APSC Mains GS 3 Syllabus 2025 PDF – Topics & Subtopics for Economy, Tech, Environment & Security

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General Studies Paper 4 (GS-3) is an important component of the APSC Combined Competitive Examination (CCE). APSC Mains GS 3 Syllabus paper tests a candidate’s hold of key aspects related to the economy, environment, science and technology, internal security, and disaster management. It demands a combination of conceptual clarity, current affairs awareness, and the ability to apply knowledge in a dynamic policy context.

Below is the officially prescribed APSC Mains GS Paper 4 syllabus:

APSC Mains GS Paper 4 syllabus:

(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 with  emphasis on Assam
  • 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 with emphasis on Assam.
  • Various Security Forces and Agencies and their Mandate

APSC Mains GS 3 Syllabus

APSC Mains General Studies Paper-IV mainly consists of the following core subjects:

  • Technology
  • Economic Development
    Bio-Diversity
  • Environment
  • Security
  • Disaster Management

Focus Areas in APSC Mains GS 3 Syllabus

Below are the key focus areas in APSC Mains General Studies III that every aspirant should concentrate on during their preparation:

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Indian Economy & Issues Relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development & Employment
Planning
  • 🔹 Meaning of Planning
  • 🔹 Need for Planning in Economic Development
  • 🔹 Imperative vs Indicative vs Structural Planning
  • 🔹 Objectives of Planning
  • 🔹 Indian Planning History
  • 🔹 Techniques of Indian Planning
  • 🔹 Achievements & Failures of Indian Planning
  • 🔹 Shortcomings of Planning in India
  • 🔹 NITI Aayog vs Planning Commission
Mobilisation of Resources
  • 🔹 Types of Resources – Financial, Human, Natural
  • 🔹 Need for Resource Mobilisation
  • 🔹 Role of Savings & Investment
  • 🔹 Government Resources – Tax & Non-Tax
  • 🔹 Fiscal & Monetary Policy
  • 🔹 Banking Sector & NBFCs
  • 🔹 Capital Market
  • 🔹 External Sources – FDI, ODA
  • 🔹 Public Borrowing & Public Debt
  • 🔹 Challenges in Resource Mobilisation
  • 🔹 Suggested Measures
Growth & Development
  • 🔹 Definition & Difference Between Growth and Development
  • 🔹 Determinants of Growth
  • 🔹 Importance & Limitations
  • 🔹 Jobless Growth
  • 🔹 Pro-Poor Growth
  • 🔹 Balanced & Unbalanced Growth
  • 🔹 Development Dimensions, Indicators & Measurement
  • 🔹 Market-Based, State-Based & Mixed Approach
  • 🔹 Challenges to Development
Employment
  • 🔹 Rural vs Urban, Formal vs Informal
  • 🔹 Key Terms: LFPR, Working-Age Population, etc.
  • 🔹 Sectoral Distribution
  • 🔹 Employment Quality & Informality
  • 🔹 Causes of Unemployment
  • 🔹 Workforce Restructuring
  • 🔹 Employment Schemes & Initiatives
Inclusive Growth & Issues Arising From It
  • 🔹 Meaning & Elements of Inclusive Growth
  • 🔹 Why Inclusive Growth?
  • 🔹 Indicators & Challenges
  • 🔹 12th Five-Year Plan & Inclusive Growth
Government Budgeting
Components of Budget
  • 🔹 Revenue Account – Receipts & Expenditure
  • 🔹 Capital Account – Receipts & Expenditure
