Mains Syllabus

General Studies-I

(Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society)

Check  Indian Culture – Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.

Check  Modern Indian History from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.

Check  The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.

Check  Post-independence Consolidation and Reorganization within the country.

Check  History of the World will include events from 18th century such as Industrial Revolution, world wars, Redrawal of National Boundaries, Colonization, Decolonization,       political philosophies like Communism, Capitalism, Socialism etc.— their forms and effect on the society.

Check  Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.

Check  Role of Women and Women’s Organization, Population and Associated Issues, Poverty and Developmental issues, Urbanization, their problems and their remedies.

Check  Effects of Globalization on Indian society.

Check  Social Empowerment, Communalism, Regionalism & Secularism.

Check  Salient features of World’s Physical Geography.

Check  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).

Check  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.

 

General Studies-II

(Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations)

Check  Indian Constitution—Historical Underpinnings, Evolution, Features, Amendments, Significant Provisions and Basic Structure.

Check  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.

Check  Separation of Powers between various organs Dispute Redressal Mechanisms and Institutions.

Check  Comparison of the Indian Constitutional Scheme with that of Other Countries.

Check  Parliament and State Legislatures—Structure, Functioning, Conduct of Business, Powers & Privileges and Issues Arising out of these.

Check  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.

Check  Salient Features of the Representation of People’s Act.

Check  Appointment to various Constitutional Posts, Powers, Functions and Responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.

Check  Statutory, Regulatory and various Quasi-judicial Bodies.

Check  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.

Check  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.

Check  Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

Check  Issues relating to Poverty and Hunger.

Check  Important Aspects of GovernancTransparency and Accountability, E-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; Citizens Charters,               Transparency & Accountability and institutional and other measures.

Check  Role of Civil Services in a Democracy.

Check  India and its Neighborhood- Relations.

Check  Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

Check  Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India’s interests, Indian Diaspora.

Check  Important International Institutions, agencies and fora – their Structure, Mandate.

General Studies-III

(Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management)

Check  Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment.

Check  Inclusive Growth and issues arising from it.

Check  Government Budgeting.

Check  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.

Check  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.

Check  Food Processing and Related Industries in India- Scope’ and Significance, Location, Upstream and Downstream Requirements, Supply Chain Management.

Check  Land Reforms in India.

Check  Effects of Liberalization on the Economy, Changes in Industrial Policy and their Effects on Industrial Growth.

Check  Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.

Check  Investment Models.

Check  Science and Technology- Developments and their Applications and Effects in Everyday Life.

Check  Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology; Indigenization of Technology and Developing New Technology.

Check  Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nano-technology, Bio-technology and issues relating to Intellectual Property Rights.

Check  Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.

Check  Disaster and Disaster Management.

Check  Linkages between Development and Spread of Extremism.

Check  Role of External State and Non-state Actors in creating challenges to Internal Security.

Check  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.

Check  Security Challenges and their Management in Border Areas – Linkages of Organized Crime with Terrorism.

Check  Various Security Forces and Agencies and their Mandate.

 

 

 

   

General Studies-IV

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:

Check  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.

Check  Attitude: Content, Structure, Function; its Influence and Relation with Thought and Behaviour; Moral and Political Attitudes; Social Influence and Persuasion.

Check 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.

Check  Emotional Intelligence-Concepts, and their Utilities and Application in Administration and Governance.

Check  Contributions of Moral Thinkers and Philosophers from India and World.

Check  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.

Check  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.

Check  Case Studies on above issues.