Table of Contents
General Studies and Essays
Syllabus for Civil Services Main Examination organized by Union Public Service Commission General Studies and Essays`
- In Civil Services Main Examination, subjects have been divided as compulsory and optional subjects.
- The compulsory subjects include essays, four papers of general studies, English language (qualifying) and Hindi or any language (qualifying) included in the 8th schedule of the constitution and one optional subject selected by the candidate from among the subjects given in the release under the optional subject. is.
The present system of main examination is as follows-
| Question Paper-1 | Essay | 250 points |
| Question Paper-2 | General Studies-1: (Indian Heritage and Culture, World History and Geography and Society) | 250 points |
| Question Paper-3 | General Studies-2: (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations) | 250 points |
| Question Paper-4 | General Study-3: (Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security and Disaster-Management) | 250 points |
| Question Paper-5 | General Studies-4: (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude) | 250 points |
| Question Paper-6 | Elective Subject – Paper-1 | 250 points |
| Question Paper-7 | Elective Subject – Paper-2 | 250 points |
| Question Paper-A | Qualifying – 1 English language | 300 digits ** |
| Question paper ‘B’ | Qualifying-2 Hindi or any language included in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution | 300 digits ** |
| Subtotal (written test) | 1750 digits | |
| personality test | 275 points | |
| Grand total | 2025 digits | |
Note:
- ** Marks of both qualifying papers are not added for qualification.
- Both the qualifying ‘nature’ papers are of 300 – 300 marks. The minimum qualifying marks in the Indian language are 25% (75) and in English, the minimum qualifying marks are 25% (75).
- The main examination question papers are published simultaneously in both English and Hindi languages, but candidates are allowed to answer in any of the 22 languages included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. In the form of Civil Services Examination, the language which they use as their medium for the main examination, they have to write the answers of all the question papers of the main examination in the same language. Only in the subjects of literature is there an exemption that the candidate writes the answer in the script of the same language, even if it is not the medium. For example, if the candidate of English medium chooses Hindi literature as an optional subject, then he will write his answers in Devanagari script. In the remaining cases, it is not allowed that the candidate answer different question papers in different languages (although some States Public Service Commissions have given such permission). General Studies and Essays
Question Paper-1
Essay
candidate will have to write essay on a specific subject. Subject options will be given. They are expected to sort and keep their ideas close to the topic of the essay and write it down briefly. Credit will be given for effective and accurate expressions.
Note: The essay paper is mainly divided into two parts (tangible and intangible). A total of two essays (125 marks each) have to be written, selecting one option from each of the 4 options given in each section. The prescribed word limit for each essay is about 1000-1200. General Studies and Essays
Question Paper-2
| General Studies Paper-1 Indian Heritage and Culture, World History and Geography and Society |
GS-Paper 1 Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society |
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| S.No. | Subject | S.No. | Topic |
| 1. | Indian culture will include the main aspects of art forms, literature and architecture from ancient times to modern times. | 1. | Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times. |
| 2. | Modern Indian history from around the middle of the 18th century to the present day – important events, personalities, themes. | 2. | Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues. |
| 3. | Freedom Struggle – its important phase / important person / contribution from different parts of the country. | 3. | The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country. |
| 4. | Integration and reorganization within the country after independence. | 4. | Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country. |
| 5. | The history of the world will include events of the 18th century and later such as industrial revolution, world war, re-demarcation of national boundaries, colonialism, end of colonialism, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc., their form and their impact on society. | 5. | History of the world will include events from 18th century such as Industrial revolution, World wars, Redrawal of national boundaries, Colonization, Decolonization, Political philosophies like Communism, Capitalism, Socialism etc.- their forms and effect on the society. |
| 6. | Salient features of Indian society, diversity of India. | 6. | Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India. |
| 7. | Role of women and women’s organization, population and allied issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their safeguards. | 7. | Role of women and women’s organizations, Population and associated issues, Poverty and developmental issues, Urbanization, their problems and their remedies. |
| 8. | Impact of Globalization on Indian Society. | 8. | Effects of globalization on Indian society. |
| 9. | Social empowerment, sectarianism, regionalism and secularism. | 9. | Social empowerment, Communalism, Regionalism & Secularism. |
| 10. | Salient features of physical geography of the world. | 10. | Salient features of world’s physical geography. |
| 11. | Factors responsible for establishing primary, secondary and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India), distribution of major natural resources around the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent). | 11. | Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India). |
