SYLLABUS FOR THE EXAMINATION

PART-A

PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION

The Examination shall comprise two compulsory papers of 200 marks each.

Paper I - (200 marks) Duration : Two hours

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) Duration: Two hours

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)
English Language Comprehension skills (Class X level).
Note 1 : Questions relating to English Language Comprehension skills of Class X level (last item in the Syllabus
of PaperII) will be tested through passages from English language only without providing Hindi translation
thereof in the question paper.
Note 2 : The questions will be of multiple choice, objective type.

PART-B

MAIN 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.
The scope of the syllabus for optional subject papers (Paper VI and Paper VII) for the examination is
broadly of the honours degree level 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:-
PAPER-I

Essay: Candidates will be required to write an essay on a specific topic. The choice of subjects will be given.
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.
English Comprehension & English Precis will be to test the English language Comprehension and English
précis writing skills (at 10th standard level).

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.

Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.

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.

Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of 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 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-ca
ps)
and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.

PAPER-III

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

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 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

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.

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.

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: 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.

PAPER-VI & PAPER VII

Optional Subject Papers I & II

Candidates may choose any optional subject from amongst the list of subjects given in para 2 (Group 1).
However, if a candidate has graduated in any of the literatures of languages indicated in Group-2 , with the
literature as the main subject, then the candidate can also opt for that particular literature subject as an
optional subject.

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1)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 accounts: 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:

Expansions of Aryans in India.
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 Buddhism; Rise of Magadha and Nandas.
Iranian and Macedonian invasions and their impact.

7. Mauryan Empire:
Foundation of the Mauryan Empire, Chandragupta, Kautilya and Arthashastra; Ashoka; Concept of Dharma;
Edicts; Polity, Administration; Economy; Art, architecture and sculpture; External contacts; Religion; Spread
of religion; Literature.
Disintegration of the empire; Sungas and Kanvas.

8. Post - Mauryan Period (Indo-Greeks, Sakas, Kushanas, Western Kshatrapas):

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.

10. Guptas, Vakatakas and Vardhanas:

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.

11. Regional States during Gupta Era:

The Kadambas, Pallavas, Chalukyas of Badami; Polity and Administration, Trade guilds, Literature; growth of
Vaishnava and Saiva religions. Tamil Bhakti movement, Shankaracharya; Vedanta; Institutions of temple and
temple architecture; Palas, Senas, Rashtrakutas, Paramaras, Polity and administration; Cultural aspects. Arab
conquest of Sind; Alberuni, The Chalukyas 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.

12. Themes in Early Indian Cultural History:

Languages and texts, major stages in the evolution of art and architecture, major philosophical thinkers and
schools, ideas in Science and Mathematics.

13. Early Medieval India, 750-1200:

- Polity: Major political developments in Northern India and the Peninsula, origin and the rise of Rajputs - The
Cholas: administration, village economy and society
- “Indian Feudalism”
- Agrarian economy and urban settlements
- Trade and commerce
- Society: the status of the Brahman and the new social order
- Condition of women
- Indian science and technology

14. Cultural Traditions in India, 750-1200:

- 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
- Art and Architecture: Temple architecture, sculpture, painting

15. The Thirteenth Century:

- Establishment of the Delhi Sultanate: The Ghurian invasions – factors behind Ghurian success
- Economic, social and cultural consequences
- Foundation of Delhi Sultanate and early Turkish Sultans
- Consolidation: The rule of Iltutmish and Balban

16. The Fourteenth Century:

- “The Khalji Revolution”
- Alauddin Khalji: Conquests and territtorial expansion, agrarian and economic measures
- Muhammad Tughluq: Major projects, agrarian measures, bureaucracy of Muhammad Tughluq
- Firuz Tughluq: 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, literature 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:
- Rise of Provincial Dynasties: Bengal, Kashmir (Zainul Abedin), Gujarat, Malwa, Bahmanids
- The Vijayanagra Empire
- Lodis
- Mughal Empire, First phase: Babur and Humayun
- The Sur Empire: Sher Shah’s administration
- Portuguese Colonial enterprise
- Bhakti and Sufi Movements

19. The Fifteenth and early Sixteenth Century – Society and Culture:
- Regional cultural specificities
- Literary traditions
- Provincial architecture
- Society, culture, literature and the arts in Vijayanagara Empire.

