UPSC Syllabus : PDF downloadable link is given below.
Union Public Service Commission and expectations from the aspirant in this examination
According to the notification of the Union Public Service Commission, the following are the expectations from any candidate or aspirant for preliminary examination and general studies paper of main / main examination. –
- General Awareness/Study/Comprehension: The questions in the question paper are of such a level that any well-educated person should be able to answer them without any special study.
- Well-educated: The examination notification does not provide any concrete explanation of the meaning of the word well-educated.
- It only includes the procedural requirement of being a graduate.
- General Awareness/ Sense of Curiosity: The questions test the general awareness of the candidate.
- Fundamental-Basic Understanding, Not Average
- Subject
- Syllabus
- Relevant Issues
- Enhanced Analytical Ability: The questions demand analytical ability from the candidates.
- Perspective/Taking a View: Candidates need to develop their own perspective or view on the appearing-conflicting socio-economic goals, objectives and demands.
Preliminary Examination Syllabus
Question Paper 1 : General Studies
Total Marks – 200
Duration – 2 Hrs
Number of Questions – 100
List of Subject
- Current Events
- Of National Importance
- Of International Importance
- History
- History of India
- History of Indian National Movement
- India and World Geography
- Physical Geography,
- Social Geography
- Economic Geography
- 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 that do not require subject specialization
- Environmental ecology
- Bio-diversity
- Climate Change
- General Science
- General Level
Question Paper 2 : CSAT
Total Marks – 200 Marks
Duration – 2 Hrs
No. of Questions – 80
MAIN Examination Syllabus
Main Examination: The objective of the Main Examination is to assess the overall intellectual qualities and depth of knowledge of the candidates and not merely to assess their information bank only. Now, will try to understand the topics and sub-topics of General Studies syllabus.
Question Paper – 1, (Essay)
Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics. They will be expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in orderly fashion, and to write concisely.
- Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.
- Total Marks – 250 Marks
- Duration – 3
- 2 Essays
Question Paper – 2, (General Study – 1)
Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society
Total Marks – 250 Mark
Duration – 3 Hrs
No. of Questions: 20
| Indian Art and Culture | The salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times |
| Modern Indian History | From about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present. > Significant events > Personalities, Issues Freedom Struggle > Various Stages > Important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country. |
| World History | 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. |
| Indian Society | Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India, > Role of women and women’s organization, > Population and Associated issues, > Poverty and Developmental issues, > Urbanization, their problems and their remedies. > Effects of globalization on Indian society, > Social empowerment, > Communalism, > Regionalism, > Secularism |
| World Geography | Physical Geography: Essential Features of World Physical Geography > Distribution of key natural resources across the world > Distribution of key natural resources in South Asia and the Indian subcontinent > Factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world > Factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in India. Geographical Phenomena > Earthquakes, > Tsunami, > Volcanic activity, > Cyclone etc. Geographical features and their location > Changes in critical geographical features > Changes in Changes in water-bodies and ice-caps) > Changes in flora and fauna > The effects of such changes |
Question Paper – 3, (General Studies – II)
Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations
Total Marks – 250 Marks
Duration – 3 Hrs
No. of Questions – 20
| Indian Constitution | > Introducing the Indian Constitution > Historical Underpinnings, > Evolution, > Features, > Amendments, > Significant Provisions and > Basic Structure > Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries. |
| Polity-Political System | Federalism and Introducing Indian Federal System > Union and its Territory > Citizenship > 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 Form of Government; Separation of powers between various organs (linking it with fusion of power) Parliament and State Legislature > Structure, > Functioning, > Conduct of business, > powers & privileges > and issues arising out of these, Executive and Judiciary > Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary > Ministries and > Departments of the Government, > Dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions. Pressure Groups and Formal/Informal Associations and their Role in the Polity, Appointment to various Constitutional posts Constitutional Bodies > Powers, Functions and Responsibilities > Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies निकाय Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act |
