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In today’s competitive public sector, the UPSC Civil Service Examination is a challenging task for ambitious bureaucrats. This test requires a deep mastery of the subject matter because it has the power to influence both the candidates’ and the nation’s fates. In this blog, written in the style of an editorial, we will analyze the UPSC syllabus/curriculum and provide insight into effective exam preparation approaches.
The UPSC CSE is a prominent examination that leads to a variety of administrative positions in the central and state government. The Union Public Service Commission administers exams to evaluate candidates for various positions in the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Foreign Service, Indian Police Service, Indian Revenue Service and other branches of the country. These exam topics will allow for a more comprehensive evaluation of applicants’ knowledge, analytical acumen, and decision-making abilities, all of which are required for effective administration.
The UPSC CSE syllabus/curriculum is massive and covers an extensive spectrum of subjects. Aspirants are evaluated not only on their knowledge of the subject matter, but also on their understanding of globe broadly and their ability to apply theoretical concepts to real-life difficulties.
Preliminary Examination
| No of Papers | Two Compulsory Paper |
| Name of Papers | Paper I (General Studies I) Paper II (General Studies II) |
| Total Marks | 400 (200 each) |
| Duration | Two Hours each |
| Total Questions | 100 Questions for Paper I and 80 Questions for paper II |
| Type of Questions | Objective/MCQ type |
| Medium of Language | Hindi/English |
| Negative Marks | One-Third of the marks assigned to that question |
| Paper I (General Studies I) | Topics | Sub-Topics | |
| 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 Environment ecology, Bio-Diversity and Climate Change- that do not require subject specialization. | |||
| General Science. | |||
| Paper II (General Studies II) | Topics | ||
| 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) | |||
| Note: General Studies Paper II is qualifying in nature and shall have a minimum qualifying marks of 33% | |||
| Paper I (General Studies I) | Topics | Sub-Topics | |
| 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 Environment ecology, Bio-Diversity and Climate Change- that do not require subject specialization. | |||
| General Science. | |||
| Paper II (General Studies II) | Topics | ||
| 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) | |||
| Note: General Studies Paper II is qualifying in nature and shall have a minimum qualifying marks of 33% | |||
Mains Examination
| Written | |
| No. of Papers | Nine Papers |
| Name of | Paper A & Paper B (Qualifying Language Papers) Paper I (Essay) Paper II to V (General Studies) Paper VI to VII (Optional Paper) |
| Marks | Two Language Paper (300 each) Other Seven Papers (250 each) |
| Total Marks in Written Exam | 1750 (250 each of seven papers) (Paper I to Paper VII to be counted for merit) |
| Duration | Three Hours each |
| Type of Questions | Descriptive-type |
| Interview | |
| After qualifying in written examination | |
| Total Marks in Interview | 275 |
Total
Written Examination (Paper I to Paper VII) = 1750
Interview (After qualifying in Written Examination) = 275
Total Marks = 2025
| Paper Name | Topics | Sub-Topics | |
| Paper A | Language Paper (One of the Indian Language to be selected by the candidate from the Languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution). | (i) Comprehension of given passages. (ii) Precis Writing (iii) Usage and Vocabulary (iv) Short Essays (v) Translation from English to the Indian Language and vice-versa. | |
| Paper B | Language Paper (English) | (i) Comprehension of given passages (ii) Precis Writing (iii) Usage and Vocabulary (iv) Short Essays | |
| Paper I | Essay | Essay | |
| Paper II (General Studies I) | Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society | Indian Culture | 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 | 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 | 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 (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 32 Government strives to have a workforce which reflects gender balance and women candidates are encouraged to apply. 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 utilize the case study approach to determine these aspects.) | 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 | 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 | Optional Subject – Paper 1 | Candidate may choose any optional subject from amongst the List of Optional Subjects given. | |
| Paper VI | Optional Subject – Paper 2 | ||
Optional Subject List under UPSC Syllabus
(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.
Conclusion
To successfully navigate the complex UPSC CSE syllabus/curriculum, candidates must follow an organized strategy and go thoroughly into its components. Aspirants should comprehend the importance of each paper and practice consistently. The provided tables and checklists make it simple to customize preparation strategies, understand the material, and create confidence for the UPSC CSE 2023. UPSC CSE preparation necessitates perseverance, strategic planning, and a deep comprehension of the content. Candidates might improve their probability of completing this challenging test by analyzing topics, prioritizing current challenges, and employing efficient preparation approaches. Remember that the UPSC CSE evaluates both knowledge and ability as an Assam-focused administrator.
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