Welcome to this comprehensive notes repository for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE). This document serves as the main index (index.md) for a detailed collection of notes covering the entire General Studies syllabus. The goal is to provide a structured, clear, and comprehensive resource for your preparation journey.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is India’s premier central recruiting agency, responsible for appointments to and examinations for All India Services and group A & group B of Central services.
Exam Pattern
The CSE is a multi-stage examination, often considered one of the most challenging competitive exams in the world. It is designed to test a candidate’s academic expertise, analytical ability, and aptitude for a career in public service. The examination is conducted in three sequential stages:
- Stage I: Preliminary Examination (Prelims)
- Stage II: Main Examination (Mains)
- Stage III: Personality Test (Interview)
Stage I: Preliminary Examination
The Preliminary Examination is the first hurdle and acts as a screening test. The marks obtained in this stage are not counted for the final merit list, but you must clear it to be eligible for the Main Examination. It is an objective-type (Multiple Choice Questions) examination.
- Paper I: General Studies (GS)
- Marks: 200
- Questions: 100
- Duration: 2 hours
- Nature: Marks are counted for the Prelims cut-off.
- Syllabus:
- 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.
- Paper II: Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT)
- Marks: 200
- Questions: 80
- Duration: 2 hours
- Nature: Qualifying in nature. You must score a minimum of 33% (66 marks) to qualify.
- Syllabus: Tests comprehension, interpersonal skills, logical reasoning, analytical ability, decision-making, problem-solving, and basic numeracy.
Negative Marking: There is a penalty for wrong answers. For each incorrect answer, one-third (1/3) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted.
Stage II: Main Examination
The Main Examination is the core of the selection process. It is a written, descriptive examination designed to assess your intellectual quality and depth of understanding. It consists of 9 papers, and the marks from 7 of these papers are counted for the final ranking. The qualifying papers on Indian Languages and English are of Matriculation or equivalent standard.
The papers are as follows:
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Nature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper A | Compulsory Indian Language (from the 8th Schedule) | 300 | Qualifying (minimum 25% required) |
| Paper B | English | 300 | Qualifying (minimum 25% required) |
| Paper I | Essay | 250 | Merit Ranking |
| Paper II | General Studies I | 250 | Merit Ranking |
| Paper III | General Studies II | 250 | Merit Ranking |
| Paper IV | General Studies III | 250 | Merit Ranking |
| Paper V | General Studies IV (Ethics) | 250 | Merit Ranking |
| Paper VI | Optional Subject - Paper 1 | 250 | Merit Ranking |
| Paper VII | Optional Subject - Paper 2 | 250 | Merit Ranking |
Detailed Syllabus for General Studies (Mains)
Paper II: General Studies I
- Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society.
- Indian culture covering 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 sub-continent).
- Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc.
Paper III: General Studies II
- Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations.
- Indian Constitution—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 dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
- 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.
- Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
- Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
- Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
- Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes.
- Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
- 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 neighborhood- 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.
Paper IV: General Studies III
- Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and 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 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.
- Food processing and related industries in India- scope’ and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
- Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
- Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
- 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 V: 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Stage III: Personality Test (Interview)
Candidates who clear the Main Examination are summoned for a Personality Test. This stage is conducted by the UPSC board to assess your suitability for a career in civil service by judging your mental alertness, critical thinking, logical exposition, judgment, and leadership qualities.
- Marks: 275
The final merit list is prepared based on the total marks obtained in the Main Examination and the Personality Test.
Notes Repository Index
This repository is organized according to the General Studies syllabus of the examination. Use the links below to navigate to the detailed notes for each section. Good luck!
-
Preliminary Examination Notes
- General Studies Paper I
- CSAT Paper II
-
Main Examination Notes
- Essay
- General Studies I
- General Studies II
- General Studies III
- General Studies IV (Ethics)
- Optional Subject
-
Current Affairs
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Previous Year Questions (PYQs)