IAS Pre Exam Syllabus

The IAS Pre exam is the first round of the selection process, and there are two General Studies papers in the Prelims syllabus (CSAT). General Studies II is a merit-based exam, whereas CSAT is a qualifying exam.

General Studies Paper-I 

The following topics are covered in the IAS Syllabus for the IAS Pre Exam:

• Important Current Events on a National and International Scale
• The Indian National Movement and its history
• Physical, social, and economic geography of India and the world are covered in Indian and World Geography.
• Constitution, political system, panchayati raj, public policy, rights issues, etc. of Indian politics and governance.
• Social sector initiatives, poverty, inclusion, sustainable development, etc, are all aspects of economic and social development.
• Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change: General Issues without the Need for Subject Specialization Basic Science

General Studies Paper-II

The Civil Services Aptitude Test, or CSAT, is another name for the GS-II of the IAS Pre exam. The IAS syllabus for this paper covers the following topics:

• Comprehension
• Interpersonal abilities, particularly communication abilities
• Analytical thinking and logical reasoning
• Making decisions and solving problems
• General mental ability
• Simple mathematics (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc., – Class X level), interpretation of data (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc., – Class X level)

 IAS Main Exam Syllabus

Nine theory exams are included in the IAS Mains test, and seven of them are used to create the merit list. The other two papers are in English and Indian Language, and both are of a qualifying nature. Two additional optional papers of 250 points each will be offered. Out of the 48 optional subjects listed by the UPSC, candidates may select anyone.

PAPER-I Essay

Essays on many topics may be asked of candidates. It will be required of them to write clearly and organise their views. For precise and effective expression, credit will be granted.

Paper II: General Studies I: World History and Geography, Indian      Heritage and Culture

• Indian culture will highlight the key elements of literature, art, and architecture from antiquity to the present.
• Significant events, people, and topics from the middle of the eighteenth century until the present in modern Indian history.
• The Freedom Struggle: its numerous phases, significant participants, and contributions from various regions of the nation.
• Consolidation and reorganisation within the nation upon independence.
• Events from the 18th century will be covered in History of the World, such as the Industrial Revolution, World Wars, redrawing of national borders, colonialism, and decolonization, as well as political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism, etc.—their manifestations and social impacts.
• Important characteristics of Indian society, India’s diversity. Population and related difficulties, poverty and developmental issues, the role of women and women’s groups, urbanization’s problems and solutions. Globalization’s effects on Indian society include social empowerment, regionalism, communalism, and secularism.
• Important aspects of the physical geography of the world.
• Distribution of important natural resources around the world, especially in South Asia and the Indian subcontinent; the reasons why primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries are situated in different parts of the world, including India; Critical geographic features, including waterbodies and ice-caps, as well as changes in flora and fauna and the impacts of such changes. Important geophysical occurrences, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic activity, cyclones, etc.

PAPER-III General Studies-II: International Relations, Social Justice,  Governance, Constitution, and Politics

• Historical foundations, changes, key provisions, features, and the fundamental structure of the Indian Constitution.
• Functions and duties of the Union and the States, problems and difficulties with the federal system, obstacles with the devolution of authority and resources to local levels.
• separation of powers among multiple agencies, institutions, and processes for resolving disputes.
• Comparison of the organisation, operation, conduct of business, powers & privileges, and issues resulting from the Parliament and State Legislatures of India with those of other nations.
• Structure, operation, and role of the Executive and Judicial branches of government; Ministries and Departments; pressure organisations; formal/informal associations; and their impact on politics.
• The Representation of People’s Act’s key characteristics.
• appointment to various constitutional positions, as well as the exercise of various constitutional bodies’ authority, functions, and duties.
• Statutory, regulatory, and various quasi-judicial entities, as well as government interventions for various sectors’ development and problems resulting from their planning and execution.
• The role of NGOs, SHGs, diverse groups and associations, funders, charities, institutional, and other stakeholders in development processes and the development industry.
• The creation of systems, legislation, institutions, and bodies for the protection and improvement of these vulnerable parts of the population; welfare programmes for vulnerable segments of the population by the Centre and States; and the implementation of these programmes.
• issues pertaining to the growth and administration of the social sector and related services in the areas of health, education, and human resources.
• issues involving hunger and poverty.
• e-governance applications, models, accomplishments, limitations, and possibilities; citizens charters, openness & accountability, and institutional and other measurements are important parts of government.
• Civil services’ function in a democracy.
• Relationships between India and its neighbours. Groupings and agreements on a bilateral, regional, and/or international level including India and/or affecting India’s interests Political and policy implications for India’s interests and the Indian diaspora in developed and emerging nations.
• Important international organisations, agencies, and forums: their composition and objectives.

