Syllabus UPSC
Syllabus UPSC
Note 3 : It is mandatory for the candidate to appear in both the Papers of Civil Services (Prelim)
Examination for the purpose of evaluation. Therefore a candidate will be disqualified in case he/she does
not appear in both the papers of Civil Services (Prelim) Examination.
The main Examination is intended to assess the overall intellectual traits and depth of understanding
of candidates rather than merely the range of their information and memory.
The nature and standard of questions in the General Studies papers (Paper II to Paper V) will be such
that a well-educated person will be able to answer them without any specialized study. The questions will
be such as to test a candidate’s general awareness of a variety of subjects, which will have relevance for a
career in Civil Services. The questions are likely to test the candidate’s basic understanding of all relevant
issues, and ability to analyze, and take a view on conflicting socio-economic goals, objectives and demands.
The candidates must give relevant, meaningful and succinct answers.
Government strives to have a workforce which reflects gender balance and women candidates are encouraged to apply.
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The scope of the syllabus for optional subject papers (Paper VI and Paper VII) for the examination is
broadly of the honours degree 1evel i.e. a level higher than the bachelors’ degree and lower than the masters’
degree. In the case of Engineering, Medical Science and law, the level corresponds to the bachelors’ degree.
Syllabi of the papers included in the scheme of Civil Services (Main) Examination are given as follows :—
The aim of the paper is to test the candidates' ability to read and understand serious discursive prose,
and to express ideas clearly and correctly, in English and Indian language concerned.
Indian Languages :—
Note 1 : The papers on Indian Languages and English will be of Matriculation or equivalent standard and
will be of qualifying nature only. The marks obtained in these papers will not be counted for 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-I
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.
PAPER-II
General Studies-I: 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.
Government strives to have a workforce which reflects gender balance and women candidates are encouraged to apply.
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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.
Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and
developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
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
General Studies- II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations.
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.
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.
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
Government strives to have a workforce which reflects gender balance and women candidates are encouraged to apply.
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performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection
and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
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.
PAPER-IV
General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and
Disaster Management
Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and
employment.
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.
Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial
growth.
Investment models.
Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
Government strives to have a workforce which reflects gender balance and women candidates are encouraged to apply.
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Achievements of Indians in science & 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.
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.
PAPER-V
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.
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.
Government strives to have a workforce which reflects gender balance and women candidates are encouraged to apply.
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sampling. Estimation of reserves of ore; Methods of exploration and mining-metallic ores, industrial
minerals, marine mineral resources and building stones. Mineral beneficiation and ore dressing.
6. Geochemistry and Environmental Geology :
Cosmic abundance of elements. Composition of the planets and meteorites. Structure and
composition of earth and distribution of elements. Trace elements. Elements of crystal chemistry-types of
chemical bonds, coordination number. Isomorphism and polymorphism. Elementary thermodynamics.
Natural hazards—floods, mass wasting, costal hazards, earthquakes and volcanic activity and mitigation;
Environmental impact of urbanization, mining, industrial and radioactive waste disposal, use of fertilizers,
dumping of mine waste and fly-ash. Pollution of ground and surface water, marine pollution. Environment
protection—legislative measures in India; Sea level changes: causes and impact.
HISTORY
PAPER I
1. Sources
Archaeological sources :
Exploration, excavation, epigraphy, numismatics, monuments.
Literary sources:
Indigenous: Primary and secondary; poetry, scientific literature, literature, literature in regional languages,
religious literature.
Foreign account: Greek, Chinese and Arab writers.
2. Pre-history and Proto-history :
Geographical factors; hunting and gathering (paleolithic and mesolithic); Beginning of agriculture (neolithic
and chalcolithic).
3. Indus Valley Civilization :
Origin, date, extent, characteristics-decline, survival and significance, art and architecture.
4. Megalithic Cultures :
Distribution of pastoral and farming cultures outside the Indus, Development of community life,
Settlements, Development of agriculture, Crafts, Pottery, and Iron industry.
5. Aryans and Vedic Period :
Vedic Period: Religious and philosophic literature; Transformation from Rig Vedic period to the later Vedic
period; Political, social and economical life; Significance of the Vedic Age; Evolution of Monarchy and Varna
system.
6. Period of Mahajanapadas :
Formation of States (Mahajanapada): Republics and monarchies; Rise of urban centres; Trade routes;
Economic growth; Introduction of coinage; Spread of Jainism and Buddism; Rise of Magadha and Nandas.
7. Mauryan Empire :
Foundation of the Mauryan Empire, Chandragupta, Kautilya and Arthashastra; Ashoka; Concept of
Government strives to have a workforce which reflects gender balance and women candidates are encouraged to apply.
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Dharma; Edicts; Polity, Administration, Economy; Art, architecture and sculpture; External contacts;
Religion; Spread of religion; Literature.
Contact with outside world; growth of urban centres, economy, coinage, development of religions,
Mahayana, social conditions, art, architecture, culture, literature and science.
9. Early State and Society in Eastern India, Deccan and South India:
Kharavela, The Satavahanas, Tamil States of the Sangam Age; Administration, Economy, land grants,
coinage, trade guilds and urban centres; Buddhist centres; Sangam literature and culture; Art and
architecture.