| 12. | Important geophysical events such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic movements, cyclones, etc., geographical features and their location – important geographical features (including water sources and snow cover) and changes in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes. | 12. | Important Geophysical phenomena such as Earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, Cyclone etc., geographical features and their location- changes in critical geographical features (including Waterbodies and Ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes. |
Question Paper-3
| General Studies Paper-2 Governance, Constitution, System of Governance, Social Justice and International Relations |
GS-Paper 2 Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations |
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| S.No. | Subject | S.No. | Topic |
| 1. | Indian Constitution – historical basis, development, features, amendments, important provisions and basic structure. | 1. | Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure. |
| 2. | Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, topics and challenges related to the federal structure, transfer of powers and finance at the local level and its challenges. | 2. | Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein. |
| 3. | Separation of powers between different components, dispute resolution mechanisms and institutions. | 3. | Separation of powers between various organs, dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions. |
| 4. | Comparison of Indian Constitutional Plan with other countries. | 4. | Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries. |
| 5. | Parliament and State Legislature – structure, functions, business, powers and privileges and subjects arising out of them. | 5. | Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these. |
| 6. | The structure, organization and functions of the executive and judiciary – ministries and departments of government, influential groups and their role in formal / informal union and governance systems. | 6. | Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary; Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity. |
| 7. | Salient features of the Representation of the People Act. | 7. | Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act. |
| 8. | Appointment to various constitutional posts and powers, functions and responsibilities of various constitutional bodies. | 8. | Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies. |
| 9. | Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies. | 9. | Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies. |
| 10. | The issues arising due to government policies and interventions for development in various fields and their design and implementation. | 10. | Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. |
| 11. | Development process and development industry – Role of non-governmental organizations, self-help groups, various groups and associations, donors, philanthropic institutions, institutional and other parties. | 11. | Development processes and the development industry- the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders. |
| 12. | Welfare schemes for the most sensitive sections of the population by the Center and States and the performance of these schemes; Mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies set up to protect and improve these very sensitive sections. | 12. | Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections. |
| 13. | Topics related to health, education, human resources development and management of social sector / services. | 13. | Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources. |
| 14. | Topics related to poverty and hunger. | 14. | Issues relating to poverty and hunger. |
| 15. | Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance – applications, models, successes, limitations and prospects; Citizen’s Charter, Transparency and Accountability and Institutional and Other Measures. | 15. | Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures. |
| 16. | The role of civil services in democracy. | 16. | Role of civil services in a democracy. |
| 17. | India and its neighbors – relations. | 17. | India and its neighborhood- relations. |
| 18. | Bilateral, regional and global groups and agreements related to India and / or affecting India’s interests. | 18. | Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. |
| 19. | Impact of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests; Non Resident Indian. | 19. | Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora. |
| 20. | Important international institutions, institutions and forums – their structure, mandate. | 20. | Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate. |
Question Paper-4
| General Studies Paper-3 Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management |
GS-Paper 3 Technology, Economic Development, Bio- diversity, Environment, Security & Disaster Management |
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| S.No. | Subject | S.No. | Topic |
| 1. | Topics related to Indian economy and planning, resource mobilization, progress, development and employment. | 1. | Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment. |
| 2. | Inclusive development and topics arising from it. | 2. | Inclusive growth and issues arising from it. |
| 3. | Government budget. | 3. | Government Budgeting. |
| 4. | Major crops – Pattern of crops in different parts of the country – Different types of irrigation and irrigation systems – Storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce, related topics and constraints; E-Technology to help farmers. | 4. | Major crops – cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems – storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers. |
