The distinction between syllabus and syllabus weightage in UPSC is significant. The syllabus outlines the topics and subjects that candidates must cover for the examination, while syllabus weightage indicates the relative importance of each topic in terms of marks allocated in the exam. Understanding weightage helps candidates prioritize their study efforts on high-impact areas. Proper alignment of preparation with the weightage can lead to better performance, as focusing on essential sections may maximize scoring potential and ensure a well-rounded understanding of the overall syllabus.