Study Material
Preliminary Examination (400 marks)
Paper I (200 Marks)
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.
Paper II (200 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).
Mains Examination Syllabus
Aim: To assess the overall intellectual traits and depth understanding of candidates rather than
merely the range of their information and memory. General awareness of a variety of subjects,
which will have relevance for a career in Civil Services. Basic understanding of all relevant issues, and
ability to analyze. View on conflicting socio-economic goals, objectives and demands. Relevant,
meaningful and succinct answers.
Optional level: Higher than Bachelor’s degree and lower than Master’s degree.
Qualifying Paper (English Language)
Comprehension of given passages
Precis writing
Usage and vocabulary
Short Essays
Qualifying Paper (Indian Language)
Comprehension of given passages
Precis writing
Usage and vocabulary
Short Essays
Translation from English to the Indian Language and vice-versa
Paper I (Essay writing)
Essay on multiple topics. Arrangement in orderly fashion and concise writing. Effective and exact
expression.
Paper II (GS I): Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the world and Society.
Indian Culture- Salient Aspect of art forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern
times
Modern Indian History- Middle of the eighteenth century until the present significant events,
personalities, issues.
The Freedom struggle- Various stages, important contributors/contributions from different parts
of the country.
Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country
History of the world- Events from 18 th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal
of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism,
capitalism, socialism, etc. – their forms and effects on the society.
Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity in 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 world’s 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.
Paper III (GS II): Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations
Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant
provisions and basic structure.
Functions and responsibilities of the Union and 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 and
privileges and issues arising out of these
Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and Judiciary- Ministries and
Departments of the Government, pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their
role in polity
Salient features of the Representation of People 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 the NGOs, SHGs, various
groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
Welfare schemes for the 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 development and management of social sector/ services related to health,
education and 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 neighborhood- relations.
Paper Topic name Study materials
GS I
History 1) New NCERTs (VI- XII)
2) Freedom struggle- A brief history of
modern India (Spectrum)
3) Post independence- Nitin Sangwan notes
4) World History- Vision IAS notes
Art & Culture 1) NCERT Class XI- An Introduction to Indian
art
2) Indian Art & Culture- Nitin Singhania
3) Old NCERT Class XI- Ancient India,
Medieval India
Geography 1) New NCERT Class VI-XII
2) Geography videos by Mr. Rajtanil
(Mrunal)
3) Certificate Physical and Human
Geography – GC Leong
4) PMF IAS
5) Atlas
Indian Society and Diversity of Vision IAS Current Affairs materials & test
India, Women, Population, series
Urbanization, Poverty,
Development issues, Effects of
Globalization on Indian Society,
Social Empowerment,
Communalism, Regionalism &
Secularism
GS II
Constitution and Polity 1) New NCERTs VI-XII
2) Indian Polity- Laxmikanth
3) Current Affairs- Editorials, Vision IAS, PIB
& PRS
4) 2nd ARC Sixth Report- Local Governance
5) Vision IAS notes like Pressure Group &
NGOs.
Governance 1) 2nd ARC Reports- 1,4,9,10,11,12
2) Vision IAS notes
3) Current Affairs- Editorials, Vision IAS
notes, PIB & PRS.
Social Justice 1) Current Affairs- Editorials, Vision IAS, PIB
& PRS
2) NITI Aayog- 3-year Agenda Action
3) Budget and Economic survey
International Relations 1) Vision IAS Current Affairs material
2) Editorials
3) Ministry of External Affairs website
GS III
Economy 1) NCERTs- IX- XII
2) Indian Economy- Sanjeev Verma
3) Current Affairs- Editorials, Vision IAS, PIB
& PRS
4) Budget and Economic Surveys
5) Online websites like Investopedia &
Arthapedia
Environment 1) NCERTs Biology Class XII- Last 4 Chapters
2) Shankar IAS Environment
3) Current Affairs- Editorials, Vision IAS, PIB
& PRS
4) PMF IAS
Internal Security 1) Internal Security & Disaster
Management- Ashok Kumar & Vipul
2) Current Affairs- Editorials, Vision IAS
material,
Disaster Management 1) 2nd ARC Third Report- Crisis Management
2) NDMA Guidelines
3) Current Affairs- Vision IAS Materials
Science and Technology 1) Vision IAS Material
2) Editorials
GS IV
Ethics 1) 2nd ARC Fourth Report- Ethnics in
Governance
2) 2nd ARC Twelfth Report- Citizen Centric
Administration
3) Lexicon for Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude
by Chronicle
