Courses Offered:

IAS KAS
Integrated General Studies Course General Studies Course
Prelims (Including CSAT) Prelims and Mains
+ Mains (GS1, GS2, GS3, GS4 and Essay)
+ Test Series (Prelims + Mains) Test Series
+ Advanced Prelims Test Series Prelims and Mains

+ Personality Test Interview Guidance Program

(Expert Panels & Video recorded Mock Interviews)
+ Individual and Group Mentorship
(Entire course duration and beyond)

Optionals
Kannada Literature, Anthropology,
Public Administration and Sociology

Personality Test Guidance Program:

* Expert Panel of Retired & Serving senior bureaucrats Dr. Rajkumar Academy
* DAF Discussion and Zero Preparation Mocks
* Special Sessions on Important topics

SYLLABUS
* Mock Interviews with video recording

Test Series Program:

* Exclusive Prelims Test Series
* Exclusive Mains Test Series
* Optional Test Series

AND

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Vijayanagara, Bengaluru, Karnataka- 560040
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Dr. Rajkumar Academy For Civil Services

Dr. RAJKUMAR ACADEMY

FOR CIVIL SERVICES

#2952/E, West of Chord Road, Opp Maruti Mandir

Vijayanagara, Bengaluru, Karnataka- 560040

SYLLABUS AND BOOKLIST

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PLAN OF EXAMINATION
The examination comprises two successive stages:
(I) Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination (Objective Type) for the
selection of candidates for Main Examination;
(ii) Civil Services (Main) Examination (Written and Interview) for the
selection of candidates for the various Services and posts.
The Preliminary Examination shall comprise of two compulsory Papers of 200
marks each.
Note:
I. Both the question papers will be of the objective type (multiple choice
questions) and each will be of two hours duration.
II. The General Studies Paper-II of the Civil Services (Preliminary)
Examination will be a qualifying paper with minimum qualifying marks
fixed at 33%.
III. For each question for which a wrong answer has been given by the
candidate, one-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question will
be deducted as penalty.
IV. If a candidate gives more than one answer, it will be treated as a wrong
answer even if one of the given answers happen to be correct and there
will be same penalty as above for that question.
V. The question papers will be set both in Hindi and English only
Preliminary Examination
Paper I - (200 marks) Duration: Two hours
Ÿ Current events of national and international importance.
Ÿ History of India and Indian National Movement.
Ÿ Indian and World Geography-Physical, Social, Economic Geography of
India and the World.
Ÿ Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati
Raj, Public Policy,
Ÿ Rights Issues, etc.
Ÿ Economic and Social Development- Sustainable Development, Poverty,
Inclusion,

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Ÿ Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.

Ÿ General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate
Change - that do not require subject specialization.
Ÿ General Science.
Paper II-(200 marks) Duration: Two hours- Minimum 33%
Ÿ Comprehension;
Ÿ Interpersonal skills including communication skills;
Ÿ Logical reasoning and analytical ability;
Ÿ Decision making and problem solving;
Ÿ General mental ability;
Ÿ Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.)
(Class X level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency
etc. — Class X level)
Note:
Ÿ The marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination by the candidates who
are declared qualified for admission to the Main Examination will NOT be
counted for determining their final order of merit.
Ÿ The number of candidates to be admitted to the Main Examination will be
about twelve to thirteen times the total approximate number of vacancies
to be filled in the year through this examination.

MAINS Examination
There are total of 9 papers in Mains examination. All of them are descriptive
type.
Paper Subject Marks Duration
Paper-A Indian Language (Qualifying) 300 3 hours
Paper-B English paper (Qualifying) 300 3 hours
Paper-I Essay 250 3 hours
Paper-II General Studies 1 250 3 hours
Paper-III General Studies 2 250 3 hours
Paper-IV General Studies 3 250 3 hours
Paper-V General Studies 4 250 3 hours
Paper-VI Optional paper I 250 3 hours
Paper-VII Optional paper II 250 3 hours

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Note: Marks from the Indian Language and English papers are not counted for
qualifying Mains.
However one should score a minimum of 25% to pass the exam.
The candidate is allowed to pick any one language from the Eighth Schedule of
the Constitution or English as the medium for writing the mains examination.
Below are the various languages:
Assamese Bodo Bengali
Dogri Gujarati Hindi
Kannada Marathi Maithili
Malayalam Nepali Oriya
Sanskrit Sindhi (Devangiri) Sindhi (Arabic)
Santhali Telugu Tamil
Urdu Punjabi
Note 1: The Papers on Indian Languages and English will be of High School
level.
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 A –300 Marks
Modern Indian language - Qualifying nature -25% mandatory.
The pattern of questions would be broadly as follows:-
(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.

Paper B – 300 Marks

English -300 marks - Qualifying nature –25% mandatary
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.
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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-Duration: Three hours -250 Marks

Essay -: Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics. 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- Duration: Three hours -250 Marks
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.
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.
Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues,
poverty and developmental issues, urbanisation, their problems and their
remedies.
Effects of globalisation on Indian society.

