UPSC 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 aspirant gets less
than 33% in C-SAT, he/she 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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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 do not require subject
specialization
Ø Current events of national and
international importance
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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
1. 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.
2. 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 analyse, and take a view on conflicting socio‐economic goals, objectives and demands. The candidates must give
relevant, meaningful and succinct answers.
3. 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].
1. Indian
culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and
Architecture from ancient to modern times.
2. Modern Indian
history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present‐ significant events, personalities, issues
3. The Freedom
Struggle ‐ its
various stages and important contributors /contributions from different parts
of the country.
4. Post‐independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
5. 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.
6. Salient features
of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
7. 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.
8. Social
empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
9. Salient
features of world’s physical geography.
10. 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)
11. 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]
1.
Indian Constitution‐ historical
underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and
basic structure.
2.
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.
3.
Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms
and institutions.
4.
Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other
countries
5.
Parliament and State Legislatures ‐ structure,
functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising
out of these.
6.
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.
7.
Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
8.
Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and
responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
9.
Statutory, regulatory and various quasi‐judicial
bodies
10. Government policies
and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of
their design and implementation.
11. Development
processes and the development industry‐the role of
NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional
and other stakeholders
12. 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.
13. Issues
relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to
Health, Education, Human Resources.
14. Issues
relating to poverty and hunger.
15. Important
aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e‐governance‐ applications,
models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency
& accountability and institutional and other measures.
16. Role of civil
services in a democracy.
17. India and its
neighborhood‐ relations.
18. Bilateral,
regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting
India’s interests
19. Effect of
policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests,
Indian Diaspora.
20. 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.]
1.
Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of
resources, growth, development and employment.
2.
Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
3.
Government Budgeting.
4.
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
5.
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;
6.
economics of animal‐rearing.
7.
Food processing and related industries in India‐ scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream
requirements, supply chain management.
8.
Land reforms in India.
9.
Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy
and their effects on industrial growth.
10. Infrastructure:
Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
11. Investment
models.
12. Science and
Technology‐ developments
and their applications and effects in everyday life
13. Achievements
of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and
developing new technology.
14. Awareness in
the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano‐technology, bio‐technology
and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
15. Conservation,
environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
16. Disaster and
disaster management.
17. Linkages
between development and spread of extremism.
18. Role of
external state and non‐state actors
in creating challenges to internal security.
19. 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
20. Security
challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime
with terrorism
21. 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.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Emotional
intelligence‐concepts, and
their utilities and application in administration and governance.
4. Contributions
of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Case Studies
on above issues.
PAPER‐VI & PAPER VII
Optional Subject Papers I &II
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Candidate may choose
any one optional subject from amongst the following
Optional Subjects or Indian languages.
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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
1. 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.
2. 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.
3.
The technique of the interview is not that of a strict cross‐examination but of a natural, though directed and purposeful conversation
which is intended to reveal the mental qualities of the candidate.
4. 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
1.
Multiple choice
2.
Negative marking@ 1/3rd.
3.
Creativity has been seen in the paper
setting
4.
More focus on the recently included areas/focal
areas for UPS as per latest questions in the syllabus such as environment, technology,
mid-eval India etc.
STRATEGY:
1. Need exhaustive reading of the topics/syllabus. Develop syllabus on your
own for each subject by analysing the areas covered/trends in past 5 years in
UPSC question papers.
2. Reading the same topic from multiple sources, at least two.
3. Repetitive reading [reading the same topic several times]
4. Memorising at least once, after reading a topic or an issue.
5. Follow blind notations for better & long remembrance
6. Relate and remember the facts for long remembrance
7. Discuss difficult topics with friends/trainers for achieving understanding
and clarity.
8. Teaching is the best way of grasping & retaining the knowledge
9. Watch You Tube videos on specific topics by un-academy and other
publishers. Use net profusely.
10. Listen to the All India Radio every day from 9 to 9.30 p.m.
11. Read the newspapers/magazines, note down the current issues (dynamic
part) related to static portion of the syllabus and cover both of them, make
your own notes wherever possible.
12. Practice/attempt a few model/test question papers for developing proper
mind-set, customization, avoiding frequently made mistakes, time management
etc.
13. On all current issues in India and World, be ready with map pointing.
Nature of exam:
1.
Descriptive type
2.
Focus on the value additions to descriptive
answers such as facts and figures, graphic representation of facts, flow
charts, case studies etc.
3.
Fixed space for answers is provided in the
answer sheets. Brevity is the key.
STRATEGY:
1. Follow one reputed/appropriate source for the topics in the syllabus.
2. Intensive reading
3. Repetitive reading [reading the same topic several times]
4. Discuss difficult topics with friends.
5. Teaching is the best way of achieving clarity and attaining understanding
of the issues.
6. Understand concepts and mug-up facts.
7. Writing practice for descriptive answers from day one
8. Attempt at least 3 to 4 model papers before the actual exam and get them
evaluated.
9. Read the newspapers/magazines, note down the current issues (dynamic
part) related to static portion of the syllabus and cover both of them. Make
your own notes for all important topics/queries.
10. Note down or collect facts & figures, case studies for important
topics for better scoring. Develop plans in presenting huge data in short cut
forms such as flow charts, pie diagrams, tables etc.
11. Use simple but decent English.
12. Answer the questions in bullets. For essay type answers, write like a
story with onward and forward linkage of the paras.
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 Kurukshetra
and one newspaper-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 (b.yadagiri irs)
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 Lakshmi Kanth.
6.
Indian Economy:
i. Indian
Economy by Ramesh Singh;
ii. Budget and
iii. 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
9.
India Year book and Economic Survey for Current Affairs
10.
Verbal and Non-verbal Reasoning by RS Agarwal
11.
C-SAT Manual by TMH
12.
Analytical Reasoning by M.K. Pandey
13.
You Tube lessons and Google (These are the main sources now a days)
*****
Dear Friends,
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/smart work is your weapon, success will be your slave”.
Best of luck.
---B. YADAGIRI, I.R.S.,
Dated: 10.06.2019
*****
