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Mains Examination Syllabus

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 & standard of questions in the GS papers(Paper II to 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 variety of subjects, which will have relevance for a career in vil 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-economical goals, objectives and demands.
  • Type of Answers: The candidates must give relevant, meaningful and succinct(brief) answers.

The scope of the syllabus for optional subject papers(Paper VI & VII) for the examination is broadly of the honours degree level i.e. a level higher than the bachelors’ degree and lower than masters’ degree. In case of engineering, medical science and law, the level corresponds to the bachelors’ degree.

Syllabi of the papers included in the scheme of CS(M) are given as follows:

  • Qualifying papers on Indian Languages & English: Aim is to test candidates’ ability to read & understand serious discursive prose, and to express his ideas clearly and correctly, in English & Indian language concerned. The pattern of the questions would be broadly as follows:
    • English
    1. Comprehension of given passages.
    2. Precis Writing.
    3. Usage & vocabulary.
    4. Short Essays.
    1. Comprehension of given passages.
    2. Precis writing
    3. Usage and Vocabulary
    4. Short Essays
    5. Translation from English to Indian Language & Vice-versa.

Note 1: The papers on Indian Languages & English will be of Matriculation or equivalent standard and will be qualifying in natures 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 & the respective Indian language(except where translation is involved).

  • Paper-I Essay: Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics. 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 GS-I: Indian Heritage & Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society.
  1. Indian Culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature & Architecture from ancient to modern times.
  2. Modern Indian history from about the middle of the 18th century until the present -significant events, personalities, issues.
  1. The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
  1. Post-Independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
  1. History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization,
  1. Political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc. – their forms and effect on the society.
  1. Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
  2. Role of women and women’s organization,
  1. Population and associated issues,
  2. Poverty and developmental issues,
  3. Urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
  1. Effects of globalization on Indian society.
  2. Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism and Secularism
  3. Salient features of world’s physical geography.
  4. Distribution of Key natural resources across the world(including South Asia & Indian sub-continent); factors responsible for location of primary, secondary and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world(including India).
  1. Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, Cyclone etc., geographical features and their location changes in critical geographical features(including water-bodies & ice caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
  1. Indian constitution – historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
  2. Functions & responsibilities of the Union & the States,
    1. issues & challenges pertaining to the federal structure,
    2. devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.
  • Paper-IV GS-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management.
  1. Indian Economy and issues relating to
    1. planning,
    2. mobilization of resources,
    3. growth,
    4. development and employment.
  1. Government Budgeting.
  2. Major crops – cropping patterns in the various parts of the country, – different types of irrigation and irrigation systems
  3. storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers.
  1. Issues related to Direct & indirect farm subsidies & MSP;
  2. PDS – objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security;
  3. Technology missions; Economies of Animal – Rearing.
  1. Food processing and related industries in India – scope and significance, location , upstream & downstream requirements, supply chain management.
  2. Land reforms in India.
  3. Effects of liberalization on the economy,
  4. Changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
  5. Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railway etc.
  6. Investment models.
  7. Science & Technology: development & their applications & effects in everyday life.
    • Achievements of Indian S&T; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
    • Awareness in the fields of IT, space, computers, robotics, nano-technology,
    • bio-technology and issues relating to IPR.
  1. Conservations, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
  2. Disaster and disaster management.
  3. Linkages b/w development & spread of extremism.
  4. Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
  5. 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 preservations.
  6. Security challenges and their management in border areas – linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
  7. Various Security forces & agencies and their mandate.
  • Ethics and Human interface:
    • Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions;
    • dimensions of ethics;
    • Ethics – in private & public relationships.
    • Human values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators;
    • [Socialization] – roles 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 services, 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 & Philosophers from India & world.
  • Public/Civil service values in Ethics & Public administration: Status & 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 & transparency in government, Right to information,
    • Codes of Ethics,
    • Codes of Conduct,
    • Citizen’s Charter,
    • Work Culture,
    • Quality of Service delivery,
    • Utilization of public funds,
    • Challenges of corruption.
  • Case studies on above issues.