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Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism and 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.
PAPER-III- Duration: Three hours -250 Marks
General Studies -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 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

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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 neighborhood- 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- Duration: Three hours -250 Marks
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.

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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 system 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 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 reformers in India.
Effects of liberalisation 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 and technology;
Indigenisation of technology and developing new technology.
Awareness in Fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nano Technology,
Biotechnology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental
impact assessment.
Disaster and disaster management.
Linkage 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.
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Security challenges and their management in border areas; Linkages of

organised crime with terrorism.
Various security forces and agencies and their mandate.
PAPER V- Duration: Three hours -250 Marks
General Studies IV: (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 its problem solving
approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him in dealing with societies.
Question 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 ; dimension of ethics; Ethics in private and public
relationships. Human values- lesson from the lives and teachings of great
leaders, reformers and administrators ; Role of family, society and educational
institutions 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 a source 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;

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Information sharing and transparency in government. Right to Information,

course of ethics, codes of conduct, citizen’s charter, work culture, quality of
service delivery, utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.
Case studies on above issues.
INTERVIEW: 275 marks
This is the final round of civil services exam. In this round, more than the test of
one’s knowledge it is a test of an individual’s personality. Interview will be
taken by a team of 5 people, one chairperson and four members. Chairperson
will be a member of UPSC and the rest four will eminent people from different
walks of life.

List of optional subjects for Main Examination

(I) Agriculture (ii) Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science
(iii) Anthropology (iv) Botany (v) Chemistry (vi) Civil Engineering
(vii) Commerce and Accountancy (viii) Economics (ix) Electrical Engineering
(x) Geography (xi) Geology (xii) History (xiii) Law (xiv) Management
(xv) Mathematics (xvi) Mechanical Engineering (xvii) Medical Science
(xviii) Philosophy (xix) Physics (xx) Political Science and International Relations
(xxi) Psychology (xxii) Public Administration (xxiii) Sociology (xxiv) Statistics
(xxv) Zoology (xxvi) Literature of any one of the following languages:
Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani,
Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit,
Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu and English.
Note:
Ÿ The Commission has discretion to fix qualifying marks in any or all the
subjects of the examination.
Ÿ If a candidate’s handwriting is not easily legible, a deduction will be made
on this account from the total marks otherwise accruing to him.
Ÿ Marks will not be allotted for mere superficial knowledge.
Ÿ Credit will be given for orderly, effective and exact expression combined
with due economy of words in all subjects of the examination

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Ÿ Marks obtained for all the compulsory papers (Paper-I to Paper-VII) and
Marks obtained in Interview for Personality Test will be counted for
ranking.
Ÿ The number of candidates to be summoned for interview will be about
twice of the number of vacancies to be filled. The interview will carry 275
marks (with no minimum qualifying marks).
Ÿ Marks thus obtained by the candidates in the Main Examination (written
part as well as interview) would determine their final ranking
Ÿ Services and Posts under UPSC Civil Service Examination
(I) Indian Administrative Service.
(ii) Indian Foreign Service.
(iii) Indian Police Service.
(iv) Indian P & T Accounts & Finance Service, Group ‘A’.
(v) Indian Audit and Accounts Service, Group ‘A’.
(vi) Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Central Excise), Group ‘A’.
(vii) Indian Defence Accounts Service, Group ‘A’.
(viii) Indian Revenue Service (I.T.), Group ‘A’.
(ix) Indian Postal Service, Group ‘A’.
(x) Indian Civil Accounts Service, Group ‘A’.
xi) Indian Railway Protection Force Service, Group ‘A’
(xii) Indian Defence Estates Service, Group ‘A’.
(xiii) Indian Information Service (Junior Grade), Group ‘A’.
(xiv) Indian Trade Service, Group 'A'.
(xv) Indian Corporate Law Service, Group ‘A’.
(xvi) Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service, Group ‘B’ (Section Officer’s Grade).
(xvii) Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and
Dadra & Nagar Haveli Civil Service, Group 'B'.
(xviii) Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and
Dadra & Nagar Haveli Police Service, Group 'B'.
(xix) Pondicherry Civil Service, Group 'B'.

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Recommended booklist for Prelims cum Mains