| 5. | Subjects related to direct and indirect agricultural assistance and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System – Objectives, Functions, Boundaries, Reforms; Subjects related to buffer stock and food security; Technology mission; Economics related to animal husbandry. | 5. | Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing. |
| 6. | Food Processing and Related Industries in India – Scope and Importance, Location, Upper and Bottom Requirements, Supply Chain Management. | 6. | Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management. |
| 7. | Land Reforms in India. | 7. | Land reforms in India. |
| 8. | The impact of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their impact on industrial development. | 8. | Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth. |
| 9. | Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc. | 9. | Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc. |
| 10. | Investment model. | 10. | Investment models. |
| 11. | Science and Technology – Development and applications and its impact on everyday life. | 11. | Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life. |
| 12. | Achievements of Indians in science and technology; Development of technology indigenously and development of new technology. | 12. | Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology. |
| 13. | Awareness regarding topics related to information technology, space, computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and intellectual property rights. | 13. | Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights. |
| 14. | Protection, environmental pollution and degradation, assessment of environmental impact. | 14. | Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment. |
| 15. | Disaster and Disaster Management. | 15. | Disaster and disaster management. |
| 16. | Relations between development and spreading extremism. | 16. | Linkages between development and spread of extremism. |
| 17. | Role of anti-governance elements posing a challenge to internal security. | 17. | Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security. |
| 18. | Challenging internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, fundamentals of cyber security, money laundering and curbing it. | 18. | Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention. |
| 19. | Security Challenges and Their Management in Border Areas – Relations between Organized Crime and Terrorism. | 19. | Security challenges and their management in border areas; -linkages of organized crime with terrorism. |
| 20. | Various security forces and institutions and their mandates. | 20. | Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate. |
Question Paper-5
| General Studies Question Paper-4 Ethics, Integrity and Interest |
GS-Paper 4 Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude |
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| This paper will include such questions which test the candidates’ integrity in public life, their aptitude and honesty in subjects related to honesty, and their attitude and behavior in dealing with various issues and problems faced in society. do. For determining these dimensions, medium of any case study can also be chosen in the question paper. Mainly the following areas will be covered. | This paper will include questions to test the candidate’s attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and his problem solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him in dealing with society. Questions may utilize the case study approach to determine these aspects. The following broad areas will be covered. | ||
| S.No. | Subject | S.No. | Topic |
| 1. | Ethics and human correlation: The essence of ethics in human activities, its determinants and consequences; Dimensions of ethics; Ethics, human values in private and public relations – education from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; Role of family, society and educational institutions in developing values. | 1. | Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships. Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values. |
| 2. | Attitude: content, structure, attitude; Its influence and relation in the perspective of thought and conduct; Moral and political interest; Social influence and perception. | 2. | Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behavior; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion. |
| 3. | Interest and basic values for civil service – integrity, non-discrimination and non-partisanship, fairness, devotion to public service, sympathy, tolerance and compassion for the weaker sections. | 3. | Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service – integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker sections. |
| 4. | Emotional understanding: concepts and their use and application in governance and governance. | 4. | Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance. |
| 5. | Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers of India and the world. | 5. | Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world. |
| 6. | Public / Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration: Status and Problems; Ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; Law, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of moral guidance; Responsibility and moral governance, strengthening of ethical and ethical values in governance; Ethical Issues in International Relations and Funding; Corporate Governance. | 6. | Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance. |
| 7. | Integrity in governance: the concept of public service; The philosophical basis of governance and honesty, information exchange and transparency in government, right to information, ethical code of conduct, code of conduct, citizen manifesto, work culture, quality of service, use of public funds, challenges of corruption . | 7. | Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption. |
| 8. | Case studies on the above mentioned topics. | 8. | Case Studies on above issues. |