Paper-II: General Studies-I
Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society
- Indian culture – salient aspects of Art Forms, literature, and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
- Modern Indian history from mid-18th century to present – significant events, personalities, issues.
- The Freedom Struggle – stages, contributors, and contributions from different regions.
- Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
- World history – industrial revolution, world wars, redrawing of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies (communism, capitalism, socialism) and their impact.
- Salient features of Indian society, Diversity of India.
- Role of women and women’s organizations; population, poverty, development issues; urbanization problems and remedies.
- Effects of globalization on Indian society.
- Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism, secularism.
- Salient features of world’s physical geography.
- Distribution of natural resources globally, factors influencing location of industries (primary, secondary, tertiary).
- Geophysical phenomena – earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic activity, cyclones; changes in geographical features and their effects on flora, fauna, and environment.
Paper-III: General Studies-II
Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice & International Relations
- Indian Constitution – historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, provisions, basic structure.
- Union & State functions and responsibilities; federal structure issues; devolution of powers and finances to local levels.
- Separation of powers, dispute redressal mechanisms, institutions.
- Comparison of Indian constitutional scheme with other countries.
- Parliament & State legislatures – structure, functioning, business, powers, privileges.
- Executive & Judiciary – organization, structure, functioning; pressure groups and associations.
- Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
- Appointment, powers, responsibilities of Constitutional posts and bodies.
- Statutory, regulatory, and quasi-judicial bodies.
- Government policies, interventions for development, and associated implementation issues.
- Development processes – role of NGOs, SHGs, groups, donors, stakeholders.
- Welfare schemes for vulnerable groups, and performance; institutions for protection & betterment.
- Issues in Social Sector—Health, Education, Human Resources.
- Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
- Governance aspects: transparency, accountability, e-governance, citizen charters, measures.
- Role of civil services in democracy.
- India and its neighborhood relations.
- Bilateral, regional, global groupings & agreements involving or affecting India.
- Effect of policies of developed & developing countries on India; Indian diaspora.
- International institutions, agencies, fora – structure & mandate.
Paper-IV: General Studies-III
Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security & 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 across regions; irrigation types, storage, transport, marketing of agricultural produce; e-technology for farmers.
- Issues related to farm subsidies, MSP, Public Distribution System—objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; buffer stocks, food security; technology missions; economics of animal rearing.
- Food processing and related industries—scope, significance, location factors, supply chain management.
- Land reforms in India.
- Effects of liberalization on the economy; changes in industrial policy and impact on growth.
- Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways, etc.
- Investment models.
- Science & Technology developments and their applications in everyday life.
- Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization and new technological developments.
- Awareness in IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nanotechnology, Biotechnology; IPR issues.
- Conservation, environmental pollution, degradation, environmental impact assessment.
- Disaster and disaster management.
- Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
- Role of external state and non-state actors in internal security challenges.
- Challenges to internal security via communication networks; media and social media; cyber security; money laundering prevention.
- Security challenges in border areas; organized crime & terrorism linkages.
- Various security forces and agencies and their mandate.
Paper-V: General Studies-IV
Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude
The paper tests the candidate's attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life,
and problem-solving in society. Case studies may be used.
Broad Areas Covered
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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 great leaders, reformers, administrators; role of family, society, educational institutions in value inculcation.
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Attitude: Content, structure, function; influence on behavior; moral & political attitudes; social influence & persuasion.
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Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Services: Integrity, impartiality, non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance, compassion.
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Emotional Intelligence: Concepts, applications in administration & governance.
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Moral Thinkers & Philosophers from India and the world.
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Civil Service Values & Ethics in Public Administration: Status, problems; ethical concerns; laws, rules, conscience as guidance; ethical governance; strengthening moral values; international ethics; corporate governance.
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Probity in Governance: Public service concept; philosophical basis of governance; transparency, RTI, Codes of Ethics & Conduct, Citizen's Charters, work culture, service quality, public fund utilization, corruption challenges.
- Case studies based on above issues.
Paper-VI & Paper-VII
Optional Subject Papers I & II
A candidate may choose any one optional subject from the following list (each subject has 2 papers):
- Agriculture
- Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science
- Anthropology
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Commerce and Accountancy
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering
- Geography
- Geology
- History
- Law
- Management
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medical Science
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science and International Relations
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Sociology
- Statistics
- Zoology
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Literature of one of the following languages:
Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili,
Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil,
Telugu, Urdu, English.
