IAS PRELIMS EXAM PATTERN
It consists of two Objective type papers (multiple choice questions) and carry a maximum of 400 marks. On the basis of the marks obtained by the candidates in the Preliminary Examination, the candidates will be declared qualified for admission to the Mains Examination, but the marks obtained in Preliminary Examination, will not be counted for determining their final order of merit. Thus these two papers will be qualifying in nature. Both these papers will be of matriculation or equivalent standard. Candidates will qualify for Civil Services (Main) Examination based on the criterion of minimum qualifying marks of 33% in General Studies Paper-II of Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination and total qualifying marks of General Studies Paper-I and II of Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination as may be determined by the Commission. There will be negative marking for incorrect answers. The number of candidates to be admitted to the Mains Examination will be about twelve to thirteen times the approximate number of vacancies notified by the UPSC.
Generally there are two papers in prelims exam. They are:
- General Studies 1 (200 marks)
- General Studies 2 (200 marks)
|
Prelims Paper
|
Duration |
Questions |
Marks |
|
General Studies -I
|
2 Hour |
100 |
200 |
|
General Studies -II
|
2 Hour |
80 |
200 |
The question will of multiple choices, objective type. The Preliminary Examination evaluation is based on negative marking Pattern from 2007 onwards. For each question for which a wrong answer has been given by the candidate, one third (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as penalty.
Actually, the purpose of the Preliminary Examination is only to adjudge the aptness of the candidate; in the Final Selection its marks are not taken into account. While applying for preliminary examination, the candidate has to indicate his optional subjects (these can be changed while filling the Main detailed application form).
Syllabus of General Studies-I
Paper I – (200 marks) Duration: 2 Hours
- 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, Bio-diversity and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialization.
- General Science.
Syllabus of General Studies-II
Paper II – (200 marks) Duration: 2 Hours
- 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).
MAINS EXAMINATION
The written examination will consist of the following papers : Compulsory Qualifying Papers:
Paper-A
Languages 300 marks
One of the Indian Languages to be selected by the candidate from the Languages included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
Not compulsory for candidates hailing from Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland & Sikkim.
Paper-B
English 300 marks
(25% marks in ‘Indian Language and 25% marks in English are minimum qualifying marks in these two compulsory qualifying papers.)
Compulsory Papers to be counted for final order of merit are as under
Paper-I
Essay 250 marks
Paper-II
General Studies-I 250 marks
(Indian Heritage and Culture, History & Geography of the World and Social Issues)
Paper-III
General Studies-II 250 marks
(Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations)
Paper-IV
General Studies-III 250 marks
(Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management)
Paper-V
General Studies-IV 250 marks
(Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude)
Paper-VI
Optional Subject - Paper 1 250 marks
Paper-VII
Optional Subject - Paper 2 250 marks
Sub Total (Written test) 1750 marks
Interview (Personality Test)275 marks
Grand Total 2025 marks
UPSC may in its discretion fix minimum qualifying marks in any of these papers.
IAS MAINS EXAM PATTERN
Paper A and Paper B (COMPULSORY SUBJECTS ENGLISH AND INDIAN LANGUAGUES)
1: The aim of the paper is to test the candidate’s ability to read and understand serious discursive prose, and to express his ideas clearly and correctly in English/Indian language concerned.
2: The pattern of questions would be broadly as follows:
Comprehension of given passages.
Precise Writing
Usage and Vocabulary
Short Essay
INDIAN LANGUAGES
- Comprehension of given passages.
- Precise Writing
- Usage and Vocabulary.
- Short Essay
- Translation from English to the Indian language and vice-versa.
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)
PAPER-I
Essay
Government strives to have a workforce which reflects gender balance and women candidates are encouraged to apply.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
General Studies- I(Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society) of 250 marks which may include following topics:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 world's physical geography.
- Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent); 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, 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(Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and Internationalrelations) of 250 marks which may include following topics:
- Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significantprovisions and basic structure.
- Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining tothe federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challengestherein.
- Separation of powers between various organs dispute 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 andDepartments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and theirrole in the Polity.
- Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
- Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities ofvarious Constitutional Bodies.
- Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
- Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arisingout of their design and implementation.
- Development processes and the development industry —the role of NGOs, SHGs, variousgroups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
- Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and theperformance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for theprotection 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-governanceapplications, 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 affectingIndia’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.
PAPER-IV
(Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management) of 250 marks which may include following topics:
- 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 the 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, 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
PAPER-IV
General Studies -IV(Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude)of 250 marks which may include following topics:
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:
- 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 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.
- Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance.
- Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and 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 above issues
(D) OPTIONAL SUBJECT
List of optional subjects for Main Examination:
- 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
- Literature of any one of the following languages:
Assamese; Bengali; Bodo; Dogri; Gujarati; Hindi; Kannada; Kashmiri; Konkani; Maithili; Malayalam; Manipuri; Marathi; Nepali; Oriya; Punjabi; Sanskrit; Santhali; Sindhi; Tamil; Telugu; Urdu; English.
NOTE: - For more details please refer ‘UPSC’ syllabus from the official UPSC website. (https:https://www.upsc.gov.in/)
