upsc exam pattern and syllabus english medium

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Upsc civil services Exam Pattern and syllabus. 

The Civil services exam is conducted in three Phases : -
Phase-1: civil services ( Preliminary ) examination ( objective type)
phase-2 : civil services ( mains) examination ( Descriptive type ) 
phase- 3 : Personal Interview ( Personality test)

Phase-1 upsc Prelims exam
The upsc civil services Prelims examination is composed of two components: -

Paper-1 - General Studies ( G.S.)
Total marks- 200
Total Time - 2 hours (9-30 AM to 11-30 AM)

Paper-2 civil services aptitude test (CSAT)
Total marks - 200
Total Time - 2 hours(2.30 PM to 4.30 PM)

Note -1 : To qualify for the civil services mains, a candidate must attempt both the Papers.

Note -2 :  upsc general studies ( GS ) Paper consists of 100 questions, while the CSAT Paper consists of 80 questions. Both Papers have negative marks for wrong answers marked to the tune of one- third of the total marks assigned to that question. i.e. each correctly answered G.S. question will be awarded 2 marks. And, O.66 marks would be deducted from the total for every question that is wrongly marked.

Note - 3 : In the CSAT Paper, since we have 80 questions for 200 marks, correctly answered CSAT question would attract 2.5 marks each, while every wrongly marked question would attract a Penalty of 0.833 for each such wrong answer, which will be deducted from the total.

Note - 4 : Questions that are not attempted will not attract any negative marks.

Note - 5 : The Decision making based questions are generally exempt from negative marks.

Note - 6 : The Preliminary exam is only meant for screening a candidate for the Subsequent stages of the exam. The marks Obtained in the Prelims will not be added up while arriving at the final rank list.

 

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upsc Prelims syllabus

Paper - 1 -G.S. Paper
→ 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, Right issues etc.
→ Economic and social development - sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, social sector intiatives etc.
→ General issues on environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate change - that do not require subject specialisation.
→ General science.

Paper-2 - CSAT Paper
→ 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 )

 

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Phase - 2 : Upsc mains exam ( 1750 marks )

Note : 1 - The main examination constitutes the 2nd phase of the civil services examination. only after successfully qualifying in the Prelims exam would the candidates be allowed to write the IAS mains.

Note : 2 - The mains exam tests the candidates academic talent in depth and his/ her ability to Present his/her understanding according to the requirements of the Person in a time - bound manner. 

Note: 3 - The upsc mains exam consists of 9 Papers, out of Which two  are qualifying Papers of 300 marks each.

Note : 4 -The two qualifying Papers are : -
→ Any Indian language.
→ English language Paper

The Papers on Essay, General studies and optional subject of only such candidates who attain 25 % marks in both the language papers as a minimum qualifying standard in these qualifying Papers, will be taken cognizance of, for evaluation. In case a candidate does not qualify in these language Paper, then the marks obtained by such candidates will not be considered or counted.

Structure of the language Papers :
The types of questions asked are-
1. Essay - 100 marks
2. Reading Comprehension - 60 marks.
3. Precis writing- 60 marks
4. Translation :
(a) english to compulsory language ( e.g. Hindi)- 20 marks.
(b)Compulsory language to English - 20 marks.
5. Grammer and basic language usage - 40 marks.

Note :5-  The rest of the seven papers can be written in any of the languages mentioned under the Eighth schedule of the constitution of India or in English.

Note: 6 - The rest seven papers are : -

→ Paper- I. Essay( can be written in the medium of the candidates choice.) Marks- 250

→ Paper - II. General studies - I. ( Indian Heritage and culture, History and geography of the world and society.) Marks -250 

→ Paper - III. General studies- II.
(Governance, Polity,social justice, and international relations.) Marks - 250.

→ Paper- IV. General studies- III.
( Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, security, & Disaster management.) marks -250 

→ Paper-V. General studies-IV.
( Ethics,Integrity,and Aptitude )
marks- 250

→ Paper- VI. optional subject - Paper - I. Marks - 250 

→ paper - VII. optional subject- Paper - II.- Marks- 250

Total 7 Papers Collective marks - 1750
Personality test marks - 275 
Total- 2025 marks.