20. Akbar:
- Conquests and consolidation of the Empire
- Establishment of Jagir and Mansab systems
- Rajput policy
- Evolution of religious and social outlook, theory of Sulh-i-kul and religious policy
- Court patronage of art and technology

21. Mughal Empire in the Seventeenth Century:

- Major administrative policies of Jahangir, Shahjahan and Aurangzeb
- The Empire and the Zamindars
- Religious policies of Jahangir, Shahjahan and Aurangzeb
- Nature of the Mughal State
- Late Seventeenth century crisis and the revolts
- The Ahom Kingdom
- Shivaji and the early Maratha Kingdom.

22. Economy and Society in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries:

- Population, agricultural production, craft production
- Towns, commerce with Europe through Dutch, English and French companies : a trade revolution
- Indian mercantile classes, banking, insurance and credit systems
- Condition of peasants, condition of women
- Evolution of the Sikh community and the Khalsa Panth

23. Culture in the Mughal Empire:

- Persian histories and other literature
- Hindi and other religious literature
- Mughal architecture
- Mughal painting
- Provincial architecture and painting - Classical music
- Science and technology

24. The Eighteenth Century:

- Factors for the decline of the Mughal Empire
- The regional principalities: Nizam’s Deccan, Bengal, Awadh
- Maratha ascendancy under the Peshwas
- The Maratha fiscal and financial system
- Emergence of Afghan Power, Battle of Panipat:1761
- State of politics, culture and economy on the eve of the British conquest

PAPER - II

1. European Penetration into India:

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 and the
Nawabs of Bengal; Siraj and the English; The Battle of Plassey; Significance of Plassey.

2. British Expansion in India:

Bengal – Mir Jafar and Mir Kasim; The Battle of Buxar; Mysore; The Marathas; The three Anglo-Maratha
Wars; The Punjab.

3. Early Structure of the British Raj:

The early administrative structure; From diarchy to direct control; 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.

4. Economic Impact of British Colonial Rule:

(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.

5. Social and Cultural Developments:

The state of indigenous education, its dislocation; Orientalist-Anglicist controversy, The introduction of
western
education in India; The rise of press, literature and public opinion; The rise of modern vernacular literature;
Progress of science; Christian missionary activities in India.

6. Social and Religious Reform movements in Bengal and Other Areas:

Ram Mohan Roy, The Brahmo Movement; Devendranath Tagore; Iswarchandra Vidyasagar; The Young
Bengal Movement; Dayanada Saraswati; The social reform movements in India including Sati, widow
remarriage, child marriage etc.; The contribution of Indian renaissance to the growth of modern India; Islamic
revivalism – the Feraizi and Wahabi Movements.

7. Indian Response to British Rule:

Peasant movements and tribal uprisings in the 18th and 19th centuries including the Rangpur Dhing (1783), the
Kol Rebellion (1832), the Mopla Rebellion in Malabar (1841-1920), the Santal Hul (1855), Indigo Rebellion
(1859-60), Deccan Uprising (1875) and the Munda Ulgulan (18991900); The Great Revolt of 1857 - Origin,
character, causes of failure, the consequences; The shift in the character of peasant uprisings in the post-1857
period; the peasant movements of the 1920s and 1930s.

8. Factors leading to the birth of Indian Nationalism; Politics of Association; The Foundation of the Indian
National Congress; The Safety-valve thesis relating to the birth of the Congress; Programme and objectives of
Early Congress; the social composition of early Congress leadership; the Moderates and Extremists; The
Partition of Bengal (1905); The Swadeshi Movement in Bengal; the economic and political aspects of
Swadeshi Movement; The beginning of revolutionary extremism in India.

9. Rise of Gandhi; Character of Gandhian nationalism; Gandhi’s popular appeal; Rowlatt Satyagraha; the
Khilafat Movement; the Non-cooperation Movement; National politics from the end of the Non-cooperation
movement to the beginning of the Civil Disobedience movement; the two phases of the Civil Disobedience
Movement; Simon Commission; The Nehru Report; the Round Table Conferences; Nationalism and the
Peasant Movements; Nationalism and Working class movements; Women and Indian youth and students in
Indian politics (1885-1947); the election of 1937 and the formation of ministries; Cripps Mission; the Quit
India Movement; the Wavell Plan; The Cabinet Mission.

10. Constitutional Developments in the Colonial India between 1858 and 1935.

11. Other strands in the National Movement.

The Revolutionaries: Bengal, the Punjab, Maharashtra, U.P, the Madras Presidency, Outside India.
The Left; The Left within the Congress: Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose, the Congress Socialist Party;
the Communist Party of India, other left parties.

12. Politics of Separatism; the Muslim League; the Hindu Mahasabha; Communalism and the politics of
partition; Transfer of power; Independence.

