UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

MAINS SYLLABUS
Essay: Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics. They will General Studies‐III:
be expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in
Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity,
orderly fashion, and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and
exact expression. 250 MArks Environment, Security and Disaster ManagemeNT
General Studies‐I: 250 MArks
Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the 1) Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources,
growth, development and employment
World and Society.
2) Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
250 marks
3) Government Budgeting.
1) Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and 4) Major crops-cropping patterns in various parts of the country, - different
Architecture from ancient to modern times. types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of
2) Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid
the present, significant events, personalities, issues. of farmers.
3) The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important 5) Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support
contributors/contributions from different parts of the country. prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations,
4) Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country. revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions;
5) History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial economics of animal-rearing.
revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, 6) Food processing and related industries in India- scope’ and significance,
decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc. location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
— their forms and effect on the society. 7) Land reforms in India.
6) Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India. 8) Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and
7) Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, their effects on industrial growth.
poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their 9) Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
remedies. 10) Investment models.
8) Effects of globalization on Indian society. 11) Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in
9) Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism. everyday life.
10) Salient features of world’s physical geography. 12) Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of
11) Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia technology and developing new technology.
and the Indian sub-continent); factors responsible for the location of primary, 13) Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology,
secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
India). 14) Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental
12) Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic impact assessment.
activity, cyclone etc., geographical features and their location-changes in critical 15) Disaster and disaster management.
geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and 16) Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
fauna and the effects of such changes. 17) Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal
General Studies‐ II: security.
18) Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of
Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and
media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber
International relations.
security; money-laundering and its prevention.
250 MARKS 19) Security challenges and their management in border areas - linkages of
1) Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, organized crime with terrorism.
amendments significant provisions and basic structure. 20) Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.
2) Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and
challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances
General Studies‐ IV:
up to local levels and challenges therein. Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude
3) Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms 250 MARKS
and institutions. This paper will include questions to test the candidates’ attitude and approach to issues relating to
4) Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries. 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
5) Parliament and State legislatures—structure, functioning, conduct of business,
aspects. The following broad areas will be covered :
powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
6) Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary— 1) Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of
Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and Ethics in-human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics - in private and public
formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity. relationships. Human Values - lessons from the lives and teachings of great
7) Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act. leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family society and educational
8) Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and institutions in inculcating values.
responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies. 2) Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought
9) Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies. and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
10) Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors 3) Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and
and issues arising out of their design and implementation. non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance
11) Development processes and the development industry —the role of NGOs, and compassion towards the weaker-sections.
SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other 4) Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in
stakeholders. administration and governance.
12) Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and 5) Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and 6) Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and
Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections. problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private
13) Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical
relating to Health, Education, Human Resources. guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and
14) Issues relating to poverty and hunger. moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and
15) Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e- funding; corporate governance.
governance, applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens 7) Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of
charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures. governance and probity; Information sharing and transparency in government,
16) Role of civil services in a democracy. Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters,
17) India and its neighborhood- relations. Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges
18) Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India of corruption.
and/or affecting India’s interests. 8) Case Studies on above issues.
19) Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on By
India’s interests,
Indian diaspora.
20) Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure,
mandate.