UPSC GS Paper 2 Syllabus 2025 PDF Download

General Studies (GS) Paper 2 is a crucial component of the UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination as it evaluates a candidate's knowledge of governance, polity, and international relations. To assist aspirants in their preparation for this paper, this article will provide detailed information on the GS Paper 2 syllabus, along with the best books and study materials to refer to. Additionally, we will provide valuable insights into how to effectively prepare for this paper and score well in the exam.

What is UPSC GS Paper 2?

The UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE) is a three-stage exam that includes the Preliminary Exam, Mains Exam, and Personal Interview. The second stage, known as the Mains Exam, is a written descriptive examination consisting of 9 papers. Out of these 9 papers, Paper-A (Compulsory Indian Language) and Paper-B (English) are qualifying in nature, while the remaining papers such as Essay, General Studies Papers I, II, III, and IV, and Optional Papers I and II are considered for the final ranking.

The UPSC Mains GS (General Studies) Paper 2 is one of these nine subjective papers in the second stage of the Civil Service Exams. Similar to General Studies Paper I, General Studies Paper II has very few direct questions related to a single topic, and critical thinking is required to answer the questions correctly, as the topics covered are often interrelated.
If you're looking for the ultimate learning experience, look no further than EduRev Infinity Package for UPSC. This comprehensive package offers access to the best education and resources available, with over 1 crore registered users and counting.

UPSC GS Paper 2 Syllabus 2023

The UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination comprises several components, and the General Studies Paper 2 holds significant importance as it evaluates the candidates' knowledge of the following subjects: 

• Governance
• Constitution
• Polity
• Social Justice
• International relations

The detailed syllabus for UPSC Mains General Studies Paper-II (UPSC GS 3 syllabus) is tabulated below:

Also Check: 

• UPSC GS Paper 1 Syllabus 2023
• Syllabus of UPSC CSE Prelims & Mains

UPSC GS Paper 2 Focus Areas

The General Studies Paper-II is a critical component of the UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination. To help aspirants focus on the most important areas, we have compiled a table below that lists the key topics to cover in each subject.
By using this table below as a guide, candidates can ensure that they have a comprehensive understanding of the focus areas in Mains GS Paper-II.

Also Check:

• International Relations for UPSC 2023

UPSC GS Paper 2 Exam Pattern 

General Studies Paper 2 is a part of the UPSC CSE Main Exam. It is also known as the Civil Services Mains Exam Paper-III. This paper is designed to test the candidate's knowledge in the areas of Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations.

The exam pattern for UPSC GS Paper 2 is as follows:

• Language: The paper consists of 20 compulsory questions printed in Hindi and English, which are to be answered in the language selected while filling out the application form. Questions that are answered in any other language are not evaluated.
• Duration and Total Marks: The duration of the exam is three hours, and the total marks for the paper are 250. No negative marking is there.
• Question Type: The UPSC General Studies Paper 2 Mains Exam consists of subjective questions that require candidates to provide in-depth knowledge and analysis of the topics covered in the syllabus. 
• Word Limit: Candidates have to write their answers within a prescribed word limit. The word limit for 10 marks questions is 150, and for 15 marks is 250.  The word limit for the first 10 questions is 150 words, and for the next 10 questions, it is 250 words.
• All the questions are compulsory: All the 20 questions in the UPSC General Studies Paper 2 Mains Exam are compulsory, and candidates are required to answer all of them.
• Stick to the word limit: It is important for candidates to stick to the word limit while answering questions in the UPSC General Studies Paper 2 Mains Exam. Candidates who exceed the prescribed word limit may lose marks, and the examiner may not evaluate the extra content beyond the word limit.

Also Check: 

• UPSC CSE Handbook- Syllabus, Exam Dates, Notification, Exam Pattern and More

Best Books And Study Material for UPSC GS Paper 2 

The UPSC General Studies Paper 2 covers topics related to polity, governance, social justice, and international relations. To prepare for this paper, candidates must refer to the right books and study material. Here are some of the best sources for each subject:

Polity:

• ‘Indian Polity’ by Laxmikanth (Do read this book at least three times)
• Class 11 NCERT – ‘Indian Constitution at Work’
• Introduction to the Constitution of India by Durga Das Basu.