History and Heritage
Must Read:
1. 6th-12th Our Past 1,2,3 and Themes in Indian History 1,2,3
2. Ancient India: Class 11th NCERT (Old) by R.S. Sharma (Now being published
by Oxford India)
3. Medieval India: Class 11th NCERT (Old) by Satish Chandra (Now being
published by Orient Black Swan)
4. Modern India: Class 12th NCERT (Old) by Bipin Chandra (Now being
published by Orient Black Swan)
5. Spectrum’s A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir
6. Art & Culture:
• Class 11th NCERT (New) – An Introduction to Indian Art
• Indian Art and Culture by Dr. Rajkumar Academy
7. 28 years prelims Question bank by Dr. Rajkumar Academy
Reference Books:
1. The Wonder that was India by A.L. Basham
2. India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipin Chandra
Website:
CCRT Website : www.ccrtindia.gov.in
Indian Polity
Must Read:
1. Class 6th to 11th NCERT (New)
2. Indian Polity by M.Laxmikanth (TMH Publications, 6th Edition)
3. 28 years prelims Question bank by Dr. Rajkumar Academy
Reference Books:
1. Our Constitution by Subhash Kashyap (NBT)
2. Our Parliament by Subhash Kashyap (NBT)
3. Our Judiciary by B.R. Agarwala
4. Our Political System by Subhash Kashyap
5. Panchayati Raj in India by M. Aslam
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Website:
• PRS Legislative Research: www.prsindia.org
• Press Information Bureau: www.pib.nic.in
Geography
Must Read:
1. Class 6th to 12th NCERT (New)
2. Class 6th, 7th and 8th NCERT (old) (Land and People)
3. Certificate Physical and Human Geography by Goh Cheng Leong (selected
chapters)
4. India and World Geography by Dr. Rajkumar Academy
5. 28 years prelims Question bank by Dr. Rajkumar Academy
Atlas: The Orient Blackswan School Atlas or Oxford School Atlas
Economy
Must Read:
1. Class 9th to 12th NCERT (New)
2. Indian Economy key Concepts by Sankar Ganesh K. or Indian Economy by
Dr. Rajkumar Academy
3. Economic Survey and Budget of the financial year
4. 28 years prelims Question bank by Dr. Rajkumar Academy
Reference Books:
1. Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh (TMH Publications)
2. Mishra and Puri
Website:
• Arthapedia: www.arthapedia.in
• Vikaspedia : www.vikaspedia.in
Environment & Ecology
Must Read:
1. Class 12th NCERT (old) Biology – Last 4 chapters
2. Environment and Ecology by Dr. Rajkumar Academy
3. 28 years prelims Question bank by Dr. Rajkumar Academy

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Website:
• Environment Ministry: www.envfor.nic.in
• Down to Earth: www.downtoearth.org.in
• Center for Science and Environment: www.cseindia.org
General Science
Must Read:
1. Class 6th to 10th Science NCERT (new)
2. 11th -12th Physics, Chemistry and Biology
Reference:
1. What? Why? How? by CSIR
2. The Hindu Speaks on Scientific Facts – Part I, II and III
3. Science Reporter – Monthly Magazine
4. Science Monitor- Weekly Program on Rajya Sabha TV
5. 28 years prelims Question bank by Dr. Rajkumar Academy
Current Affairs and General Knowledge
Must Read:
1. One Major National daily – Preferably “The Hindu” /Indian Express
2. 28 years prelims Question bank by Dr. Rajkumar Academy
Reference:
Any one monthly current affairs magazine
1. Rajya Sabha TV debates, DD News
2. All India Radio News and News Analysis (9 PM to 9:30 PM)
3. India Year Book
Websites:
• News on air : www.newsonair.com
• Press Information Bureau: www.pib.nic.in
• Arthapedia: www.arthapedia.in
• Vikaspedia : www.vikaspedia.in
Prelims Paper II – CSAT
Dr. Rajkumar Academy Books
• Basic Numeracy and Data Interpretation Compendium
• General Mental Ability and Logical Reasoning Compendium
• Comprehension decision making and Problem Solving Compendium
• 28 years prelims Question bank by Dr. Rajkumar Academy

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Exclusive Mains Books

General Studies I:
World History:
1. Class 9th NCERT (old) : Story of Civilization-I
2. Class 10th NCERT (old) : Story of Civilization-II
3. Class 12th NCERT(old) : Contemporary World History by Arjun Dev
Reference Books:
Mastering Modern World History by Norman Lowe/ World History by Jain
and Mathur
Post Independence:
1. Class 12th NCERT Political Science (New) Politics in India since
Independence
Reference Books:
India Since Independence by Bipin Chandra / India After Gandhi by
Ramchandra Guha
Society & Social Justice:
1. Class 12th NCERT(new) Sociology - Indian Society
2. Class 12th NCERT(new) Sociology – Social Change in India
Current Social Issues from Newspapers / Magazine
Reference Books:
Social Problems in India By Ram Ahuja
General Studies II:
International Relations:
1. Class 12th NCERT Political Science – Contemporary World Politics
2. Challenge and Strategy, Rethinking India’s Foreign Policy by Rajiv Sikri
Website:
• Institute for Defense Studies and analyses: www.idsa.in
• The Diplomat: www.thediplomat.com
General Studies III:
Internal Security:
1. India’s Internal Security Situation present Realities and Future Pathways
by Namrata Goswami (IDSA Monograph Series)
2. Disaster Management:
1. Class 11th CBSE–Natural Hazards and Disaster Management
General Studies IV:
1. The Lexicon For Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude by Chronicle Publication
2. Ethics in Governance by Ramesh K Arora
3. Second ARC - 4th Report – Ethics in Governance
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Notes

This booklet is issued by :

Dr. Rajkumar Academy For Civil Services
A Premium Institute that aims to provide affordable
quality coaching for civil service aspirants

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