Pattern and Syllabus of UPSC Civil Services Examination
A. PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION:
The Preliminary Examination consists of two compulsory Papers, each carrying 200 marks.
Both papers are objective type (multiple-choice questions) and have a duration of two hours each.
General Studies Paper-II is a qualifying paper with a minimum qualifying mark of 33%.
Question papers are available in both Hindi and English.
Details of the syllabi are provided in Part A of Section III.
B. MAIN EXAMINATION:
The Main Examination consists of the following papers:
Qualifying Papers:
Paper-A (Indian Language): 300 Marks
Paper-B (English): 300 Marks
Papers to be counted for merit:
Paper-I (Essay): 250 Marks
Paper-II (General Studies-I): 250 Marks
Indian Heritage and Culture, History, Geography of the World, and Society.
Paper-III (General Studies – II): 250 Marks
Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations.
Paper-IV (General Studies – III): 250 Marks
Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management.
Paper-V (General Studies – IV): 250 Marks
Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude.
Paper-VI (Optional Subject – Paper 1): 250 Marks
Paper-VII (Optional Subject – Paper 2): 250 Marks
Sub-Total (Written Test): 1750 Marks
Personality Test (Interview): 275 Marks
Grand Total: 2025 Marks
Optional Subjects for Mains Examination:
Candidates can choose from the following optional subjects for Papers VI and VII:
- Agriculture
- Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science
- Anthropology
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Commerce and Accountancy
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering
- Geography
- Geology
- History
- Law
- Management
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medical Science
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science and International Relations
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Sociology
- Statistics
- Zoology
- Literature of any one of the specified languages.
Note: Question papers for the Mains examination are of the conventional (essay) type, each with a three-hour duration. Candidates have the option to answer all papers except the Qualifying Language Paper.
Detailed Syllabus for Preliminary Examination
Paper I (200 marks) – Duration: Two hours
– Current events of national and international importance.
– History of India and Indian National Movement.
– Indian and World Geography: Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World.
– Indian Polity and Governance: Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
– Economic and Social Development: Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
– General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity, and Climate Change.
– General Science.
Paper II (200 marks) – Duration: Two hours
– Comprehension.
– Interpersonal skills, including communication skills.
– Logical reasoning and analytical ability.
– Decision making and problem solving.
– General mental ability.
– Basic numeracy (Class X level) and Data interpretation (Class X level).
Note: Paper II is a qualifying paper with a minimum qualifying mark of 33%.
It is mandatory for candidates to appear in both papers for the Preliminary Examination.
Detailed Syllabus for Mains Examination (Papers I to VII)
Paper-I: Essay (250 Marks)
Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics. They should:
– Keep closely to the subject of the essay.
– Arrange their ideas in an orderly fashion.
– Write concisely.
– Be given credit for effective and exact expression.
Paper-II: General Studies-I (250 Marks)
This paper covers the following areas:
– Indian culture, encompassing Art Forms, Literature, and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
– Modern Indian history from the middle of the eighteenth century to the present, including significant events, personalities, and issues.
– The Freedom Struggle, its stages, and important contributors from different parts of India.
– Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
– History of the world, including events from the 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism, etc.
– Salient features of Indian Society and Diversity of India.
– Role of women, population, poverty, development issues, urbanization, globalization, social empowerment, communalism, regionalism, and secularism.
Paper-III: General Studies-II (250 Marks)
This paper includes the following topics:
– Indian Constitution, its historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions, and basic structure.
– Functions and responsibilities of the Union and States, challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances, and related challenges.
– Separation of powers, dispute redressal mechanisms, and institutions.
– Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with other countries.
– Structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges of Parliament and State legislatures.
– Structure, organization, and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary.
– Ministries and Departments of the Government, pressure groups, and their role in the Polity.
– Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
– Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions, and responsibilities of Constitutional Bodies.
– Statutory, regulatory, and quasi-judicial bodies.
– Government policies, interventions for development in various sectors, and issues arising from their design and implementation.
– Development processes and the development industry, role of NGOs, SHGs, groups, associations, donors, charities, and stakeholders.
– Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections, mechanisms, laws, institutions, and bodies for their protection and betterment.
– Issues related to development and management of Social Sector/Services, poverty, hunger, governance, transparency, accountability, e-governance, and civil services in a democracy.
– India and its neighborhood relations, bilateral, regional, and global groupings and agreements involving India.
– Effects of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
– Important international institutions, agencies, and their mandates.
Paper-IV: General Studies-III (250 Marks)
This paper covers various topics, including:
– Indian Economy, issues related to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development, and employment.
– Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
– Government Budgeting.
– Major crops, cropping patterns, irrigation systems, storage, transport, and marketing of agricultural produce.
– Direct and indirect farm subsidies, minimum support prices, and the Public Distribution System.
– Food processing and related industries in India.
– Land reforms in India.
– Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy, and their effects on industrial growth.
– Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways, etc.
– Investment models.
– Science and Technology developments and their applications.
– Awareness in IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology, and issues related to intellectual property rights.
– Conservation, environmental pollution, degradation, environmental impact assessment.
– Disaster and disaster management.
– Linkages between development and extremism.
– Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
– Challenges to internal security through communication networks, media, social networking sites, and cyber security.
– Money-laundering and its prevention.
– Security challenges in border areas, organized crime, and its linkages with terrorism.
– Various security forces, agencies, and their mandates.
Paper-V: General Studies-IV (250 Marks)
This paper assesses the candidates’ attitude and approach to issues related to ethics, integrity, and aptitude. The topics covered include:
– Ethics and Human Interface.
– Attitude: Content, structure, function; influence and relation with thought and behavior.
– Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service.
– Emotional intelligence.
– Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers.
– Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration.
– Probity in Governance.
Paper-VI & Paper-VII: Optional Subject Papers I & II (250 Marks Each)
Candidates can choose any optional subject from the list. Each paper is worth 250 marks.
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