UPSC(Union Public Service Commission)

Civil ServicesSYLLABUS

&PATTERN BOOKLET

(Preliminary & Mains)

India’s No.1 Academy for UPSC ExamVEDANTA IAS ACADEMY

Civil Services Examination (CSE) is a nationwide competitive examination in India conducted by the Union Public Service Commission for recruitment to various Civil Services Posts of the Government of India, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS) among others. It is conducted in two phases - a preliminary examination consisting of two objective-type papers (general studies and aptitude test), and a mains examination consisting of nine papers of conventional (essay) type, followed by a personality test (interview)

The Civil Services Examination is considered to be one of the most difficult and competitive examinations in India. On average, 900,000 to 1,000,000 candidates apply every year and the number of candidates appearing to sit the preliminary examination is approximately 450,000. The examination consists of the following three stages:

Stage I: Preliminary examination - A qualifying test advertized in Jan and Feb held in May each year. Results are published in June-July.

Stage II: Main examination - Held in September every year. Results are usually published in the second week of December.

Stage III: Personality Test (interview) - held in December to March each year. Final results are usually announced in April

ABOUT CIVIL SERVICE EXAM

PROCESS

Union Public Service Commission

ELIGIBILITYEligibility for the examination is as follows

• For the Indian Administrative Service and the Indian Police Service, a candidate must be a citizen of India.

• A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India

• For other services, a candidate must be one of the following:• A citizen of India• A citizen of Nepal or a subject of Bhutan

NATIONALITY

All candidates must have as a minimum one of the following educational qualifications:

• A degree from a Central, State or Deemed university.• A degree received through correspondence or distance education• A degree from an open university.• A qualification recognized by the Government of India as being equivalent

to one of the above. The following candidates are also eligible, but must submit proof of their

eligibility from a competent authority at their institute/university at the time of the main examination, failing which they will not be allowed to attend the exam.

• Candidates who have appeared in an examination, the passing of which would render them educationally qualified enough to satisfy one of the above points.

• Candidates who have passed the final exam of the MBBS degree but have not yet completed an internship

• Candidates who have passed the final exam of Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), ICSI and ICWAI

• A degree from a private university• A degree from any foreign university recognized by the Association of

Indian Universities

EDUCATION

A candidate must have attained the age of 21 years and must not have attained the age of 32 years on August 1 of the year of examination. Prescribed age limits vary with respect to caste reservations. For other backwards castes (OBC) the upper age limit is 35, and for scheduled castes (SC) and scheduled tribes (ST) the limit is 37 years. The upper age limit is relaxed for certain candidates who are backward with respect to other factors and physically handicapped people

AGE

The number of times a candidate may attempt the exam is limited as follows:• General category candidates = 6 • OBC category candidates = 9• SC/ST candidates = unlimited attempts till 37 years of age

All India Services• Indian Administrative Service (IAS)• Indian Police Service (IPS)

Central Services• Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS)• Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS)• Indian Corporate Law Service (ICLS)• Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS)• Indian Defence Estates Service (IDES)• Indian Foreign Service (IFS)• Indian Information Service (IIS)• Indian Ordnance Factories Service (IOFS)• Indian Post & Telecommunication Accounts and Finance Service

(IP&TAFS)• Indian Postal Service (IPoS)• Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS)• Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS)• Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS)• Indian Revenue Service (IRS-IT)• Indian Revenue Service (IRS-C&CE)• Indian Trade Service (ITrS)• Railway Protection Force (RPF)

Group B Services• Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service (AFHCS)• Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service (DANICS)• Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Police Service (DANIPS)• Pondicherry Civil Service• Pondicherry Police Service

LIST OF SERVICES

NUMBERS OF ATTEMPTS

UPSC EXAM PATTERNPreliminary Exam(Objective Type)

General Studies [100Q ×2M = 200 Marks)Civil Services Aptitude Test=[80Q×2.5M=200 Marks)

1/3Neg. Marking

(Except in Decision Making)

Exam Structure

History

u Polity

u Economy

u Geography

u Ecology & Environment

u General Science & Technology

u Current Affairs

u Art & Culture

u

STAGE 1 - PRELIMINARY EXAM

u Comprehension

u Reasoning

u Decision Making

u Interpersonal Skills

u Basic Numeracy (Maths)

u General Mental Ability

u Data Interpretation

STAGE 2 -MAINS (Subjective Type)

English300 Marks

25%

Regional Language300 Marks

30%

Essay - 250 - 3 Hrs.

G.S. Paper-I-250 Marks - 3 Hrs.(Indian Heritage & Culture, History, Geography

G.S. Paper-II-250 Marks - 3 Hrs.(Governance, Consititution, Polity, Social Justice& International Relation)

G.S. Paper-III-250 Marks - 3 Hrs.(Science & Tech. Economic Development, Bio-Diversity,Environment & Ecology, Security & Distance Management)

G.S. Paper-IV-250 Marks - 3 Hrs.(Ethics, Integrity & Aptitute)

Optional paper Paper-I - 250 Marks

Paper-II - 250 Marks

Written Exam - 1750, Interview - 275 Marks

STAGE 3 - Personality Test/Interview

275 Marks

Grand Total - 1750 + 275 = 2025 Marks

General Studies (G.S.) Civil Service Aptitude Test (CSAT)

P1 P2

P3

P4

P5

P6

P7

P8P9+

Syllabus for UPSC - IAS Examination IAS Examination, also called Indian Administrative Services Examination, which is one of

the toughest and prestigious examinations held in India, gives a chance to get most eminent

designation offered by Indian Government. Thus a detailed look throughout the syllabus is

very necessary, especially for those who are going to appear IAS for the first time.

