29
Part B Main Examination
The main Examination is intended to assess the overall intellectual traits and depth of
understanding of candidates rather than merely the range of their information and memory.
The nature and standard of questions in the General Studies papers (Paper II to Paper V) will be
such that a well-educated person will be able to answer them without any specialized study. The
understanding of all relevant issues, and ability to analyze, and take a view on conflicting socio-economic
goals, objectives and demands. The candidates must give relevant, meaningful and succinct answers.
The scope of the syllabus for optional subject papers (Paper VI and Paper VII) for the examination is
Syllabi of the papers included in the scheme of Civil Services (Main) Examination are given as follows :
QUALIFYING PAPERS ON INDIAN LANGUAGES AND ENGLISH
The aim of the paper is to test the candidates' ability to read and understand serious discursive
prose, and to express ideas clearly and correctly, in English and Indian language concerned.
The pattern of questions would be broadly as follows :
(i) Comprehension of given passages.
(ii) Precis Writing.
(iii) Usage and Vocabulary.
(iv) Short Essays.
Indian Languages :
(i) comprehension of given passages.
(ii) Precis Writing.
(iii) Usage and Vocabulary.
(iv) Short Essays.
(v) Translation from English to the Indian Language and vice-versa.
Note 1 : The papers on Indian Languages and English will be of Matriculation or equivalent standard and
will be of qualifying nature only. The marks obtained in these papers will not be counted for ranking.
Note 2 : The candidates will have to answer the English and Indian Languages papers in English and the
respective Indian language (except where translation is involved).
PAPER-I
Essay: Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics. They will be expected to keep
closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in orderly fashion, and to write concisely. Credit
will be given for effective and exact expression.
Government strives to have a workforce which reflects gender balance and women candidates are encouraged to apply.
, 30
PAPER-II
General Studies-I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society.
Indian culture will cover 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.
ated issues, poverty and
developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
Effects of globalization on Indian society.
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).
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.
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.
Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
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 Ministries and
Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the
Polity.
Government strives to have a workforce which reflects gender balance and women candidates are encouraged to apply.
Part B Main Examination
The main Examination is intended to assess the overall intellectual traits and depth of
understanding of candidates rather than merely the range of their information and memory.
The nature and standard of questions in the General Studies papers (Paper II to Paper V) will be
such that a well-educated person will be able to answer them without any specialized study. The
understanding of all relevant issues, and ability to analyze, and take a view on conflicting socio-economic
goals, objectives and demands. The candidates must give relevant, meaningful and succinct answers.
The scope of the syllabus for optional subject papers (Paper VI and Paper VII) for the examination is
Syllabi of the papers included in the scheme of Civil Services (Main) Examination are given as follows :
QUALIFYING PAPERS ON INDIAN LANGUAGES AND ENGLISH
The aim of the paper is to test the candidates' ability to read and understand serious discursive
prose, and to express ideas clearly and correctly, in English and Indian language concerned.
The pattern of questions would be broadly as follows :
(i) Comprehension of given passages.
(ii) Precis Writing.
(iii) Usage and Vocabulary.
(iv) Short Essays.
Indian Languages :
(i) comprehension of given passages.
(ii) Precis Writing.
(iii) Usage and Vocabulary.
(iv) Short Essays.
(v) Translation from English to the Indian Language and vice-versa.
Note 1 : The papers on Indian Languages and English will be of Matriculation or equivalent standard and
will be of qualifying nature only. The marks obtained in these papers will not be counted for ranking.
Note 2 : The candidates will have to answer the English and Indian Languages papers in English and the
respective Indian language (except where translation is involved).
PAPER-I
Essay: Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics. They will be expected to keep
closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in orderly fashion, and to write concisely. Credit
will be given for effective and exact expression.
Government strives to have a workforce which reflects gender balance and women candidates are encouraged to apply.
, 30
PAPER-II
General Studies-I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society.
Indian culture will cover 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.
ated issues, poverty and
developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
Effects of globalization on Indian society.
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).
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.
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.
Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
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 Ministries and
Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the
Polity.
Government strives to have a workforce which reflects gender balance and women candidates are encouraged to apply.
