Mains Syllabus

Paper I — Essay

Essay

• Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics.
• Keep closely to the subject, arrange ideas in an orderly fashion and write concisely.
• Credit is given for effective and exact expression.

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

• Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present—significant events, personalities and issues.
• The Freedom Struggle—its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
• Post-independence consolidation and reorganisation within the country.

World History

• Events from the eighteenth century such as the Industrial Revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonisation, decolonisation and political philosophies like communism, capitalism and socialism—their forms and effects on society.

Indian Society

• Salient features of Indian Society and diversity of India.
• Role of women and women’s organisations, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanisation, their problems and remedies.
• Effects of globalisation on Indian society.
• Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism and secularism.

Geography

• Salient features of the 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.
• Important geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, tsunami, volcanic activity and cyclones; geographical features and changes in critical geographical features, flora and fauna, and their effects.

Paper III — General Studies II

Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations

Constitution and Federalism

• 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.
• Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.

Legislature, Executive and Judiciary

• Parliament and State Legislatures—structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers and privileges, and issues arising out of these.
• Structure, organisation and functioning of the Executive and Judiciary; Ministries and Departments; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the polity.
• Salient features of the Representation of the People Act.
• Appointment to various constitutional posts; powers, functions and responsibilities of constitutional bodies.
• Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.

Governance and Social Justice

• 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, groups, associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
• Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections and their performance; mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies constituted for their protection and betterment.
• Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education and Human Resources.
• Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
• Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability; e-governance; citizens’ charters; institutional and other measures.
• Role of civil services in a democracy.

International Relations

• India and its neighbourhood—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 and mandate.

Paper IV — General Studies III

Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management

Economy

• Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilisation of resources, growth, development and employment.
• Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
• Government budgeting.
• Effects of liberalisation on the economy; changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
• Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways, etc.
• Investment models.

Agriculture and Food

• Major crops and cropping patterns; irrigation and irrigation systems; storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce; e-technology in aid of farmers.
• Direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System; buffer stocks and food security; technology missions; economics of animal rearing.
• Food processing and related industries—scope, significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, and supply-chain management.
• Land reforms in India.

Science and Technology

• Science and Technology—developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
• Achievements of Indians in science and technology; indigenisation of technology and developing new technology.
• Awareness in IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nanotechnology, biotechnology and intellectual property rights.

Environment and Disaster Management

• Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
• Disaster and disaster management.

Internal Security

• 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; basics of cyber security; money laundering and its prevention.
• Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organised crime with terrorism.
• Various security forces and agencies and their mandate.

Paper V — General Studies IV

Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

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 and administrators; role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values.

Attitude and Aptitude

• Attitude—content, structure, function; influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
• Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service: integrity, impartiality, non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion.

Emotional Intelligence and Thinkers

• Emotional intelligence—concepts, utilities and application in administration and governance.
• Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and the world.

Public Administration Ethics

• Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public Administration; ethical concerns and dilemmas; laws, rules, regulations and conscience; accountability and ethical governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.

Probity and Case Studies

• Probity in Governance; philosophical basis; information sharing and transparency; Right to Information; Codes of Ethics; Codes of Conduct; Citizens’ Charters; work culture; quality of service delivery; utilisation of public funds; challenges of corruption.
• Case studies on the above issues.