New Pattern of Civil Services Exam
w.e.f 2013
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Preliminary or Screening Test
(Objective Type)
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Paper-I
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General Studies-I
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200
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Paper-II
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General Studies-I
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200
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Total
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400
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Main Examination (Descriptive
Type)
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Paper-I
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General Essay
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250
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Paper-II
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General Studies-I
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250
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Paper-III
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General Studies-II
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250
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Paper-IV
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General Studies-III
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250
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Paper-V
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General Studies-IV
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250
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Paper-VI
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Optional Paper-I
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250
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Paper-VII
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Optional Paper-II
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250
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Total
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1750
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Interview
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275
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Total Main Marks
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2025
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SYLLABUS
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PART-A: Preliminary Examination
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General
Studies PAPER-I
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General
Studies PAPER-II
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Ø
History & Culture of India and Indian National Movement
Ø
Indian and World Geography- physical, social, economic geography of
India and the world
Ø
Indian Polity and governance – constitution, political system,
panchayati raj, public policy etc.
Ø
Economic and social development – sustainable development, poverty,
inclusion, demographics, social sector initiatives etc.
Ø
Science and Technology
Ø
General issues on environmental ecology, bio-diversity and climate
change-that donot require subject specialization
Ø
Current events of national and international importance
|
ü
Comprehension
ü
Interpersonal skills including communication skills
ü
Logical reasoning and analytical ability
ü
Decision making and problem solving
ü
General mental ability
ü
Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude etc.
(Class X level)
ü
Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc.
–Class X level)
ü
English language comprehension skills (Class X level)
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Part B‐MAINEXAMINATION
ü The main Examination is intended to
assess the overall intellectual traits and depth of understanding of candidates
rather than merely the range of their information and memory.
ü The nature and standard of questions
in the General Studies papers (Paper II to Paper V) will be such that a well‐educated person will be able to
answer them without any specialized study. The questions will be such as to
test a candidate’s general awareness of a variety of subjects, which will have relevance
for a career in Civil Services. The questions are likely to test the
candidate’s basic understanding of all relevant issues, and ability to analyze,
and take a view on conflicting socio‐ economic
goals, objectives and demands. The candidates must give relevant, meaningful and
succinct answers.
ü The scope of the syllabus for
optional subject papers (Paper VI and Paper VII) for the examination is broadly
of the honors’ degree level i.e. a level higher than the bachelors’ degree and
lower than the masters’ degree. In the case of Engineering, Medical Science and
law, the level corresponds to the bachelors’ degree.
Syllabi
of the papers included in the scheme of Civil Services (Main) Examination are given
as follows: ‐
PAPER‐I:
ESSAY
Candidates
will be required to write an essay on a specific topic. The choice of subjects
will be given. They will be expected to keep closely to the subject of the
essay to arrange their ideas in orderly fashion, and to write concisely. Credit
will be given for effective and exact expression.
PAPER‐II:
General Studies‐I:
[Indian Heritage and
Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society].
Ø Indian culture will cover the
salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern
times.
Ø Modern Indian history from about the
middle of the eighteenth century until the present‐ significant events, personalities,
issues
Ø The Freedom Struggle ‐ its various stages and
important contributors /contributions from different parts of the country.
Ø Post‐independence consolidation and reorganization within
the country.
Ø History of the world will include
events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars,
re-drawl of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political
philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc. their forms and effect
on the society.
Ø Salient features of Indian Society,
Diversity of India.
Ø Role of women and women’s
organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental
issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies to express his ideas
clearly and correctly, in English and Indian Language concerned.
Ø Social empowerment, communalism,
regionalism & secularism.
Ø Salient features of world’s physical
geography.
Ø 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)
Ø 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]
Ø Indian Constitution‐ historical underpinnings,
evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
Ø 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.
Ø Separation of powers between various
organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
Ø Comparison of the Indian
constitutional scheme with that of other countries
Ø Parliament and State
Legislatures ‐ structure,
functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out
of these.
Ø 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.
Ø Salient features of the
Representation of People’s Act.
Ø Appointment to various
Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various
Constitutional Bodies.
Ø Statutory, regulatory and various
quasi‐judicial bodies
Ø Government policies and
interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of
their design and implementation.
Ø Development processes and the
development industry‐the
role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities,
institutional and other stakeholders
Ø 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.
Ø Issues relating to development and management
of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Ø Issues relating to poverty and
hunger.
Ø Important aspects of governance,
transparency and accountability, e‐governance‐ applications, models, successes,
limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency &
accountability and institutional and other
measures.
Ø Role of civil services in a
democracy.
Ø India and its neighborhood‐ relations.
Ø Bilateral, regional and global
groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
Ø Effect of policies and politics of
developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian Diaspora.
Ø Important International
institutions, agencies and fora‐ their
structure, mandate.
PAPER‐IV:
General Studies-III:
[Technology, Economic
Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management.]
