GS Paper-1 is a qualifying paper that assesses a candidate's general knowledge and awareness across various subjects. It is the first stage of the UPSC Civil Services Examination and determines whether a candidate moves on to the Mains stage.

The syllabus for GS Paper-1 includes: Indian History: Ancient, Medieval, Modern Indian history, and the Indian National Movement. Indian and World Geography: Physical, social, and economic geography of India and the world. Indian Polity and Governance: Constitution, political system, panchayati raj, public policy, etc. Indian Economy: Economic development, planning, and policies. General Science and Technology: Basic scientific concepts and their applications in daily life, as well as advancements in science and technology. Environment and Ecology: Environmental issues, conservation, and sustainable development. Current Events of National and International Importance: Significant happenings around the world, particularly in India.

GS Paper-1 is qualifying in nature. This means that candidates need to score above a certain threshold (cut-off) to qualify for the Mains examination. The cut-off score varies each year based on the difficulty level of the paper and the number of candidates appearing.