What is UPSC ?

UPSC is India’s central agency which conducts exams like Civil Services Exam (CSE) to recruit candidates into top government services like IAS, IPS, IFS etc. UPSC recruits candidates to both civil services as well as defense services.

What are the exams conducted by UPSC for selection into civil services?

The 23 Posts are divided into 3 parts.

1 All Indian Civil Service

• Indian Administrative Service ( IAS )
• Indian Police Service ( IPS )
• Indian Forest Service ( IFOS )

2. Group A Civil Services

• Indian Foreign Service ( IFS )
• Indian Audit & Accounts Service ( IAAS )
• Indian Civil Accounts Service ( ICAS )
• Indian Corporate Law Service ( ICLS )
• Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS )
• Indian Defence Estates Service ( IDES )
• Internet Information Services ( IIS )
• Indian Ordnance Factories Service ( IOFS )
• Insulated Concrete Form System ( ICFS )
• Indian Postal Service ( IPOS )
• Indian Railway Accounts Service ( IRAS )
• Indian Railway Personnel Service ( IRPS )
• Indian Railway Traffic Service ( IRTS )
• Indian Revenue Service ( IRS )
• Indian Telecommunications Service ( ITS )
• Railway Protection Force ( RPF )

3. Group A Civil Services

• Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Services.
• Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep, Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli (Civil) Services
• Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Island Police Service
• PONDICHERRY CIVIL SERVICE
• Puducherry Police Service

What are the exams conducted by UPSC for selection into defense services?

1. National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination – NDA & NA (I).
2. National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination – NDA & NA (II).
3. Combined Defense Services Exam – CDS (I).
4. Combined Defense Services Exam – CDS (II).

UPSC Exam: What is the UPSC Civil Services Examination?

Civil Services Examination (CSE) is one of the most popular exams conducted by the Union Public Service Commission. It is widely known as the ‘IAS exam’ even though CSE is a common exam to recruit candidates to about 24 top government services like IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, etc.

UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE) consists of 3 stages. The stages are:

1. Preliminary Exam (objective)
2. Main Exam (written)
3. Interview (personality test)

UPSC Syllabus for GS Paper (Prelims Paper I)

• Current events of national and international importance.
• History 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, Rights Issues, etc.
• Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector initiatives, etc.
• General issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialization.
• General Science

UPSC Syllabus for CSAT Paper (Prelims Paper-II)

• 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)

Must-Know Facts about UPSC Mains

• The Mains examination constitutes the 2nd phase of the Civil Services Examination. Only after successfully qualifying in the prelims exam would the candidates be allowed to write the IAS Mains.
• The Mains exam tests the candidate’s academic talent in depth and his/her ability to present his/her understanding according to the requirements of the question in a time-bound manner.
• The UPSC Mains exam consists of 9 papers, out of which two are qualifying papers of 300 marks each.
• The two qualifying papers are:

· Any Indian Language Paper

· English Language Paper

               The papers on Essay, General Studies, and Optional Subject of only such candidates who attain 25% marks in both the language papers as a minimum qualifying standard in these qualifying papers, will be taken cognizance of for evaluation.

               In case a candidate does not qualify in these language papers, then the marks obtained by such candidates will not be considered or counted.

IAS Syllabus for UPSC Mains GS-I

General Studies‐I is also called Paper-II of UPSC Mains. It covers – Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society. The detailed UPSC Syllabus for this paper is given below:

• 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.
• The history of the world will include events from 18th century, such as the industrial revolution, world wars, redraw 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.
• Effects of globalization on Indian society.
• Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
• Salient features of the 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, cyclones, 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. 

IAS Syllabus for Mains GS-II

General Studies-II is also called Paper-III of UPSC Mains. It majorly covers Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International relations. The detailed UPSC syllabus for this paper is given below:

• Constitition of india — 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 disputes 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 neighbourhood 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. 

IAS Syllabus for Mains GS-III

General Studies-III is also called Paper-IV of the UPSC Mains. The major topics covered are Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management. The detailed UPSC syllabus for this paper is given below:

• 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 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, the 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. 

