia Policy
  • The PoSH Act
  • Violence in Manipur
  • Article 370

Finance and Trade:

  • India’s Remittance Inflows Growth Could Slow to Just 0.2% in 2023
  • Changes In GST
  • Volatility In Edible Oil Prices
  • Falling Bond Yields
  • Foreign Exchange Management Act
  • India’s Gold Reserves

Important Topics for UPSC Mains 2024

The IAS syllabus is extensive and might overwhelm many candidates. Developing a lucid comprehension of the important topics for UPSC aids them in refining their preparation approach and prevents wastage of effort on less pivotal areas.

General Studies I

Indian Heritage and Culture; and History and Geography of the World and Society:

1Literature - Vedic, Buddhist, Jain, Sangam, Mughal, etc.14Vijayanagar Empire
2Art and Architecture - IVC, Mauryan, Gupta, Dravidian, Mughal, etc.15Socio-religious Reforms
3Geography - physical features, natural resources, phenomena like volcanism, etc.16Mountbatten Plan
4Indian Society - features, issues, etc.17Indian Independence Act, 1947
5Rowlatt Act18Land Revenue System
6Civil Disobedience Movement19Home Rule Movement
7Modern India - Personalities, Events, etc.20Revolt of 1857
8Indian Freedom Struggle - several stages, leaders, etc.21Partition of Bengal
9Gandhi-Irwin Pact22Charter Acts - 1813, 1833, etc
10Second Round Conference23Government of India Act, 1919
11World History - revolutions, World Wars, Cold War, etc.24First Round Conference, 1930
12Government of India Act, 193525Khilafat Movement
13Quit India Movement26Non-Cooperation Movement

General Studies II

Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations:

1Constitution of India — historical underpinnings, evolution, etc11Government Policies
2Constitution of other countries like USA, UK, Japan, etc.12NGOs, SHGs, etc
3Separation of Powers - Organs of Government13Welfare schemes for vulnerable groups
4Union and States - federalism, etc14Health, Education, and Human Resources
5Parliament and State legislatures - functions, powers, etc15Poverty and Hunger issues
6Judiciary - their structure, roles, etc16Governance, transparency, e-governance
7Pressure Groups - RSS, AIKS, etc17Civil services
8Voting laws, RPA 1950,‘51 etc18Bilateral, regional, and global partnerships
9Constitutional Bodies - UPSC, ECI, etc19Indian Diaspora
10Statutory and Quasi-judicial bodies - NHRC, etc20Global Institutions - UN, WTO, etc

General Studies III

Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management:

1Indian Economy - planning, resource mobilization, employment, etc16IT, Computers and Space Technology
2Growth and Development17Robotics, Nanotechnology and Biotechnology
3Inclusive Growth18Intellectual Property Rights
4Government budgeting19Environment - conservation, pollution, degradation, etc
5Major crops and cropping patterns20Environmental Impact Assessment
6Irrigation types - Drip, Sprinkler, etc21Disaster Management
7Farm subsidies - PMKISAN, etc22Internal Security
8Food Security and MSP23Extremism and Role of External Actors
9Animal Rearing24Communication Networks
10Food Processing Industry25Cyber Security
11Land Reforms26Money-Laundering
12Liberalization and Industrial Policy27Border Area Security
13Infrastructure - Road, Energy, etc28Organized Crime
14Investment Models - BOT, HAM, etc29Terrorism
15Science and Technology - developments30Security forces, agencies, etc. - BSF, NIA, CBI, etc

General Studies IV

Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude:

1Ethics and Human Interface16Conscience
2Essence, Determinants, and Consequences of Ethics in Human Actions17Accountability
3Dimensions of Ethics in Private and Public Relationships18Ethical Governance
4Human Values from Leaders' Lives, Role of Family, Society, and Education19Ethical Issues in International Relations
5Attitude20Corporate Governance
6Influence of Attitude on thought, behaviour, moral, political, and social aspects21Probity in Governance
7Aptitude and Foundational Values22Transparency
8Values for Civil Service23Right to Information
9Integrity, Impartiality, Objectivity, Dedication, Empathy24Codes of Ethics
10Emotional Intelligence25Codes of Conduct
11Moral Thinkers from India and worldwide26Work Culture
12Ethics in Public Administration27Quality Service
13Public/Civil Service Values28Public Funds' Utilization
14Ethical Concerns and Dilemmas29Corruption Challenges
15Ethical Guidance from Laws, Rules, etc30Case Studies on the above issues

FAQs on Important Topics for UPSC

Which topics are important for UPSC Prelims 2024?

The vital topics for UPSC Prelims include Indian National Movement, Indian Polity, Indian Economy, Geography, General Science, Environment, Current Affairs, Art and Culture, History of India, World History, Technology, Indian Society, and Logical Reasoning. A thorough understanding and coverage of these subjects are essential for success in the examination.

What should I study for UPSC Mains 2024?

Study the syllabus comprehensively, focusing on important topics for UPSC from subjects like History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Science and Technology, Environment, and Current Affairs. Solve previous year's papers to get an idea about the pattern in which questions are framed.

Which Current Affairs Topics Are Important for UPSC Mains 2024?

The significant current affairs topics for UPSC Mains 2024 encompass Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron (EMIC) Waves, LIGO-India Project, Human Genome Project, Model Prisons Act, National Medical Devices Policy, Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and other evolving international relations.