Mains Plus Course

CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

SCHEME OF EXAMINATION

This exam is conducted by Union Public Service Commission for the recruitment of IAS/IPS/IFS/IRS and other Central Government Group A and B officers. The recruitment process consists of three stages:

þ  Preliminary Exam

þ  Mains Exam

þ  Interview

 1.       Preliminary Exam:

The Examination shall comprise two compulsory papers of 200 marks each based on 'Multiple Choice Questions' (MCQ). Both papers, General Studies Paper 1 and General Studies Paper 2 (CSAT), are compulsory, but the merit list is based only on the marks obtained in General Studies Paper 1. The General Studies Paper 2 (CSAT) is qualifying in nature and candidates have to score a minimum of 33% marks in CSAT paper to qualify the paper.

Negative Marking

There is negative marking in UPSC Preliminary exam. One-third of marks for each question are deducted for every wrong answer in the paper. Candidates should be cautious as committing silly mistakes or attempting the questions which they are not sure of can become a deterrent in their dream of qualifying UPSC Prelims exam.

This UPSC Prelims syllabus for CSAT intends to assess the aptitude of the candidate in solving Reasoning and Analytical’ questions, apart from ‘Reading Comprehension’ and the occasionally asked ‘Decision Making’ questions.

The ‘Decision Making’ based questions are generally exempt from negative marks.

UPSC Prelims Syllabus

Syllabus for GS Paper (Prelims Paper I)

• 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 Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialisation.

• General Science

Syllabus for CSAT Paper (Prelims Paper II)

• 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)

2. MAINS EXAM:

·     The Mains 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.

·     The Mains exam tests the candidate’s academic talent in depth and his/her ability to present his/her understanding according to the requirements of the question in a time-bound manner.

·     The UPSC Mains exam consists of 9 papers, out of which two are qualifying papers of 300 marks each

Qualifying Papers

The two qualifying papers are:

a)       Any Indian Language

b)      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 papers, 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.       Precise Writing                                                                          – 60 marks

4.       Translation:

a)    English to compulsory language (e.g. Hindi)          – 20 marks

b)    Compulsory language to English                                   – 20 marks

5.       Grammar and basic language usage                          – 40 marks

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.

Papers to be counted for merit

 Essay

The Essay Paper in Mains Exam consists of two sections A and B with four topics each of 125 marks and a total of 250 (125×2) marks. Candidates are given a choice to select a topic from each section and write about it in 1,000 to 2,000 words within the given time of three hours.

 General Studies- PAPER 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 eighteenth 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, forms and effect on the society from 18th century like world wars, industrial revolution, colonization, redrawal of national boundaries, decolonization, political philosophies 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 & secularism

• Distribution of key natural resources across the world including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent; 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

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

• 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 & 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 NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders

• Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources

• Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & 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 neighborhood- 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

 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.

• Development, Bio diversity, 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 & 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

 General Studies- Paper IV

• Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude: This paper includes questions to check the candidate’s attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and his/her problem 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 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 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

• ontributions 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

 Optional Subjects

The UPSC Mains syllabus gives a list of 48 Optional Subjects which include Literature of different languages. Candidates need to choose any one of the ‘Optional Subjects’ from the list of subjects given below:

List of optional subjects for Main Examination:

3.       Interview Test

The candidate will be interviewed by a Board who will have before them a record of his career. He will be asked questions on matters of general interest. The object of the interview is to assess the personal suitability of the candidate for a career in public service by a Board of competent and unbiased observers. The test is intended to judge the mental caliber of a candidate. In broad terms this is really an assessment of not only his intellectual qualities but also social traits and his interest in current affairs. Some of the qualities to be judged are mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, balance of judgment, variety and depth of interest, ability for social cohesion and leadership, intellectual and moral integrity.

The technique of the interview is not that of a strict cross‐examination but of a natural, though directed and purposive conversation which is intended to reveal the mental qualities of the candidate.

The interview test is not intended to be a test either of the specialized or general knowledge of the candidates which has been already tested through their written papers. Candidates are expected to have taken an intelligent interest not only in their special subjects of academic study but also in the events which are happening around them both within and outside their own State or Country  as well as in modern currents of thought and in new discoveries which should rouse the curiosity of well-educated youth.

UPSC Exam Language List

The Indian languages listed in the 8^th schedule of the Indian constitution are listed below. You must achieve a minimum of 75 out of the 300 maximum scores on the exam to succeed.

*For the Santhali language, the question paper is in the Devanagari script; but candidates are free to answer either in the Devanagari script or Olchiki.

Exemption from Optional Language Exam: Conditions

In the northeastern states, candidates from Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, and Nagaland are excluded from taking the required Compulsory Indian language exam. When submitting their Detailed Application Form (DAF) for the UPSC Mains, qualified applicants must provide a scanned copy of a document proving that they are citizens of one of these states to be eligible for this exemption.