UPSC Mains General Studies Syllabus (GS I to IV)

The General Studies papers form the core of the Civil Services Main Examination. There are four papers, each testing a different area of knowledge, analysis and judgement. All four are descriptive and count toward the final merit ranking.

Paper Pattern

General Studies Paper I

Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society

• Culture: salient aspects of art forms, literature and architecture from ancient to modern times
• Modern Indian history: significant events, personalities and issues from the middle of the eighteenth century to the present
• Freedom struggle: its various stages and important contributors from different parts of the country
• Post-independence India: consolidation and reorganisation within the country
• World history: events from the eighteenth century, including the Industrial Revolution, world wars, redrawing of national boundaries, colonisation, decolonisation, and political philosophies such as communism, capitalism and socialism
• Indian society: salient features, diversity, role of women and women’s organisations, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanisation
• Social trends: effects of globalisation on Indian society, social empowerment, communalism, regionalism and secularism
• Geography: salient features of the world’s physical geography, distribution of key natural resources, and factors responsible for the location of industries
• Geophysical phenomena: earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic activity and cyclones, along with changes in water bodies and ice caps and in flora and fauna

General Studies Paper II

Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations

• Constitution: historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure
• Federal structure: functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels
• Separation of powers: dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions
• Comparative study: the Indian constitutional scheme compared with that of other countries
• Institutions: Parliament and State legislatures (structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers and privileges), and structure and functions of the Executive and the Judiciary
• Elections and bodies: Representation of the People Act, and constitutional, statutory, regulatory and quasi-judicial bodies
• Governance: government policies and interventions for development, their design and implementation, and issues arising from them
• Stakeholders: role of civil services in a democracy, and role of pressure groups, NGOs, self-help groups and associations
• Transparency: e-governance applications, models, successes, limitations and potential; citizens’ charters, transparency and accountability, and institutional measures
• Social sector: welfare schemes for vulnerable sections, mechanisms, laws and institutions for their protection, and issues relating to health, education and human resources
• Poverty and hunger: issues relating to development and management of the social sector and services
• International relations: India and its neighbourhood, bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India, and the effect of policies of developed and developing countries on India’s interests
• Diaspora and institutions: the Indian diaspora, and important international institutions, agencies and forums, with their structure and mandate

General Studies Paper III

Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management

• Economic planning: Indian economy and issues relating to planning, mobilisation of resources, growth, development and employment
• Inclusive growth: issues arising from it, government budgeting, and effects of liberalisation on the economy
• Industry and infrastructure: changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth; infrastructure such as energy, ports, roads, airports and railways; investment models
• Agriculture: major crops and cropping patterns, irrigation systems, storage, transport and marketing of produce, and related constraints
• Farm support: e-technology in aid of farmers, direct and indirect subsidies, minimum support prices, public distribution system, food security and buffer stocks
• Rural economy: technology missions, economics of animal rearing, food processing and related industries, land reforms
• Science and technology: developments and their applications and effects in everyday life; achievements of Indians; indigenisation of technology and new technologies
• Emerging fields: awareness in IT, space, computers, robotics, nano-technology and bio-technology; issues relating to intellectual property rights
• Environment: conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, and environmental impact assessment
• Disaster management
• Internal security: linkages between development and the spread of extremism; role of external state and non-state actors in creating security challenges
• Security challenges: communication networks, media and social networking sites, basics of cyber security, money laundering, border area security, organised crime and terrorism, and the mandate of various security forces and agencies

General Studies Paper IV

Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

This paper includes questions to test the candidate’s attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and handling of ethical problems in dealing with society. Case studies are used to check problem-solving ability.

• 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 and function; its influence on thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion
• Aptitude and foundational values: integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion toward the weaker sections
• Emotional intelligence: concepts and their utilities and application in administration and governance
• Thinkers: contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and the world
• Public and civil service values: ethics in public administration, with its status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions
• Ethical guidance: laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance
• International ethics: 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; Right to Information; codes of ethics and conduct; quality of service delivery; utilisation of public funds; challenges of corruption
• Case studies on the above issues