UPSC - IAS examination is conducted in three phases:

Preliminary Examination of UPSC Consist of two papers, each of 200 marks and two hours of duration and it is compulsory to appear in both. It is an objective section, and every wrong attempt will cost you 1/3rd marks of the attempted question.Prelims is just a screening test, thus the marks obtained will not be entertained in your final merit.

General Studies [100Q x 2m = 200 Marks]Civil Services Aptitude Test = [80Q x 2.5M = 200 Marks]

Preliminary Exam (Objective Type)

1/3Neg. Marking

(Except in Decision Making)

History

Polity

Economy

Geography

Ecology & Environment

General Science & Technology

Current Affairs

Comprehension

Reasoning

Decision Making

Interpersonal Skills

Basic Numeracy (Maths)

General Mental Ability

Data Interpretation

SYLLABUS

EXAM STRUCTURE STAGE 1 - PRELIMINARY EXAM

General Studies (G.S.) Civil Service Aptitude Test (CSAT)

Civil Services Mains Exam 2016 Syllabus

Note 1: The Papers on Indian Languages and English will be of High School level and will be of qualifying

nature only. The marks obtained in these papers will not be counted for final ranking.

Note 2 :The candidates will have to answer the English and Indian Languages papers in English and the

respective Indian language (except where translation is involved).

PAPER B - ENGLISH -300 MARKS - QUALIFYING NATURE - MARKS NOTCOUNTED- PASSING MANDATORY.

The aim of the paper is to test the candidates' ability to read and understand serious discursive prose, and to

express his ideas clearly and correctly, in English and Indian Language concerned.

The pattern of questions would be broadly as follows:-

(I) Comprehension of given passages

(ii) Precis Writing

(iii) Usage and Vocabulary

(iv) Short Essay.

PAPER-I

ESSAY - 250 MARKS - TO BE WRITTEN IN THE MEDIUM OR LANGUAGE OF THE CANDIDATE'S CHOICE. CANDIDATE IS

required to write an essay on a specific topic. The choice of subjects will be given. They are expected to keep

their thoughts closely to the subject and arrange their ideas in orderly fashion and be concise. Credit will be

given to effective and coherent expression.

PAPER-II

GENERAL STUDIES-I 250 MARKS (INDIAN HERITAGE AND CULTURE, HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY OF THE WORLD AND SOCIETY)

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 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawing

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.

The written examination will consist of the following papers:

Paper A - Modern Indian language 300 Marks - Qualifying nature - Marks not counted - Passing mandatory-

(i) Comprehension of given passages.

(ii) Precis Writing

(iii) Usage and Vocabulary.

(iv) Short Essay

(v) Translation from English to the Indian language and vice-versa.

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 world's physical geography.

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)

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

features and their location- changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and

in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.

Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant 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, 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 People's Act.

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

Bodies.

Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies

GENERAL STUDIES -II: 250 MARKS (GOVERNANCE, CONSTITUTION, POLITY,

SOCIAL JUSTICE AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS)

PAPER-III

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 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 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 and/or affecting India's interests

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.

PAPER-IV

GENERAL STUDIES -III 250 MARKS (TECHNOLOGY, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT,

BIO-DIVERSITY, ENVIRONMENT, SECURITY AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT)

Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management.

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 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 effects 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.

indigenization of technology and developing new technology.

Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology 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, 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

PAPER-V

GENERAL STUDIES -IV 250 MARKS (ETHICS, INTEGRITY AND APTITUDE)

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.

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.

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 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 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 on above issues.

Candidates may choose any ONE optional subject from amongst the list of subjects given below.

PAPER-VI

OPTIONAL SUBJECT - PAPER I -250 MARKS

INTERVIEW/PERSONALITY TEST - 275 MARKS

CANDIDATE CAN GIVE PREFERENCE OF THE LANGUAGE IN WHICH THEY MAY

LIKE TO BE INTERVIEWED. UPSC WILL MAKE ARRANGEMENT FOR THE

TRANSLATORS.

PAPER-VII

OPTIONAL SUBJECT - PAPER II -250 MARKS

© Agriculture © Management

© Animal Husbandry & Veterinary © MathematicsScience

© Mechanical Engineering© Anthropology

© Medical Science© Botany

© Philosophy© Chemistry

© Physics© Civil Engineering

© Political Science and © Commerce and Accountancy International Relations

© Economics © Psychology

© Electrical Engineering © Public Administration

© Geography © Sociology

© Geology © Statistics

© History © Zoology

© Law

GROUP - I

Note: You can opt for the literatures of a language as an optional subject, only if you have graduated in the literature

of that particular language as the main subject.

Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri,

Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, English

GROUP - II

English MediumHistory

Public Administration

Geography

Political Science &

International Relation

Sociology

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