Know The Civil Service Exams Syllabus In Detail

The Civil Services Preliminary exam comprises of
two compulsory papers of 200 marks each (General Studies Paper I and General
Studies Paper II). The questions will be of multiple choice, objective type.
The marks in prelims will not be counted for final ranking, but just for

qualification for the main exam. The ias coaching centres in Chennai can
give you a detailed input about the syllabus and the books to refer as you
proceed your preparations for the exam.

The Commission will draw a list of candidates to be
qualified for Civil Service (Main) Examination based on the criterion of
minimum qualifying marks of 33% in General Studies PaperII of Civil Services
(Preliminary) Examination and total qualifying marks of General Studies Paper-I
of Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination as may be determined by the
Commission. Now, let us take a look at the UPSC syllabus. Most of the Civil Service coaching centres in Chennai follow this syllabus pattern.

UPSC SYLLABUS FOR PAPER I – (200 MARKS) DURATION:
TWO HOURS (COUNTED FOR THE MERIT RANK IN THE PRELIMS)

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 – that do not require subject specialization.

General Science.

UPSC SYLLABUS FOR PAPER II- (200 MARKS) DURATION:
TWO HOURS (NOT COUNTED FOR THE MERIT RANK IN PRELIMS BUT A QUALIFYING PAPER;
NEEDS 33% MARKS)

Comprehension.

Interpersonal skills including communication
skills.

Logical reasoning and analytical ability.

Decision-making and problem-solving.

General mental ability.

Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders
of magnitude, etc.)(Class X level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs,
tables, data sufficiency, etc. – Class X level).

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UPSC Syllabus – Civil Services Mains Exam

A candidate’s rank in UPSC Civil Service Exam depends
only on the mark scored in Main and Interview. The main exam has 1750 marks
while interview has 275 marks.

The written examination (main) will consist of the
following nine papers, but only 7 papers will be counted for final merit
ranking. For the remaining two papers, the candidate should secure minimum
marks prescribed by UPSC each year.

Papers to be counted for merit ranking:

1. PAPER‐I: (ESSAY) 250 MARKS.

In Essay Paper, candidates may be required to write
essays on multiple topics. They will be expected to keep close to the subject
of the essay so as to arrange their ideas in an orderly fashion and to write
concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.

2. PAPER‐2: (GENERAL STUDIES 1) 250 MARKS.

General Studies 1 Paper Syllabus for UPSC Civil
Services Mains Exam consists of the following significant areas: Indian
Heritage and Culture, History, and Geography of the World and Society. A
detailed syllabus is given below:

GENERAL STUDIES 1 PAPER SYLLABUS FOR UPSC CIVIL
SERVICES MAINS

Indian culture will cover 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.

The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and
important contributors /contributions from different parts of the country.

Post-independence consolidation and reorganization
within the country.

History of the world will include events from the
18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, withdrawal of national
boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like
communism,

capitalism, socialism, etc.- their forms and effect
on the 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.

Salient features of the world’s physical geography.

Distribution of vital natural resources across the
world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent);

factors responsible for the location of primary,
secondary, and tertiary sector industries in

various parts of the world (including India)

Critical Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes,
Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone, etc.,

Geographic features and their location- changes in
essential geographic features (including water bodies and ice-caps) and flora
and fauna and the effects of such changes.

3. PAPER‐3: (GENERAL STUDIES 2) 250 MARKS.

General Studies 2 Paper Syllabus for UPSC Civil
Services Mains Exam consists of the following major areas: Governance,
Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations. The detailed
syllabus is given below:

GENERAL STUDIES 2 PAPER SYLLABUS FOR UPSC CIVIL
SERVICES MAINS

Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings,
evolution, features, amendments, important provisions and basic structure.

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.

Separation of powers between various organs dispute
redressal mechanisms and institutions.

Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with
that of other countries

Parliament and State Legislatures – structure,
functioning, the conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues
arising out of these.

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.

Salient features of the Representation of the
People’s Act.

Appointment to various Constitutional posts,
powers, functions, and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.

Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial
bodies.

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.

Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the
population by the Centre and the 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 the development and management
of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

Issues relating to poverty and hunger.

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.

India and its neighbourhood- relations.

Bilateral, regional and global groupings and
agreements involving India or affecting India’s interests.

Effect of policies and politics of developed and
developing countries on India’s interests, Indian Diaspora.

Prestigious International institutions, agencies,
and forams- their structure, mandate.

4. PAPER‐4: (GENERAL STUDIES 3) 250 MARKS.

General Studies 3 Paper Syllabus for UPSC Civil
Services Mains Exam consists of the following major areas: Technology, Economic
Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management.
Detailed syllabus as provided by UPSC is as below:

GENERAL STUDIES 3 PAPER SYLLABUS FOR UPSC CIVIL
SERVICES MAINS

Indian Economy and issues relating to planning,
mobilization of resources, growth, development, and employment.

Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.

Government Budgeting.

Major crops and their 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.

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.

Food processing and related industries in India-
scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply
chain management.

Land reforms in India.

Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes
in industrial policy and their impact on industrial growth.

Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports,
Railways, etc.

Investment models.

Science and Technology- developments and their
applications and effects in everyday life.

Achievements of Indians in science &
technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.

Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers,
robotics, nanotechnology, biotechnology and issues relating to intellectual
property rights.

Conservation, environmental pollution and
degradation, environmental impact assessment.

Disaster and disaster management.

Linkages between development and spread of
extremism.

Role of external state and non-state actors in
creating challenges to internal security.

Challenges to internal security through
communication networks, the role of media and social networking sites in
internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and
its prevention.

Security challenges and their management in border
areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism.

Various Security forces and agencies and their
mandate.

5. PAPER‐5: (GENERAL STUDIES 4) 250 MARKS.

General Studies 4 Paper Syllabus for UPSC Civil
Services Mains Exam consists of the below major areas: Ethics, Integrity, and
Aptitude. Details of the syllabus as provided by UPSC is as below: 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 him in dealing with society. Questions
may utilise the case study approach to determine these aspects. The following
broad areas will be covered:

GENERAL STUDIES 4 PAPER SYLLABUS FOR UPSC CIVIL
SERVICES MAINS

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; the role of family,
society and educational institutions in inculcating values.

Attitude: content, structure, function; its
influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political
attitudes; social influence and persuasion.

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.

Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their
utilities and application in administration and governance.

Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers
from India and the world.

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 integrity; 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 on the above issues.

6. PAPER‐6: (OPTIONAL SUBJECT PAPER 1) 250 MARKS.

7. PAPER‐7: (OPTIONAL SUBJECT PAPER 2) 250 MARKS.

SYLLABI FOR OPTIONAL SUBJECTS:

History Syllabus – Civil Services Mains Exam UPSC.

Geography Syllabus – Civil Services Mains Exam
UPSC.

Economics Syllabus – Civil Services Mains Exam
UPSC.

Sociology Syllabus – Civil Services Mains Exam
UPSC.

Public Administration Syllabus – Civil Services
Mains Exam UPSC.

Philosophy Syllabus – Civil Services Mains Exam
UPSC.

Psychology Syllabus – Civil Services Mains Exam
UPSC.

Political Science Syllabus – Civil Services Mains
Exam UPSC.

Agriculture Syllabus – Civil Services Mains Exam
UPSC.

Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Syllabus –
Civil Services Mains Exam UPSC.

Anthropology Syllabus – Civil Services Mains Exam
UPSC.

Botany Syllabus – Civil Services Mains Exam UPSC.

Chemistry Syllabus – Civil Services Mains Exam
UPSC.

Civil Engineering Syllabus – Civil Services Mains
Exam UPSC.

Commerce Syllabus – Civil Services Mains Exam UPSC.

Electrical Engineering Syllabus – Civil Services
Mains Exam UPSC.

Geology Syllabus – Civil Services Mains Exam UPSC.

Law Syllabus – Civil Services Mains Exam UPSC.

Mathematics Syllabus – Civil Services Mains Exam
UPSC.

Management Syllabus – Civil Services Mains Exam
UPSC.

Mechanical Engineering Syllabus – Civil Services
Mains Exam UPSC.

Medical Science Syllabus – Civil Services Mains
Exam UPSC.

Physics Syllabus – Civil Services Mains Exam UPSC.

Statistics Syllabus – Civil Services Mains Exam
UPSC.

Zoology Syllabus – Civil Services Mains Exam UPSC.

The literature of any one of the following
languages: Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri,
Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi,
Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu and English.

QUALIFYING PAPERS – NOT COUNTED FOR FINAL RANKING:

Paper ‐ A – Indian Language – Syllabus. (One of the
Indian Languages to be selected by the candidate from the Languages included in
the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution. This paper will not be compulsory for
candidates hailing from the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya,
Mizoram, Nagaland, and Sikkim.) 300 Marks.

Paper‐ B – English Language – Syllabus.300 Marks.

The candidate will be interviewed by a Board who
will have before them a record of his/her career. He/she will be asked
questions on matters of general interest. The object of the interview is to
assess the personal suitability of the candidate for a career in public service
by a Board of competent and unbiased observers. The test is intended to judge
the mental calibre of a candidate. In broad terms, this is really an assessment
of not only his/her intellectual qualities but also social traits and his/her
interest in current affairs. Some of the qualities to be judged are mental
alertness, critical powers of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, a
balance of judgement, variety, and depth of interest, ability for social
cohesion and leadership, intellectual and moral integrity.

The technique of the interview is not that of a
strict cross-examination but a natural, though directed and purposive
conversation which is intended to reveal the mental qualities of the candidate.

The interview test is not intended to be a test
either of the specialised or general knowledge of the candidates which has been
already tested through their written papers. Candidates are expected to have
taken an intelligent interest not only in their special subjects of academic
study but also in the events which are happening around them both within and
outside their own state or country as well as in modern currents of thought and
in discoveries which should rouse the curiosity of well-educated youth.

Sub Total (Written test): 1750 Marks

Personality Test: 275 Marks

Grand Total: 2025 Marks