UPSC MAINS

Indian language and English

Although both these papers are only qualifying in nature, candidates should not be complacent as if they fail to score below 25% in either of them, their remaining answer sheets won't even be evaluated. Both the papers follow a similar pattern of questions as given below.

One essay question for 100 marks - candidates have to select one out of a few given topics
Reading comprehension and related five-six questions for a total of 60 marks
Précis writing for 60 marks - the answer sheet will have a separate grid structure where this has to be written Translation from English to chosen language for 20 marks
Translation from chosen language to English for 20 marks
Grammar and basic language usage such as synonyms, sentence correction etc. for a total of 40 marks

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 <span class="badge badge-primary badge-pill".
Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc. – Class X level)

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

Indian culture covers the salient features of Literature, Art Forms, and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Modern Indian history
significant events, personalities, issues during the middle of the eighteenth century until the present
Various stages and important contributors and contributions from different parts of the country in ‘The Freedom Struggle’
Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country
History of the world includes events, forms and effect on the society from 18th century like world wars, industrial revolution, colonization, redraw of national boundaries, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc
Salient aspects of Diversity of India and Indian Society
Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and remedies
Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism
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
Effects of globalization on Indian society
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
Salient features of world’s physical geography

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
Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries
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
Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies
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
Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation
Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies
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
Health, Education, Human Resources
Development processes and the development industry the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders
Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to
Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes,
limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures
Issues relating to poverty and hunger
Role of civil services in a democracy
Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
India and its neighborhood- relations
Important International institutions, agencies and fora, their structure, mandate
Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diasporas

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

Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management.
Government Budgeting.
Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
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
Economics of animal-rearing.
Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
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
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.
Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
Disaster and disaster management.
Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
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
Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate
Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism

Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

This paper includes questions to check the candidate’s attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and his/her problem solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him/her while dealing with society. Questions may utilise the case study approach to determine these aspects and covers area:

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.

LANGUAGE PAPERS

Indian language and English

Syllabus for CSAT Paper (Prelims Paper II)

ESSAY

GENERAL STUDIES PAPER-I

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

GENERAL STUDIES PAPER-II

Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations

GENERAL STUDIES PAPER-III

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

GENERAL STUDIES PAPER-IV

Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

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