UPSC GS Foundation Prelims+Mains, 2025“The faculty’s experience and teaching methods are top-notch. Highly recommended!”
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Online Courses:
2-Year NCERT+GS Course (20-22 Months)
- Price: ₹17999
- Direct guidance of Awadh Ojha sir
- Comprehensive NCERT+GS Coverage
- Weekly tests
1 Year GS Course (10-12 Months)
- Price: ₹14999
- Direct guidance of Awadh Ojha sir
- Comprehensive GS Coverage
- Weekly tests
NCERT Basics for UPSC Online
- Price: ₹4999
- Direct guidance of Awadh Ojha sir
- Approximately 300+ hours of 100+ classes
Pune and Kanpur Courses:
| Course | Pune Price | Kanpur Price |
| 2 Year NCERT+GS Course | ₹90000 | ₹90000 |
| 1 Year GS Course | ₹75000 | ₹75000 |
| NCERT Basics course | ₹20000 | ₹20000 |
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Frequently Asked Questions?
| Question | Answer |
| Can I prepare for the exam at home? | With sufficient study material, proper notes, books, and access to online and offline resources, preparation at home is feasible. |
| Which are the best books for online exam preparation? | A vast booklist is needed due to multiple subjects in the exam. Candidates can find a detailed list of UPSC Books in the linked articles. |
| Are previous year’s question papers available online? | Yes, previous year’s question papers are free on the official website and various online portals. |
| Which optional subject must I choose for the UPSC exam? | Choose based on basic knowledge, interest, academic background, past UPSC analysis, easy availability of study material, and external assistance/coaching availability. |
| Which subject is recommended for graduation to crack the UPSC Exam? | No specific recommendation, but humanities may have a slight edge. However, your graduation subject choice doesn’t make a significant difference. |
| Where can I find study material for exam preparation? | Comprehensive syllabus coverage requires the finest study material, available both online and offline, including books, video lectures, and notes. |
| Can I choose an optional subject that I have not studied during my graduation? | Yes, candidates can choose any subject as their optional paper, regardless of their academic background during graduation. |
| Is one year enough to prepare for the IAS Exam? | One year of thorough preparation, hard work, and dedicated studies can be enough to crack the IAS Exam. |
| Can I crack the exam without enrolling myself in a coaching institute? | Yes, with sufficient study materials, proper planning, and dedicated self-study, it’s possible to crack the exam without coaching. Coaching institutes mainly assist with understanding concepts and exam patterns, but hard work and dedication are the keys. |
| Key Aspects | Details |
| Exam Structure & Selection | – Preliminary Examination (Objective) – Mains Examination (Written) – Personality Test (Interview) |
| Negative Marking | – Applicable in Preliminary Exam for incorrect answers, with 1/3rd marks deduction. |
| Preliminary Exam Pattern | – Two General Studies papers – 200 marks each – 2 hours duration – Objective type |
| Language Options | – Papers available in Hindi and English, except for language literature papers. |
| Qualifying Marks | – Minimum 25% in language papers – No minimum qualifying marks for Interview. |
| Mode of Exam | – Offline for both Prelims and Mains |
| Mains Exam Pattern | – Includes various papers totaling 1750 marks – Plus 275 marks for Personality Test (Total: 2025 marks) |
| Optional Subject Success Rate | – Varies; dependent on candidate choice and number. Selection is critical for success. |
| Results | – Available on the official UPSC website, with a downloadable list of shortlisted candidates for Prelims and Mains. |
| Eligibility Criteria | Details |
| Minimum Educational Qualification | – Degree from a recognized University or equivalent – Final year students awaiting results eligible |
| Age Limit | – Must be 21-32 years old – Age relaxations for specific categories |
| Number of Attempts | – General: 6 attempts – OBC/Ex-Servicemen/PwBD-EWS/Disabled Defence: 9 attempts – SC/ST: Unlimited attempts |
| Document Proof for Reservation | – Required documents listed in the official notification |
| Attempt in Prelims | – Counts as an attempt |
| Non-appearance in Exam | – Not counted as an attempt unless it appeared |
| 12th Passed Eligibility | – Not eligible, must have a bachelor’s degree |
| information Category | Details |
| Exam Notification Release | Released in February each year, as per the yearly UPSC calendar. |
| Frequency of Recruitment | Annual, with official notification once a year. |
| Vacancies Released | Varies yearly; 1048 vacancies announced for 2024. |
| Exam Dates Announcement | The tentative schedule is released at the year’s start in the UPSC calendar, with final dates in the official notification. |
| IAS Officer Salary | Ranges from Rs.56,100 to Rs. 2,50,000 per month based on post, according to the 7th Pay Commission. |
| IPS Officer Salary | It starts at Rs.56,100 per month (TA, DA, and HRA extra) and can reach up to Rs.2,25,000 for a DGP. |
Recommended UPSC Preparation Approach
- Start With NCERT books
- Progress To Standard reference books
- Tailor Your Study Material: Depending on previous expertise and knowledge.