PAPER-IV General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio Diversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management

• Indian economy, including planning, resource mobilisation, growth, development, and employment difficulties. inclusive growth and the problems it raise.
• Budgeting by the government. major crops, cropping patterns in various regions of the nation, various irrigation methods and systems, as well as problems and restrictions relating to the storage, transport, and marketing of agricultural products;
• E-technology to the farmers’ benefit issues including minimum support prices, direct and indirect farm subsidies;
• Public Distribution System: goals, operation, restrictions, and redesign; buffer stock and food security concerns; technology missions; animal husbandry economics.
• Indian food processing and allied industries: size and importance, geographic distribution, requirements upstream and downstream, supply chain management.
• Indian land reforms. economic impacts of economic liberalisation, changes in industrial policy, and how this change industrial growth
• Infrastructure includes things like energy, ports, roads, airports, and railroads.
• Investment strategies. Applications and impacts of science and technology breakthroughs in daily life Indigenization of technology and the creation of new technology are achievements of Indians in science and technology.
• awareness of concerns connected to intellectual property rights as well as IT, space, computers, robots, nanotechnology, and biotechnology.
• Environmental impact assessment, conservation, and pollution and degradation of the environment Disaster management and disasters.
• links between the growth and dissemination of extremism.
• the part played by outside state and non-state entities in posing threats to internal security.
• internal security threats posed by communication networks, the media’s and social networking sites’ contribution to these threats, the fundamentals of cyber security, and money laundering and its mitigation.
• Border region security concerns and their management; connections between organised crime and terrorism The mission of various security units and organisations

PAPER-V General Studies- IV: Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude

In this essay, the candidates will be put to the test on their attitudes toward and methods for resolving disagreements with others as well as their approach to issues of integrity and probity in public life. The case study method may be used in questions to ascertain these elements.

We’ll cover the broad topics listed below. Ethics and Human Interaction: The purpose, factors, and effects of ethics in human behaviour; dimensions of ethics; ethics in interpersonal relationships, both private and public.

• Human Values: the importance of family, society, and educational institutions in instilling values; lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers, and administrators.
• Moral and political attitudes, social influence, and persuasion are all aspects of attitude that include its content, structure, and function as well as its relationship to cognition and behaviour.
• Ability and core principles for the civil service, including honesty, objectivity, and partisanship; loyalty to the public good; empathy; tolerance; and compassion for the weaker groups.
• Emotional intelligence concepts, as well as their benefits and use in governance and administration. contributions from Indian and international moral philosophers.
• Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration: Status and Issues; Ethical Concerns and Dilemmas in Public 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.
• Concept of public service; philosophical underpinnings of governance and probity;
• Information exchange and transparency in government, the right to information, codes of ethics and conduct, citizen’s charters, workplace culture, the effectiveness of service delivery, the use of public monies, and issues with corruption are some other topics that are covered. Case studies on the aforementioned problems.

Paper-VI and VII: Optional Paper-I and Optional Paper-II

• Optional Subject -Paper I and Paper-II (250 Marks Each) 

List of IAS Exam Optional Subjects (Mains)

Because they make up 500 out of the 1750 total marks in the UPSC Main Examination, Optional Subjects are quite significant for the UPSC Exam. The IAS Exam offers around 45 alternative subjects, many of which are in the literature category. The list of all optional subjects offered for the UPSC Exam is provided below.

The following languages’ literature is included in the list of UPSC optional subjects for the UPSC Mains test, from which you can select the one that best suits your interests:

 Interview/Personality Assessment

After the UPSC Mains Exam, those who are chosen proceed to the third and final stage of the IAS Exam, the Personality Test/Interview. Here, a knowledgeable and impartial panel conducts the interviews with the applicants. The candidate’s DAF (Detail Application Form) will be available to this board.

The purpose of the interview round is to evaluate the candidate’s social skills and interest in current events. The board’s goal is to assess each candidate’s suitability on a personal level for a career in public service.

Candidates may conduct interviews in the language of their choice because translators will be provided by UPSC.