Detailed UPSC Syllabus
General Studies – I
A. History & Culture
o Indian culture: art forms, literature, architecture from ancient to modern times.
o Modern Indian history (~mid-18th century to present) — significant events, personalities, issues
o The Freedom Struggle — its stages, contributions from various regions/leaders
o Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country
o History of the world (18th century onwards): industrial revolution, world wars, redrawing of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies (communism, capitalism, socialism) and their effects on society
B. Geography
o Physical geography: Salient features of world’s physical geography
o Economic and human geograohy: Distribution of key natural resources (world + South Asia, Indian subcontinent). Factors for location of primary, secondary, tertiary sector industries
o Important geophysical phenomena (earthquakes, tsunami, volcanic activity, cyclones etc.), geographical features and their location, changes in critical geographical features (water bodies, ice-caps) and flora-fauna, effects of such changes
C. Society
o Indian society: salient features, diversity
o Role of women, women’s organizations
o Population and associated issues
o Poverty and developmental issues
o Urbanization: problems and remedies
o Effects of globalization on Indian society
o Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism, secularism
General Studies – II
A. Polity & Constitution
o Indian Constitution — historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions, basic structure
o Union – state relations: Functions and responsibilities of Union & States, issues and challenges of federal structure, devolution of powers/finances to local levels. Separation of powers, dispute redressal mechanisms/institutions
o Comparative Politics: Comparison of Indian constitutional scheme with other countries
o Legislature: Parliament and State Legislatures: structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers, privileges, issues
o Executive and Judiciary: Structure, organization, functioning of Executive and Judiciary; Ministries/Departments
o Electoral Politics: Salient features of Representation of People’s Act
o Constitutional Bodies: Appointment to constitutional posts, powers/functions/responsibilities of various constitutional bodies
o Non-constitutional Bodies: Statutory, regulatory, and quasi-judicial bodies
B. Governance
o Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors, issues from their design and implementation
o Development processes and development industry — role of NGOs, SHGs, donors, charities, institutional agencies
o Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections by Centre/States, performance of these schemes; mechanisms /laws/ institutions/bodies for protection of vulnerable sections
o Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services (health, education, HRD)
o Issues relating to poverty and hunger
o E-governance — applications, models, successes, limitations, potential
o Role of civil services in democracy
C. Social Justice
D. International Relations
o India and its neighborhood relations
o Bilateral, regional, global groupings and agreements involving India/affecting India’s interests
o Diaspora and Global Policy Impacts: Effect of policies/politics of developed & developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora
o Important International institutions, agencies, fora — structure, mandate
General Studies – III
A. Economy
o Indian Economy — planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development, employment
o Inclusive growth and issues arising from it
o Government Budgeting
o Agriculture: Major crops, cropping patterns, irrigation systems; storage, transport, marketing of agri produce; e-technology in aid of farmers
Issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; animal husbandry economics
o Food processing industries — scope, location, upstream/downstream requirements, supply chain management
o Land reforms in India
o Effects of liberalization on the economy, industrial policy changes, effects on industrial growth
o Infrastructure — Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
Investment models
B. Science & Technology
o Achievements of Indians in science & tech; indigenization of technology, developing new technology
o Awareness in IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nanotech, biotech, IPR issues
C. Environment
Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment, Biodiversity
D. Disaster Management
Disaster and disaster management
E. Security
o Development – Extremism linkage: Linkages between development and spread of extremism
o Role of external state/non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security
o Communication networks and media: Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media & social networking sites, basics of cyber security
o Money-laundering and its prevention
o Border security, terrorism and organized crime: Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism
o Various security forces/agencies and their mandate
General Studies – IV
o Ethics and Human Interface: essence, determinants, consequences; dimensions of ethics in private/public relationships
o Attitude: content, structure, function; influence on thought/behaviour; moral/political attitudes; social influence/persuasion
o Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service: integrity, impartiality, objectivity, dedication, compassion for weaker sections
o Emotional intelligence: concepts and utility in administration/governance
o Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world
o Public/Civil Service values, ethics in public administration: status/problems, ethical concerns in international relations, funding, role of NGOs
o Corporate governance
o Probity in Governance: concept of public service, philosophical basis, Information sharing, transparency, RTI, work culture, Citizen’s Charters, ethics codes, ethics committees, challenges of corruption
o Case Studies based on the above