13. Consolidation as a Nation; Nehru’s Foreign Policy; India and her neighbours (1947-1964); The linguistic
reorganization of States (1935-1947); Regionalism and regional inequality; Integration of Princely States;
Princes in electoral politics; the Question of National Language.

14. Caste and Ethnicity after 1947; Backward castes and tribes in postcolonial electoral politics; Dalit
movements.

15. Economic development and political change; Land reforms; the politics of planning and rural
reconstruction; Ecology and environmental policy in post – colonial India; Progress of science.

16. Enlightenment and Modern ideas:

(i) Major ideas of Enlightenment: Kant, Rousseau
(ii) Spread of Enlightenment in the colonies
(iii) Rise of socialist ideas (up to Marx); spread of Marxian Socialism.

17. Origins of Modern Politics:

(i) European States System.
(ii) American Revolution and the Constitution.
(iii) French revolution and aftermath, 17891815.
(iv) American Civil War with reference to Abraham Lincoln and the abolition of slavery.
(v) British Democratic Politics, 18151850; Parliamentary Reformers, Free Traders, Chartists.

18. Industrialization:
(i) English Industrial Revolution: Causes and Impact on Society
(ii) Industrialization in other countries: USA, Germany, Russia, Japan
(iii) Industrialization and Globalization.

19. Nation-State System:

(i) Rise of Nationalism in 19th century
(ii) Nationalism: state-building in Germany and Italy
(iii) Disintegration of Empires in the face of the emergence of nationalities across the world.

20. Imperialism and Colonialism:

(i) South and South-East Asia
(ii) Latin America and South Africa
(iii) Australia
(iv) Imperialism and free trade: Rise of neo-imperialism.

21. Revolution and Counter-Revolution:

(i) 19th Century European revolutions
(ii) The Russian Revolution of 19171921
(iii) Fascist Counter-Revolution, Italy and Germany.
(iv) The Chinese Revolution of 1949

22. World Wars:

(i) 1st and 2nd World Wars as Total Wars: Societal implications
(ii) World War I: Causes and consequences
(iii) World War II: Causes and consequence

23. The World after World War II:

(i) Emergence of two power blocs
(ii) Emergence of Third World and non-alignment
(iii) UNO and the global disputes.

24. Liberation from Colonial Rule:

(i) Latin America-Bolivar
(ii) Arab World-Egypt
(iii) Africa-Apartheid to Democracy
(iv) South-East Asia-Vietnam
25. Decolonization and Underdevelopment:
(i) Factors constraining development: Latin America, Africa

26. Unification of Europe:

(i) Post War Foundations: NATO and European Community
(ii) Consolidation and Expansion of European Community
(iii) European Union.

27. Disintegration of Soviet Union and the Rise of the Unipolar World:
(i) Factors leading to the collapse of Soviet communism and the Soviet Union, 1985-1991
(ii) Political Changes in Eastern Europe 1989-2001.
(iii) End of the cold war and US ascendancy in the World as the lone superpower.

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2)PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

PAPER – I

Administrative Theory

1. Introduction:
Meaning, scope and significance of Public Administration; Wilson’s vision of Public Administration;
Evolution of the discipline and its present status; New Public Administration; Public Choice approach;
Challenges of liberalization, Privatisation, Globalisation; Good Governance: concept and application; New
Public Management.

2. Administrative Thought:
Scientific Management and Scientific Management movement; Classical Theory; Weber’s bureaucratic model
– its critique and post-Weberian Developments; Dynamic Administration (Mary Parker Follett); Human
Relations School (Elton Mayo and others); Functions of the Executive (C.I. Barnard); Simon’s decision making theo
ry;
Participative Management (R. Likert, C. Argyris, D. McGregor).

3. Administrative Behaviour:
Process and techniques of decision-making; Communication; Morale; Motivation Theories – content, process
and contemporary; Theories of Leadership: Traditional and Modern.

4. Organisations:
Theories – systems, contingency; Structure and forms: Ministries and Departments, Corporations, Companies,
Boards and Commissions; Ad hoc and advisory bodies; Headquarters and Field relationships; Regulatory
Authorities; Public – Private Partnerships.

5. Accountability and control:

Concepts of accountability and control; Legislative, Executive and Judicial control over administration; Citizen
and Administration; Role of media, interest groups, voluntary organizations; Civil society; Citizen’s Charters;
Right to Information; Social audit.

6. Administrative Law:
Meaning, scope and significance; Dicey on Administrative law; Delegated legislation; Administrative
Tribunals.