Fiscal Indicators
  • 🔹 Revenue Deficit
  • 🔹 Fiscal Deficit
  • 🔹 Primary Deficit
  • 🔹 FRBM Act
  • 🔹 Outcome, Zero-Based Budgets
  • 🔹 2017 Budgetary Process Reforms
Land Reforms in India
  • 🔹 Rationale & Components
  • 🔹 Impact & Problems
  • 🔹 Successes & Failures
  • 🔹 Recent Steps: Land Leasing, Acquisition, R&R Act
Effects of Liberalization on the Economy
  • 🔹 Liberalization Phase Post-1991
  • 🔹 Sector-Wise Impact
Changes in Industrial Policy & Their Effects
  • 🔹 Industrial Policies Pre & Post 1991
  • 🔹 SEZs
  • 🔹 National Manufacturing Policy
  • 🔹 Make in India
  • 🔹 Linkage Between Policy & Growth
Infrastructure
  • 🔹 Energy
  • 🔹 Ports
  • 🔹 Roads
  • 🔹 Airports
  • 🔹 Railways
Investment Models
Types & Sources
  • 🔹 Domestic, Public, Private Models
  • 🔹 Public-Private Partnership (PPP)
  • 🔹 Foreign Investment – FDI, FII
  • 🔹 Cluster-Based, Sector-Specific Models
  • 🔹 Indian Case Studies
AGRICULTURE
Major Crops & Cropping Patterns in Various Parts of the Country
  • 🔹 Importance of Cropping Pattern
  • 🔹 Types of Cropping Pattern
  • 🔹 Reasons for Variation in Cropping Patterns
  • 🔹 Factors Influencing Cropping Patterns
  • 🔹 Emerging Trends
  • 🔹 Long-Term Effects of Current Patterns
Different Types of Irrigation & Irrigation Systems Storage
  • 🔹 Modes of Irrigation
  • 🔹 Sources of Irrigation
  • 🔹 Factors in Choosing an Irrigation System
  • 🔹 Problems with Irrigation
  • 🔹 Progress under Five-Year Plans
  • 🔹 Environmental Effects
  • 🔹 Systemic Irrigation Reforms
  • 🔹 National Water Policy
Transport & Marketing of Agricultural Produce & Related Constraints
  • 🔹 Marketing Process: Channels, Functionaries, Costs
  • 🔹 Role of FCI
  • 🔹 Regulated Markets
  • 🔹 Warehousing
  • 🔹 Cooperative Marketing
  • 🔹 Problems in Current System
  • 🔹 APMCs
  • 🔹 National Agricultural Market (e-NAM)
  • 🔹 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)
  • 🔹 Contract Farming
  • 🔹 Futures Trading
E-Technology in Aid of Farmers, Technology Missions
  • 🔹 ICT Tools in Agriculture
  • 🔹 Mobile Apps, Weather Services
  • 🔹 Technology Missions for Cotton, Oilseeds, Horticulture, etc.
  • 🔹 Government Initiatives in Agri-Tech
Issues Related to Direct & Indirect Farm Subsidies & Minimum Support Prices (MSP)
  • 🔹 Agricultural Pricing Policy
  • 🔹 Need & Types of Subsidies
  • 🔹 Effectiveness & Challenges
  • 🔹 WTO Disputes
Public Distribution System (PDS): Objectives, Functioning, Limitations, Revamping
  • 🔹 Objectives & Importance of PDS
  • 🔹 Functioning: FCI, Fair Price Shops, Aadhaar Linking, etc.
  • 🔹 Challenges & Inefficiencies
  • 🔹 Reforms & Modernization Efforts
  • 🔹 Government Steps to Strengthen PDS
Issues of Buffer Stocks & Food Security
  • 🔹 Objectives & Norms of Buffer Stocking
  • 🔹 Impact of Government Procurement
  • 🔹 Need for National Food Security
  • 🔹 Key Programs: NFSA, NFSM, etc.
Economics of Animal Rearing
  • 🔹 Dairy, Poultry, Fisheries: Scope & Economics
  • 🔹 Livestock Census
  • 🔹 Government Schemes: Rashtriya Gokul Mission, Pashu Sanjeevani, etc.
Food Processing & Related Industries in India
  • 🔹 Scope & Potential in India
  • 🔹 Significance to Rural Economy
  • 🔹 Location Factors