- Divide the Reading List: Into Prelims and Mains specific preparation.
- Syllabus Reference: Read/download the UPSC Syllabus for detailed exam coverage.
UPSC Prelims Book List :
| Subject | Recommended Books |
| History | – India’s Struggle for Independence – Bipan Chandra – Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania – NCERT XI (Ancient & Medieval) – NCERT XII (Modern Indian History) |
| Geography | – Certificate Physical Geography – G C Leong – NCERT VI – X (Old Syllabus) – NCERT XI, XII (New Syllabus) – World Atlas (Orient Black Swan) |
| Indian Polity | – Indian Polity – M Laxmikanth – NCERT IX-XII |
| Economics | – Indian Economy by Nitin Singhania – Economic Development & Policies in India – Jain & Ohri – NCERT XI |
| International Relations | – NCERT XII (Contemporary World Politics) – Current Affairs |
| CSAT | – Tata McGraw Hill CSAT Manual – Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning – R S Aggarwal |
| Solved Papers | – IAS General Studies Prelims Solved Papers – Vishal Publications |
UPSC Mains Book List :
| Subject [Paper] | Recommended Books |
| History, Indian Heritage & Culture [GS Paper 1] | – Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania – India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra – India after Independence by Bipan Chandra – History of Medieval India by Satish Chandra – Ancient India by R.S Sharma |
| Geography [GS Paper 1] | – Geography of India by Majid Husain – World Geography by Majid Husain – World Atlas (Orient Black Swan) – Certificate Physical and Human Geography – G C Leong – Fundamentals of Physical Geography NCERT Class 11 |
| Polity & International Relations [GS Paper 2] | – Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth – Introduction to the Constitution of India by DD Basu – International Relations: Pushpesh Pant |
| Economy [GS Paper 3] | – Indian Economy – Nitin Singhania – Environment and Disaster Management – Tata McGraw Hill – Challenges to Internal Security of India – Ashok Kumar |
| Ethics [GS Paper 4] | – Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude for Civil Services Main Examination by Subba Rao and P.N. Roy Chaudary |
| Solved Papers | – IAS General Studies Prelims Solved Papers – Vishal Publications |
This tabulation organizes the recommended books for UPSC Prelims and Mains preparation by subject, making it easier for students to identify and select the resources they need for their study plan.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1- Do questions repeat in the UPSC CSE exam? | Yes, while questions rarely repeat verbatim, they often cover similar themes or concepts. |
| 2- How to identify the most probable themes from PYQs? | Look for patterns in PYQs to identify recurring themes and important topics. |
| 3- Is solving UPSC PYQs enough for clearing Prelims? | Solving UPSC PYQs aids understanding but should be complemented with comprehensive study. |
| 4- How to analyze UPSC CSE mains PYQs for identification of frequently asked topics? | Analyze Mains PYQs to discern recurring topics, helping focus preparation efforts. |
| 5- Is it helpful to cover PYQs of other UPSC exams like CDS, CAPF, NDA, EPFO, CISF for CSE prelims? | Practicing PYQs from other UPSC exams offers supplementary practice, but prioritizes CSE-specific PYQs for Prelims readiness. |
Pune Centre:
Building No 1584, 2nd Floor, Sadashiv Peth, Kushal Shirkai Bldg,
Opp Maharashtra Mandal, Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak Rd,
(Above Notebook Hub),
Pune, Maharashtra 411030
Kanpur Centre:
117/O/460
Near Crossing No.9
Sharda Nagar,
Kanpur, U.P. 208025