7. Comparative Public Administration:

Historical and sociological factors affecting administrative systems; Administration and politics in different
countries; Current status of Comparative Public Administration; Ecology and administration; Riggsian models
and their critique.

8. Development Dynamics:
Concept of development; Changing profile of development administration; ‘Antidevelopment thesis’;
Bureaucracy and development; Strong state versus the market debate; Impact of liberalisation on
administration
in developing countries; Women and development - the self-help group movement.

9. Personnel Administration:
Importance of human resource development; Recruitment, training, career advancement, position
classification, discipline, performance appraisal, promotion, pay and service conditions; employer-employee
relations, grievance redressal mechanism; Code of conduct; Administrative ethics.

10. Public Policy:

Models of policy-making and their critique; Processes of conceptualisation, planning, implementation,
monitoring, evaluation and review and their limitations; State theories and public policy formulation.

11. Techniques of Administrative Improvement:

Organisation and methods, Work study and work management; e-governance and information technology;
Management aid tools like network analysis, MIS, PERT, CPM.

12. Financial Administration:

Monetary and fiscal policies; Public borrowings and public debt Budgets – types and forms; Budgetary
process; Financial accountability; Accounts and audit.

PAPER - II

Indian Administration

1. Evolution of Indian Administration:

Kautilya’s Arthashastra; Mughal administration; Legacy of British rule in politics and administration -
Indianization of public services, revenue administration, district administration, local self-government.

2. Philosophical and Constitutional framework of government:

Salient features and value premises; Constitutionalism; Political culture; Bureaucracy and democracy;
Bureaucracy and development.

3. Public Sector Undertakings:

Public sector in modern India; Forms of Public Sector Undertakings; Problems of autonomy, accountability
and control; Impact of liberalization and privatization.

4. Union Government and Administration:

Executive, Parliament, Judiciary - structure, functions, work processes; Recent trends; Intragovernmental
relations; Cabinet Secretariat; Prime Minister’s Office; Central Secretariat; Ministries and Departments;
Boards; Commissions; Attached offices; Field organizations.

5. Plans and Priorities:

Machinery of planning; Role, composition and functions of the Planning Commission and the National
Development Council; ‘Indicative’ planning; Process of plan formulation at Union and State levels;
Constitutional Amendments (1992) and decentralized planning for economic development and social justice.

6. State Government and Administration:

Union-State administrative, legislative and financial relations; Role of the Finance Commission; Governor;
Chief Minister; Council of Ministers; Chief Secretary; State Secretariat; Directorates.
7. District Administration since Independence:
Changing role of the Collector; Unionstate-local relations; Imperatives of development management and law
and order administration; District administration and democratic decentralization.

8. Civil Services:
Constitutional position; Structure, recruitment, training and capacity-building; Good governance initiatives;
Code of conduct and discipline; Staff associations; Political rights; Grievance redressal mechanism; Civil
service neutrality; Civil service activism.

9. Financial Management:
Budget as a political instrument; Parliamentary control of public expenditure; Role of finance ministry in
monetary and fiscal area; Accounting techniques; Audit; Role of Controller General of Accounts and
Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

10. Administrative Reforms since Independence:

Major concerns; Important Committees and Commissions; Reforms in financial management and human
resource development; Problems of implementation.

11. Rural Development:

Institutions and agencies since independence; Rural development programmes: foci and strategies;
Decentralization and Panchayati Raj; 73rd Constitutional amendment.

12. Urban Local Government:

Municipal governance: main features, structures, finance and problem areas; 74th Constitutional Amendment;
Globallocal debate; New localism; Development dynamics, politics and administration with special reference
to city management.

13. Law and Order Administration:

British legacy; National Police Commission; Investigative agencies; Role of central and state agencies
including paramilitary forces in maintenance of law and order and countering insurgency and terrorism;
Criminalisation of politics and administration; Police-public relations; Reforms in Police.

14. Significant issues in Indian Administration:

Values in public service; Regulatory Commissions; National Human Rights Commission; Problems of
administration in coalition regimes; Citizen-administration interface; Corruption and administration; Disaster

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3)SOCIOLOGY

PAPER - I

FUNDAMENTALS OF SOCIOLOGY

1. Sociology - The Discipline:

(a) Modernity and social changes in Europe and emergence of sociology.
(b) Scope of the subject and comparison with other social sciences.
(c) Sociology and common sense.