Polity and administration, Economic conditions, Coinage of the Guptas, Land grants, Decline of urban
centres, Indian feudalism, Caste system, Position of women, Education and educational institutions;
Nalanda, Vikramshila and Vallabhi, Literature, scientific literature, art and architecture.
The Kadambas, Pallavas, Chalukyas of Badami; Polity and Administration, Trade guilds, Literature; growth
of Vaishnava and Saiva religions. Tamil Bhakit movement, Shankaracharya; Vedanta; Institutions of temple
and temple architecture; Palas, Senas, Rashtrakutas, Paramaras, Polity and administration; Cultural
aspects. Arab conquest of Sind; Alberuni, The Chaluky as of Kalyana, Cholas, Hoysalas, Pandyas; Polity
and Administration; Local Government; Growth of art and architecture, religious sects, Institution of temple
and Mathas, Agraharas, education and literature, economy and society.
Languages and texts, major stages in the evolution of art and architecture, major philosophical thinkers
and schools, ideas in Science and Mathematics.
— Polity: Major political developments in Northern India and the peninsula, origin and the rise of Rajputs.
— Society: the status of the Brahman and the new social order.
— Condition of women.
— Philosophy: Skankaracharya and Vedanta, Ramanuja and Vishishtadvaita, Madhva and Brahma-
Mimansa.
— Religion: Forms and features of religion, Tamil devotional cult, growth of Bhakti, Islam and its arrival
in India, Sufism.
— Literature: Literature in Sanskrit, growth of Tamil literature, literature in the newly developing
languages, Kalhan's Rajtarangini, Alberuni's India.
Government strives to have a workforce which reflects gender balance and women candidates are encouraged to apply.
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— Establishment of the Delhi Sultanate: The Ghurian invasions - factors behind Ghurian success.
— Alauddin Khalji: Conquests and territorial expansion, agrarian and economic measure.
— Firuz Tugluq: Agrarian measures, achievements in civil engineering and public works, decline of the
Sultanate, foreign contacts and Ibn Battuta's account.
17. Society, Culture and Economy in the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Centuries:
— Society: composition of rural society, ruling classes, town dwellers, women, religious classes, caste and
slavery under the Sultanate, Bhakti movement, Sufi movement.
— Culture: Persian literature, literature in the regional languages of North India, literaute in the languages
of South India, Sultanate architecture and new structural forms, painting, evolution of a composite culture.
— Economy: Agricultural Production, rise of urban economy and non-agricultural production, trade and
commerce.
18. The Fifteenth and Early Sixteenth Century-Political Developments and Economy:
— Malwa, Bahmanids.
— Lodis.
19. The Fifteenth and Early Sixteenth Century- Society and culture:
— Literary traditions.
— Provincial architectural.
20. Akbar:
— Rajput policy.
Government strives to have a workforce which reflects gender balance and women candidates are encouraged to apply.
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— Evolution of religious and social outlook. Theory of Sulh-i-kul and religious policy.
— Towns, commerce with Europe through Dutch, English and French companies : a trade revolution.
— Mughal architecture.
— Mughal painting.
— Classical music.
— State of, political, cultural and economic, on eve of the British conquest.
PAPER-II
The Early European Settlements; The Portuguese and the Dutch; The English and the French East
India Companies; Their struggle for supremacy; Carnatic Wars; Bengal-The conflict between the English
Government strives to have a workforce which reflects gender balance and women candidates are encouraged to apply.
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and the Nawabs of Bengal; Siraj and the English; The Battle of Plassey; Significance of Plassey.
Bengal-Mir Jafar and Mir Kasim; The Battle of Buxar; Mysore; The Marathas; The three Anglo-Maratha
Wars; The Punjab.
The Early administrative structure; From diarchy to direct contol; The Regulating Act (1773); The Pitt's
India Act (1784); The Charter Act (1833); The Voice of free trade and the changing character of British
colonial rule; The English utilitarian and India.
(a) Land revenue settlements in British India; The Permanent Settlement; Ryotwari Settlement; Mahalwari
Settlement; Economic impact of the revenue arrangements; Commercialization of agriculture; Rise of
landless agrarian labourers; Impoverishment of the rural society.
(b) Dislocation of traditional trade and commerce; De-industrialisation; Decline of traditional crafts; Drain
of wealth; Economic transformation of India; Railroad and communication network including telegraph and
postal services; Famine and poverty in the rural interior; European business enterprise and its limitations.
Government strives to have a workforce which reflects gender balance and women candidates are encouraged to apply.
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(iii) Disintegration of Empires in the face of the emergence of nationalities across the World.
(iii) Australia.
Government strives to have a workforce which reflects gender balance and women candidates are encouraged to apply.
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(i) 1st and 2nd World Wars as Total Wars : Societal implications.
27. Disintegration of Soviet Union and the Rise of the Unipolar World :
(i) Factors leading to the collapse of Soviet Communism and Soviet Union, 1985-1991.
(iii) End of the Cold War and US Ascendancy in the World as the lone superpower.
LAW
PAPER-I
Constitutional and administrative Law :
1. Constitution and Constitutionalism:The distinctive features of the Constitution.
2. Fundamental Rights—Public interest litigation; Legal Aid; Legal services authority.
3. Relationship between Fundamental rights, Directive principles and Fundamental duties.
Government strives to have a workforce which reflects gender balance and women candidates are encouraged to apply.