SYLLABI FOR THE UPSC IAS EXAMINATION

Part A—Preliminary Examination

Paper I – (200 marks) | Duration: Two hours (100 MCQs, Rank Defining)

Current events of national and international importance.
History of India and Indian National Movement.
Indian and World Geography – Physical, Social, and 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, Biodiversity, and Climate Change (not requiring subject specialization).
General Science.

Paper II – (200 marks) | Duration: Two hours (80 MCQs, 66 Marks Required for Qualifying)

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)

Part B—Main Examination (9 Papers in Total)

Indian Language (Qualifying Nature)
English (Qualifying Nature)
General Studies 1 (Culture, History, Geography, Society.)
General Studies II (Polity and International relations.)
General Studies III (Economy, Environment, Security)
General Studies IV (Ethics)
Essay
Optional I
Optional II

QUALIFYING PAPERS ON INDIAN LANGUAGES AND ENGLISH (2 Papers)

The purpose of these papers is to assess candidates’ ability to read and comprehend serious discursive prose and to express ideas clearly and accurately in both English and the chosen Indian language.

Question Pattern:

English:

Comprehension of given passages
Precis Writing
Usage and Vocabulary
Short Essays

Indian Languages:

Comprehension of given passages
Precis Writing
Usage and Vocabulary
Short Essays
Translation from English to the Indian Language and vice-versa

Important Notes:

The Indian Languages and English papers will be of Matriculation or equivalent standard and are of qualifying nature only. Marks obtained in these papers will not be counted for ranking.
Candidates must answer the English paper in English and the Indian Language paper in the respective Indian language (except in translation questions).

PAPER-I: ESSAY

Candidates will be required to write essays on multiple topics. They should adhere closely to the subject, organize their ideas in a logical sequence, and write concisely.

Evaluation Criteria:

Clarity and coherence of thought
Logical structure and organization
Concise and precise expression
Effective use of language

Credit will be awarded for well-structured, articulate, and precise writing.

PAPER-II: General Studies-I

Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society

Indian Culture: Covers key aspects of art forms, literature, and architecture from ancient to modern times.
Modern Indian History: From the mid-18th century to the present, including significant events, personalities, and issues.
The Freedom Struggle: Various stages and key contributions from different regions of India.
Post-Independence India: Consolidation and reorganization within the country.
World History: Includes events from the 18th century, such as the Industrial Revolution, world wars, changes in national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, and political ideologies like communism, capitalism, and socialism—their forms and impact on society.
Indian Society: Salient features and diversity of India.
Key Social Issues: Role of women and women’s organizations, population challenges, poverty, developmental concerns, urbanization, its problems, and solutions.
Globalization: Effects on Indian society.
Social Empowerment: Communalism, regionalism, and secularism.
World Geography:
Salient features of physical geography.
Distribution of key natural resources worldwide (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent).
Factors influencing the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary industries in different regions (including India).
Geophysical Phenomena: Earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic activity, cyclones, and their geographical distribution.
Geographical Changes: Impact on critical features such as water bodies, ice caps, flora, and fauna.

PAPER-III: General Studies-II

Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations

Indian Constitution – Historical background, evolution, key features, amendments, significant provisions, and basic structure.
Union and State Functions – Roles and responsibilities, challenges in the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances to local levels, and related challenges.
Separation of Powers – Mechanisms for dispute resolution and institutions involved.
Comparison of Constitutional Frameworks – Indian constitutional structure in contrast with other nations.
Legislative Structures – Parliament and State Legislatures, their composition, functioning, business conduct, powers, privileges, and associated issues.
Executive and Judiciary – Structure, organization, and functioning of Ministries, Departments, Judiciary, pressure groups, and formal/informal associations in governance.
Representation of People’s Act – Key features and implications.
Constitutional Posts & Bodies – Appointments, powers, functions, and responsibilities of various constitutional bodies.
Statutory, Regulatory, and Quasi-Judicial Bodies – Their significance in governance.
Government Policies & Interventions – Development initiatives across sectors, challenges in design and implementation.
Development Processes & Stakeholders – Role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups, donors, charities, and institutions in development.
Welfare Schemes – Programs for vulnerable sections, their performance, and associated legal and institutional frameworks.
Social Sector Issues – Development and management of services related to health, education, and human resources.
Poverty and Hunger – Key issues and government interventions.
Governance & Accountability – Transparency, e-governance models, successes, limitations, citizen charters, and institutional measures.
Civil Services – Their role in a democratic system.
International Relations – India’s relations with neighboring countries, bilateral, regional, and global agreements affecting India’s interests.
Global Influence – Impact of policies and politics of developed and developing nations on India, including the role of the Indian diaspora.
International Organizations – Structure, mandate, and significance of major international institutions, agencies, and forums.

PAPER-IV: General Studies-III

Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management

Indian Economy: Issues related to planning, resource mobilization, growth, development, and employment.
Inclusive Growth: Challenges and associated issues.
Government Budgeting: Structure, policies, and significance.
Agriculture: Major crops, cropping patterns, irrigation methods, storage, transport, and marketing of agricultural produce.
Farm Policies: Direct and indirect subsidies, minimum support prices, Public Distribution System (PDS) – objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; buffer stocks and food security; technology missions; animal-rearing economics.
Food Processing Industry: Scope, significance, location, supply chain management, and related industries.
Land Reforms: Historical and contemporary aspects.
Economic Liberalization: Impact on the economy, changes in industrial policy, and industrial growth.
Infrastructure: Development in energy, ports, roads, airports, and railways.
Investment Models: Various frameworks and strategies.
Science & Technology: Developments, applications, and effects on daily life.
Indian Achievements in Science & Technology: Indigenization and technological advancements.
Awareness in Key Technological Fields: IT, space, computers, robotics, nanotechnology, biotechnology, and intellectual property rights.
Environment & Conservation: Pollution, degradation, and environmental impact assessment.
Disaster Management: Types, mitigation strategies, and response mechanisms.
Development & Extremism: Linkages between socio-economic development and extremism.
Internal Security Threats: Role of external and non-state actors.
Cybersecurity & Communication: Role of media and social networks in security challenges, cyber threats, money laundering, and preventive measures.
Border Security: Management challenges and links between organized crime and terrorism.
Security Forces & Agencies: Their roles, mandates, and functions.

PAPER-V: General Studies-IV

Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude

This paper assesses the candidate’s attitude and approach to integrity, probity in public life, and problem-solving in societal issues. Case studies may be used to evaluate these aspects.

Broad Areas 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 derived from the teachings of great leaders, reformers, and administrators; role of family, society, and educational institutions in inculcating values.
Attitude: Content, structure, and function; its influence on thought and behavior; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
Aptitude and Foundational Values for Civil Service: Integrity, impartiality, non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance, and compassion towards weaker sections.
Emotional Intelligence: Concepts, utility, and application in administration and governance.
Moral Thinkers and Philosophers: Contributions of Indian and global moral thinkers.
Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration: Status and challenges; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations, and conscience as ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening 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; transparency and information sharing in government; Right to Information; Codes of Ethics and Conduct; Citizen’s Charters; work culture; quality of service delivery; utilization of public funds; challenges of corruption.
Case Studies on the above issues.

Optional subjects for Main Examination:

(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.