The Civil Services Examination (CSE) is a nation-wide competitive Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission for the recruitment to various Civil Services of the Government of India. The topmost and the coveted posts are the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and the Indian Police Service (IPS). The article is meant to give you insights about the different stages of examination.
UPSC CSE 2020 Exam Pattern and Syllabus
Very often the UPSC CSE Examination is also regarded as the IAS Examination due to the popularity of the Indian Administrative Service as a highly respected career choice.
The Union Public Service Commission conducts the recruitment for the various posts through the CSE examination in three stages:
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- Preliminary Examination (Objective Type)
- Main Examination (Subjective Type)
- Interview (Personality Test)
If you haven't applied yet, visit here. UPSC Civil Services Notification 2020
Exam Pattern and Syllabus of Preliminary Examination
The Preliminary Examination is divided into two shifts and is requires one day. Both the papers are objective type questions with multiple choice of answers. Generally, the morning shift conducts the General Studies Paper, and the Civil Services Aptitude Test is carried out in the evening shift. The details are as follows:
Paper | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
Paper - I (General Studies) | 100 | 200 (Each Q carries two marks) | 2 hours |
Paper-II (CSAT) | 80 | 200 (Each Q carries 2.5 marks | 2 hours
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Note: There is one-third negative marking for each question if attempted wrong.
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Though the marks are not counted for preliminary examination, it is mandatory for appearing in the Main Examination. Skipping this stage automatically keeps you out of the selection process for a given year. This is the screening stage for the candidates to appear in the Main Examination.
Preliminary Examination Syllabus
Paper I (General Studies) 200 marks
S. No. | Subjects |
History of India and Indian National Movement | |
2. | Indian and World Geography
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3. | Indian Polity and Governance
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4. | Economic and Social Development
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5. | General Science |
6. | General issues on Environmental ecology
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7. | Current events of national and international importance |
Paper II (Civil Services Aptitude Test) 200 marks
S. No. | Subjects |
1. | Comprehension |
2. | Interpersonal skills including communication skills |
3. | Logical reasoning and analytical ability |
4. | Decision making and problem-solving |
5. | General mental ability |
6. | Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level), |
7. | Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc. — Class X level) |
The candidate must appear in both the Papers of Civil Services (Prelim) Examination for evaluation. Therefore, a candidate will be disqualified in case he/she does not appear in both the papers of Civil Services (Prelim) Examination.
Exam Pattern and Syllabus of Main Examination
The Main Examination is Descriptive and consists of the following papers:
QUALIFYING PAPER | |||
Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
Paper A | (One of the Indian Language to be selected by the candidate from the Languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution) | 300 | 3 hours |
Paper B | English | 300 | 3 hours |
PAPERS TO BE COUNTED FOR MERIT |
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Paper I | Essay | 250 | 3 hours |
Paper-IIGeneral Studies I (Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society) | 250 | 3 hours | |
Paper III | General Studies II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations) | 250 | 3 hours |
Paper IV | General Studies III (Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management)
| 250 | 3 hours |
Paper V | General Studies IV (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude) | 250 | 3 hours |
Paper VI | Optional Subject – Paper I | 250 | 3 hours |
Paper VII | Optional Subject – Paper II | 250 | 3 hours |
Sub Total (Written test) | 1750 |
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Personality Test | 275 |
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Grand Total | 2025 |
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The papers on Indian languages and English (Paper A and Paper B) will be of Matriculation or equivalent standard and will be of qualifying nature. The marks obtained in these papers will not be counted for ranking. 25% marks in ‘Indian Language’ and 25% in English is regarded as the minimum qualifying standards in these qualifying papers.
Note:
- The paper A on Indian Language will not, however, be compulsory for candidates hailing from the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim
- Marks obtained by the candidates for the Paper I-VII only will be counted for merit ranking. However, the Commission will have the discretion to fix qualifying marks in any or all of these papers.
- Candidates will have the option to answer all the question papers, except the Qualifying Language Papers, Paper-A and Paper-B, in any one of the languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India or English.
List of optional subjects for Main Examination
S. No. | Optional Subjects |
1. | Agriculture |
2. | Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science |
3. | Anthropology |
4. | Botany |
5. | Chemistry |
6. | Civil Engineering |
7. | Commerce and Accountancy |
8. | Economics |
9. | Electrical Engineering |
10. | Geography |
11. | Geology |
12. | History |
13. | Law |
14. | Management |
15. | Mathematics |
16. | Mechanical Engineering |
17. | Medical Science |
18. | Philosophy |
19. | Physics |
20. | Political Science and International Relations |
21. | Psychology |
22. | Public Administration |
23. | Sociology |
24. | Statistics |
25. | Zoology |
26. | Literature of any one of the following languages:
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UPSC CSE 2020 Main Examination Syllabus
The syllabus is overwhelmingly vast. But the correct strategy and if broken down into smaller chunks can help navigate through it and cover it up accordingly.
Let us have a glance at the topics enlisted in the syllabus.
S. No. | Syllabus |
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1. | Paper A The pattern broadly covers questions:
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2. | Paper B Indian Language Paper covers questions from:
Note: The paper aims to test the candidates’ ability to read and understand serious discursive prose, and to express his ideas clearly and correctly, in English and Indian language concerned. | |
3. | Paper I Essay
They will be expected to keep close to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in an orderly fashion and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression. | |
3. | PAPER-II General Studies-I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society | |
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| - Salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times
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| - From about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present - Significant events, personalities, issues |
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| - various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country
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| Including events from 18th Century such as: - industrial revolution - world wars - re-draw of national boundaries - colonization - decolonization political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc. their forms and effect on the society |
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| - Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India - Effects of globalization on Indian society - Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism - Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies. |
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| - Salient features of the world’s physical geography - 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) - Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., - geographical features and their location-changes in critical geographical features (including waterbodies and icecaps) and flora and fauna and the effects of such changes. |
PAPER-III General Studies- II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations | ||
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| - historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure - Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries |
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| - 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 |
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| - structure, functioning, the conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these - Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act |
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| - Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity - Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of different Constitutional Bodies - Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies - Government policies and interventions for development in multiple sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation |
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| - the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders - Issues relating to the development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources. - Issues relating to poverty and hunger. - 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 |
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| - Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
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| - Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate. - Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora - Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests |
Paper IV General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management | ||
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| - issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment - Inclusive growth and issues arising from it - Government Budgeting
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| - Different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in 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.
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| - scope’ and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements - supply chain management |
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| - changes in industrial policy and their impact on industrial growth |
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| - Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc. - Investment models |
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| - 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 |
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| - Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment |
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| - 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, the role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cybersecurity; 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
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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. Questions may utilise the case study approach to determine these aspects. | ||
| 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; the role of Government strives to have a workforce which reflects gender balance and women candidates are encouraged to apply. 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 the world
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| 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 Note: Case Studies on the above issues. |
Optional Subject Papers I & II The candidate may choose any optional subject from amongst the List of Optional Subjects | ||
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This list of optional subjects can be downloaded from here.
The syllabus can be downloaded from here.
UPSC CSE 2020 Syllabus
The Main Examination intends to assess the depth of understanding of candidates and the overall intellectual traits, rather than merely the range of information and memory one possesses. For the detailed syllabus of the Optional Papers, please visit the official notification.
UPSC CSE 2020 Official Notification. Download PDF
It is strongly advised that the candidates must apply online well in time and avoid filling up the form and carry out the submission of Online Applications until the last date.
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