2. Sociology as Science:
(a) Science, scientific method and critique.
(b) Major theoretical strands of research methodology.
(c) Positivism and its critique.
(d) Fact value and objectivity.
(e) Non- positivist methodologies.
3. Research Methods and Analysis:
(a) Qualitative and quantitative methods.
(b) Techniques of data collection.
(c) Variables, sampling, hypothesis, reliability and validity.

4. Sociological Thinkers:
(a) Karl Marx- Historical materialism, mode of production, alienation, class struggle.
(b) Emile Durkheim- Division of labour, social fact, suicide, religion and society.
(c) Max Weber- Social action, ideal types, authority, bureaucracy, protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism.
(d) Talcolt Parsons- Social system, pattern variables.
(e) Robert K. Merton- Latent and manifest functions, conformity and deviance, reference groups.
(f) Mead - Self and identity.

5. Stratification and Mobility:

(a) Concepts- equality, inequality, hierarchy, exclusion, poverty and deprivation.
(b) Theories of social stratification- Structural functionalist theory, Marxist theory, Weberian theory.
(c) Dimensions – Social stratification of class, status groups, gender, ethnicity and race.
(d) Social mobility- open and closed systems, types of mobility, sources and causes of mobility.

6. Works and Economic Life:

(a) Social organization of work in different types of society- slave society, feudal society, industrial /capitalist
society.
(b) Formal and informal organization of work.
(c) Labour and society.

7. Politics and Society:

(a) Sociological theories of power.
(b) Power elite, bureaucracy, pressure groups, and political parties.
(c) Nation, state, citizenship, democracy, civil society, ideology.
(d) Protest, agitation, social movements, collective action, revolution.

8. Religion and Society:

(a) Sociological theories of religion.
(b) Types of religious practices: animism, monism, pluralism, sects, cults.
(c) Religion in modern society: religion and science, secularization, religious revivalism, fundamentalism.

9. Systems of Kinship:
(a) Family, household, marriage.
(b) Types and forms of family.
(c) Lineage and descent.
(d) Patriarchy and sexual division of labour.
(e) Contemporary trends.

10. Social Change in Modern Society:

(a) Sociological theories of social change.
(b) Development and dependency.
(c) Agents of social change.
(d) Education and social change.
(e) Science, technology and social change.

PAPER - II

INDIAN SOCIETY : STRUCTURE AND CHANGE

A. Introducing Indian Society:

(i) Perspectives on the study of Indian society:

(a) Indology (GS. Ghurye).
(b) Structural functionalism (M N Srinivas).
(c) Marxist sociology (A R Desai).

(ii) Impact of colonial rule on Indian society :

(a) Social background of Indian nationalism.
(b) Modernization of Indian tradition.
(c) Protests and movements during the colonial period.
(d) Social reforms.

B. Social Structure:

(i) Rural and Agrarian Social Structure:

(a) The idea of Indian village and village studies.
(b) Agrarian social structure - evolution of land tenure system, land reforms.

(ii) Caste System:

(a) Perspectives on the study of caste systems: GS Ghurye, M N Srinivas, Louis Dumont, Andre Beteille.
(b) Features of caste system.
(c) Untouchability - forms and perspectives.

(iii) Tribal communities in India:

(a) Definitional problems.
(b) Geographical spread.
(c) Colonial policies and tribes.
(d) Issues of integration and autonomy.

(iv) Social Classes in India:

(a) Agrarian class structure.
(b) Industrial class structure.
(c) Middle classes in India.

(v) Systems of Kinship in India:

(a) Lineage and descent in India.
(b) Types of kinship systems.
(c) Family and marriage in India.
(d) Household dimensions of the family.
(e) Patriarchy, entitlements and sexual division of labour.

(vi) Religion and Society:

(a) Religious communities in India.
(b) Problems of religious minorities.

C. Social Changes in India:

(i) Visions of Social Change in India:

(a) Idea of development planning and mixed economy.
(b) Constitution, law and social change.
(c) Education and social change.

(ii) Rural and Agrarian transformation in India:

(a) Programmes of rural development, Community Development Programme, cooperatives, poverty alleviation
schemes.
(b) Green revolution and social change.
(c) Changing modes of production in Indian agriculture .
(d) Problems of rural labour, bondage, migration.

(iii) Industrialization and Urbanisation in India:

(a) Evolution of modern industry in India.
(b) Growth of urban settlements in India.
(c) Working class: structure, growth, class mobilization.
(d) Informal sector, child labour.
(e) Slums and deprivation in urban areas.

(iv) Politics and Society:

(a) Nation, democracy and citizenship.
(b) Political parties, pressure groups, social and political elite.
(c) Regionalism and decentralization of power.
(d) Secularization.

