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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