  • 🔹 Challenges in the Sector
  • 🔹 Supply Chain & SCM Solutions
  • 🔹 Key Policies: SAMPADA, 12th FYP
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Chemicals in Food
  • 🔹 Artificial Sweetening Agents
  • 🔹 Food Preservatives
Drugs
  • 🔹 Antacid
  • 🔹 Antihistamines
  • 🔹 Neurologically Active Drugs
  • 🔹 Tranquilizers
  • 🔹 Analgesics
  • 🔹 Antimicrobials
  • 🔹 Antibiotics
  • 🔹 Antiseptics and Disinfectants
  • 🔹 Anti-Fertility Drugs
Cleansing Agents
  • 🔹 Soaps
  • 🔹 Synthetic Detergents
Glass🔹 Types, Properties, Applications
Water Softener🔹 Principles and Uses
Water Purification/Disinfection🔹 Techniques and Technologies
Microwave Oven🔹 Working Principle and Safety Aspects
Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology
  • 🔹 C.V. Raman
  • 🔹 J.C. Bose
  • 🔹 S.N. Bose
  • 🔹 Meghnad Saha
  • 🔹 Homi Bhabha
  • 🔹 Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar
  • 🔹 A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
  • 🔹 Vikram Sarabhai
  • 🔹 M. Visvesvaraya
  • 🔹 Har Gobind Khorana
  • 🔹 Tessy Thomas
  • 🔹 C.N.R. Rao
Indigenization of Technology & Developing New Technology
  • 🔹 IT & Computers
  • 🔹 Space
  • 🔹 Nanotechnology
  • 🔹 Biotechnology
  • 🔹 Robotics
  • 🔹 Defence
  • 🔹 Nuclear Technology
Awareness in Different Fields of S&T
  • 🔹 Gaganyaan Mission
  • 🔹 IT & Computers
  • 🔹 Nanotechnology
  • 🔹 Biotechnology
  • 🔹 Robotics
  • 🔹 Defence
  • 🔹 Nuclear Technology
Issues Relating to Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
  • 🔹 Need for IPR
  • 🔹 Types of IPR
  • 🔹 IPR Regime in India
  • 🔹 International Agreements on IPR
  • 🔹 Geographical Indicators
  • 🔹 Recent Issues – Evergreening, Compulsory Licensing, etc.
  • 🔹 Landmark Cases
BIODIVERSITY & ENVIRONMENT
Conservation
  • 🔹 What is Biodiversity?
  • 🔹 Types of Biodiversity – Genetic, Species, Ecosystem, etc.
  • 🔹 Importance – Ecosystem Services, Economic Resources, Social & Cultural Benefits
  • 🔹 Causes of Biodiversity Loss
Conservation Approaches
  • 🔹 In-situ & Ex-situ Conservation
  • 🔹 Eco-Sensitive Areas & Hotspots
  • 🔹 National Guidelines & Legislations
  • 🔹 Major Government Schemes
  • 🔹 International Agreements & Groupings (CBD, CITES, etc.)
Environmental Pollution & Degradation
Types of Pollution
  • 🔹 Air
  • 🔹 Water
  • 🔹 Soil
  • 🔹 Noise
  • 🔹 Radioactive
  • 🔹 Thermal, Light, Plastic, etc.
Impact of Pollution & Degradation
  • 🔹 Ozone Layer Depletion
  • 🔹 Greenhouse Effect & Global Warming
  • 🔹 Eutrophication
  • 🔹 Desertification
  • 🔹 Acid Rain
  • 🔹 Hazardous Waste Impact
Causes of Environmental Degradation
  • 🔹 Industrial & Vehicular Emissions
  • 🔹 Deforestation
  • 🔹 Improper Waste Disposal
  • 🔹 Agricultural Runoff & Pesticides
Prevention & Control
  • 🔹 Pollution Control Technologies
  • 🔹 Afforestation & Reforestation
  • 🔹 Waste Management Rules
  • 🔹 Promotion of Clean Energy
National Environmental Framework
  • 🔹 MoEFCC, CPCB, SPCBs
  • 🔹 Environment Protection Act, 1986
  • 🔹 Air Act, 1981 & Water Act, 1974
  • 🔹 National Environment Policy, 2006
International Environmental Agreements
  • 🔹 UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement
