CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION - NEW PATTERN & STRATEGY
New Pattern of Civil Services Exam
w.e.f 2013 as modified in May, 2015
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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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C-SAT (just qualifying exam)
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200
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Total
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400
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Note: W.e.f CSP 2015, selection to Mains will be done based on the
marks obtained in GS I paper only, subject to getting 33% marks in C-SAT
exam. If any student gets less than 33% in C-SAT, they will get disqualified,
irrespective of their marks in GS-I.
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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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Civil
Services Aptitude Test (C-SAT)
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History
& Culture 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 etc.
Economic and social
development – sustainable development, poverty, inclusion, demographics,
social sector initiatives etc.
Science and Technology
General issues on environmental ecology,
bio-diversity and climate change-that do not require subject specialization
Current events of national and
international importance
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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)
English language comprehension skills
(Class X level)
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Part B‐MAINEXAMINATION
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.
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.
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: GENERAL ESSAY (250 marks)
There
would two sections A and B with 4 topics each. The candidates are required to
write an essay from each section on a specific topic, carrying 125 marks each.
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. The desirable word limit would be 1000 to
1250 words per each essay.
PAPER‐II: General Studies‐I (250 marks)
[Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World
and Society].
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, 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 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.
Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
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.
Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism &
secularism.
Salient features of world’s physical geography.
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)
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 (250 marks)
[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 (250 marks)
[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.
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 (250
marks)
[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.
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 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.
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 &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:‐
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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.
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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
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.
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.
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STRATEGY
FOR PRELIMS EXAM
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Nature of exam
Multiple choice
Negative marking@ 1/3rd.
Of-late marks are
depending on the complexity of the question
Creativity has been seen in
the paper setting
More focus on the
recently included areas in the syllabus such as environment, ecology etc.
STRATEGY
ü Need exhaustive
reading of the topics/syllabus
ü Reading the same
topic from multiple sources, at least two.
ü Repetitive reading
[reading the same topic several times]
ü Memorising at least
once, after reading a topic or an issue.
ü Follow blind
notations for better & long remembrance
ü Relate and remember
ü Discuss difficult
topics with friends and that enhances understanding and ensures long
remembrance.
ü Teaching somebody
is the best way of remembrance
ü Listen to the All India
Radio everyday from 9 to 9.30 p.m.
ü Practice/attempt a
few model/test question papers for developing proper mind-set, customisation,
avoiding frequently made mistakes, time management etc.
Suggested books
1. NCERT books of XI
and XII classes shall be one source and Material from a reputed Coaching
Institution could be second source
2. Follow certain magazines—Civil Services Chronicle, Yojana or Kuruskhethra
and one news paper-The Hindu.
3. Indian History and
Culture: a. NCERT books for XI and XII; b. Modern India by Spectrum
publications and c. Facets of Indian Culture by Spectrum publications; d.
Material placed in my blog for culture.
4. Geography: a. My
study or Oxford School Atlas; b. Geography of India by Masjid Hussain; c.
Certificate Physical and Human Geography by Goh Cheng Leong; d. NCERT XI and
XII and IX standard books
5. Indian Polity for
Civil Services examinations by LakshmiKanth
6. Indian Economy: a.
Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh; b. Budget and Economic survey
7. Science and
Technology: a. Science and Technology in India by TMH; b. Latest events in
Science and Technology.
8. Ecology: a.
Environmental Studies from crisis to
culture 2nd edition by Rajagopalan; Sankar IAS coaching material
10. India Year book and Economic Survey for Current
Affairs
11. Manorama year book for Current Affairs
12. Verbal and Non-verbal Reasoning by RS Agarwall
13. C-SAT Manual by TMH
14. Analytical Reasoning by M.K. Pandey
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STRATEGY
FOR MAINS
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Nature of exam:
ü Descriptive type
ü Concentrate on the newly
introduced topics/syllabus
ü Space is provided in the answer sheets. Brevity is the
key.
STRATEGY:
ü Follow one
reputed/appropriate source for the syllabus/topic
ü Intensive reading
ü Repetitive reading
[reading the same topic several times]
ü Discuss difficult
topics with friends.
ü Teaching somebody
is the best way of achieving clarity and attaining understanding of the issues.
ü Understand concepts and mug-up facts.
ü Make your own notes for all important
topics/queries.
ü Start practicing
writing from day one
ü Attempt at least 3
to 4 model papers before the actual exam and get them evaluated.
ü Develop or list out
case studies for scoring better.
ü Use simple but decent
English. Answer the questions like a story with onward and forward linkage of the
paras.
*****
“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.,
Revised on 27.5.2015
*****
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