(v) Social Movements in Modern India:

(a) Peasants and farmers movements.
(b) Women’s movement.
(c) Backward classes & Dalit movement.
(d) Environmental movements.
(e) Ethnicity and Identity movements.

(vi) Population Dynamics:

(a) Population size, growth, composition and distribution.
(b) Components of population growth: birth, death, migration.
(c) Population policy and family planning.
(d) Emerging issues: ageing, sex ratios, child and infant mortality, reproductive health.

(vii) Challenges of Social Transformation:

(a) Crisis of development: displacement, environmental problems and sustainability.
(b) Poverty, deprivation and inequalities.
(c) Violence against women.
(d) Caste conflicts.
(e) Ethnic conflicts, communalism, religious revivalism.
(f) Illiteracy and disparities in education.

optional

4)GEOGRAPHY

PAPER - I

PRINCIPLES OF GEOGRAPHY
Physical Geography:

1. Geomorphology: Factors controlling landform development; endogenetic and exogenetic forces; Origin and
evolution of the earth’s crust; Fundamentals of geomagnetism; Physical conditions of the earth’s interior;
Geosynclines; Continental drift; Isostasy; Plate tectonics; Recent views on mountain building; Vulcanicity;
Earthquakes and Tsunamis; Concepts of geomorphic cycles and Landscape development ; Denudation
chronology; Channel morphology; Erosion surfaces; Slope development; Applied Geomorphology :
Geohydrology, economic geology and environment.

2. Climatology: Temperature and pressure belts of the world; Heat budget of the earth; Atmospheric
circulation; atmospheric stability and instability. Planetary and local winds; Monsoons and jet streams; Air
masses and fronto genesis, Temperate and tropical cyclones; Types and distribution of precipitation; Weather
and Climate; Koppen’s, Thornthwaite’s and Trewartha’s classification of world climates; Hydrological cycle;
Global climatic change and role and response of man in climatic changes, Applied climatology and Urban
climate.

3. Oceanography: Bottom topography of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans; Temperature and salinity of
the oceans; Heat and salt budgets, Ocean deposits; Waves, currents and tides; Marine resources: biotic, mineral
and energy resources; Coral reefs, coral bleaching; sealevel changes; law of the sea and marine pollution.

4. Biogeography: Genesis of soils; Classification and distribution of soils; Soil profile; Soil erosion,
Degradation and conservation; Factors influencing world distribution of plants and animals; Problems of
deforestation and conservation measures; Social forestry; agro-forestry; Wild life; Major gene pool centres.

5. Environmental Geography: Principle of ecology; Human ecological adaptations; Influence of man on

ecology and environment; Global and regional ecological changes and imbalances; Ecosystem their
management and conservation; Environmental degradation, management and conservation; Biodiversity and
sustainable development; Environmental policy; Environmental hazards and remedial measures;
Environmental education and legislation.

Human Geography:

1. Perspectives in Human Geography: Areal differentiation; regional synthesis; Dichotomy and dualism;
Environmentalism; Quantitative revolution and locational analysis; radical, behavioural, human and welfare
approaches; Languages, religions and secularisation; Cultural regions of the world; Human development index.

2. Economic Geography: World economic development: measurement and problems; World resources and
their distribution; Energy crisis; the limits to growth; World agriculture: typology of agricultural regions;
agricultural inputs and productivity; Food and nutrition problems; Food security; famine: causes, effects and
remedies; World industries: locational patterns and problems; patterns of world trade.

3. Population and Settlement Geography: Growth and distribution of world population; demographic
attributes; Causes and consequences of migration; concepts of over-under-and optimum population; Population
theories, world population problems and policies, Social well-being and quality of life; Population as social
capital. Types and patterns of rural settlements; Environmental issues in rural settlements; Hierarchy of urban
settlements; Urban morphology: Concepts of primate city and rank-size rule; Functional classification of
towns; Sphere of urban influence; Rural urban fringe; Satellite towns; Problems and remedies of urbanization;
Sustainable development of cities.

4. Regional Planning: Concept of a region; Types of regions and methods of regionalisation; Growth centres
and growth poles; Regional imbalances; regional development strategies; environmental issues in regional
planning; Planning for sustainable development.

5. Models, Theories and Laws in Human Geography: Systems analysis in Human geography; Malthusian,
Marxian and demographic transition models; Central Place theories of Christaller and Losch;Perroux and
Boudeville; Von Thunen’s model of agricultural location; Weber’s model of industrial location; Ostov’s model
of stages of growth. Heartland and Rimland theories; Laws of international boundaries and frontiers.