| Governance | Conceptualizing Governance Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; Citizens charters, Transparency & Accountability and institutional and other measures Role of civil services in a democracy |
| Social Justice and Public Policy | Rights Issues – Major Categories/groups, Laws and their Issues 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, Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources. Issues relating to poverty and hunger Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Development processes and the development industry —the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders (merged with governance). |
| International Relations | India and the World (1) India and its neighbourhood relations > China > Pakistan > Bhutan > Nepal > Bangladesh > Myanmar > Sri Lanka > Afghanistan > etc (2) Bilateral Groupings, Regional and global groupings (3) agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. International Organisations, Forum, Policy and Politics > Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora. > Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate. |
Question Paper -4, (General Studies – III)
Technology, Economic Development, Bio Diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management
Total Marks – 250 Marks
Duration – 3 Hrs
No. of Questions – 20
The topic wise division of General Studies Paper 3 is as follows
| Indian Economy | 1. Planning 2. Resources 3. Progress, Development 4. Employment 5. Inclusive development and issues arising out of it 6. Budget 7. Crops, Irrigation and Agricultural Produce a. Crops-cropping patterns in various parts of the country Pattern, b. Irrigation-System- Different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, c. Transport and Marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; d. E-technology in the aid of farmers 8. Farm Subsidies a. Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and b. Minimum support prices; c. Public Distribution System- i. objectives, ii. functioning, iii. limitations, iv. revamping; d. Issues of buffer stocks and food security; e. Technology missions; f. Economics of animal-rearing 9. Food processing and related industries in India a. Scope’ and Significance, b. Location, c. Upstream and downstream requirements, d. Supply chain management 10. Land reforms in India 11. Effects of Liberalisation a. On the economy, b. Changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth 12. Infrastructure a. Energy, b. Ports, c. Roads, d. Airports, e. Railways etc 13. Investment Models |
| Science and Technology | 1. Developments and their applications and effects in everyday life. 2. Achievements of Indians in science & technology; 3. Indigenization of technology and developing new technology. 4. Awareness in the fields of a. IT, b. Space, c. Computers, d. Robotics, e. Nano-technology, f. Bio-technology 5. Issues relating to intellectual property rights. |
| Ecology and Disaster Management- Related to Geography | 1. Conservation, 2. Environmental pollution and Degradation, 3. Environmental impact assessment. 4. Disaster and Disaster Management |
| Security | 1. Linkages between development and spread of extremism. 2. Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security. 3. Challenges to internal security through communication networks, 4. Role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, Basics of cyber security; 5. Money-laundering and its prevention. 6. Security challenges and their management in border areas – linkages of organized crime with terrorism. 7. Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate. |
Question Paper -5, (General Studies – IV)
Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude
Total Marks – 250 Marks
Duration – 3 Hrs
No. of Questions – 12
| Nature of this Paper | This paper will include questions to test the candidates’ attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and his problem-solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by her/him/them in dealing with society. Questions may utilise the case study approach to determine these aspects. |
| Ethics | Ethics and Human Interface, 1. Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in-human actions; 2. Dimensions of ethics; 3. Ethics – in private and public relationships. 4. Human Values – a. Lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; b. Role of family society and educational institutions in inculcating values. 5. Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world. |
| Attitude | > Content, > Structure, > Function; > Its influence and relation with thought and > behaviour; > Moral and Political attitudes; > Social Influence and Persuasion |
| Emotional intelligence | Concepts, and their Utilities and Application in administration and governance |
| Civil Services Related | Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service > Integrity, > Impartiality Non-partisanship, > Objectivity, > Dedication to Public Service, > Empathy, > Tolerance and Compassion towards the weaker sections. 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 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 |
| Case Studies | Case Studies on above issues |
| UPSC Syllabus pdf | Download Link |
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| UPSC Syllabus in Hindi pdf | DOWNLOAD pdf |