  • 🔹 Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
  • 🔹 Ramsar Convention
  • 🔹 Montreal Protocol, Basel Convention
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
  • 🔹 What is EIA?
  • 🔹 EIA Process & Stages
  • 🔹 Indian Guidelines & Notification (2006)
  • 🔹 Benefits of EIA
  • 🔹 Challenges & Criticism of EIA in India
  • 🔹 Measures for Reforming EIA
Disaster Management
  • 🔹 Types of Disasters – Natural (Floods, Cyclones, Earthquakes) & Human-Made
  • 🔹 Phases – Prevention, Preparedness, Response, Recovery
  • 🔹 Role of NDMA, NDRF, SDRF
  • 🔹 Community-Based Disaster Risk Management
  • 🔹 Disaster Management in Assam – Brahmaputra Floods, Landslides, etc.
  • 🔹 Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA)
SECURITY
Development & Extremism
  • 🔹 Linkages Between Underdevelopment & Spread of Extremism
  • 🔹 Factors Behind Naxalism & Left-Wing Extremism
  • 🔹 State-Level Strategies for Countering Extremism
  • 🔹 Role of Inclusive Development
External State & Non-State Actors in Internal Security
Non-State Actor Threats
  • 🔹 J&K Separatism
  • 🔹 North-East Insurgency
  • 🔹 Terrorism in Hinterlands
  • 🔹 Right-Wing Extremism
Key Challenges
  • 🔹 Reasons for Spread of Terrorism
  • 🔹 State-Sponsored Terrorism
  • 🔹 Cross-Border Terrorism
Institutional Frameworks
  • 🔹 NIA (National Investigation Agency)
  • 🔹 NATGRID, MAC, UAPA, TADA, POTA, NCTC
  • 🔹 Intelligence Coordination & Inter-agency Cooperation
Internal Security & Communication Networks
  • 🔹 Role of Media in Internal Security
  • 🔹 Social Networking Sites & Radicalization
  • 🔹 Challenges of Social Media Regulation
  • 🔹 Government Guidelines & Cyber Surveillance Frameworks
Basics of Cyber Security
  • 🔹 Major Cyber Threats & Vulnerabilities
  • 🔹 India’s Cyber Security Architecture (CERT-In, NCIIPC)
  • 🔹 Cyber Warfare & State-sponsored Attacks
  • 🔹 Key International Collaborations (e.g., Budapest Convention)
  • 🔹 Cybersecurity Policy, 2013 & Future Roadmap
Money Laundering & Its Prevention
  • 🔹 Stages of Money Laundering – Placement, Layering, Integration
  • 🔹 Economic & Security Threats
  • 🔹 Prevention Laws: PMLA, FATF Recommendations
  • 🔹 Enforcement Directorate, FIU-IND Role
  • 🔹 Recent Initiatives & Challenges
Security Challenges in Border Areas
  • 🔹 Coastal & Land Border Security Issues
  • 🔹 Smuggling, Infiltration, Illegal Migration
  • 🔹 Disputes with China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal
  • 🔹 Comprehensive Border Management Strategy
  • 🔹 Border Area Development Programme
Organized Crime & Terrorism Nexus (Assam Emphasis)
  • 🔹 Types of Organized Crime – Arms, Drugs, Human Trafficking
  • 🔹 Link Between Crime Syndicates & Terrorist Networks
  • 🔹 Naxalism: History, Evolution, Recent Trends
  • 🔹 Insurgency in Northeast India – ULFA, NSCN, Bodo Groups
  • 🔹 Assam Context: Historical Conflicts, ULFA, Naga Issue
Security Forces & Their Mandates
  • 🔹 Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF): CRPF, BSF, ITBP, CISF, SSB
  • 🔹 Assam Rifles
  • 🔹 National Security Guard (NSG)
  • 🔹 Intelligence Agencies: IB, R&AW, NTRO
  • 🔹 Coordination Among Forces

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