Governance:

• Governance in India - M.Laxmikanth.
• Daily reading of newspaper to be complemented with:
• Select articles from ‘The Hindu’
• Economic Survey
• Press Information Bureau (PIB)
• ARC reports

Social Justice:

• Select articles from ‘The Hindu’ newspaper

International Relations:

• MEA Website
• India and the World: Through the Eyes of Indian Diplomats by Surendra Kumar.
• Select articles from ‘The Hindu’

This booklist for UPSC GS Paper 2 is recommended by almost all the toppers as well as UPSC experts. Now, that you have an entire list with you, there should be no worrying about what to read!
In case you have limited time but still want to excel in the UPSC exam, you can explore the UPSC Study Material available in the  EduRev Infinity Package for UPSC. This comprehensive package offers over 90 EduRev courses, comprising 1000+ tests, 2000+ documents, and 500+ videos, which can assist you in acing the examination.

How to prepare for GS Paper 2 for UPSC Civil Services Main Examination

Preparing for UPSC GS Paper 2 can be a daunting task, but with proper planning and execution, one can excel in this segment. The paper consists of polity, governance, social justice, and international relations. Let us delve into how to prepare for each component effectively.

• Current Affairs: Candidates must make a habit of reading the newspaper daily and stay updated with current affairs as it is essential for answering questions related to governance, social justice, and international relations. Also, candidates should focus on practicing answer writing, which will help them in effectively conveying their thoughts and opinions during the exam.
• Polity: For beginners, reading NCERTs of Class XI and XII can familiarize you with the terminologies. Next, thoroughly read the book by M. Laxmikanth, 'Indian Polity'. It is an essential book for covering Indian polity for UPSC CSE.
• Governance: To prepare for governance, refer to 'Governance in India' by M. Laxmikanth. Be selective in reading only the chapters that are relevant to the syllabus. Additionally, you can rely on EduRev resources in the form of articles and pdfs related to the syllabus.
• International Relations: Refer to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) website to cover this segment of the syllabus. Keep a tab on current affairs by following newspapers, monthly magazines, and online websites. 
• Previous Year Questions & Mock Tests: Glance through previous year questions (PYQs) to assess the type of questions that are being asked. Browse through the answer copies of toppers to get an idea of answer-writing that you have to incorporate into your answer-writing practice. Practice it and get your copies evaluated by mentors.

In conclusion, to prepare for UPSC GS Paper 2, candidates should follow a comprehensive approach that covers all the topics mentioned in the syllabus. Regular revision and staying up-to-date with current events are crucial for success in this exam.

Also Check: 

• How to Prepare for UPSC 
• UPSC Bible

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Related to UPSC GS Paper 2

What is the UPSC GS Paper 2? 

UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 is a part of the General Studies Paper in the UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination. It covers topics related to governance, constitution, polity, social justice, international relations, and various aspects of the Indian society.

What is the syllabus for UPSC Mains GS Paper 2?

The syllabus for UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 includes topics such as Indian Constitution, governance, social justice, polity, international relations, and various aspects of Indian society. Check the important focus areas for UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 in the above doc.

How many marks are allocated to UPSC Mains GS Paper 2?

The UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 is of 250 marks, with no negative marking. The paper consists of 10 marks and 15 marks questions, and the word limit for 10 marks questions is 150, while for 15 marks questions, it is 250.

What should I study for GS Paper 2?

To excel in GS 2 current affairs, it is advisable to refer to current affairs publications, such as magazines, reports by Niti Aayog and Yojana, among other relevant materials. Consistent and regular reading of current affairs is crucial, accompanied by the critical analysis of each current event. It is also important to take brief notes on essential topics. Additionally, practicing answer writing regularly is essential for honing one's writing skills.

Laxmikant's Indian Polity is a comprehensive book that covers a vast range of topics related to the Indian Constitution, governance, and polity, which are important for GS Paper 2 of the Civil Services Examination. However, it should be noted that relying solely on one source may not be sufficient to clear the exam. In addition to Laxmikant, it is recommended to refer to other sources, such as current affairs magazines, newspapers, government reports, and other standard reference books, to have a broader understanding of the topics covered in the syllabus.