IAS Syllabus for Mains GS-IV

General Studies Paper-IV is also called Paper-V of UPSC Mains. The major topics covered under it are 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 utilize 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 the 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 the above issues

IAS Syllabus for Language and Essay Papers

• Essay Paper – It is the Paper-I of UPSC Mains

Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics. They will be expected to keep close to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in an orderly fashion and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression

• Qualifying Papers on Indian Languages and English

Structure of the language papers:

The types of questions asked are –

1. Essay – 100 marks
2. Reading comprehension – 60 marks
3. Precis Writing – 60 marks
4. Translation:

• English to compulsory language (e.g., Hindi) – 20 marks
• Compulsory language to English – 20 marks
• Grammar and basic language usage – 40 marks

The rest of the seven papers can be written in any of the languages mentioned under the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India or in English.

The aim of the papers is to test the candidates’ ability to read and understand serious discursive prose and to express ideas clearly and correctly, in English and Indian language concerned. The pattern of questions would broadly be as follows :

1. Comprehension of given passages.
2. Precis Writing.
3. Usage and Vocabulary.
4. Short Essays.

Indian Languages:-

• comprehension of given passages.
• Precis Writing.
• Usage and Vocabulary.
• Short Essays.
• Translation from English to the Indian Language and vice-versa. 

The following articles might help candidates who find it challenging to prepare for UPSC syllabus w.r.t language papers:

UPSC Syllabus for Optional Subjects

The UPSC Mains syllabus gives a list of 48 Optional Subjects, which include Literature in different languages. Candidates need to choose any one of the ‘Optional Subjects’ from the list of subjects given below:

IAS Syllabus For UPSC Mains Optional Subjects:

1. Agriculture – UPSC Syllabus
2. Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science – UPSC Syllabus
3. Anthropology – UPSC Syllabus
4. Zoology – UPSC Syllabus
5. IAS Syllabus – Assamese (Literature)
6. IAS Syllabus – Bengali (Literature)
7. Botany – UPSC Syllabus
8. IAS Syllabus – Bodo (Literature)
9. Chemistry – UPSC Syllabus
10. IAS Syllabus – Dogri (Literature)
11. Civil Engineering – UPSC Syllabus
12. IAS Syllabus – Gujarati (Literature)
13. Commerce & Accountancy – UPSC Syllabus
14. IAS Syllabus – Hindi (Literature)
15. Economics – UPSC Syllabus 
16. IAS Syllabus – Kannada( Letarature ) Electrical Engineering – UPSC Syllabus
17. IAS Syllabus – Kashmiri (Literature)
18. Geography – UPSC Syllabus
19. IAS Syllabus – Konkani (Literature)
20. Geology – UPSC Syllabus
21. IAS Syllabus – Maithili (Literature)
22. History – UPSC Syllabus
23. Law – UPSC Syllabus
24. Management – UPSC Syllabus
25. Mathamatics – UPSC Syllabus
26. Mechanical Engineering – UPSC Syllabus
27. Medical Science – UPSC Syllabus
28. Philosophy – UPSC Syllabus
29. Physics – UPSC Syllabus
30. Political Science And International Public Relation – UPSC Syllabus
31. Psychology – UPSC Syllabus
32. Public administration – UPSC Syllabus
33. Sociology – UPSC Syllabus
34. Statistics – UPSC Syllabus
35. IAS Syllabus – Malayalam (Literature)
36. IAS Syllabus – Manipuri (Literature)
37. IAS Syllabus – Marathi (Literature)
38. IAS Syllabus – Nepali (Literature)
39. IAS Syllabus – Odia (Literature)
40. IAS Syllabus – Punjabi (Literature)
41. IAS Syllabus – Sanskrit (Literature)
42. IAS Syllabus – Santhali (Literature)
43. IAS Syllabus – Sindhi (Literature)
44. IAS Syllabus – Tamil (Literature)
45. IAS Syllabus – Telugu (Literature)
46. IAS Syllabus – English (Literature)
47. IAS Syllabus – Urdu (Literature)

UPSC Syllabus for IAS Interview

Known as Personality Test, UPSC Interview is the last stage of the examination. There is no defined UPSC syllabus for the interview. Questions are asked from wide-ranging issues.

• Candidates who qualify for the UPSC Mains Exam will be called for the ‘Personality Test/Interview’. These candidates will be interviewed by a Board appointed by the UPSC.
• The objective of the interview is to assess the personal suitability of the candidate for a career in civil services by a board of competent and unbiased observers.
• The interview is more of a purposive conversation intended to explore the mental qualities and analytical ability of the candidate.
• The Interview test will be 275 marks, and the total marks for the written examination are 1750. This sums up to a Grand Total of 2025 Marks, based on which the final merit list will be prepared.

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