Ø Indian Economy and issues relating
to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
Ø Inclusive growth and issues arising
from it.
Ø Government Budgeting.
Ø 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
Ø 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.
Ø Food processing and related
industries in India‐ scope
and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
Ø Land reforms in India.
Ø Effects of liberalization on the
economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
Ø Infrastructure: Energy, Ports,
Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
Ø Investment models.
Ø Science and Technology‐ developments and their applications
and effects in everyday life
Ø Achievements of Indians in science
& technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
Ø Awareness in the fields of IT,
Space, Computers, robotics, nano‐technology,
bio‐technology and
issues relating to intellectual property rights.
Ø Conservation, environmental
pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
Ø Disaster and disaster management.
Ø Linkages between development and
spread of extremism.
Ø Role of external state and non‐state actors in creating challenges to
internal security.
Ø 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
Ø Security challenges and their
management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism
Ø 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 utilise the case study
approach to determine these aspects.]
The
following broad areas will be covered.
Ø 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.
Ø Attitude: content, structure,
function; its influence and relation with thought and behavior; 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.
Ø Emotional intelligence‐concepts, and their utilities and application
in administration and governance.
Ø Contributions of moral thinkers and
philosophers from India and world.
Ø 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.
Ø 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.
Ø Case Studies on above issues.
PAPER‐VI
& PAPER VII
Optional Subject Papers I &II
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QUALIFYING PAPERS ON INDIAN LANGUAGES AND
ENGLISH
The
aim of the paper is to test the candidates’ ability to read and understand
serious discursive prose.
The
pattern of questions would be broadly as follows:‐
|
English
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Indian
Language
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(i)
Comprehension of given passages
(ii)
Précis Writing
(iii)
Usage and Vocabulary
(iv)
Short Essay.
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(i)
Comprehension of given passages.
(ii)
Précis Writing
(iii)
Usage and Vocabulary.
(iv)
Short Essay
(v)
Translation from English to the Indian language and vice‐versa.
|
Note
1: The Papers on Indian Languages and English will be of Matriculation or
equivalent standard and will be of qualifying nature only. The marks obtained
in these papers will not be counted for ranking.
Note
2: The candidates will have to answer the English and Indian Languages papers
in English and the respective Indian language (except where translation is
involved).
C.
Interview Test
Ø 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 calibre 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.
Ø 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.
Ø
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.
Ø 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.
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PREPARATION FOR PRELIMS
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Nature
of exam
v
Multiple choice
v
Negative marking@ 1/3rd.
v
Of-late marks are depending on the
complexity of the question
v
Creativity has been seen in the
paper setting
v
More focus on the recently included
areas in the syllabus such as environment, ecology etc.
STRATEGY
Ø
Need exhaustive reading of the
topics/syllabus
Ø
Reading the same topic from multiple
sources, at least two.
Ø
[NCERT
books of XI and XII classes shall be one source; Material from a reputed
Coaching Institution could be second source; and so on]
Ø
Repetitive
reading [reading the same topic several times]
Ø
Memorising at least once, after
reading a topic or an issue.
Ø
Follow blind notations for better
& long remembrance
Ø
Discuss difficult topics with
friends and that enhances nderstanding and ensures long remembrance.
Ø
Teaching somebody is the best way of
remembrance
Ø
Listen to the radio everyday from 9
to 9.30 p.m.
Ø
Follow certain magazines—Civil
Services Chronicle, Yojana or Kuruskhethra and one news paper-The Hindu.
Ø
Practice/attempt a few model/test
question papers for developing proper mind-set, customisation, avoiding
frequently made mistakes, time management etc.
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STRATEGY FOR MAINS
|
Nature
of exam
Ø
Descriptive type
Ø
Concentrate on the newly introduced
topics/syllabus
STRATEGY
Ø
Follow one reputed/appropriate
source for the syllabus/topic
Ø
Intensive reading
Ø
Repetitive reading [reading the same
topic several times]
Ø
Discuss difficult topics with
friends.
Ø
Teaching somebody is the best way of
achieving clarity and attaining understanding of the issues.
Ø
Understand concepts and mug-up
facts.
Ø
Make your own notes for all
important topics/queries.
Ø
Start writing practice from day one
Ø
Attempt at least 3 to 4 model papers
before the actual exam and get them evaluated.
Ø
Develop or list out case studies for
scoring better.
Ø
Use simple but good English. Answer
the questions like a story with onward and forward linking the paras.
*****
“Purity, Patience and Perseverance
are three key principles of success”
---Swami Vivekananda.
*****
“Follow a composite plan for
achieving success in Civil Services exam.
Analyse every major topic or issue from the angle of prelims, Mains and
Interview. In other words, start preparing for Prelims, Mains and Interview
from the day one. This deepens your understanding on all relevant issues and
makes you a winning candidate.
“If hard work is your weapon,
success will be your slave”.
Best of luck.
---B.YADAGIRI, I.R.S.,
24.5.2013
*****
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