UPSC Syllabus & Exam Structure Overview

About UPSC

About Civil Service

Overview

Civil Services Examination

KingMakers UPSC program is the most comprehensive and holistic course designed for students who wish to make a career in Civil Services Examination. Our scientific and proven approach towards framing of course schedule, testing modules and periodic individual assessment covers each aspect of IAS exam preparation that is needed for an aspirant to clear the exam in 1st attempt.

Eligibility

Education

Age Criteria

General
Minimum Age	21
Maximum Age	32
No of attempts	6

OBC
Minimum Age	21
Maximum Age	35
No of attempts	9

SC & ST
Minimum Age	21
Maximum Age	37
No of attempts	No limits

Physically Disabled(Blind, Deaf-Mute, Orthopaedic)
Minimum Age	21
Maximum Age	42
No of attempts	Gen & OBC – 9, SC & ST–Till age limit

Exam Schedules

Notification	February / March
Preliminary Examination	May / June
Preliminary Exam Results	July / August
Mains Examinations	September / October
Mains Exam Results	February 1st week / 2nd week
Interview	March – April
Final Results	May

Forest Service Examination

Eligibility

Education

Age Criteria

General
Minimum Age	21
Maximum Age	32
No of attempts	6

OBC
Minimum Age	21
Maximum Age	35
No of attempts	9

SC & ST
Minimum Age	21
Maximum Age	35
No of attempts	No limits

Physically Disabled(Blind, Deaf-Mute, Orthopaedic)
Minimum Age	21
Maximum Age	42
No of attempts	Gen & OBC – 9, SC & ST–Till age limit

Exam Schedules

Notification	February / March
Preliminary Examination	May / June
Preliminary Exam Results	July / August
Mains Examinations	November / December
Mains Exam Results	January 1st Week / 2nd Week
Interview	January / February
Final Results	February / March

Overview

Civil Services Examination consists of 3 stages as mentioned below:

Stage 1

Preliminary Exam (Objective Type)

Stage 1

Stage 2

Mains Exam (Descriptive Type)

Stage 2

Stage 3

Interview (Oral)

Stage 3

Preliminary Exam (For Civil & Forest Service)

The Preliminary Examination which is common for both Civil services and Forest service is conducted during May or June every year. It consists of two papers – one is held in the forenoon and the other in the afternoon of the same day and both papers consist of a set of multiple choice questions. The forenoon session is General Studies Paper–I where questions are based on general awareness and other topics as mentioned in the syllabus. In afternoon session is CSAT – Paper II where questions based on Quantitative aptitude, Reasoning and Verbal ability as mentioned in syllabus. Candidates should note that there will be a penalty (negative marking) for wrong answers

Information given below are based on UPSC Civil Services Examinations 2018.

General Studies Paper–I
No. of Questions	100
Total Marks	200
Marks for Correct Answer	2
Marks for Incorrect Answer	-0.66

General Studies Paper–I
CSAT – Paper II	80
Total Marks	200
Marks for Correct Answer	2.5
Marks for Incorrect Answer	-0.83

Result

Paper I marks is used for the selection of candidates to the mains examination.
Paper II marks is considered as qualifying paper with a minimum qualifying marks fixed at 33% (i.e 66 marks).
Two set of results are published - one list is for those who qualified for Civil Service Mains Examinations and other list is for those who qualified for Forest Service Mains Examination.
This is only a screening test, marks will not be considered for final results.

Mains Examination

Mains Examination syllabus, pattern and schedule is different for Civil Service and Forest Service Examination.

Subjects	Papers	Marks
Paper-A	Indian Language*	300
Paper -B	English*	300
Essay	Paper-I	250
General Studies 1	Paper-II	250
General Studies 2	Paper-III	250
General Studies 3	Paper-IV	250
General Studies 4	Paper-V	250
Optional Subject	Paper-VI	250
Optional Subject	Paper-VII	250

Interview

The Personality test for the Mains cleared candidates will be conducted in Delhi. (Maximum mark : 275)

Final Result

The final result of both the Civil Services and Forest Service exams will be based on the Mains examination and Interview marks and will be released by UPSC.

Preliminary Examination Syllabus

Paper I - General Studies

Current events of national and international importance
History of India and the 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, Bio-diversity and Climate Change - that do not require subject specialization.
General Science.

Paper II - CSAT

Note 1: The questions will be of multiple choice, objective type.

Note 2: It is mandatory for the candidate to appear in both the Papers of Civil Services (Prelim) Examination for the purpose of evaluation. Therefore a candidate will be disqualified in case he/she does not appear in both the papers of Civil Services (Prelim).

Note 3: Appearing in any one of the papers on the examination day will be counted as an attempt.

Note 4: If a candidate has applied but not appeared for the examination, it will not be counted as an attempt.

Civil Service Mains Examinations

Paper I

Paper II - General Studies - I

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

Indian culture will cover 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 and 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 will include events from 18th century such as the 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 the Indian Society Diversity of India.
Role of women and women’s organizations, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
Effects of globalization on the Indian society. Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism and 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 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.

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 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; etechnology 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

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.
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 & Paper VII

Optional Subject : Papers I and II

List of 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.

About UPSC

About Civil Service

Overview

Civil Services Examination

Eligibility

Education

Age Criteria

Exam Schedules

Forest Service Examination

Eligibility

Education

Age Criteria

Exam Schedules

Preliminary Exam (Objective Type)

Mains Exam (Descriptive Type)

Interview (Oral)

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