Phase 2: Mains Examination Syllabus (1750 Marks)
QUALIFYING PAPERS ON INDIAN LANGUAGES AND ENGLISH
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.
The pattern of questions would be broadly as follows :
- Comprehension of given passages.
- Precise Writing.
- Usage and Vocabulary.
- Short Essays.
Indian Languages :—
- comprehension of given passages.
- Precise Writing.
- Usage and Vocabulary.
- Short Essays.
- Translation from English to the Indian Language and
vice-versa.
ESSAY PAPER
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.
Syllabus of General Studies Paper – I
General Studies Paper – 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 or 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 subcontinent); 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 waterbodies and
ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
Syllabus of General Studies Paper – II
General Studies Paper – 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 or 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.
Syllabus of General Studies Paper – III
General Studies Paper – 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.
Syllabus of General Studies Paper – IV
General Studies Paper – 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.
- 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.
LIST OF OPTIONAL SUBJECTS
- Agriculture
- Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science
- Anthropology
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Commerce and Accountancy
- Economics (ix) Electrical Engineering
- Geography
- Geology
- History
- Law
- Management
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medical Science
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science and International Relations
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Sociology
- Statistics
- Zoology
- 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.
Phase-3: Interview/ Personality Test (275 marks)
This is the last stage of the Civil Services Examination before the final results are declared.
Officially it is called the Interview/Personality Test and known to be a part of the Mains
Examination for merit ranking purposes. From a preparation point of view, it is considered the
third stage as preparation strategies and approaches for the written and interview stages are
different. As per the IAS exam pattern, this consists of an interview by the UPSC board to
assess the candidates’ suitability for a civil services career and associated responsibilities
attached to the post. The board consists of competent and unbiased observers who have a record
of the candidates’ career (filled by the candidate in the Detailed Application Form). The board
would judge the candidates mental, emotional and social traits by asking questions of general
interest. Some of the qualities that the board looks for are mental alertness, critical powers
of assimilation, attitude, clear and logical exposition, a balance of judgement, variety and
depth of interest, ability for social cohesion and leadership, team work, intellectual and moral
integrity.