Important Topics for UPSC Prelims, Most Asked Topics in UPSC Prelims [Top Ten Topics]

Most Important Topics for UPSC Prelims

The UPSC prelims is the first stage to cross in the civil services exam. It is also the stage where the most number of candidates falter. There are cases where candidates take 4 - 5 years to just clear the prelims while there are those that clear this exam in their very first attempt. In this article, we discuss the most important topics that aspirants must never avoid studying in the IAS prelims exam.

Most Asked Topics in UPSC Prelims

While the IAS Prelims is highly unpredictable with varying weightages given to subjects across the years, there are a few important topics that see questions being asked repeatedly. These are areas that a serious aspirant must never avoid studying. 

In this section, we give you a set of topics that are of utmost importance in the UPSC prelims. Go through these topics and make sure you cover them if you wish to clear the prelims and take a step closer towards fulfilling your IAS dreams.

#1 Wildlife Sanctuaries/National Parks

• It is important to learn about the important biosphere reserves in India, tiger reserves, national parks, biodiversity hotspots, etc. 

• Questions are also asked about the IUCN status of the major species of fauna found in some of the major national parks in the country.

Click on the links in the table below for more details about this:

#2 Environment Conventions

• climate change is a topic that is in the news quite regularly. Hence, it is only natural that the UPSC should ask questions from this section.

• Environment conventions and protocols are extremely important for this exam as they help you not only to answer prelims questions but also help frame good answers in the UPSC Mains GS 3 paper.

• Read about all the important environment conventions in the link.

#3 Important Acts of Parliament

• An aspirant’s polity preparation is not complete without a thorough read-up of the important acts passed by the Parliament. 

• This includes both historical acts (for example, the Government of India Act, 1935) and current ones that make up headlines.

• Constitutional amendments are also important.

• Aspirants have to read the important provisions of these acts as questions are often directly asked from them.

• For example, consider the following question asked in UPSC 2020:

1. According to the Constitution of India, a person who is eligible to vote can be made a minister in a State for six months even if he/she is not a member of the Legislature of that State.

2. According to the Representation of People Act, 1951, a person convicted of a criminal offence and sentenced to imprisonment for five years is permanently disqualified from contesting an election even after his release from prison.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only

2. 2 only

3. Both 1 and 2

4. Neither 1 nor 2

The answer to this would be easy for aspirants who would have gone through the provisions of The Representation of the People Act, 1951.

Also read: Important Acts that transformed India

#4 Important Judicial Rulings

• Another very important aspect of polity is the various judicial rulings and judgements of the Supreme Court of India.

• Jusgements like Keshavanda Bharathi, Minerva Mills, Shah Bano Begum case, SR Bommai, Indra Sawhney and Union of India, etc. significantly affected the Indian political sphere. Hence, these are very relevant for the exam.

• Get a list of the important Supreme Court judgements in the link.

#5 Buddhism and Jainism

• Buddhism and Jainism seem like favourite topics of the UPSC as almost every year, a question might be asked on them.

• Consider the following question asked in UPSC 2012:

With reference to the history of ancient India, which of the following was/were common to both Buddhism and Jainism?

1. Avoidance of extremities of penance and enjoyment

2. Indifference to the authority of the Vedas

3. Denial of efficacy of rituals

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

1. 1 only

2. 2 and 3 only

3. 1 and 3 only

4. 1, 2 and 3

Check the below table for comprehensive notes on Buddhism and Jainism:

#6 Indus Valley Civilisation

• The Indus Valley Civilisation is quite an important topic as we see almost every year in the UPSC prelims.

• In many ways, your history preparation starts with this topic and it should be done comprehensively.

#7 Union Budget

• The Union Budget is another area from which the UPSC can ask questions in economy.

• If you find the budget difficult to follow, you can check out our Union Budget special video lecture in the link.

#8 Indian scientific achievements

• Science and tech is another area which confuses aspirants.

• It is such as vast area that aspirants do not know where to start.

• To keep things simple, especially if you are pressed for time during the IAS preparation, a good advice would be to stick to the important scientific achievements by Indians, particularly in the field of space and defence.

• Nobel laureates and their achievements are also important for this exam.

#9 Reports and indices in news

• Every year, many important international organisations bring out reports on various subjects like poverty, unemployment, social issues, development, gender, etc.

• Such reports and especially where India stands on these indices are crucial for this exam.

Watch the following video for a lecture on the important reports and indices for the UPSC Prelims:

https://youtu.be/RT1iP2ppqBc

#10 Social welfare schemes of the government

• Government schemes are very important as direct questions can be asked from them.

• Out of the schemes, schemes that have a bearing on the social welfare of people, especially marginalised people of the country are especially important.

• Aspirants can check the link for a list of government schemes for the UPSC.

The above list will surely be beneficial for IAS aspirants in helping them prioritize their preparation. Apart from the above, a few other significant topics are given below.

• Places in news

• Geographical indication tags (GI tags)

• Major tribes in India

• UNESCO world heritage sites in India

• Majorities used in the Parliament

• Ramsar sites in India

• Maps in Geography (rivers, mountain passes, etc.)

• Freedom movement from 1930 - 47

• Bhakti and Sufi movements

• India and her neighbours