PAPER – II

GEOGRAPHY OF INDIA
1. Physical Setting: Space relationship of India with neighboring countries; Structure and relief; Drainage
system and watersheds; Physiographic regions; Mechanism of Indian monsoons and rainfall patterns, Tropical
cyclones and western disturbances; Floods and droughts; Climatic regions; Natural vegetation; Soil types and
their distributions.

2. Resources: Land, surface and ground water, energy, minerals, biotic and marine resources; Forest and wild
life resources and their conservation; Energy crisis.

3. Agriculture: Infrastructure: irrigation, seeds, fertilizers, power; Institutional factors: land holdings, land
tenure and land reforms; Cropping pattern, agricultural productivity, agricultural intensity, crop combination,
land capability; Agro and social-forestry; Green revolution and its socio-economic and ecological implications;
Significance of dry farming; Livestock resources and white revolution; aqua - culture; sericulture, apiculture
and poultry; agricultural regionalisation; agro-climatic zones; agro- ecological regions.

4. Industry: Evolution of industries; Locational factors of cotton, jute, textile, iron and steel, aluminium,
fertilizer, paper, chemical and pharmaceutical, automobile, cottage and agro-based industries; Industrial houses
and complexes including public sector undertakings; Industrial regionalisation; New industrial policies;
Multinationals
and liberalization; Special Economic Zones; Tourism including eco-tourism.

5. Transport, Communication and Trade: Road, railway, waterway, airway and pipeline networks and their
complementary roles in regional development; Growing importance of ports on national and foreign trade;
Trade balance; Trade Policy; Export processing zones; Developments in communication and information
technology and their impacts on economy and society; Indian space programme.

6. Cultural Setting: Historical Perspective of Indian Society; Racial, linguistic and ethnic diversities; religious
minorities; major tribes, tribal areas and their problems; cultural regions; Growth, distribution and density of
population; Demographic attributes: sex-ratio, age structure, literacy rate, work-force, dependency ratio,
longevity; migration (inter-regional, intra- regional and international) and associated problems; Population
problems and policies; Health indicators.

7. Settlements: Types, patterns and morphology of rural settlements; Urban developments; Morphology of
Indian cities; Functional classification of Indian cities; Conurbations and metropolitan regions; urban sprawl;
Slums and associated problems; town planning; Problems of urbanization and remedies.

8. Regional Development and Planning: Experience of regional planning in India; Five Year Plans;
Integrated rural development programmes; Panchayati Raj and decentralised planning; Command area
development; Watershed management; Planning for backward area, desert, drought prone, hill, tribal area
development; multi-level planning; Regional planning and development of island territories.

9. Political Aspects: Geographical basis of Indian federalism; State reorganisation; Emergence of new states;
Regional consciousness and inter state issues; international boundary of India and related issues; Cross border
terrorism; India’s role in world affairs; Geopolitics of South Asia and Indian Ocean realm.

10. Contemporary Issues: Ecological issues: Environmental hazards: landslides, earthquakes, Tsunamis,
floods and droughts, epidemics; Issues relating to environmental pollution; Changes in patterns of land use;
Principles of environmental impact assessment and environmental management; Population explosion and food
security; Environmental degradation; Deforestation, desertification and soil erosion; Problems of agrarian and
industrial unrest; Regional disparities in economic development; Concept of sustainable growth and
development; Environmental awareness; Linkage of rivers; Globalisation and Indian economy.

NOTE: Candidates will be required to answer one compulsory map question pertinent to subjects covered by
this paper
.
GEOLOGY
PAPER - I

1. General Geology:
The Solar System, Meteorites, Origin and interior of the earth and age of earth; Volcanoes- causes and
products, Volcanic belts; Earthquakes-causes, effects, Seismic zones of India; Island arcs, trenches and mid ocean ri
dges;
Continental drifts; Seafloor spreading, Plate tectonics; Isostasy.

2. Geomorphology and Remote Sensing:

Basic concepts of geomorphology; Weathering and soil formations; Landforms, slopes and drainage;
Geomorphic cycles and their interpretation; Morphology and its relation to structures and lithology; Coastal
geomorphology; Applications of geomorphology in mineral prospecting, civil engineering; Hydrology and
environmental studies; Geomorphology of Indian subcontinent.
Aerial photographs and their interpretation-merits and limitations; The Electromagnetic spectrum; Orbiting
satellites and sensor systems; Indian Remote Sensing Satellites; Satellites data products; Applications of
remote sensing in geology; The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS)
– its applications.

