Summary of the Latest Pattern of Civil Services (Mains) Examination
Paper – A
Language -300 Marks
Candidate can take any Modern Indian language but this paper is of
qualifying nature
Paper – B
English -300 Marks
This paper is of qualifying nature
Paper – I
Essay – 250 Marks
Can be written in the medium or language of the candidate’s choice
Paper-II
General Studies-I 250 Marks
(Indian Heritage and Culture,
History and Geography of the World and Society)
Paper-III
General Studies -II: 250 Marks
(Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations)
Paper-IV
General Studies -III 250 Marks
(Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment,
Security and Disaster Management)
Paper-V
General Studies -IV 250 Marks
(Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude)
Marks carried by General Studies papers are 4X 250=1000
Paper-VI
Optional Subject – Paper 1 -250 Marks
Paper-VII
Optional Subject – Paper II -250 Marks
Candidate is allowed to take up literature as an optional subject
“without the condition of having it at the graduation level.”
Sub Total (Written test) 1750 Marks
Marks of English and Language will not be counted in the total tally
of marks for the written exam. So the total of the Mains exam will be
1750 Marks Only.
Interview/Personality Test – 275 marks
Candidate can give preference of the language in which they may like
to be interviewed. UPSC will make arrangement for the translators.
Grand Total 2025 Marks
A candidate is allowed to use any one language from the Eighth
Schedule of the Constitution or English as the medium of writing the
examination.
Civil Services Mains Exam 2016 Syllabus
The written examination will consist of the following papers:
Paper A – Modern Indian language 300 Marks – Qualifying nature – Marks
not counted – Passing mandatory-
(i) Comprehension of given passages.
(ii) Precis Writing
(iii) Usage and Vocabulary.
(iv) Short Essay
(v) Translation from English to the Indian language and vice-versa.
Note 1: The Papers on Indian Languages and English will be of High
School level and will be of qualifying nature only. The marks obtained
in these papers will not be counted for final 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 B – English -300 marks – Qualifying nature – Marks not counted-
Passing mandatory
The aim of the paper is 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.
The pattern of questions would be broadly as follows:-
(i) Comprehension of given passages
(ii) Precis Writing
(iii) Usage and Vocabulary
(iv) Short Essay.
Paper-I
Essay – 250 Marks – To be written in the medium or language of the
candidate’s choice. Candidate is required to write an essay on a
specific topic. The choice of subjects will be given. They are
expected to keep their thoughts closely to the subject and arrange
their ideas in orderly fashion and be concise. Credit will be given to
effective and coherent expression.
Paper-II
General Studies-I 250 Marks (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, redrawing 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.
Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated
issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems
and their remedies.
Effects of globalization on Indian society
Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
Salient features of 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 water-bodies and
ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
Paper-III
General Studies -II: 250 Marks (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.
Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and
responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies
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, various groups and associations, donors, charities,
institutional and other stakeholders
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
Issues relating to development and management of Social
Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Issues relating to development and management of Social
Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources, issues
relating to poverty and hunger.
Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability,
e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and
potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and
institutional and other measures.
Role of civil services in a democracy.
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, mandate.
Paper-IV
General Studies -III 250 Marks (Technology, Economic Development,
Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management)
Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management.
Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of
resources, growth, development and employment.
Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
Government Budgeting.
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
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.
Food processing and related industries in India- scope and
significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply
chain management.
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.
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.
Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental
impact assessment
Disaster and disaster management.
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 in internal security challenges,
basics of cyber security; 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
Paper-V
General Studies -IV 250 Marks (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. The following broad areas will be
covered.
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.
Paper-VI
Optional Subject – Paper I -250 Marks
Paper-VII
Optional Subject – Paper II -250 Marks
Candidates may choose any ONE optional subject from amongst the list
of subjects given below.
Interview/Personality Test – 275 Marks
Candidate can give preference of the language in which they may like
to be interviewed. UPSC will make arrangement for the translators.
NOTE:
Marks obtained by the candidates for all papers EXCEPT PAPER A & B
will be counted for merit ranking. However, the Commission will have
the discretion to fix qualifying marks in any or all papers of the
examination. Aspirants can log on to UPSC’s official website
(www.upsc.gov.in) to see the detailed notification.
