The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2024 Mains began on September 20, with General Studies (GS) Papers 1 to 4 held on September 21-22. This exam is critical for candidates aspiring to serve in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and other elite positions in the Indian government. It evaluates various skills through nine descriptive papers, four of which are GS papers carrying a significant weightage of 1000 marks, contributing heavily to the final merit list.
General Overview of UPSC Mains 2024
The exam format includes nine papers, out of which two are qualifying language papers, and the remaining seven are considered for the merit list. A minimum of 750+ marks out of 1750 is crucial for candidates to move forward to the interview stage. The GS papers, constituting 1000 marks, are pivotal in shaping a candidate’s overall performance. Candidates are tested on a variety of subjects, from Indian History, Geography, and Society to Governance, Polity, Economy, and Ethics.
UPSC Mains GS Paper 1 Analysis 2024
Held on September 21, 2024, the GS Paper 1 tested candidates on Geography, History, Indian Society, and Art & Culture. The focus of this paper remained largely on factual and analytical questions, blending both static and dynamic concepts. Questions related to historical events and their interconnections with contemporary society were highlighted, emphasizing the analytical understanding over rote learning.
- Geography had 7 questions, focusing on both Indian and World Geography, requiring a deep understanding of climatic patterns, industrial growth, and resource distribution.
- History encompassed Ancient, Medieval, and Modern History with a specific emphasis on the contributions of dynasties like the Pallavas, as observed in the trend of UPSC’s evolving pattern of focusing on regional dynasties.
- Indian Society saw 7 questions exploring globalization, modernization, and social issues.
- Art and Culture focused on key aspects of Indian Art, Architecture, and Literature with 3 questions, underscoring the importance of multiple revisions as similar themes tend to recur.
This paper aligned well with past trends, continuing the focus on historical analysis, the socio-economic effects of colonialism, and requiring a firm grasp of conceptual understanding rather than factual recall.
UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 Analysis 2024
The GS Paper 2, held on the same day, tested candidates on Polity, Governance, Social Justice, and International Relations. It presented a challenging paper that leaned towards current affairs, particularly in the Governance and Polity sections. Questions often linked to government initiatives, judgments by the Supreme Court/High Courts, and international relations with India’s neighboring countries.
- Polity and Constitution accounted for 10 questions, where half the paper focused on constitutional issues.
- Governance & Social Justice had 6 questions, focusing heavily on government policies and Supreme Court rulings.
- International Relations accounted for 4 questions, emphasizing India’s diplomatic ties and global stance.
This year’s GS 2 paper continued the trend of linking current governmental initiatives with governance issues, encouraging candidates to stay updated with the latest constitutional developments and judicial rulings.
UPSC Mains GS Paper 3 Analysis 2024
Conducted on September 22, 2024, the GS Paper 3 tested candidates on Economic Development, Agriculture, Science and Technology, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management. The difficulty level was moderate, with conceptual questions intertwined with current affairs. The paper was balanced, covering each subject equally.
- Economy had 4 moderate questions, with a focus on budget, fiscal policies, and recent economic trends.
- Agriculture focused on contemporary issues, such as land reforms, e-technology, and irrigation systems.
- Science and Technology emphasized advancements in AI, space technology, robotics, and biotechnology, posing 8 questions.
- Biodiversity and Environment focused on climate change, conservation, and environmental protection measures.
- Internal Security covered the increasing threat from cybercrime, extremism, and organized crime, which has been a critical focus area in recent times.
The paper reflected the increasing importance of staying updated with current technological advancements and government schemes related to agriculture and environment conservation.
UPSC Mains GS Paper 4 Analysis 2024
The GS Paper 4, also known as the Ethics paper, was held on the afternoon of September 22, 2024. The paper combined a theoretical section with case studies, which were lengthy and required candidates to exhibit their understanding of ethical principles, governance, and integrity.
- Section A had 13 questions, focusing on moral integrity, social capital, and public service values.
- Section B had 6 case studies that were complex, requiring detailed analysis of real-world ethical dilemmas.
This paper encouraged a more critical evaluation of ethical concepts, with questions reflecting a shift towards complex, multifaceted ethical issues rather than straightforward, theoretical questions.
The UPSC Mains 2024 exam was largely aligned with past trends but with a few notable shifts, particularly in the emphasis on regional dynasties in history, the interlinking of topics in geography and environment, and a growing focus on current government initiatives in governance and social justice. Overall, the papers tested both factual knowledge and analytical abilities, urging candidates to adopt an integrated approach in preparation. As expected, candidates needed to rely on critical thinking and their ability to synthesize knowledge across various subjects to navigate the complexities of this year’s exam.