3. Structural Geology: Principles of geologic mapping and map reading, Projection diagrams, Stress and
strain ellipsoid and stress-strain relationships of elastic, plastic and viscous materials; Strain markers in
deformed rocks; Behaviour of minerals and rocks under deformation conditions; Folds and faults classification
and mechanics; Structural analysis of folds, foliations, lineations, joints and faults, unconformities; Time relationshi
p between
crystallization and deformation.

4. Paleontology:
Species- definition and nomenclature; Megafossils and Microfossils; Modes of preservation of fossils;
Different kinds of microfossils; Application of microfossils in correlation, petroleum exploration, paleoclimatic
and paleoceanographic studies; Evolutionary trend in Hominidae, Equidae and Proboscidae; Siwalik fauna;
Gondwana flora and fauna and its importance; Index fossils and their significance.

5. Indian Stratigraphy:
Classification of stratigraphic sequences: lithostratigraphic, biostratigraphic, chronostratigraphic and
magnetostratigraphic and their interrelationships; Distribution and classification of Precambrian rocks of India;
Study of stratigraphic distribution and lithology of Phanerozoic rocks of India with reference to fauna, flora
and economic importance; Major boundary problemsCambrian/Precambrian, Permian/Triassic,
Cretaceous/Tertiary and Pliocene/Pleistocene; Study of climatic conditions, paleogeography and igneous
activity in the Indian subcontinent in the geological past; Tectonic framework of India; Evolution of the
Himalayas.

6. Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology:

Hydrologic cycle and genetic classification of water; Movement of subsurface water; Springs; Porosity,
permeability, hydraulic conductivity, transmissivity and storage coefficient, classification of aquifers; Water bearing

characteristics of rocks; Groundwater chemistry; Salt water intrusion; Types of wells; Drainage basin
morphometry; Exploration for groundwater; Ground-water recharge; Problems and management of
groundwater; Rainwater harvesting; Engineering properties of rocks; Geological investigations for dams,
tunnels highways, railway and bridges; Rock as construction material; Landslides-causes, prevention and
rehabilitation; Earthquake-resistant structures.

PAPER - II

1. Mineralogy:
Classification of crystals into systems and classes of symmetry; International system of crystallographic
notation; Use of projection diagrams to represent crystal symmetry; Elements of X-ray crystallography.
Physical and chemical characters of rock forming silicate mineral groups; Structural classification of silicates;
Common minerals of igneous and metamorphic rocks; Minerals of the carbonate, phosphate, sulphide and
halide groups; Clay minerals.
Optical properties of common rock forming minerals; Pleochroism, extinction angle, double refraction,
birefringence, twinning and dispersion in minerals.

2. Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology:

Generation and crystallization of magmas; Crystallization of albite-anorthite, diopside-anorthite and diopside
wollastonite-silica systems; Bowen’s Reaction Principle; Magmatic differentation and assimilation;
Petrogenetic significance of the textures and structures of igneous rocks; Petrography and petrogenesis of
granite, syenite, diorite, basic and ultrabasic groups, charnockite, anorthosite and alkaline rocks; Carbonatites;
Deccan volcanic province.
Types and agents of metamorphism; Metamorphic grades and zones; Phase rule; Facies of regional and contact
metamorphism; ACF and AKF diagrams; Textures and structures of metamorphic rocks; Metamorphism of
arenaceous, argillaceous and basic rocks; Minerals assemblages Retrograde metamorphism; Metasomatism and
granitisation, migmatites, Granulite terrains of India.

3. Sedimentary Petrology:
Sediments and Sedimentary rocks: Processes of formation; digenesis and lithification; Clastic and non-clastic
rocks-their classification, petrography and depositional environment; Sedimentary facies and provenance;
Sedimentary structures and their significance; Heavy minerals and their significance; Sedimentary basins of
India.

4. Economic Geology:
Ore, ore minerals and gangue, tenor of ore, classification of ore deposits; Process of formation of minerals
deposits; Controls of ore localization; Ore textures and structures; Metallogenic epochs and provinces;
Geology of the important Indian deposits of aluminium, chromium, copper, gold, iron, lead zinc, manganese,
titanium, uranium and thorium and industrial minerals; Deposits of coal and petroleum in India; National
Mineral Policy; Conservation and utilization of mineral resources; Marine mineral resources and Law of Sea.

5. Mining Geology:
Methods of prospecting-geological, geophysical, geochemical and geobotanical; Techniques of sampling;
Estimation of reserves or 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.