 

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Detailed mains syllabus

Paper- II. ( General studies - I ) ( Indian Heritage and culture, History and geography of the world and society ) 

→ Indian culture covers the salient features of literature, art forms, and architecture from ancient to modern times.
→ Modern Indian history include the significant events, Personalities, issues during the middle of the 18th Century until the Present.
→ various stages and important contributors and contributions from different parts of the country in 'The freedom struggle'.
→ Post- independence Consolidation and reorganization within the country.
→ History of the world includes events, froms and effect on the society from 18th Century like world Wars, Industrial revolution,colonization, redrawal of national boundaries, decolonization, Political Philospophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.
→ Salient aspects of Diversity of India and Indian society.
→ Role of women and women's organization, Population and associated issues, Poverty and developmental issues, Urbanization, their Problems and remedies.
→ Social empowerment, Communalism, regionalism,and secularism. 
→ 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.
→ Effects of globalization on Indian society.
→ 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.
→ salient features of world's physical geography.

 

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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.
→ comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries. 
→ separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
→ Parliament and state legislatures- structure, functioning, conduct of business, Powers and Privileges and issues arising out of these.
→ Appointment to various constitutional posts, Powers, functions and responsibilities of various constitutional bodies.
→ 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.
→ Government Policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
→ statutory,regulatory,and various quasi-judicial bodies.
→ 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.
→ Development Processes and the development industry, the role of NGO'S, SHG's, various groups and associations, donars, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
→ Issues relating to Development and management of social sector/services relating to health, education,Human resources.
→ Iimportant aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance - applications, models, successes, limitations and Potential; citizens charters, transparency and accountability and institutional and other measures.
→ Issues relating to Poverty and hunger.
→ Role of civil services in a democracy.
→ Bilateral, regional, and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's Interests.
→ India and its neighbourhood relations.
→ Important international institutions, agencies and fora, their structure, mandate.
→ effect of Policies and Politics of developed and Developing countries on India's interests, Indian diaspora.

 

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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.
→ Development, Biodiversity, Environment, security and disaster management.
→ Government Budgeting
→ Inclusive growth and issues arising from it. 
→ 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.
→ Economics of animal rearing.
→ food Processing and related industries in India, scope and significance,  location, upstream and downstream  requirements, supply chain management. 
→ 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.
→ 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 and technology. 
→ Indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
→ Conservation, environmental Pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
→ Awareness in the fields of IT,space,computers,robotics, nano-technology,  bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual Property rights.
→ Disaster and disaster management.
→Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
→ Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
→ 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.
→ various security forces and agencies and their mandate. 
→ security challenges and their management in border areas ; linkages of organized crime with terrorism.

 

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Paper - V - General studies - IV 
Ethics,Integrity and Aptitude
This Paper includes questions to check the candidates attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, Probity in Public life and his/her Problems solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him/her while dealing with society. Questions may utilise the case study approach to determine these aspects and Covers area-
→ Ethics and Human interface- Essence, determinants, and consequences of ethics ;  ethics in Private and Public relationships.
→ Human values -lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and adminstrators ; 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 govt 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.
Note-1: The nature of questions in General studies in civil services mains exam need answers that are relevant, consequential and synoptic and will impress the examiner.These questions are to test the Candidates skill on assessing and taking a view on the diverging socio-economic goals and objectives. 
Note-2 :
Students Kindly take Printout of syllabus of optional subject of their choice.
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Phase-3 : IAS Interview/upsc Personality test ( 275 Marks )
→candidates who qualify the upsc mains exam will be called for the Personality Test/interview. These candidates will be interviewed by a board appointed by the Upsc.
→ The objective of the interview
is to assess the Personal suitability of the candidate for a career in the Civil services by a board of competent and unbiased observers.
→ The interview is more of Purposive Conversation intended to explore the mental qualities and analytical ability of the candidate.
→ The interview test will be of 275 marks and the total marks for written examination is 1750. This sums up to a grand total of 2025 marks based on which the final merit list will be Prepared.

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